Mechanix Glove Roundup

From left to right - Impact Pro, MPact Coyote, Original Plus, Series 3 Impact Pro, and Original (cut).


This is a brief overview of a group of 5 Mechanix glove styles. Mechanix gloves are well-known for use in the auto repair and racing industries, and have seen growing use in the field as a tactical glove, especially with airsoft players.

All prices are from Amazon.com unless otherwise noted.


Impact Pro

Features:

Dura-Fit synthetic leather palm provides durability and flexibility

Non-Slip Clarino is strategically placed to enhance grip

TPR-molded rib panels protect the back of your hand, knuckles and fingertips

Two-way stretch mesh top with Tricot interior keeps your hands comfortable

Lycra panels between fingers allow ventilation and mobility

Cost: $24.50

Positives:

Overall the glove is well designed and fairly comfortable. The main glove material has stood up well to the elements. Rib panels provide great protection from hand shots. Three reinforced fingertips where others only have two.

Negatives:

The cuff of this style is quite short, a larger cuff is more secure and comfortable. Extra padding on the palm can get in the way. Also, and the worst part, the rib panels are beginning to pull away because they are pointed, as shown:

MPact Coyote

Features:

Tactical Coyote Color is perfectly matched to the Desert Camo BDU colors

Durable, Clarino Synthetic Leather Palm

Lycra Inserts between fingers ensures proper ventilation

Hidden interior seam stitching provides unmatched dexterity

EVA Foam padded palm protects against fatigue from vibration and abrasion

Cost: $25.00

Positives:
The main thing I like about this glove is the color. It perfectly matches standard coyote gear, and looks good with any desert/arid camo, as well as Multicam. It also provides ample hand and finger protection. This style has shown no indication of ribs pulling up. It is also available in woodland camo.

Negatives:
These only possibly bad thing about these gloves is they are slightly less comfortable than Mechanix gloves without the ribbing on the back, but that is hardly a real negative.

Original Plus

Features:

Glove is designed specifically for those jobs needing extra grip with out additional padding

Finger and thumb grippers made from non-slip, rubberized Clarino« ZeusÖ for improved grip and control

Lycra panels between fingers for added comfort and mobility

Dual layered finger tips for increased protection and reduced wear

Ultra thin TPR strap with hook and loop closure provides comfort and adjustability

Cost: $19.99

Positives:
Compared to the Original, this glove is a huge improvement. The reinforced fingertips and lack of the felt-like material that pulls apart on the Original glove makes it a great choice for a tactical glove. Also comes in a variety of colors including black-on-black called Stealth.

Negatives:
There is no ribbing or other protection on the back, so hand shots can be painful. Other than the Stealth color, all others have bright "Mechanix" logos across the back, which can be quite easy to see.



Series 3 Impact Pro

Features:

Series 3.0 Gloves have redefined "work glove" and are the #1 choice of professional tradesmen. The 3.0 gloves offer an Anti-vibration palm with a tacky grip. Two-way, form-fitting, mesh top, with stretch Tricot lining, stretches, increasing comfort, fit and breathability

Cost: $24.50 (http://texas-america-safety-company.amazonwebstore.com/)

Positives:
Well designed, a mix of the M-Pact and Impact Pro. Better palm reinforcement and ribbing than the Impact Pro above.

Negatives:
Only two fingers have reinforced tips where the Impact Pro has 3. Hard to find and only available in grey on black.


Original (fingers cut)

Features:

Synthetic leather fingertip reinforcements provide strength and protection.

Concealed interior seam stitch prevents snagging.

Dual layered fingertips and thumb.

Streamlined elastic cuff with hook and loop closure.

Cost: $17.59

Positives:
The original Mechanix glove, it is easy to find and cheap. A standard glove and can be found in Stealth color without the bright white back.

Negatives:
This glove is not made to stand up to the harshness of an airsoft field. Within a few months of owning these gloves, beggars lice and briars had torn the sides of the fingers to shreds, leaving barely a strip to hold the slightly stronger top and bottom together.

Note:

With the fingers cut and edges melted to prevent further fraying, they have stood up well as a fingerless glove.

Conclusions:

All the Mechanix gloves listed, except for the Original (and possibly the Impact Pro) make a great glove for airsoft or other tactical situations. The Original is a great mechanic glove but fails to stand up to even the lightest fields. The Impact Pro has been improved upon multiple times, so I would avoid it as well. From my experience with these gloves, the things to look for are the following:

1. Full cuff with hook and loop closure. The smaller cuff does not stay in place as well.

2. Stealth, Coyote, or other color. The white lettering sticks out and even using a marker to cover it does not work as well.

3. Ribbing on the hand and fingers. Not necessary, but when the difference in price is only $5 it is worth it.

Of all the gloves, I believe the MPact Coyote to be the best tactical glove of those reviewed. The color and design put it ahead of the others for use in a tactical loadout.