5.11 Tactical: Screen Ops Tactical Gloves review

Dear friends,

couple of weeks ago I published Screen Ops Gloves review preview. At that time it was tested only in one game, but I decided not to rush and do more field testing. So, even after a couple more events, I can say it had harsh time on the field!

U.S. company has supported our “promising Blog” with examples – for this we are very grateful to them. This is a very important rating!

These gloves manufactured by 5.11 Tactical. The company was founded in 2003 USA and originated from the field and travel clothing brand Royal Robbins, who in 1977 began to produce original 5.11 Tactical pants, that latter became the FBI National Academy standard outfit.
Currently 5.11 Tactical manufactures a complete list of special clothing, footwear, work and protective equipment for law enforcement, military and fire department. 5.11 Tactical motto – to create innovative products that exceed our customers’ needs. It is true, do you know what “5.11” means? Probably not. Climbers use code system to describe the required skills to climb the rock – 5.0 means easy climbing, 5.10 – serious and 5:11  especially significantly difficult, practically impossible, climb. Officially, “5.11” key is used when you want to make the climbing action that is impossible … However, there are professionals who is able to cross this line. This is how “5.11” simbol of tactical equipment.

So, let’s get back to the review. For the first time these gloves presented at Shot Show 2012 exhibition, which went on sale since March. It is currently the only type of gloves on the market (I’m lucky bastard!). These gloves are made in Coyote and Black, the price indicated 5.11 Tactical web page – 89.99 EU, and the similar screen Ops Patrol Gloves – 49.99 EU.

Upper part of Tactical Ops Screen Gloves is made of Kevlar® material – resistant to cutting. At first could not believe it, because the material is thin, light and spongy. So Itook a knife, and tried to cut it – it didnt work. The material is really resistant to cutting.
Rack and finger joints is protect with soft porous leather layer. After this layer of the leathern is also a Kevlar® material.

Glove is fasten with Velcro latch over carpus. Velcro looks good, especially the beard – dense, tight, well-stitched. There is the leather flap at the inner part of the wrist for more comfortable put on. Very practical, because this part is usually significantly worn-out. Edges along the perimeter of the glove base is sewn with leather band and this provides rigidity.

Palm patr of the glove is made of smooth goat leather. The leather (not suede leather) is soft, thin, well treated. Good feeling when touching surface, especially good hand grip on the gun handle. After prolonged wearing skin is gaining hand shape, so gets fit even more. You will be surprised, but the skin is strong enough. Below, see what this glove has withstood.

Finger-ends is made of silver fabric for a touch-sensitive screens. My guess is that it is a metal filaments that transmit body heat and the body’s magnetic field. This part is made seamless, inner seam will not interfere with touch screen, as well as wont irritate to the fingertips. This innovative stuff really works, because I tried with the iPad and the iPhone, and Samsung, and GPS, and with other touch-sensitive devices.
All seams are internal, but there is no sharp angle on the seam to cause irritation to the skin. Seams are thick, durable, with ends secured, in some parts it is double sewing, and a couple of places – triple. True, a couple of places Kevlar material after seams could be shorter – has left many reserve.
I have observed that the gloves are very, very light.

Before writing this review I tried the gloves really sincerely:

• In the first game I had to crawl through wet grass and forest floor all night. The next day I was climbing through the windows of the building, built of not planed wood. I thought the palms of gloves will be damaged, or become shabby from excessive moisture and will shrink because of body heat. I was wrong;
• In the second game, we had to hold the building, so all day long these gloves kept my hands from rough concrete and broken glass. The leather of gloves was left intact;
• The third event, we worked with guns, so that was an opportunity to try them with grips. I used the gun with nude rails, but the gloves remained intact.

So after three intensive games these gloves survived just fine.

Admittedly, I have a few comments:

• After prolonged wearing the gloves slight dye palms particularly in wet weather;
• While silver finger tips after longer wearing gets darker, they could be made of darker fabric. Also, you may not be required as toes lacing on all the fingers to just the first three; Also possibly unnecessary to use this fabric on all the fingers, to just the first three;
• Toes patches seam makes the material to crease. I think it should be and horizontal seams too.

I’m not a big fan of the 5.11 production, even though I have the manufacturer’s production. However, I can confidently say that the Tactical Ops Screen Gloves is by far the best gloves I have had – they are lightweight, durable and comfortable, there is attention to even the smallest detail. I am particularly pleased by the fact that I will no longer neet to chew my gloves when I ahve to take it of and use my mobile phone.

Sincerely,
Uno

Comments