best tactical gloves

7 Best Tactical Gloves for the Shooting Range

Let’s be honest. Going to the range is awesome, but it can be rough on your hands.

You’ve scraped your knuckles loading a stubborn magazine. You’ve felt the sharp edge of a Picatinny rail. You’ve probably even gotten a little love-tap from hot brass.

A good pair of gloves isn’t just about looking cool (though it helps). It’s about protecting your most valuable tools—your hands—so you can focus on your shooting.

But which ones should you get? There are hundreds of options.

Don’t worry, we’ve done the homework for you. We’ve sorted through the noise to find the 7 best tactical gloves perfect for a day of sending rounds downrange.

Don’t have time to read? Here are our top 3 picks:

Glove Best For Price Range
Mechanix M-Pact Overall Value & Protection $$
PIG FDT Alpha Maximum Dexterity (Feeling Everything) $$$
Magpul Technical Glove Lightweight Use & Brand Loyalty $$

Ready for the full breakdown? Let’s gear up.

Our Picks for the 7 Best Tactical Gloves

Here are the top-tier gloves that offer the best blend of protection, dexterity, and value for any range day enthusiast.

1. Mechanix M-Pact® Gloves

#1 best tactical gloves - mechanix mpact gloves

Best For: Overall Value & Hard Use

If you’ve ever seen a pair of tactical gloves, chances are they were these. The Mechanix M-Pact is the gold standard for a reason. It offers a beefy rubber knuckle guard and finger protection that saves you from bumps and scrapes, without feeling like you’re wearing boxing gloves.

The palm has special padding to absorb recoil and vibration, making a long day with a rifle much more comfortable. They are the perfect do-it-all glove.

Pros:

  • Excellent knuckle and finger protection.

  • Great padding on the palm.

  • Extremely durable for the price.

Cons:

  • A bit bulky for very delicate tasks.

<a href=”your-affiliate-link-here” class=”button”>Check Price on Amazon</a>

2. PIG FDT Alpha Gloves

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Best For: Maximum Dexterity & Touchscreen Use

If you want to feel every click of your safety selector and every bit of your trigger press, the PIG Alphas are your answer. These gloves are designed to fit like a second skin. They are famous for their incredible dexterity, allowing you to easily manipulate your firearm, load mags, and even use your smartphone without taking them off. The trade-off for all that feel is less padding and impact protection.

Pros:

  • Unmatched dexterity and tactile feel.

  • Works flawlessly with touchscreens.

  • Vented material keeps hands cool.

Cons:

  • Minimal protection against impacts.

  • Higher price point.

<a href=”your-affiliate-link-here” class=”button”>Check Price on Primary Arms</a>

3. 5.11 Tactical Station Grip 2 Gloves

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Best For: All-Around Reliability

5.11 Tactical is a giant in the gear world, and their Station Grip 2 gloves are a solid, no-nonsense choice. They offer a great middle ground—more protection than the PIGs, but more dexterity than the M-Pacts. They are comfortable for all-day wear and durable enough to handle serious training. A great choice if you can’t decide which direction to go.

Pros:

  • Great balance of protection and dexterity.

  • Comfortable and breathable.

  • Reputable brand with consistent quality.

Cons:

  • Not the best at any single thing, but good at everything.

<a href=”your-affiliate-link-here” class=”button”>Check Price on 5.11 Tactical</a>

4. Magpul Technical Glove 2.0

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Best For: Lightweight Use & Magpul Fans

If you love your Magpul PMAGs and stocks, you’ll love their gloves. The Technical Glove is a lightweight, high-dexterity option that feels more like a driving glove than a work glove. It provides a fantastic grip and basic protection from scrapes while allowing you to feel everything you’re doing. The synthetic suede palm is tough, and the narrow forefinger design is perfect for getting a clean trigger press.

Pros:

  • Excellent dexterity and fit.

  • High-quality synthetic suede palm.

  • Touchscreen compatible.

Cons:

  • Offers very light protection.

<a href=”your-affiliate-link-here” class=”button”>Check Price on Palmetto State Armory</a>

5. Viktos LEO Insulated Gloves

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Best For: Cold Weather & Extra Protection

Shooting in the cold sucks, especially when your fingers go numb. The Viktos LEO Insulated gloves solve that problem. They have a thin layer of Thinsulate™ insulation to keep your hands warm without making you feel like you’re wearing ski mittens. They also feature a reinforced palm and padded knuckles for solid protection.

Pros:

  • Provides warmth without excessive bulk.

  • Durable goatskin palm for great feel and grip.

  • Touchscreen compatible.

Cons:

  • Can be too warm for summer use.

<a href=”your-affiliate-link-here” class=”button”>Check Price on OpticsPlanet</a>

6. Oakley SI Factory Pilot 2.0 Glove

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Best For: The Classic Hard-Knuckle Look

These are the gloves you’ve seen in countless movies and video games. The Oakley Factory Pilot gloves pioneered the carbon fiber hard-knuckle look. They provide serious impact protection for the back of your hand while using premium materials like goatskin leather for the palm. If you want maximum protection and that iconic “operator” look, these are hard to beat.

Pros:

  • Excellent hard-knuckle protection.

  • Premium materials and construction.

  • Iconic, aggressive styling.

Cons:

  • Requires some break-in time.

  • Can be a bit stiff at first.

<a href=”your-affiliate-link-here” class=”button”>Check Price on Amazon</a>

7. SKD PIG FDT Delta+ Utility Glove

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Best For: The Minimalist

Sometimes you just want a thin layer between your skin and your gun. The PIG Delta gloves are the ultimate minimalist option. They’re incredibly thin, breathable, and offer just enough protection to prevent minor cuts and scrapes. If you’re someone who normally hates wearing gloves, these are the ones that might change your mind. They’re also very affordable.

Pros:

  • Barely-there feel and amazing dexterity.

  • Very breathable and lightweight.

  • Affordable price point.

Cons:

  • Provides almost zero impact protection.

<a href=”your-affiliate-link-here” class=”button”>Check Price on SKD Tactical</a>

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do I really need gloves for the shooting range?
Need? Maybe not. But once you use them, you’ll want them. They prevent scrapes, absorb some recoil, and give you a better grip, especially when your hands get sweaty. It’s a cheap and easy way to make your range time more comfortable.

2. What size should I get?
Always check the manufacturer’s sizing chart! They usually have you measure your hand’s circumference. When in doubt, it’s often better to go a size down for a snug fit, as most gloves will stretch slightly over time.

3. Will these gloves let me use my phone?
Many modern tactical gloves, like the PIG Alphas and Magpuls, have special material on the fingertips that works with touchscreens. We made sure to note it in our reviews!

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