Mechanix-Impact Pro

Before the war in the desert started I thought that coyote is an animal and that FDE stands for „Fire Department Essex“ or so. But I had to learn that it is that dark sand colour which became very popular in the war on terror. So it’s very practical that Mechanix from Valencia, California is making there Impact Protection 3.0 glove in this colour. But Mechanix is calling it “Duck”

The back of the hand of the Impact Pro is mostly made out of a two-way stretch/net material. This net material makes the glove sit tight but airy. Back of the hand, knuckles and the upper portion of the fingertips are covered with light rubber protectors. Durafit is the name of the synthetic leather on the palm. It is a little rough like sueded leather. The palm spots a double layer of padding and the fingertips of thump, index and middle finger are covered with slip resistant Zeus-Clarino. The glove is tightened to the wrist by a firm elastic strap with a Velcro closure. Good ideas are the red pull-on loops since the gloves are rather tight fitting.  But you can also put them without the loops. So if you are concerned that the loops get caught….just cut them off. 

FDE with black protectors and grey palms ? Yeah right. An all tan flight glove will give you more camo. But can a flight glove stand the abuse and offer any protection others then against fire?

I did the common test with the gloves. At first I drove to the range wearing the Impact Pro´s during the ride. This way I got used to them very fast and the loading of the mag´s were no problem with these gloves on. Cause of the padding in the palm area the gun handling needs a little to get used to it. Dynamic and precision shooting was easy after a short training sequence. No glove material was ever caught behind the trigger. The only problem which I had at first was, that some material of the glove between thump and indexfinger got stuck on the “tip” of the “beavertail”.

Butt his happens just when grapping the gun for the draw and it was a Glock-only issue. I shot Sig´s HK´s and 1911 Pistols and it was no problem with them. After a little more training I got used to it and I could prevent the material from getting stuck at the beavertail.

Of course you can´t compare the protectors on the back of the hand with carbon cups like you find them on some motocross gloves or HSLD-gloves. But there for the Impact-Pro is lighter, more airy and more flexible then a glove with heavy protection.

The glove will protect its wearer from light strikes against hard objects. When you raid a home or have to run trough the brush with your gun at the ready and you hit a bough or a doorframe you don´t have to worry about your hand.

Even in face of the protection you still have a good sensitiveness in your fingers.

I have written a part of this review with the gloves on and I had not problem hitting the keys. Writing with a ball-pen, using an MP3-player, radio, OC-Spray, PR-24, foldingknife and opening a beverage can is as easy as lifting a dime from a glasplate.

And when the Impact Pro gets filthy you can throw it into the washer at 30 C. / 86 F.

In my opinion the Impact Pro is a very good middle weight glove for Military and Law Enforcement. Even trough the protection you are still able to operate your equipment and weapons or write down a quick note. Also if you want to “put your hands on” you will find out that the protection is enough for this. But it is not a  glove for massive riot operations or for the breacher who may want a little more protection. Nor will it stop any liquids. For a pure shooting glove I would rather pick a little lighter and softer glove like the Mechanix Utility. So the Impact Pro is a good compromise in a world of no compromise. Soft, airy, tight, sensitive but with protection. As I got them new I had to learn that they fit very tight. So I soaked them in hot water and wore them for a while. This helped a lot. And by the way, this glove do not bleed.

In Germany you can get them from K&W Import www.mechanix.info for 35, - Euro.

The retail in the US is about $35,-

And if you really don´t like coyote-brown you can go with black net material and grey protectors. The new Impact Pro´s can be ordered with a tan colored palm SFAIK.

I hope you like my Review on the Mechanix-Impact Pro