Top Six Hunting/Shooting Gloves

Hunting gloves are a very important consideration and not just when it’s cold and wet; Pete Wadeson helps you choose wisely

Gloves are important and not just to match your camo suit either. There are any number of types that use various materials offering differing properties. Whatever you choose they should offer good tactility to break the shot and operate controls and keep your hands protected as required. There is also a big difference between summer and winter weight styles too, which must also be considered. What I have here are six makes/types that I rate and regularly use. Certainly not all encompassing but a good enough choice to give you some solid buying information.

Hunters Mittens from Jack Pyke

Last winter I was glad I had these! Made from 100% Polyester brushed tricot with laminated waterproof membrane, they have Polar fleece cuffs and linings, leatherette palms, ‘fold back’ thumb for ease of loading and cut forefinger for full feel on the trigger. However as well as this they have full finger cover. This can be drawn over while waiting to keep hands fully protected or folded back where the cover is retained by magnets (much better than Velcro). On the back there’s a zipped pocket for storing small items.
Price: £19.95
Sizes: M - XL
Contact: Thatchreed Limited 01234 740327
www.jackpyke.co.uk

Viper Special OPS Gloves

Another high quality design and available in black, olive green or sand. They’re part manufactured from advanced composite materials, are lightweight, tough and quick drying. The trigger fingers are tactile and consist of a combination of suede and synthetics for water resistance and strength. They’re strengthened with side sections of suede panelling which is designed to give what is best described as virtually full knuckle protection. The overall design offers a good level of adjustment and security as they fasten to the wrists by an adjustable wrist support and hand adjustment band.  They utilise a suede pull over cinch strap to tighten the rear sections just above the broad cuff strap. This offers a high level of wrist support.
Price: SRP£16.50
Sizes: S, M, L, XL and XXL
Contact: Thatchreed Limited 01234 740327
www.thatchreed.co.uk or visit www.viperkit.co.uk for nearest stockists

JahtiJakt Half Finger Gloves from Arctic Outdoors

These are superb hand huggers that utilise a special Thinsulate lining to provide excellent insulation and the palm is durable leather with a slight roughened outer to aid grip. The cuffs are lengthy and being ribbed stretch to fit your wrist. I’ve used these for a few years and the secure feel at the cuff and grip haven’t changed to any degree. These are the type of gloves to have ‘handy’ in your shooting jacket when the weather isn’t that inclement. If the weather is particularly cold check out the excellent Tundra Gloves, fully waterproof, due to the AIR-TEX Membrane, silicone print on palms provides excellent grip, strong Velcro strap ensures secure hold at the cuffs and for a glove that offers so much protection they’re silent in use due to the soft surface fabric and have a soft knit lining
Price: £14.50
Sizes: One size fits all
Colours: Green or Brown
Contact: Contact: Arctic Outdoor Clothing Ltd, 0845 389 0370
www.arcticoutdoor.co.uk

Whitewater RainBlocker Gloves

These are my favourites! Manufactured by US clothing giants Whitewater they feature a leather palm and inner thumb section that aids grip with a tactile Lycra shooting finger. This is what sets them apart from other shooting gloves as the Lycra is slightly padded at the back and also is built into the glove just were your forefinger naturally bends at the knuckle. They’re available in Advantage Timber only but this pattern blends well with many others. They’re 100% water/windproof and feature a lengthy cuff and adjustable Velcro and mechanical fastener strap.
Price: £20.45
Size: M – 2XL
Contact Garlands, 01827 383300
www.garlands.uk.com
                     
Seeland Keeper Gloves Erase XT

Primarily these compliment Seeland’s Keeper Jacket & Trousers in Erase XT Camo. However, I find these to be amongst the best in the company’s range. The camo blends in superbly with other patterns. Manufactured using a SeeTex water repellent outer shell with an extra lightweight ‘SeeTex’ wind/waterproof and breathable membrane, they are a hi-tech design. They have lengthy cuffs which are elasticated at the wrist and behind is a strong Velcro fastener. The lining is one of the most hand-friendly and the trigger finger is tactile too. A palm dot pattern offers a subtle yet effective grip.
Price: £49.99
Size: M - XL
Contact: Simon Esnouf, 01869 250151, Mobile, 07887 997788
E-mail [email protected]

McWet Gloves

Due to the fact MacWets fit like a second skin, they provide sensitivity and great grip for precision performance – in wet or humid weather. Already popular with shotgunners, airgun hunters were quick to appreciate the benefits they offer. They’re available in short or long cuff lengths, six colours (black, white, brown, green, blue and black/white) and 14 sizes. Their strap line ‘ALL GRIP—NO SLIP’ is used and you will soon realize that they are extremely comfortable and practical. They have summer and winter versions, the latter are known as Climatic having a windproof, water-resistant, fleece lined backing. Phone and the company will help you to select the correct size and most suitable for your type of use - as a bonus they do go in the washing machine and do not distort or lose any of their properties!
Prices £27.99 mesh-backed
Climatic backed £29.99
Sizes: 14 available in 5mm increments
Contact: McWet Ltd, 01902 701219 for nearest stockists
www.macwet.com

So there you have it - a small selection of the shooting gloves that I rate. As can be seen there are both winter and summer options that I have tried and tested and found to work the best. You will need both types but for my money the MacWets are perhaps one of the most useful designs!