Helikon Rangeman Gloves and Range Polo Shirt

Helikon-Tex offer an extensive range of tactical clothing. Their products are categorised into lines, which include; Urban, Patrol, Medical, Outback, Bushcraft, Morale, Surplus and Range. The two items on test are from the latter, which also includes; shooting mats, range bags, chairs, belts, gun cleaning products and even holsters.

Get a grip

The Helikon Rangeman gloves have been developed from the ground up by shooters for use on the range, hence the name! They are designed to be an exact fit and durable, while being thin enough to provide the user ample tactility to operate all the controls on a firearm, including the trigger. To help achieve this, they are available in a wide range of sizes, from S-XXL. The materials have been carefully chosen, the palms, fingers and their tips are manufactured from kangaroo leather, which is a clever move by Helikon. It is more flexible, lighter and stronger than your traditional cow brand, so they can use a thinner layer, making it an ideal choice for the chosen application.

The backs are manufactured from a durable elastic fabric, which, in conjunction with the flexibility of the new leather, helps them fit even better. It is also breathable, and I found it pretty effective in hot weather. As the gloves can be a tight fit, they have added a loop at the wrist to make them easier to put on; great idea! They can be secured at the wrist using an adjustable Velcro strap. It is worth noting that the leather on the fingertips may be slightly too thick for some really light triggers, but overall a great compromise. The quality is excellent, and they do exactly what it says on the tin! They are available in black or a black/shadow grey combination.

Practical polo

From the outset, this polo shirt is clearly at home on the range, with most of its features aimed to make it practical and comfortable. It is manufactured from a mid-weight fabric, which is quick drying, making it ideal for dynamic shooting. To this end, it also features mesh-covered armpits to aid cooling. Helikon have taken steps to make this top durable in areas subjected to wear and tear from gun belts and belt-mounted equipment. The sides of the shirt feature an abrasion-resistant material known as ‘VersaStretch’. This extends from just below the armpit to the hem. It can also be found on each arm from the elbow downwards and includes Velcro-sealed slots, where you can insert neoprene low-profile protection pad inserts. Another good idea!

Both upper arms feature a zipped pocket with pull tabs and Velcro panels for personalisation. The zip-fastened collar has a loop at its base for eyewear and is reinforced so it can stand upright, offering protection from a sling. It’s a well-made and efficient design that is well worth a look, that would be ideal for the practical pistol/shotgun/rifle crowd in the UK. It is available in adaptive green, black, coyote and shadow grey.