View Full Version : Hatch CQB gloves - finally ...a decent pair of gloves!!!
I've been after a decent pair of lightweight gloves for ages. All the ones I have or have tried, irritate me to death. Mainly because I have to take em off to do anything. I wanted a pair of fairly thin, fairly warm, fairly tough, highly tactile (not tactical) and highly dexterous gloves. Not much to ask I thought, but it's harder than you think. They all either fit like boxing gloves, bunch at the fingers or web my fingers like the man from Atlantis.
I have found my holy grail. These gloves are fantastic. They are the most dexterous gloves I own by miles, they are super comfy, warm without being sweaty, tough and just generally brilliant. You know when you pick something up and straight away think "I like these".
They are military gloves as the name implies, which I didnt really want, but given my brief, frankly the best out there are going to be military. That said, these are much less army than some, especially those with plastic knuckle protectors and thimbles for fingers. They are designed for shooters as the index finger has a ring you can cut through if that is your want, which leaves your trigger finger exposed without the glove finger unravelling. I have no use for that but some might. They also have a broad, elasticated wrist strap which secures with Velcro. It's removable and I prefer the gloves without it, but it's there if you need it for some reason. Anyway, I did my research and finally settled on these in sage green...
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Martyn_s30v/hatchcqb003.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Martyn_s30v/hatchcqb002.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Martyn_s30v/hatchcqb001.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Martyn_s30v/hatchcqb004.jpg
The last pic is the best colour rendition as I havent used a flash, but they are a dark sage colour in natural light (you can also get em in black and sand). They are made of 85% Nomex, which is a fire retardant material - I think used for stuff like the balaclavas F1 drivers wear etc. The other 15% is Kevlar, which gives em some cut protection against jaggies, swarf and wotnot. The palms are kangaroo leather I think and are very slightly padded, but not so much it's a problem. Best of all is the fit - I cant tell you how nice these things are to wear. I actually hand rolled a cigarette wearing them, try that at home?
They fit large. I usually take an L or even XL in gloves, but these are medium. Measure your hand using Hatch tables and go for the size it recommends. If you are normally large, you'll probably be a medium in these, unless you've got shovels for paws.
Some manufacturers blurb...
# Water-resistant, ultra-thin premium leather palms are sewn with abrasion, cut and heat-resistant nylon thread
# KEVLAR® construction provides excellent cut resistance, heat and flash protection
# Will not support flame or combust up to 800° F, (427° C)
# Reversible wrist wrap
# Patented cut-ring stitching allows optional removal of the index finger for trigger control, without unraveling the remaining edge
# SOG-F20 contains an 85% NOMEX® and 15% KEVLAR® blend
# Available in Black (SOG-F10), Sage Green (SOG-F15), and Desert Tan (SOG-F20)
Highly recommended. If you are after some, I would suggest buying them from the US. I paid £20 inc shipping and although you can get em in the UK, I've only seen em in the £50-£60 range.
andynic
14-04-11, 01:40 PM
Nice pit out of my price range for light weight gloves i can only find then for £50 plus
You're not looking hard enough....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Hatch-Operator-CQB-SOG-F15-Sage-Green-Glove-S-M-L-X-/370466105862?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item950375b519
$20US plus $10US shipping (that's less than £20 at todays rates). This is the seller I bought mine from and they arrived after about a week.
andynic
14-04-11, 02:16 PM
I see I never seen that still i bit over for my liking but they do look like nice gloves. I will have to save up for them. It says they are water resistantar have you tested them out in the rain?
Pacman01
14-04-11, 02:24 PM
They look good. I like the idea of the cut resistance from a blade use perspective. The sharpness of my knives is outstripping my ability to weald them properly rapidly....
I see I never seen that still i bit over for my liking but they do look like nice gloves. I will have to save up for them. It says they are water resistantar have you tested them out in the rain?
No, not yet. You have to remember they are lightweights though, rather than heavy weather gloves. They are actually designed to be worn as a baselayer glove under heavy weight gloves for heavy weather or heavy duty tasks. They are great for driving in a draughty land rover, great for collecting wood for a campfire, chopping & splitting etc.
They look good. I like the idea of the cut resistance from a blade use perspective. The sharpness of my knives is outstripping my ability to weald them properly rapidly....
Ohh, I dont think they are suppoised to be knife proof. The palms are just leather and quite thin too. A sharp knife would go through them pretty easily I would think. I think the idea behind the 15% kevlar, is just to protect the back of your hand from scratches and stuff. I could be wrong though as I didnt really look into that aspect of them too deeply. I do have a pair of knife proof gloves (5.11s). They are multi-layered gloves with an inner made from that stuff butchers and chefs wear. I'm sure they are knife/slash-proof, but they are like wearing gardening gloves, these are more like wearing surgeons gloves. As I said, you can roll a cigarette wearing em, there is no way I can do that in the 5.11s. It's always a compromise. The better they are at keeping your hands warm or safe, the thicker, clumsier and less dexterous they will be. These are a brilliant compromise IMO.
TallNHairyDave
14-04-11, 02:31 PM
They look like good gloves Martyn! Do you have a link for their sizing guide? I have hands like shovels, so it's always fun finding gloves that fit me!
They look like good gloves Martyn! Do you have a link for their sizing guide? I have hands like shovels, so it's always fun finding gloves that fit me!
No but there is an ebay seller that does....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hatch-Operator-CQB-SOG-F20-Gloves-DT-NEW-/360338801381?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e5ddc2e5
My hands were about 9 1/4 inches I think. So I rounded down to a medium. Just round up or down to the nearest inch.
screaming skull
14-04-11, 02:49 PM
I have a cheaper copy from KMNW no connection to the company just a satisfied customer!
They look like good gloves Martyn! Do you have a link for their sizing guide? I have hands like shovels, so it's always fun finding gloves that fit me!
I woulda thought, coming from the Land of Macdonalds, any garment they had would have a size to fit you Dave ;)
Great gloves Martyn, excellent find. However, for TNH, you've lost a few points, as they don't do 'em in orange
I have this vision of a huge tango giant lumbering round surry! :D
..........just so long as he never turns up to a LSECCA meeting in an orange shell-suit
- apologies for going OT
They do look pretty good. I've been using some Berghaus Powerstretch ones, granted very different but I wear them a lot as they fit so well and I can do most things I need to do without having to take my gloves off. Although I can't use my iphone! I know you can get diff gloves or conductive thread but its too much faff!
parbajtor
14-04-11, 04:04 PM
..........just so long as he never turns up to a LSECCA meeting in an orange shell-suit
- apologies for going OT
Specially the ones with numbers on the back and printed with "property of louisiana state"
Back on topic, Microlin Cooper make an incredible variety of gloves for all purposes. Saw them at a recent Health and Safety show and their gloves are incredible. www.microlincooper.com
They do look pretty good. I've been using some Berghaus Powerstretch ones, granted very different but I wear them a lot as they fit so well and I can do most things I need to do without having to take my gloves off. Although I can't use my iphone! I know you can get diff gloves or conductive thread but its too much faff!
Yeah, the iphone thing will always be a problem. I cant see a way round that tbh.
Pacman01
14-04-11, 07:36 PM
For 18quid(ish) inc p&p these are a bargain... And the guy has posted them USPS track and trace already!!!
nitrambur
14-04-11, 07:45 PM
I had a pair of these years ago for airsofting, lost them at the first skirmish I wore them at, I'm still a tad miffed, fairly sure I know where they went, finders keepers amongst team mates is a bit off if you ask me.
Dienekis
14-04-11, 07:55 PM
You're not looking hard enough....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Hatch-Operator-CQB-SOG-F15-Sage-Green-Glove-S-M-L-X-/370466105862?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item950375b519
$20US plus $10US shipping (that's less than £20 at todays rates). This is the seller I bought mine from and they arrived after about a week.
ThANK YOU Martin! :D
TallNHairyDave
14-04-11, 07:58 PM
I have this vision of a huge tango giant lumbering round surry! :D
:lol: I tend to prefer greens, browns, navy or black..
..........just so long as he never turns up to a LSECCA meeting in an orange shell-suit
- apologies for going OT
Oooh... It's on now! There's a workwear clothing shop on the way to work. Time to pick up orange hi-vis trousers and coat! :lol: :P
Yeah, the iphone thing will always be a problem. I cant see a way round that tbh.
Sew a grid of conductive thread in the finger tip and thumb tip. Apparently it works a treat.
P.s. Thanks for the sizing link Martyn!
For 18quid(ish) inc p&p these are a bargain... And the guy has posted them USPS track and trace already!!!
Yep, that's what I thought. I wondered if they might be fake, but they look right to me and the packaging is all proper Hatch and they arrived in about a week. Looks like he's got a shedload, he's sold 128 already and is still showing more than 10 available. He's also got 99.9% positive feedback on nearly 20,000 sales. Confidence was high.
These are what I finally settled on
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/solag-full-finger-gloves-wkevlar,1049,1497.htm
They look more like driving gloves than tactical gloves IMO and adjust for a great fit.
Count of Undolpho
15-04-11, 10:54 AM
Although I can't use my iphone! I know you can get diff gloves or conductive thread but its too much faff!
I bought a Nokia SU-36 capacitive stylus for just that reason. I've attached it to a key ring/lobster claw which I clip to a belt loop: it's 2" closed with cap and about 3 3/4" extended without cap. Means you can use the phone with your gloves on; ~£4 from Ebay.
On or off T? Hopefully on!
minds_eye
16-04-11, 10:13 AM
Would agree here, that these glove are great.
Over the past 10 years I've been through 30 or so different pairs of close fitting 'tactical' gloves looking for the best glove, ranging from £3 british army contact gloves to $170 Outdoor Research Overlord gloves.
I stumbled across Hatch Operators about 6 years ago and found them great, however after about 4 years of on and off use the finger tips had worn out. I went through a selection of other gloves over the next 6 years. Mechanix originals and Camelbak Vent were the most dextrous I found, though they weren't very protective from thorns and what not (the Vent were so thin that I could still get stung by nettles through my gloves).
As with Martyn I recently came across the CQB gloves again on eBay and picked up a set. They're as good as I remember.
My one bit of advice is dry them out well or they go a little 'crispy' :D
Fast but dim
17-04-11, 03:08 PM
just the ticket! great find martyn.
Chopper
18-04-11, 05:39 PM
I bought a pair of Hatch gloves for airsofting about sevenyears ago.
Many a skirmish played over the years and lots of cycling miles together with driving and god knows what, they are still going strong today.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h248/chopper692006/S8000008.jpg
Colin KC
18-04-11, 06:08 PM
Boss, I think you'll find that only the DT ones are Nomex, the Green & Black are just Kevlar
Boss, I think you'll find that only the DT ones are Nomex, the Green & Black are just Kevlar
Why do you say that Col? The packaging said Nomex/Kevlar mix.
Colin KC
18-04-11, 08:32 PM
Why do you say that Col? The packaging said Nomex/Kevlar mix.
From the 'site, check out the blue highlights ('course, I may be wrong, but that's how it reads to me.)
If I am wrong, I'll get a pair, in black, but only if they're a Nomex/Kevlar mix.
Water-resistant, ultra-thin premium leather palms are sewn with abrasion, cut and heat-resistant nylon thread
KEVLAR® construction provides excellent cut resistance, heat and flash protection
Will not support flame or combust up to 800° F, (427° C)
Reversible wrist wrap
Patented cut-ring stitching allows optional removal of the index finger for trigger control, without unraveling the remaining edge
SOG-F20 contains an 85% NOMEX® and 15% KEVLAR® blend Available in Black (SOG-F10), Sage Green (SOG-F15), and Desert Tan (SOG-F20)
Colin KC
18-04-11, 08:36 PM
Checkout this other page, it seems that it's only the DT that are Nomex/Kevlar mix.
http://www.hatch-corp.com/detail.aspx?pid=SOG-600/650/700/750/800
Checkout this other page, it seems that it's only the DT that are Nomex/Kevlar mix.
http://www.hatch-corp.com/detail.aspx?pid=SOG-600/650/700/750/800
Those are different gloves Col, but you might be right.
Might I ask what you need black Nomex gloves for? I'm just curious why that's a deal breaker for you - you getting powder burns off the flash-bangs or summat? :D
Colin KC
18-04-11, 08:54 PM
Those are different gloves Col, but you might be right.
Might I ask what you need black Nomex gloves for? I'm just curious why that's a deal breaker for you?
Th' Nomex III (Kevlar/Nomex & pixie dust mix) is what I'm after, but OD/sage & DT don't really do it for me (I'm a bit of a black tart:rolleye11;))
Th' Nomex III (Kevlar/Nomex & pixie dust mix) is what I'm after...
Eye, I got that I just wondered why they have to be Nomex?
Colin KC
18-04-11, 09:11 PM
Eye, I got that I just wondered why they have to be Nomex?
's not just th' Nomex Boss, th' Nomex III (N142) has anistatic properties as well & that's what I'm after.
's not just th' Nomex Boss, th' Nomex III (N142) has anistatic properties as well & that's what I'm after.
...it's like pulling teeth - why? :rolleyes:
Chopper
18-04-11, 11:05 PM
Eye, I got that I just wondered why they have to be Nomex?
So they dont catch fire when useing his firesteel :D
I've just checked the label inside my SOG-F15s and it says Kevlar 60% Leather 40% so it looks like Col is right.
But also on the hatch site it says....
# KEVLAR® construction provides excellent cut resistance, heat and flash protection
# Will not support flame or combust up to 800° F, (427° C) ...for the F10 and F15
http://www.hatch-corp.com/detail.aspx?pid=SOG-F10
Heat & flame resistance looks much of a muchness to me!
Nocturne
19-04-11, 12:39 AM
after some new gloves myself and sounds like these fit my needs likea glove (sorry couldn't resist :( ). I want something that is reasonably tough and wont wear too easily but tactile and enables me to use my camera and general kind of use including being able to feel my brake levers on my bike and so on. I've always found it hard since they are either too thick but tough as nails or they are great tactile feedback but wrecked within a week of medium to light duties.
On the nomex note I notice these say antistatic
http://www.kmnw.co.uk/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_40&products_id=118
admittedly I've not tried them although I do have a pair of 3 layer leather/suede rope gloves (the all black ones they don't sell now) so would give recon range a go again but unsure what their other gloves are like and was a while back. Thanks for the review I think I'll pick a pair up.
johnknights
19-04-11, 02:36 AM
I've got a pair of hatch cut resistant gloves, which are nice but not ultra tactile, my favourite gloves at the moment for "tactility" is Mechanix gloves, I have a pair of the originals, and I've just bought a pair of light duty whichI'm typing this wearing (just an excuse to wear them really), My other favorites for heavier duty use are wells lamont Sport utility gloves, but these have been discontinued :-(
Colin KC
19-04-11, 03:50 AM
...it's like pulling teeth - why? :rolleyes:
Because, if I'm gonna get gloves that will save me from getting burned hands, they might as well have a built in safety feature that helps prevent burning inna first place. 's obvious:rolleyes:
Because, if I'm gonna get gloves that will save me from getting burned hands, they might as well have a built in safety feature that helps prevent burning inna first place. 's obvious:rolleyes:
Of course it is, silly me. :rolleyes:
Stuart Ackerman
19-04-11, 07:20 AM
I think it is because Batman always wears Black...
Colin KC
19-04-11, 08:12 AM
I think it is because Batman always wears Black...
Don't forget th' grey, purple & yellow accenting;)
Stuart Ackerman
19-04-11, 11:09 AM
Hence the underwear, worn on the outside?
Colin KC
19-04-11, 02:48 PM
Absoblimminlutely:D
Beachlover
19-04-11, 08:29 PM
Mine arrived today.
Fit like, well, like a glove.
Kevlar and leather.
Chuffed though.
How the Hell you skin up wearing them tho' Martyn, I have no idea.... :S
Chopper
19-04-11, 09:48 PM
Mine arrived today.
Fit like, well, like a glove.
Kevlar and leather.
Chuffed though.
How the Hell you skin up wearing them tho' Martyn, I have no idea.... :S
Kevlar, leather and gasmasks...you worry me sometimes :D
Mine arrived today.
Fit like, well, like a glove.
Kevlar and leather.
Chuffed though.
How the Hell you skin up wearing them tho' Martyn, I have no idea.... :S
Years of practice mate. :D
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