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5 Best Shooting Gloves of 2023 [Hands-On Tested]

We bought the most popular tactical shooting gloves to see which have the perfect grip, dexterity, protection, and price.
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    Need some protection for your hands from weekend shooting to busting down doors?

    We bought a bunch of the most popular tactical shooting gloves out there and tested them with competitions, range trips, and even a house move or two.

    All Tested Tactical Shooting Gloves
    All Tested Tactical Shooting Gloves

    While the emphasis will be on what’s important to civilian shooters (price, fit, touch-screen capability, durability, etc.), we also cover some tactical aspects as well.

    By the end of this article, you’ll know which gloves to choose to make your shooting trip a little easier.

    Summary of Our Top Picks

    1. Editor's Pick Shooting Glove

      SKD PIG FDT Alpha Gloves

      Dual-joint trigger finger that protects your hands and gets the job done.

    2. Cheap & Effective

      Mechanix FastFit Gloves

      Need something that works and you won't mind misplacing?

    3. Best Bang-For-The-Buck Gloves

      Magpul Technical Gloves

      Good fit for shooting and touch-screen enabled.

    4. Highest Dexterity Glove

      SKD PIG FDT Delta Gloves

      Thin and great for trigger control when you're shooting.

    5. Best Women's Gloves

      SKD PIG FDT Charlie Gloves

      The wife's favorite shooting gloves.

    Table of Contents

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    Why Wear Shooting Gloves?

    Why gloves? Let me list a couple of reasons:

    • Things get HOT: Guns themselves in hot weather, barrels when you shoot a lot, and suppressors
    • Things get COLD: Sometimes you’re shooting cold weather, and you would prefer to feel your fingers
    • Prevent hand damage: Cuts and scrapes might be meh for most shooters, but they still suck, and if you’re out in the field…infections can become killer.
    Rough Rider 16-Inch c clamp grip
    Rough Rider 16-Inch, C-Clamp Not Recommended

    Fit Comparison

    If you have the best glove out there, and it fits like a grocery bag or a kid’s mitten…it’s not going to work out.

    Here are the measurements of my hand so you can compare them when I go over the sizing. Overall I have skinny wrists, not much of a palm swell, and long fingers.

    My Glove Sizing
    My Glove Sizing

    Now let’s get to it…

    5 Best Shooting Gloves

    1. SKD Tactical PIG FDT Alpha Gloves

    My current favorite shooting glove…the Alpha version of the PIG FDTs.

    SKD FDT Alpha, Gloves
    SKD FDT Alpha Gloves

    The thicker OG version…I think this glove checks all the boxes. Still super dexterous while having some additional protection — all the while fitting like…a glove.

    SKD Glove Sizing
    SKD Glove Sizing

    I went with large on this, like the Delta version.

    SKD FDT Alpha Gloves, Palm
    SKD FDT Alpha Gloves, Palm

    I’ve used these gloves the most, and they’ve handled pistols, ARs, reload magazines, and moved couches perfectly. A little slower to dry since it’s thicker and has some synthetic suede.

    Some stats:

    • Touch-screen enabled index/thumb
    • Isolated trigger finger material
    • Dual-joint trigger finger

    You can see a lot of it is giving dexterity for the trigger finger, and it shows in those knuckle breaks. It’s almost the same as the Delta but with more warmth and protection. Plus, I like having the ability to tighten the wrist strap.

    SKD FDT Alpha Gloves
    SKD FDT Alpha Gloves

    Lastly, it has a nice soft material behind the thumb…again great for your nose or cleaning lenses.

    See them in action!

    The most expensive on the list,t but if you shoot a lot or value protection/dexterity…I highly recommend the Alpha gloves.

    And keep in mind that shooting gloves are consumables.

    The more you use them, the quicker they will get chewed up. Here’s an example of a two-old Alpha that saw a good amount of weekends of hard use.

    Worn SKD PIG Gloves
    Worn SKD PIG Gloves

    Side note: I had a defect with my Alphas where the ring finger was twisted on one hand, so a seam was on my finger pad. Not a deal breaker, but annoying.

    I emailed SKD, and they took care of the problem in less than an hour and two emails.

    Editor's Choice Shooting Glove
    56
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    What do you think of the SKD Pig Gloves? Rate them below!

    Readers' Ratings

    4.98/5 (961)

    Your Rating?

    2. Mechanix FastFit Gloves

    I’ve had a couple of regular Mechanix original gloves for shop work, but the few times I took them to the range, I felt their fingers were a little too bulky for some firearm tasks.

    Enter…their FastFit Gloves.

    Mechanix Fastfit Gloves
    Mechanix FastFit Gloves

    I wore mediums and using their sizing chart, I re-confirmed I was indeed medium.

    Mechanix Size Chart
    Mechanix Size Chart

    Here are some other useful stats:

    • $15-20
    • Synthetic leather and spandex
    • Touch-screen enabled
    • Fast-drying
    • Elastic cuff

    They didn’t fit quite right because of my palm size. You can see there’s a lot of gap in there.

    Mechanix Fastfit Gloves, Palm
    Mechanix FastFit Gloves, Palm

    And the cut between the index finger and thumb is a little restricting for handgun shooting; rifles are fine.

    Also very thin, so they are great for dexterity, but not very warm or heat resistant if that’s your thing.

    Mechanix Fastfit Gloves, Fit
    Mechanix FastFit Gloves, Fit

    But for around $15-20 and pretty good durability from what I’ve seen from friends…you can’t go wrong for a first pair of shooting gloves, especially if you have slightly meatier hands.

    Cheap & Effective
    14
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    3. Magpul Technical Gloves

    One of my go-to recommendations for affordable shooting gloves is Magpul Technical Gloves.

    Magpul Technical Gloves
    Magpul Technical Gloves

    I went with medium, and they fit a lot more snugly on me…especially at the cuff. The Mechanix ones were just too loose and flared for my tastes. However…with the smaller cuff, you’re going to have a lot harder time taking these off.

    Some stats:

    • $22-30
    • Synthetic suede palm
    • Elastic wrist closure
    • Touch-screen enabled
    Magpul Technical Gloves, Palm
    Magpul Technical Gloves, Palm

    You can see it fits a lot better, and the cut of the thumb and index finger is much more conducive for shooting. There’s also extra material on three fingers that enable touch-screen access.

    At first, I thought it would disrupt precision shooting, but it’s at the tip of the finger enough that I had no problems.

    Magpul Technical Gloves, Fit
    Magpul Technical Gloves, Fit

    Thicker material than the Mechanix and what I think is a good Goldilocks zone of dexterity and protection. Also, some terrycloth material on the back of the thumb for sniffles or cleaning optics. 

    Best Bang-For-The-Buck Gloves
    22
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    If you want a little more knuckle protection check out Magpul’s Patrol Glove 2.0s.

    4. SKD Tactical PIG FDT Delta Gloves

    SKD FDT Delta Gloves
    SKD FDT Delta Gloves

    The FDT stands for full dexterity tactical, and they live up to their name. The Delta Glove version is the thinnest version.

    Simpsons Nothing At All
    Simpsons Nothing At All

    If you want full dexterity at the expense of some protection…these are the best on the market.

    I’m a large for SKD gloves, and I fit very snugly even though I sized up.

    SKD Glove Sizing
    SKD Glove Sizing

    No complaints in the finger or palm swell area.

    SKD FDT Delta Gloves, Palm
    SKD FDT Delta Gloves, Palm

    But note that the words “PIG” are rubberized textures that work well but will eventually fall off. However, the tips of the gloves are still touch-screen enabled.

    *Update* Current versions now have reverse printing on the palms, so they will stay on a lot longer.

    Some more stats:

    • $30
    • Single layer palm
    • Elastic cuff
    • Touch-screen enabled index/thumb
    SKD FDT Delta Gloves, Fit
    SKD FDT Delta Gloves, Fit

    They look great too, and you can see how thin they are, even in the back. If you need knuckle protection, look elsewhere. The design is cool, but I have a feeling it’s going to start peeling when I wear it more.

    A little more at $30, but currently, my favorite when dexterity is the primary focus.

    Highest Dexterity Glove
    29
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    5. SKD Tactical PIG FDT Charlie Gloves (Women)

    The women’s version of my favorite gloves…SKD’s PIG FDT Charlie.

    SKD sent these to me for testing after my original article. My wife has small hands but relatively fat fingers (her words).

    SKD FDT Charlie Gloves vs Hand
    SKD FDT Charlie Gloves vs Hand

    Her measurements pointed her towards the small size, but it felt very snug against her fingers. It wasn’t so tight to be constricting, but it should loosen as she wears them more.

    SKD FDT Charlie Gloves
    SKD FDT Charlie Gloves

    Same great feel and ability to move her trigger finger. Plus, she made sure it still worked on smartphones.

    Our current best pick for women’s gloves.

    44
    at Rainier Arms

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Honorable Mentions

    There are a lot of tactical shooting gloves out there. I couldn’t buy & test them all, but here are some of my honorable mentions that I’ve used or know are popular.

    • Outdoor Research Pro Ironsight: I’ve worn these gloves for hiking, and they have a bit more protection than the SKD gloves. The grip attachments will eventually wear off. I Haven’t had the chance to shoot with them, but they were great for hiking.
    Outdoor Research Pro Ironsight Sensor
    OR Pro Ironsight Sensor Gloves
    Viktos Wartorn Vented Gloves
    OR Pro Firemark Sensor Gloves

    Final Thoughts

    After a good amount of testing…here are my final recommendations.

    For the best overall glove…

    Editor's Choice Shooting Glove
    56
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    If you want the glove with the most dexterity:

    Most Dexterous Shooting Glove
    29
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    And if you want the most affordable but still very capable:

    Best Bang-for-the-Buck Shooting Glove
    22
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    How’d I do…did I miss any that I should test out next? Let us know in the comments below. Need some Heated Gloves instead? Or how about the Best Electronic Shooting Protection?

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    51 Leave a Reply

    • Commenter Avatar
      Leighton Cavendish

      Good luck getting them for the prices they list in the article.

      July 22, 2023 11:16 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Jon

      Thanks for the well written article. I appreciate all the options with links to purchase. Too bad OJ wasn’t around for fit testing.

      May 14, 2023 9:03 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Chuck Cochran

      Nice review. I've the FDTs, and like them. I wish someone would make a good thinsulate lined for winter wear.
      Biggest issue I have is finding gloves that are 2XL. I've big hands and really long fingers, and XLs are too tight.

      May 7, 2023 6:35 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Vinny

      That picture with someone holding the barrel on a revolver? No thank you, nothing north of the forcing cone cylinder gap for me (don't like stitches if I can help it). But look at the bright side, at least the cut will already be cauterized.

      May 6, 2023 5:00 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Dave

      PIG (FDT) Alpha Gloves vs. the FR version? Thanks!

      November 12, 2022 10:03 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      deko

      Great article

      October 18, 2022 5:33 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Rizwan

      Great write-up still smiling at it.

      October 18, 2022 5:33 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Stew Ruckman

      How about Viper Tactical, They wear great and fit well. found them on military1st website for $30.00 when I bought mine two years ago. still wearing them today though they are getting close to needing replaced, no holes or un-stitching going on. The Velcro is getting a bit frayed at the wrist cuff but other than that, these are super gloves.

      October 16, 2022 8:37 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Keith P

      Anyone concerned with the durability of a hardware-type product (including leather gloves) should always check out Project Farm on YouTube. He doesn't test things like dexterity of the glove or evaluate touch screen readiness, but his wear & tear testing is really honest and thorough, far better than a salesman's word or advertising on the packaging. His video on work gloves is really eye-opening!

      September 19, 2022 11:42 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      steve levangie

      Hi Eric,
      In regards to the gloves which pair did you feel had the best protection as far as thickness. It took one time grabbing a hot barrell reloading my shotgun using the over the shoulder method to warrant needing something. Thank you, Steve

      August 16, 2022 3:03 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Danilushka Ozera

      Solar radiation: that is why I tend to buy FDE arms now. Even my few Black pistols have light-colored grips now. They still get heated but not nearly so as Black firearms. Also get Tan or Grey gloves not black.

      July 26, 2022 8:30 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Zack

      I come from a background in the trades, and while I was doing sheet metal exclusively I stumbled upon a set of gloves that work great for shooting and sheet metal alike. The brand is MaxiFlex, most of them are cut/abrasive resistant and come with either padding or extra grippy dots on the palms of the glove, they fit pretty tight and are able to stand up to the abuse of work as well as shooting. Price usually runs from $12-18 depending on whether you buy them individually or a few pair at a time. Definitely worth checking out since you haven't mentioned them at all, these are my goto for all kinds of uses, try them out, you won't be disappointed.

      April 18, 2022 7:06 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Jeff Chang

      Have you try Ironclad tactical gloves? I like them for better hand protection, fit and price. They are also popular among service members.

      February 16, 2022 9:45 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Joe

      Anything both tactical and waterproof? I was at a training course and it was in the mid 30s and raining most of the time. We worked a lot from prone and my mechanix were basically instantly soaked and my hands were never really warm, in fact I was better off with them off.

      February 25, 2021 7:17 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Mark

      Wait did I move?? Metric where r we?

      February 11, 2021 4:31 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Thome C

      I have gnome hands for a dude. While Camelbak is known for hydration, they do make tactical gloves: Camelbak Impact CT Tactical Gloves MPCT05, that are STELLAR for $15 on Ebay. I cant say enough about these. I like my gloves skin tight for shooting and mountain biking and these fit the bill perfectly. They're affordable and every bit as good as the Pig Deltas.

      January 21, 2021 8:31 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      rc hubbard

      I use tactical gloves with fingers 1/2 cut off (they sell them like that). They have the advantage of good grip and you don't attenuate the feel of the trigger.

      January 7, 2021 5:23 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        Brenda

        Where can you purchase gloves like that. How much of the finger tip is cut off

        January 8, 2021 3:08 pm
        • Commenter Avatar
          Thomas C

          If you want gloves with cut fingers, I would look at cycling gloves, either road or mountain biking. These are thin for handlebar feel but intentionally have no finger tips for brake lever grip. They even have terry cloth on the palm to wipe sweat. These won't be as durable but still functional.

          January 21, 2021 8:37 am
          • Commenter Avatar
            Eric

            Brenda...

            Amazon sells fingerless gloves by Free Soldier that are amazing. Check them out.

            ✌️

            January 11, 2022 5:00 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Parker

      I can't help but notice that most of the gloves have the same exact cuts as batting gloves, only real difference is a lot more FDE coloring

      December 14, 2020 7:47 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Marty W

      I got a pair of rain duty golf gloves what work well for shooting. Thin enough to have good feel, made for holding golf clubs in the wet weather. No touch pads for smart phone or tablet use though. But the typical velcro closures give a tight secure fit.

      November 19, 2020 4:57 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Ian Adams

      Why not any HATCH gloves? they've been doing shooting gloves longer than anyone listed here! Amazon runs $20-40 depending on style

      November 16, 2020 3:08 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Tom M.

      Amazon does have the SKD PIG FDT Alpha Gloves, with one seller gouging from the advertised $42 to his price of $74

      November 15, 2020 4:56 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Gideon

      is this list also for tactical use?

      September 5, 2020 1:06 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      David C

      Any of these made in the USA?

      July 28, 2020 1:34 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Joe Krowsoski

      You pay for them but toughglovesultra make the best right fitting Cabretta leather glove out there... seriously if you haven’t heard of them, check them out now!

      July 2, 2020 6:16 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Patrick

      I know this won't be popular, but I use those cheap black gloves at Harbor Freight. $3.69 a pair the last time I was in there. Snug fit, but very flexible. I use them for work and normally get 6 months out of them or longer.

      June 24, 2020 4:38 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        Shawn G.

        Cool, thanks for the tip. I was wondering how well those inexpensive Harbor Freight gloves would work.

        September 23, 2020 3:35 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      CJ

      I've never been able to find a good pair of gloves. I'm 6'5, but slender. I have long fingers too and I can never find the right fit...There are a couple on this list I haven't tried yet, so maybe there is some hope.

      May 21, 2020 6:47 am
      • Commenter Avatar
        Expert Shooter

        Go to Home Depot for gloves. I am 6'7", big hands, long fingers.
        Firm Grip, 6-Pairs String-Knit Latex-Coated Gloves, $5.98. Been using these as "shooting gloves" for years to keep my hands clean. Latex gives you a firm grip and the string-knit backside is breathable. Wash by hand in soapy water to remove gun oil, cleaner, and residue, or just throw away if really dirty. I also use these gloves when snorkeling and scuba diving. The orange side is great to signal people.

        June 14, 2020 5:34 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      WS Farr

      Air Force flight gloves. They are inexpensive, form fitting, nomex and an infantry standard. No need for a sexy glove, these have been used forever

      April 22, 2020 6:00 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      James

      I enjoy all of your comparisons. Always well written.
      Would like to see a comparison of shooting glasses, especially over prescription glasses.

      April 22, 2020 3:44 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Bryan

      Why not a golf glove?
      Less expensive comfortable and have been in the second skin, feely, gripey business for over 100 years.

      April 15, 2020 4:41 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Joseph Wilcox

      MADGRIP from lowes or most hardware stores. These things are like having super human spidey grip. 15 bucks. The material is like something out of the future. They have a thin pair and a thick pair. My wife amd I both use these for around the house and at the range. They actually make u stronger in the fact of the non slip grip. Gotta try them. Promise u womt be disappointed

      December 14, 2019 12:41 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        Zack

        These are almost exactly like the Maxi Flex brand gloves i recommended, love the fit of these types of gloves, and the grip is unmatched!

        April 18, 2022 7:11 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Billy B

      Very informative post, as always.

      However, I've always found ALL these kinds of gloves too bulky. They get in the way of the grip and the trigger-pull both.

      I've had a lot of success using simple, cheap glove liners - the kind you buy in sporting goods or outdoor stores. There are trade-offs. For instance they're not as rugged if you're looking for serious hand protection or warmth. Worth considering, though, for most situations.

      December 10, 2019 6:20 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      daymon

      Under armor tactical blackout gloves are IMO the best. No bulk, conductive, form fitting, thin but warm enough and secure with an adjustable strap.

      November 23, 2019 3:05 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Marcia Loffredo

      I love the fact that there is so much protective equipment for shooters to use at a range, etc., BUT...my concern is, if and when a self defense situation arises all of a sudden, people will not have all that protective gear to use before they shoot the bad guy! So, shouldn't we also practice self defense without the protective gear? Because most likely, that is the situation we will be in, God forbid.....

      October 16, 2019 3:28 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Chris

      I love PIG Deltas for pistol work. But they do not do much for heat when you are burning it down with your rifle. When I shoot I am constantly transitioning from rifle to pistol so changing gloves is not an option.
      Also they only last me about 2 weeks when I'm shooting hard.

      My new favorite... Machanix 0.5mm
      Great gloves still have great dexterity with a little more heat protection and more durable.

      March 31, 2019 3:19 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Brum

      Better read the negative reviews for the PIG gloves on Amazon BEFORE purchasing.

      March 2, 2019 3:10 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Jojo

      Thanks for the women's gloves recommendation!

      October 7, 2018 10:03 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      PabloD

      Interesting no oakley's on the list

      April 19, 2018 3:51 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        Crimedog

        That's what I have and I love mine

        November 20, 2019 2:19 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Jeff

      Brownell's has their "Magpul" series of gloves on sale! Just checked today 4/16.

      April 16, 2018 3:34 am
      • Commenter Avatar
        David

        Thanks for that! I'll add it to our deals section today!

        April 16, 2018 6:39 am