Buyer's Guide: Full-Finger vs Fingerless Tactical Gloves

Tactical gloves are designed to protect your hands and wrists from physical harm and injury without sacrificing dexterity. They’re ideal for shooting and other activities that require agility and precision and defend your hands against cuts and abrasions. Tactical gloves are most often used by military personnel, special ops, first responders, hunters, gun hobbyists and enthusiasts, and airsoft and archery competitors.

Both fingerless and full-finger Tactical Gloves are made with engineered material that’s designed to be breathable and flexible. The type you need depends on the application and how you need to use them, the environment you’re operating in, and your personal preferences.

This article examines the pros and cons of both full-finger and fingerless tactical gloves and discusses how to choose between the two.

Pros and Cons of Fingerless Gloves

Fingerless gloves offer many of the same benefits as full-finger gloves, and are a great option for tasks that require precise handling of small items. Here are some of the pros and cons of fingerless gloves:

Pros:

• They provide protection against cuts and scrapes without restricting finger dexterity.
• They’re ideal for shooting and weapons handling, as full finger gloves can get in the way and limit your control when you put one in the chamber, pull the trigger, or switch magazines.
• They’re versatile. You can type and text and handle small parts, while also knowing your palms, lower wrists, and backs of your hands are protected for more intense activities, like using power tools.
• They’re more breathable and lightweight, making them more comfortable for use in warmer climates or when you’re doing strenuous activities.

Cons:

• Because they don’t fully cover your fingers, they offer less protection from scrapes and abrasions.
• They offer less warmth and insulation, so they’re not generally recommended for use in very cold temperatures.
• They don’t offer protection against burns or harmful chemicals.

When you need the full dexterity of your fingers, but don’t want to give up the grip control, hand protection, and vibration absorption provided by a good pair of work gloves, fingerless tactical gloves may be the way to go. The Tremble X-5 gloves from Cestus make picking up nails and screws, using a computer or mobile device, or handling delicate machinery a breeze, while also maximizing grip and reducing vibration when working with power tools and heavy equipment.

Pros and Cons of Full-Finger Gloves

Because they cover your whole hand, full-finger gloves offer added protection and are often preferable to fingerless gloves in situations where the chance of cuts, scrapes, or abrasions is high. Here are some of the pros and cons of full-finger gloves:

Pros:

• They offer increased protection against injury in case of falling or coming in contact with sharp or dangerous objects.
• They’re generally preferable for cold environments and help prevent frostbite and clumsy fingers due to reduced blood flow from the cold.
• They help prevent debris from entering your gloves (although the wrist strap plays a major role in this as well).
• If your hands get wet (from mud, rain, snow, sweat, etc.), they generally offer better grip than your bare fingers.

Cons:

• They’re less breathable and less comfortable in warm/sweaty conditions (although the glove’s material has a lot to do with this as well).
• They offer reduced dexterity when it comes to handling small parts and working with delicate or compact tools and machinery.

The Cestus M-Tek 9000 is the ideal full-finger glove for tactical situations due to its form-fitting material and one-piece, synthetic leather palm. Lightweight and breathable, it offers the perfect combination of dexterity and hand protection for those working in the military, special ops, aircraft maintenance, emergency response, and more. It’s the perfect multipurpose full-finger glove.

Why You Need Tactical Gloves

Tactical gloves are designed for those who serve -- military personnel, special ops, law enforcement, firefighters, etc. They’re also popular with hunters, target shooters, and airsoft competitors.

Tactical gloves prioritize dexterity without sacrificing durability and protection against a range of physical threats. They need to be form-fitting and flexible, while doing their job and shielding the wearer’s hands from cuts and abrasions. A combination of materials usually come together to make this happen. Depending on the glove, materials may include synthetic leather, kevlar, neoprene, lycra, velcro, foam, spandex, and silicone.

If you’re having a tough time deciding between full-finger and fingerless gloves, consider getting a pair of half-finger gloves or three-finger gloves, like the Cestus Three5. Depending on the task at hand, military personnel, special forces, bikers, and survivalists may also benefit from hard knuckle gloves, which offer additional protection.

Finding the Right Tactical Gloves for You

Looking for the perfect pair of tactical gloves? Here are some tips for choosing the right pair for you:

• Make sure they’re sized correctly. They should fit snugly, but comfortably.
• Consider the weather conditions you’ll be wearing them in. Fingerless gloves generally offer better breathability and ventilation in hot climates, while full-finger gloves keep your hands warm and functional in the cold.
• Look for adjustable wrists. When you’re handling weapons and other gear, fit is extremely important. Adjustable wrists allow you to personalize the glove to fit your hand, improving comfort and mobility.
• Find the right balance between protection and dexterity for your unique purposes. Do you need to be able to use a touchscreen regularly? Are you planning on taking your gloves to the shooting range? If so, fingerless gloves may be more convenient. If, on the other hand, there’s a chance you’ll encounter hand-to-hand combat, a more protective full-finger glove with hard knuckles may be the way to go.

Need help finding the right pair of tactical gloves? Contact us for more information!