For quite some time I had been facing the question of choosing new gloves. Choosing the brand was fairly simple. Whether in the world of motoX or in the tactical world, the brand MECHANIX probably needs no introduction to anyone. A somewhat more difficult task was choosing a suitable model.
I had two favorites, and I was deciding between the SPECIALTY 0.5 and PURSUIT CR5 covert models. The biggest difference between the models is cut resistance in the PURSUIT version. In the end, the decision was made easier by the availability of this model in my size, which ultimately turned out to be a good choice, but more on that a bit later.
First impressions
In the coyote color variant that I chose, the tactical character of the gloves is unmistakable. In black, I could easily imagine them as discreet gloves ideal for urban use.
The workmanship of the gloves already looks very good at first glance. You won't find any loose threads, imprecise or overlapping seams. Two materials dominate the gloves - on the palm side it is 0.5mm thick/thin AX suede, and on the back side a breathable TrekDry material. The gloves stay in the right place thanks to a rubber cuff with hook-and-loop fastening.
A definite positive is the correctly chosen width, which does not interfere with wearing a watch and does not otherwise restrict wrist movement in any way. Another positive is the placement of the fastening on the top (back) side of the glove. An unmissable feature of the gloves is also the loop, which, combined with a carabiner, is suitable for hanging the gloves on a backpack, belt, or another part of the gear.
Size selection
I normally wear gloves in size M, and this size fit me like a glove. However, to be safe, I recommend printing out the manufacturer's template, thanks to which you can easily determine the suitable size. And it is precisely this that will guarantee that the gloves fit perfectly on your hands, and after a while you will forget you are even wearing them. The feeling of comfort is also enhanced by the expandability at the joint bends, thanks to which handling in them is easier and more precise, which you will especially appreciate when shooting.
Perfect touch
A great number of gloves have passed through my hands, and many of them fit perfectly on my hands. The problem arose, however, when I needed to operate a touchscreen display, whether on a phone or a tablet. Despite the manufacturer's declaration of compatibility with touchscreens, the response was slow - sometimes none at all. It ended up with me having to take the right glove off and put it back on every so often, or otherwise keep it in my jacket pocket the whole time. In this area, this model literally excels!
The combination of a 0.5mm thick material with perfectly stitched fingers guarantees an instant display response. Unlocking and locking the phone, focusing and taking photos is no problem at all in these gloves. I only took the gloves off for one single reason - to take a photo. With other gloves, usually only the tip of the index finger is touch-capable. In this case, the entire palm side of the gloves is usable, so all fingers can be used.
Gloves in action
I decided to test the gloves in all the activities I regularly encounter. In the field, I often use either a classic binocular or a monocular. Holding and operating the monocular was absolutely no problem. Other activities included setting up and checking a trail camera. Likewise, operating the buttons on the trail camera, changing batteries, and working with small items such as SD cards and self-tapping screws was all trouble-free.
Despite the absence of any rubberized coating on the palm side, the gloves provide a perfect grip whether it's a small or large knife, a hatchet, or a camera. Thanks to how the gloves fit on the hands and the thickness of the material used, they are an ideal choice for activities like airsoft and, of course, for use at the shooting range or during service duties. Out of curiosity, I also tried the gloves while shooting my compound bow. In this case too, their use was completely trouble-free.
Thermal comfort and durability
This is probably the most fundamental dilemma when choosing suitable gloves. Higher thermal comfort and durability go hand in hand with lower sensitivity and more difficult handling, and vice versa. I was never a fan of overly thick and clumsy gloves, which in the end you find yourself taking off more than wearing, and ultimately you end up colder than with thinner ones that you never have to take off at all. I had the opportunity to test the gloves at an outdoor temperature of -6°C, and they held up decently. It was enough to move and exercise my fingers from time to time.
During work activities, there was absolutely no problem with thermal comfort. Thanks to the ventilation on the back side, the gloves will also be usable at higher temperatures. Based on this, I would dare to say that the gloves are an ideal three-season choice, with the option of use in winter down to certain temperatures. As I mentioned at the beginning, I was also tempted by the cut-resistant model, especially since I often use knives and axes. That is a feature that would certainly come in handy. The question is whether this particular feature would worsen, for example, the operability of touchscreens and overall handling.
Verdict
The Mechanix Speciality 0.5 gloves met all my expectations. Excellent quality of workmanship and materials used, combined with a cut that makes them fit perfectly on the hands. One of the best touchscreen controls, handling of small objects, and sufficient thermal comfort with adequate ventilation. The last unanswered question remains how the gloves will hold up with long-term use, which I will certainly update you on in a few months.
If you are looking for a model with a higher level of protection or other criteria, be sure to check out other models from the brand MECHANIX.
