For emergency responders, your hands are your most important tool, and having a high-quality pair of gloves is important. Over the years, I’ve used a lot of different brands, and while a lot of them were great gloves, I found myself using one brand the most: Hatch gloves from Safariland. Using glove constantly, I found these were the best at holding up in the field.
A friend of mine once cut his hand on a glass pipe, which was hidden on a wanted person he was searching during an arrest. He didn’t have a good pair of gloves at the time, even though we all kept telling him to get some! While latex gloves protect your hands from germs and such, they do absolutely nothing for sharp objects. It didn’t’ take him long to get a pair of gloves after that.
Gloves not only protect your hands, but they also give you a better grip on your gun or other tools. A lot of people may not pay a lot of attention to the brand or type of gloves they have, but it really does matter.
The gloves on this list are all gloves I have used and know from firsthand experience how well they hold up. Because different gloves are better for different situations and tasks, there is no specific order to this list.
Hatch® SP100 Defender™ II Riot Control Gloves with Steel Shot
The Hatch SP100 Defender II gloves are what I use when serving search warrants. They are not as practical in other applications, but they are great at protecting your hands during confrontations. You can still manipulate firearms and equipment while wearing them, but for general use they are just a little too bulky. As you can see in the photo, they have re-enforced fingers and knuckles.
These are the most advanced weighted defense gloves on the market. They are perfect for riot control and correctional operations as well. Each knuckle area has four ounces of steel shot in them. This protects your hands, even when you must strike something.
The gloves also feature a double-layered goatskin palm. Hatch uses what they call an Ergo-Cut™ design, which gives you good dexterity. Foam padding on each finger also provides extra protection. These gloves are for when you need to stop an aggressor in their tracks and work perfectly for self-defense applications.
Hatch SP100 Specs
- Shell: Spandex back, double-layered goatskin palm.
- Protection: Foam padded fingers, 4 ounces of steel shot in each knuckle.
- Use: Riot control, corrections, and disturbance control.
- Fit: Ergo-Cut™ design for dexterity and freedom of movement.
Hatch® KSG500 Tactical Pull-On Operator Gloves with Kevlar®
The Hatch KSG500 gloves are my go-to for general-purpose and patrol. They are thin and easily fit in a pocket so you can grab them when needed. Hatch markets these for SWAT and tactical professionals, but they work great for anyone who wants a pair of gloves that are easy to carry and quick to put on.
Made with a form-fitting design, they have a thin, durable leather palm, which provides an excellent feel and grip. The back of the hand is made of Kevlar, and the material also offers inherent flame resistance.
Another thing I like is the open-wrist design. Hatch put an elastic band around the inside of the wrist so they can be pulled on quickly. There isn’t a Velcro tab to pull over like a lot of the other gloves.
If you like the classic Hatch Flight Gloves (which are on this list), you will like these. They are basically the same type of glove, but shorter.
Hatch KSG500 Specs
- Shell: Thin, durable leather palm.
- Back: Kevlar® blend for flame resistance.
- Use: Tactical, SWAT, and shooting.
- Cuff: Short, open cuff for easy pull-on.
Hatch® SGX11 Street Guard™ Cut-Resistant Tactical Police Duty Glove
For those who don’t really like leather, the SGX11 gloves are great. I use them a lot when it’s cooler and I want something a little warmer. They are not “winter” gloves, but they are just a little thicker than other gloves. This makes them warmer and helps block the wind.
I did find these gloves fit a little tighter than the others so you may want to go with one size larger than some of the others.
The exclusive X11™ liner is what make them thicker. This protects the entire hand from sharp objects, which of course is a nice feature to have in your gloves. The palms are made of digitized synthetic palm that has an “extreme grip” coating on them. This helps you keep a good grip on your firearm when shooting.
The back of the hand is neoprene and nylon spandex, which allows air to circulate through the gloves. A hook and loop closure keep the gloves tight around your wrists.
Hatch SGX11 Specs
- Shell: Digitized synthetic palm.
- Liner: X11™ full-hand liner for cut resistance.
- Use: Police duty, shooting.
- Closure: Hook and loop.
Hatch® BNG190 Tactical Flight Glove with Nomex®
Ok, I’m not a pilot so you may be wondering why I have a pair of flight gloves on my list. Well, there are a few reasons.
On some occasions, I like having a longer glove that will cover the gap between my shirt sleeve and the top of the glove. With shorter gloves, there is often a gap in where your wrist is exposed. During some search warrants, I don’t want any part of my hands or arms exposed.
The Hatch BNG190 gloves are modeled after military specifications, which means they are also fire resistant. This is a feature that comes in handy in some situations. The back of the glove is 100% Nomex®, a material that is heat and fire resistant up to 800°F. A soft, cowhide leather on the palm helps make them comfortable as well.
When making the gloves, Hatch uses a non-melting Nomex® thread. These gloves are perfect for anyone working in a high-heat environment, riding a bike, etc.
Hatch BNG190 Specs
- Shell: Soft cowhide leather palm.
- Back: 100% Nomex® for heat and flash resistance.
- Use: Military, law enforcement, and flight operations.
- Features: Extended length, sewn with Nomex® thread.
Hatch® WPG100 Leather Insulated Winter Patrol Glove
I can’t really make a list of tactical gloves without including a winter pair, can I? When it’s really cold out and you still need something you can work with, this is the pair for that. The Hatch WPG100 gloves are made for cold weather.
As you would expect, these are the thickest pair on the list. Hatch uses soft sheepskin leather for the outer layer, making them great at blocking the wind. A digitized print on the palm makes a better grip surface.
The gloves have C70 Thinsulate™ insulation to keep your hands warm. A soft brushed tricot inner liner adds not just warmth but also increases comfort. If you have ever stood outside when a cold wind is blowing, you know why gloves like this are needed. Your fingers can get so cold they become numb and don’t move like you want them to.
These may not be ideal for gun handling, but in cold weather when you don’t have a choice, they work better than most cold-weather gloves.
An elastic wrist helps keep them tight, so your hands stay warmer.
Hatch WPG100 Specs
- Shell: Soft sheepskin leather.
- Insulation: C70 Thinsulate™ insulation, tricot inner liner.
- Use: Cold weather patrol and duty.
- Features: Digitized palm print for grip, leather cinch straps.
Question and Answers
Which Hatch gloves are best for shooting?
For shooting, the Hatch KSG500 Tactical Pull-On Operator Gloves are an excellent choice. Their thin leather palms and form-fitting design provide superior dexterity and a great feel for using a firearm. The Hatch BNG190 Tactical Flight Glove is also a great option. It offers high heat and flame resistance while still providing excellent feel and control.
Are any of these gloves cut-resistant?
Yes. The Hatch SGX11 Street Guard Cut-Resistant Tactical Police Duty Glove has an exclusive X11™ liner that protects the entire hand from sharp objects. The Hatch KSG500 Tactical Pull-On Operator Gloves and BNG190 Tactical Flight Glove both use Kevlar® or Nomex®, which provide some degree of cut resistance.
What gloves are designed for riot control and high-impact situations?
The Hatch SP100 Defender™ II Riot Control Gloves are specifically designed for these types of situations. They contain steel shot in the knuckle area to provide a powerful strike. These gloves offer significant protection for your hands during a riot or a physical confrontation.
How do the Hatch WPG100 gloves keep your hands warm?
The Hatch WPG100 Leather Insulated Winter Patrol Gloves keep your hands warm with C70 Thinsulate™ insulation. This material is designed to trap body heat and keep your hands comfortable in cold weather without adding bulk. The gloves also have a soft brushed tricot inner liner for added comfort.
What is the main difference between the Hatch BNG190 and the KSG500 gloves?
The main difference lies in their materials and intended use. The Hatch BNG190 Tactical Flight Glove is made of Nomex® and cowhide leather. It is specifically designed for fire and heat resistance. The Hatch KSG500 Tactical Pull-On Operator Glove is made of Kevlar® and thin leather. While it offers some flame and cut resistance, it is more focused on providing maximum dexterity and a form-fitting feel for tactical operations.
