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Permalink Reply by Don Catenacci on May 30, 2012 at 12:10pm

Chris, let me preface my comments with the fact that I am a product tester for ProTech.  I do not work for them and receive no financial compensation for testing their gloves.  I do get to keep the gloves I test and I am expected to file a report on them detailing what I liked about them, and any problems with them.

NFPA has an updated version of the standard on gloves out and ProTech is updating their glovess to meet the new standard.  Gloves previously offered by ProTech met the applicable NFPA standard at the time they were offered for sale.  I had some issues with earlier models of ProTech gloves and through my discussions with ProTech about those issues I became a product tester.  I can say that any problems I had with the gloves was dealt with very satisfactorily.

I am currently using both ProTech 8 Titans and the newer Fusion Gloves and I like them very much.  I like the fact that my fingers actually fit in the glove and i don't have extra glove flopping around.  I like the added dexterity I have from them.  They seem to be holding up well and have offered good protection.

 

I have also used the Dragonfire Gloves, not sure of the model I bought them about 4 or 5 years ago.  They have also worked very well for me.  Mine are pretty much worn out now and in need of replacement from hard usage from teraching ad many hours of live fire training.  My son wh is also a firefighter swears by the Dragonfire gloves and actually prefers them over the ProTechs.

 

To me the greatest issues with fire gloves are 1) NFPA approval for liability reasons, 2) Comfort and fit, 3) Dexterity, 4) Durability.  Numbers 1 through 3 are easily discernable, #4 not so much until you actually use them a while.  Frankly, I tried on gloves at every trade show I went to until I found what I liked, I laid out the money and bought them on my own because I was tired of ill fitting, poor performing, low bid gloves that some of my FDs were buying at the time.

 

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Permalink Reply by Chris Moyer on May 30, 2012 at 12:51pm

Thanks for the input Don

We are currently using the Shelby FDP Koala/gore glove I like it, its just a little bulky.

Just curios to see everyones views.

 

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