Gloves Review

By Paul Knoch

Paintball gloves offer three important benefits: protection, concealment, and warmth. Anyone who has taken a direct hit on the hands or fingers knows what a painful experience that can be. A pointblank shot to the hands could cause damage to delicate nerves or the small bones in your fingers. Gloves are also an essential part of camouflage. I am always amazed when I see a player decked out head to toe in camo without gloves. A light skinned fist is extremely visible against a darker background of a marker, vest, or woodland brush. Finally, if you play in all types of
weather, gloves offer some defense against the
cold and wet.

The two gloves reviewed here are from the Hellstorm line of assault gloves manufactured by BlackHawk Industries, producers of high end tactical gear. Both gloves include a full one year warranty from the time of purchase.

S.O.L.A.G. (Special Operations Light Assault Gloves (Full Finger)

My first opportunity to field test these gloves came during a paintball match held at the Spec Ops field in April. Five inches of fresh snow blanketed the field. The gloves have a handy sizing chart on the back of the package to assist you in selecting the right fit. I chose a “medium” for a tight, snug fit. Throughout a full afternoon of play, the gloves never slipped or came loose. My hands felt warm, dry, and well protected.

Made of advanced synthetic composite materials, the gloves are mold well to your hand and feel lightweight and flexible. Designed with full wrist support and a multiple stitch layer design for enhanced gripping power, the S.O.L.A.G. gloves mold well to your hand. Two wide Velcro® straps can be adjusted for an incredibly tight fit. These gloves simply won’t come off unless you take them off yourself.

The S.O.L.A.G. gloves are beautifully stitched with complex geometric angles that recreate the natural creases of your hand. I particularly liked how Blackhawk has mixed synthetic materials so durability is offered without affecting dexterity. Jointed areas of the hand are covered by a lighter, ribbed material that stretches while the knuckles and inside of the hand are fitted with a rugged suede-like material for extra protection.

Your hands are often the most exposed part of your body when you play woodsball™. It only makes sense to protect them from injury and weather. The S.O.L.A.G. gloves offer everything you could want from a protective glove without sacrificing dexterity.

Stealth Aviator Flight Gloves

My first reaction went I put the gloves on was “Wow! These feel different from any glove I have ever worn!” The Stealth Aviators fit… well, like a glove! You can truly feel the superior design and craftsmanship of these gloves. If it is possible for a glove to make you feel happy, these are the gloves. Slip them on and you feel an immediate sensory reaction to what is obviously a high quality product.

Designed after the popular U.S. Air Force fight glove but modified with a 4-inch shorter cuff, the Stealth Aviators are made with 100 percent Kevlar fabric. Yeah, Kevlar. The stuff they make bulletproof vests
out of. Each glove has four stitch lines along the trigger finger so you can cut off the glove tip without unraveling the fabric. Resistant to cuts and heat, the Kevlar fabric has been tested up to 800 degrees. Perfect for that paintball match from hell.

By the way, I typed this sentence while wearing these gloves using a standard keyboard as a way of demonstrating how nimble these gloves really are. Unlike heavier, bulkier gloves that you must remove to grasp zippers or small objects, the Stealth Aviators feel like a second skin. You can operate small buttons or tools without having to stop and remove these gloves. The fit is so natural and light that it is easy to forget you are wearing gloves at all.

 The entire back hand of each glove is made of tough Kevlar while the inner hand is protected with supple leather. Stitching is reinforced and beautifully finished. An elastic gather near the backside of the wrist holds the glove snugly on your hand. You can easily pull the gloves off your hand but they can’t be shaken off. Like the S.O.L.A.G. gloves, the Stealth Aviators come with a handy sizing chart on the back of the package.

After wearing the Stealth Aviators, it would be difficult to return to an inferior glove. Light enough to use in most any weather, the Stealth Aviators offer hi-tech protection with a tailored fit. Being able to quickly pull out a pod or work a throat mike can mean the difference between victory or a long walk back to the dead box.

Hit Test

The number one reason most paintball players wear gloves is protection from a direct hit. I vividly remember shooting an enemy player on the backside of his wrist with a rental Nel Spot 007 in the late 1980s. The dude started cussing and accused me of shooting a “hot” gun. I showed him my measly rental Nel Spot and he immediately quieted down. It wasn’t the gun. Hands have sensitive, supple skin covering complex strands of muscles and nerves. A paintball traveling at almost 300 feet per second can strike a closed fist with tremendous impact.

To test the effectiveness of each of these gloves, I had one of my woodsball™ buddies shoot the backside of my hand from approximately 50 feet to simulate the most common types of hand shots. Please note, all participants in this hit test wore masks and the marker was carefully chronographed at 280 feet per second. It’s not a good idea to intentionally shoot yourself in the hand.

I tested the Stealth Aviator’s first. With the rest of my body behind cover, I extended my right hand. After a couple of near misses, my buddy hit the back side of my hand with a direct shot. It hurt for sure. A real stinger. However, the gloves did offer a good deal of protection. Despite a direct hit, there was only some redness and slight swelling. No skin was broken. After a few hours, you couldn’t tell that I had been hit. Despite the initial sting, the Kevlar material seemed to protect the skin very well.

The SOLAG’s tested well too. The shot hit my left middle finger. It stung and swelled slightly but no skin was broken nor was there any sign of blistering.

Overall, the thicker SOLAGS would be a good choice for a player looking for added protection while the Stealth Aviators provided adequate protection with maximum feel and dexterity.

Maintenance and Cleaning

I was surprised to find no instructions on the proper maintenance and cleaning of these gloves. There were no instructions on the package or on the gloves that indicated whether you could safely wash these gloves. However, I was able to call BlackHawk Industries toll free number during normal business hours. I was told that the gloves should not be machine washed. To clean the gloves, the BlackHawk rep told me to rinse them with warm water. He also added that a little conditioner could be used to keep the gloves supple.

Recommendations
For the all around player looking for protection and dexterity, I would recommend the Stealth Aviator gloves. They are easily the finest tactical gloves I have ever worn. However, for added protection or cold weather play, the S.O.L.A.G. glove may be a better choice. For complete coverage, add both gloves to your gear list.  You may find gloves that cost less, but over time, the quality and construction of these professional level gloves will be more satisfying than saving a few bucks.