Flight Gloves

[bluemoonjeff]

I started looking for flight gloves today and was a little overwhelmed with just how many different brands and prices there are. Can anyone help me out on a good brand to purchase? Thanks to anyone that can help me out.

[PhotoFlyer]

Are you buying gloves to keep warm, or for another reason?

 

If it's to keep warm, find a pair that is comfortable, and allows you to manipulate radios, switches, etc and don't give it another thought. Brand doesn't really matter. I have several pair of lightweight gloves that I use for flying. One pair is my undergloves that I use when riding in cold weather.

 

If it's for some other reason then I can't help...

[Gomer Pylot]

I keep some cheap gloves available for refueling and other dirty jobs on the ground, but have no need for gloves while flying.

[dolphindriver]

Try a military surplus store. They may have military flight gloves for sale. I've worn them for 20 years while flying and don't have any complaints.

[EC120AV8R]

We are issued the military type Nomex gloves. We have been purchasing them from Gibson and Barnes, and they are fairly reasonable in price. We have also used the "Hellstorm" brand by Blackhawk Industries.

[heli.pilot]

Good topic for a thread! I'll be interested to hear what more pilots out there are using.

 

I just ordered a pair of Hatch Specialist NS430 gloves. If you google it you'll find them at a bunch of different places. They are designed for, and used by, law enforcement - specifically weapons handling and all day wear. They were recommended to me due to their snug fit and accurate feel. I didn't want something too bulky that would inhibit me from feeling movements of the throttle, or make me feel clumsy with radios/buttons etc. Obviously, the tactility that they offer must be at the expense of some warmth, so I'll have to wait and see how they perform when they arrive.

 

Hatch makes a nomex flight glove also, however it was more glove than I wanted. It was more money than I wanted to spend too.

 

I know guys that use the Mechanix brand of gloves too. I thought they were a little too "heavy duty" though and restricted my feeing too much for my liking.

Edited December 11, 2008 by heli.pilot

[100%RPM]

I used to use Mechanix's gloves. Worked great for preflights and flying.

[Witch]

How pathetic is this-I still have a pair of nomex gloves issued 20 years ago. They're still in good condition, even for riding in summer.

There're plenty of online surplus stores to get surplus gloves at a decent price. Even Ebay.

DON'T GET ANYTHING FROM SNAPPY SUPPLY

 

Later

[heligirl03]

By flight gloves you are looking for fire-retardent? Can't help ya there.

 

Otherwise, my favorite light gloves for warmth and dexterity are Burton glove liners. Meant for boarding, I also used them dogsledding for years and as "driving gloves" in the winter. They have slightly grippy palms/fingers, are soft and stretchy and fit to your fingers so you're not stabbing more than one button unintentionally. Cost about $20 a pair and can be tossed in the regular washer/dryer to get the preflight grub off 'em once in a while...

 

HG03

[klmmarine]

I just ordered a pair of Hatch Specialist NS430 gloves. If you google it you'll find them at a bunch of different places. They are designed for, and used by, law enforcement - specifically weapons handling and all day wear. They were recommended to me due to their snug fit and accurate feel. I didn't want something too bulky that would inhibit me from feeling movements of the throttle, or make me feel clumsy with radios/buttons etc. Obviously, the tactility that they offer must be at the expense of some warmth, so I'll have to wait and see how they perform when they arrive.

 

In cold weather I wear a pair of Hatch Streetguard sgk100 gloves, which are neoprene with a leather and kevlar palm and fingers. They are warm enough for pre-flights and tactile enough for me to operate all of the little buttons in our ENG ship. In warm weather I wear a pair of DT Pro Kevlar lined work gloves from Duluth Trading. Again comfortable enough to wear for preflights and tactile enough to operate all the necessary equipment.

[beckwith]

the other day I flew in my Marmot spring gloves. here.

they worked great for the preflight as well.

[Hedge36]

By flight gloves you are looking for fire-retardent? Can't help ya there.

 

Otherwise, my favorite light gloves for warmth and dexterity are Burton glove liners. Meant for boarding, I also used them dogsledding for years and as "driving gloves" in the winter. They have slightly grippy palms/fingers, are soft and stretchy and fit to your fingers so you're not stabbing more than one button unintentionally. Cost about $20 a pair and can be tossed in the regular washer/dryer to get the preflight grub off 'em once in a while...

 

HG03

 

"Dogsledding for years"... there's something I have (edit: haven't, duh) heard in a while.

[Wise Guy]

I prefer a nice smooth set of LATEX gloves.

[DakarNick]

"Dogsledding for years"... there's something I have heard in a while.

 

In a while, Hedge? I've never heard that!

[Hedge36]

In a while, Hedge? I've never heard that!

 

Well, I grew up in Alaska.

 

You flying that 500 yet?

[DakarNick]

Well, I grew up in Alaska.

 

You flying that 500 yet?

 

I grew up in Iowa. Guess that explains that!

 

Ha, I wish. I'm just drooling over Clay's pictures of it so I don't have to go to Elite and drool in person. I did go on Monday, he let me sit in it haha.

[GhettoBird]

try the Max Grip NT from Southwest Motorsports. Camelback bought the company and a rep gave me a couple of pairs to try out. By far the best gloves I have ever worn. worth the extra $. Check www.camelback.com