I was looking for a more subtle form of self-defense rather than brass knuckles, then SAP gloves came into my knowledge. The best SAP gloves won’t only help you defeat your foes in combat but also protect the most sensitive bones of your hand. These gloves provide hand protection without compromising your comfort and dexterity.
Anyone can use SAP gloves, including law enforcement personnel, dirt bike riders, and outdoor enthusiasts. The key is finding the right pair for your needs. Here are some important features that you should consider.
- Material: SAP gloves are made of the same materials as the other types of gloves for tactical missions. They can be made of leather, nylon, or polyester. In our reviews below, most of our gloves are made of synthetic leather to provide extreme durability.
- Knuckle Guards: Steel shots, lead, hard plastic, or rubber? These are the common materials of knuckle guards for SAP gloves. Most of the SAP gloves we reviewed below are made of either PVC or rubber to ensure the legality of all states.
- Fitting: A secure fit can ensure the comfort and dexterity of SAP gloves. Measure your hand and get one that best suits your size. You want a snug fit, not too tight to restrict your movement.
Our buying guide doesn’t end here. Check the complete details below. But first, let’s present to you the best pairs of SAP gloves on the market today.
3 PREMIUM-RATED PICKS
ILM 10C Steel Knuckle Gloves
Materials: Polyester, nylon,
Knuckles: Alloy steel
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Best Value
Glove Station The Combat Motorcycle Gloves
Materials: PU leather, neoprene, spandex
Knuckles: Hard PVC with foam pad
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Wtactful Tactical Gloves
Materials: Microfiber leather
Knuckles: Rubber
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Table of Contents
8 Top-rated SAP Gloves
1. Glove Station The Combat Motorcycle Gloves
Specs/Features
- Item Weight: 4.9 ounces
- Color: Tan
- Materials: PU leather, neoprene, spandex
- Knuckles: Hard PVC with foam pad
- Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Special Feature: Rubber vents
The Combat is a great pair of gloves with knuckle protection and maximum durability. I love everything about these weighted sap gloves, from craftsmanship to design and materials.
The reinforced knuckle molding sits nicely on top of my knuckles, providing great comfort during combat training. I tried breaking some wooden planks with these gloves, and I’m pleased that the hard knuckles can withstand the impact.
The PVC knuckle plates are tough, so I believe I can punch someone hard in combat and protect myself from road burn.
Since the knuckle area is integrated with a padded mesh material, I don’t feel pain in my fists when I use the gloves for fighting. In fact, it is very well-ventilated, thanks to the breathable spandex and rubber aero vents.
Also, the palm area is made of high-quality PU leather with a textured surface to create more friction in touching things, allowing me to grip well. With double stitches all around, I think the gloves will hold up for a very long time.
Making tactile motions with the gloves is also convenient, as it has neoprene joints to increase flexibility.
Also, the gloves aren’t too thick to restrict me from firing my pistol at the range or in the field. Moreover, the first three fingers from the thumb demonstrate high sensitivity to touchscreen devices, making it easy to use my phone while on duty.
However, the sizing is a bit off for small fingers. You need to get a size smaller than regular.
- Tough knuckle plates for self-defense
- Comfortable to punch with shock-absorbent pads
- Good flexibility to use guns and sensitivity to phones
- Double-stitched to increase durability
- Feels cool with vents and breathable material
- Secure to grip with the textured leather palms
- Doesn’t fit well for short fingers
2. ILM 10C Steel Knuckle Gloves
Specs/Features
- Item Weight: 0.3 ounces
- Color: Black
- Materials: Polyester, nylon,
- Knuckles: Alloy steel
- Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
- Special Feature: Anti-skid lined palms
The ILM 10C are gloves with metal knuckles, perfect for street fighting and hand combat. Unlike brass knuckles, these weaponized gloves provide maximum protection on fingers and joints.
The alloy steel knuckle guards look sleek and help enhance punching power with solid construction. Mirrors don’t even stand a chance with this impact tool. I like that my knuckles don’t grind off the metal balls. Instead, my joints simply slide off, providing extra protection from bone injuries.
Surprisingly, these gloves are so lightweight that I can use them all day without strain. I like to use them on a cold day because they feel warm and can wick away my sweat quickly.
These gloves keep my hands dry under light rain, as most of the gloves are polyester. Besides, the touchscreen sensitivity works flawlessly on my phone.
Everything feels secure with the gloves, most especially the hook and loop wrist closure. I love the anti-skid lines around the palm because they allow me to hold onto my tools without slipping. Just below the palm is a sort of hard protective pad to prevent blisters from constantly holding my motorcycle handle.
My only dislike is fitting. I think it’s too tight, but you can get a size bigger than usual to enjoy a tiny bit of room.
- Built with alloy steel knuckle pads for extra force
- Lightweight and doesn’t dig into the knuckles
- Mostly made of polyester to feel warm and wick away sweat
- Has a secure wrist and loop enclosure
- Good touchscreen sensitivity and water-resistance
- Has a protective pad and anti-skid lines on the palm
- Feels too tight
3. Wtactful Tactical Gloves
Specs/Features
- Item Weight: 3.17 ounces
- Color: Black
- Materials: Microfiber leather
- Knuckles: Rubber
- Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
- Special Feature: Finger rubber protection
Wtactful is a pair of multipurpose gloves for fighting, shooting, and motorcycle riding. The knuckle area is built of thick rubber to provide punching power and protect against road burn.
What I like most is the comfortable fit of the rubber knuckles. They flex with every hand movement, so they don’t affect my dexterity when shooting a rifle. More importantly, they feel comfortable because of the little padding cushions the impact of my every punch.
This particular Wtactful army military tactical model also has a durable microfiber leather construction. Furthermore, the breathable material can dissipate heat and odor effectively. My hands stay sweat-free even when I use these leather hard knuckle gloves in warm weather.
Aside from the knuckles, these gloves offer excellent protection along the fingers and the palm. The back of the fingers has a rubber strip to prevent bruising that area when I hit them hard in a collision. Meanwhile, the palm has a little padding to make my bike’s handlebars easy to grip the entire ride.
The hook and loop wrist closure works fine, along with the touchscreen capability that seems compatible with all my devices.
However, the sizing runs a bit small. If you want a perfect fit, order a size larger than you normally would.
- Full hand protection, from knuckles to fingers
- Durable and breathable microfiber leather
- Thick rubber knuckles to give flexibility and power
- Comfortable with the little padding
- A comfortable grip on objects
- A superb wrist closure and touchscreen capacity
- Sizing runs a little small
4. Tac9er Kevlar Lined Gloves
Specs/Features
- Item Weight: 4 ounces
- Color: Black
- Materials: Microfiber leather, polyester, Kevlar
- Knuckles: PVC
- Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
- Special Features: Inner Kevlar lining, neoprene wrists
During the cold weather, I like to wear Tac9er gloves for combat training. The inner Kevlar lining can keep my hands warm while offering full protection from cuts and bruises.
The knuckle guards seem well-built, making them excellent combat tactical knuckle gloves for training. The hard molded plastic sits well above my knuckles, providing a comfortable fit for long hours of use.
The weighted knuckle gloves are made of the highest quality components. The back and fingertips are thin polyesters to increase dexterity in maneuvering objects.
There’s also enough sensitivity to manipulate my touchscreen devices with ease. I like the addition of microfiber leather in the palm portion as it helps improve the grip and protection against sharp objects.
For someone with carpal tunnel syndrome, I appreciate the flexibility of the neoprene wrists because I don’t want to feel strained around that area. The Velcro closure also has high adjustability, adding more comfort in customizing the fit.
What interests me most is the warranty because it provides me the chance to get the gloves replaced when they get damaged within the 5-year warranty period.
However, this pair is a bit expensive for people on a tight budget.
- Built with Kevlar lining to prevent cuts and increase insulation
- Designed with tough molded knuckle guards
- Has a sensitive touchscreen capability
- Offers an excellent grip and dexterity
- Comes with flexible wrists and adjustable closure
- Includes a 5-year replacement warranty
- More expensive than similar products
5. Hikeman Tactical Army Military Gloves
Specs/Features
- Item Weight: 3.9 ounces
- Color: Black
- Materials: Faux leather, PU, nylon, spandex
- Knuckles: Carbon
- Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
- Special Features: Rubber vents
Hikeman is another excellent pair of gloves with knuckles that can take a serious punch. The armored knuckles are made of carbon, giving them enough power to take someone out.
The good news is that the knuckle area is breathable, making it comfortable to wear the gloves in the summer. It’s also lightweight to wear these gloves the whole day without strain. Coupled with the rubber vents, the gloves never let me get sweaty hands, even when I get nervous.
My favorite is the touchscreen performance of this pair. I like that my smartphone reacts to the touch in a single, light swipe. Also, the grip is excellent on this one as I can grasp my pistol more securely, thanks to the PU material that offers an anti-slip surface.
With the spandex material infused at the back, I feel relaxed wearing the gloves because of the flexibility.
I’m confident the gloves will last long because the construction has double stitches around the seams. The synthetic leather feels rugged, while the nylon webbing straps are strong. On top of that, the price is a bargain, making the gloves suitable for those on a budget.
According to some reviews, the gloves run a bit smaller than standard. I recommend getting two sizes larger than you regularly would.
- Made of strong carbon hard knuckles
- Lightweight and comfortable to use the whole day
- Well-ventilated, thanks to rubber vents
- Has excellent touchscreen performance
- Offers high dexterity and anti-slip grip
- Durable, flexible, and comes at a good price
- Runs too small for sizing
6. Mission Made Hellfox Gloves
Specs/Features
- Item Weight: 3.9 ounces
- Color: Black
- Materials: Faux leather, PU, nylon, spandex
- Knuckles: Carbon
- Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
- Special Features: Rubber vents
Hellfox is another exceptional pair of self-defense gloves from Mission Made. The weighted knuckle gloves are made of the finest materials to provide the best performance in the field.
The hard knuckles are pretty strong to punch someone during combat. They also provide superior protection from the impact that might bruise or break the bones of my knuckles. With the reinforcement of microfiber leather in the palms, I can hold sharp objects without the fear of getting wounded.
Surprisingly, there’s a lot of flexibility on the palms to help me grasp my weapons more tightly. The fingers aren’t too thick, so I can still pull the trigger of my AR15 easily. Even when I touch a hot barrel, I’m pleased that the gloves are enough to give me extra protection from light burns.
I like to use these gloves in the fall because I feel adequately warm. Thanks to the adjustable wrist strap, I can secure the gloves tight to prevent any cold air from entering the gloves. It’s a bonus that the touchscreen capability works just fine on all my devices.
However, the fingers feel a bit too constricted. To have more comfort, choose a pair that’s larger than your actual size.
- Made of strong carbon hard knuckles
- Lightweight and comfortable to use the whole day
- Well-ventilated, thanks to rubber vents
- Has excellent touchscreen performance
- Offers high dexterity and anti-slip grip
- Durable, flexible, and comes at a good price
- Runs too small for sizing
7. Fuyuanda Outdoor Gloves
Specs/Features
- Item Weight: 4.8 ounces
- Color: Coyote
- Materials: Microfiber leather, PU
- Knuckles: Rubber
- Special Features: Fingerless, extra padding
Fuyuanda is the lone pair of fingerless combat gloves on our list. I love to wear this design in warm weather because my fingers are fully ventilated.
This model is a viable pair of hard knuckle gloves for punching because the hard rubber knuckles are solid enough to injure someone. The knuckles are also impact-resistant as they help keep my finger bones intact when I hit rocky ground.
I like the size of the knuckle guards because they sit just above my hands without discomfort.
I love the quality of the microfiber leather used in the gloves. The material feels tough and resilient to withstand the high demands of combat training.
Thanks to the additional padding in the palm, I feel nothing but comfort. I can’t feel any sharpness, yet still have a secure grip with the help of the anti-skid PU material.
Since there’s no material on my fingers, I can do all manual tasks without any restrictions. I can touch my smartphone and pull the trigger of my rifle with so much ease. The best part is that the pair comes at an affordable price, providing more value than it’s worth.
My only concern is that I can’t wear these gloves in colder months. My fingers will stay vulnerable in the cold with this design.
- Built with solid rubber knuckle guards for self-defense and protection
- Cool to wear, thanks to the fingerless design
- Made of high-quality microfiber leather
- Has a well-cushioned, anti-slip palm design
- Offers the highest dexterity level
- Comes at a good price
- Not suitable for colder weather
8. First Tactical Hard Knuckle Gloves
Specs/Features
- Item Weight: 3.17 ounces
- Color: Black
- Materials: Goatskin leather, nylon, spandex, polyester
- Knuckles: TPR with foam padding
- Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
- Special Features: BezelCuff Watch Cutout
For women, First Tactical is a better choice for weapons gloves with its elegant design. The lack of any armored knuckles makes this pair elegant to wear casually in plain sight
This high-quality pair hides the TPR knuckles underneath the nylon fabric, making it ideal for covert missions. The TPR is further covered with closed-cell foam padding to cushion the impact of every punch and blow. In fact, I barely feel any pain when I hit a solid object so I feel safe wearing them for combat missions and training.
The goatskin leather palm is the most appealing aspect of these gloves. It has a natural texture that offers a better grip and durability than no other I’ve ever experienced. Since the fingers are thin, I can grip the pistol well and send a text more easily on my smartphone.
I love the little flexibility of gloves, thanks to the breathable spandex composition. I can bend my fingers comfortably while staying cool in hot weather. The fourchettes have little holes to ventilate my hand and dry the moisture quickly. Compared to other gloves, I can wear my watch as the bottom has a BezelCuff Watch Cutout.
However, the price is on the high-end side.
- Offers hidden knuckle guards with a bit of foam for protection
- Designed with genuine leather in the palm for durability
- Offers exceptional grip and dexterity
- Good sensitivity to mobile phones
- Flexible and cool to wear
- Gives space for watches at the cuff
- Has a high price
What to Look For When Buying SAP Gloves
There are so many SAP gloves available today in the market, so finding the right pair can be a little daunting if you don’t know about them. To help you make the right decision, here are the things you should consider.
Design
There are two common designs of SAP gloves you can choose from.
- First, the fingerless sap gloves, which are perfect for warm weather and jobs that demand more dexterity.
Since the fingers are free of any material, the fingerless design enables you to hold your tools and weapons with more accuracy. You can also use your touchscreen devices with more flexibility. However, it can make your fingers vulnerable in the cold and pose a risk of injuries during combat.
- The second is the full-finger gloves which offer better hand protection in colder environments.
If you want maximum protection, a full-finger glove design is more suitable. It may not be as agile as a fingerless design but you can protect your hands better during combat. These gloves also feel warm in cold weather.
Knuckle Guards
The unique feature of SAP gloves is the armored knuckle guards to provide more punching power and protection from injuries. These gloves typically have hard plastic, powdered lead, or steel that strategically sewn into the back of the hand.
Steel shot gloves are superior to lead sap gloves because their steel shot knuckles carry more weight, hence allowing you to beat your enemy more easily. However, some states might ban this type of material, so it’s safe to choose PVC or rubber knuckle guards which can also cause blunt injuries and the same level of protection.
Materials
A SAP glove may be exposed to so much pressure in law enforcement and combat training, so you want it to be as durable as possible.
- The most durable materials are leather and nylon.
- If you want something softer for flexibility, choose goatskin leather or a bit of spandex.
- Apart from durability, you want to have breathable materials integrated into the glove construction. Synthetic leather, nylon, and polyester are known for their breathability.
- Rubber vents and fourchette holes can also help dissipate the heat faster, while wick-drying liners or mesh fabric can keep your hands dry from sweat.
Secure Fit
You want the knuckle gloves to fit in your hands perfectly to achieve high dexterity and comfort. Make sure that the gloves are snug on the fingers but not too tight. To ensure a perfect fit, measure the size of your hand.
- Run a tape measure from the tip of your middle finger down below the palm to get the length.
- The width is the circumference of your palm, which is just above the thumb.
- Get the measurement in inches and refer to the product’s sizing guide.
For a more customized fit, look for adjustable wrist straps. You get a more natural feeling when holding weapons when you have a secure fit around the wrists
Can I use SAP gloves for self-defense?
Yes, a SAP glove can be used for self-defense because it has hard knuckles that can knock someone out. Steel-filled gloves provide the highest form of self-defense due to their metal components.
Are SAP gloves legal?
SAP gloves are legal in most states, especially if they use rubber or PVC hard knuckles instead of metal. It’s not recommended to use SAP gloves for a self-defense course in school because they can hurt someone badly.
Are SAP gloves better than brass knuckles?
In the comparison of SAP gloves vs brass knuckles, the former is better in many aspects. For one, SAP gloves are legal in more areas than brass knuckles because they’re less lethal. They can still win fights, but not as bloody as their brass-knuckle counterparts.
Unlike the threat of brass knuckles, law enforcement personnel can use SAP gloves in covert missions. These gloves look like any ordinary tactical model in plain sight. Also, they provide more comfort with the extra cushion.
Are SAP gloves machine-washable?
Yes, SAP gloves are machine-washable if they’re made of faux leather, nylon, and polyester. The key is finding the right water temperature. Faux leather and nylon need to be washed in cold water while polyester retains its integrity in warm water.
Rubber and hard plastic knuckle guards don’t usually get damaged in the washing machine. For extra caution, use the delicate setting.
What is the lifespan of SAP gloves?
Generally, any type of gloves can last for two years. High-quality SAP gloves can last for more than two years, especially if they’re made of goatskin leather. Double-stitched gloves also tend to last longer as they don’t break apart easily, unlike their single-stitched counterparts.
Conclusion
At this point, I hope you know how to choose the best SAP gloves for your next purchase. We love all the products above, but we highly recommend The Combat because it excels in everything from craftsmanship to materials.
The hard PVC knuckles can deliver some serious damage to your enemies while protecting your knuckles from impact.
If you want a more lethal pair, the ILM 10C is a great alternative with its alloy steel knuckles. For more flexibility, the Wtacful model is a preferred option for its rubber knuckle guards.
Logan Miller, the founder of Safecallnow, is responsible for providing expert guidance on police equipment. He can give officers with credible knowledge on how to employ enhanced safety measures and police equipment to ensure the highest level of safety and efficiency. He can provide specialist assistance regarding the selection of apparel, duty gear, first aid supplies, tools, and training equipment for homeland security and law enforcement.