One of our friends works in the narcotics enforcement world up in Oregon. After a half dozen black-and-tans the other night he started gushing about his Point Man gloves from Line of Fire…claimed were the “best thing since peanut butter.” Now, we were skeptical. There’s really not much better than peanut butter, in real life or an MRE. Also, frankly, we’re a little leery of anyone from Oregon—there’s a story behind that, one that began in a dive near Ft. Polk, but that’s a story for another time.
Anyway, gloves, like bullets and beer, are often a point of contention. Everyone has a preferred brand, caliber or brew. We’re no different, but to be honest…these gloves may just be as nifty as he said. Designed with the assistance of none other than Ken Murry (the same guy who helped bring you the FX Marking Cartridge, the Simunition Training Program and Training at the Speed of Life), they’ve been out since SHOT of ’09 but have evolved since then.
If you’ve never heard of Line of Fire Grip Systems before, they’re from Force Multiplier LLC of Huntington Beach, CA. The concept of the whole line is centered on TEGS (Technologically Enhanced Grip System). TEGS is a proprietary material (LoF is the only company using it) that provides an extremely secure grip without the abrasive feel of hook-and-loop, sticky residue of some grip tapes and the like. LoF has it lining the palm of all their gloves, and they provide more of it in sheets or strips so you can put it around your light, halligan, rifle mag, whatever.
Point Man gloves come in two versions, one in Nomex/cowhide/goatskin, one in ribbed nylon/cowhide. The TEGS material by itself gives you a substantially enhanced grip (the precise numbers and percentages are actually spelled out on their website), even when wet. You can then add some of the material on your kit to leverage that advantage on your gear. There will be integrated products like rifle and pistol grips available soon (note that you can put it against bare skin one without issue).
What our brother grunts do with it in the privacy of their own hooch is their own business.
There’s a video on their website here if you want to check it out. We may be visiting their home office in Huntington Beach. If so we’ll get you some more information and a look at what else they’re doing. If you decide you want a set, enter BTAC when you check out so they know you’re coming from Kit Up! and you’ll get a 15% discount. (All gloves come with a 36” stretch of TEGS tape to wrap our entry tools, lights, batons or whatever.)
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
This sound interesting. Would sure be a nice alternative to the normal grip tape I use. I wonder how these gloves do when wet or how they will last over time and after repeated abuse.
Those gloves look pretty tight. I might have to get my hands on a pair.
I was checking out their website and was pleasantly astonished to find out their office is literally down the hill from me. If you knew Alamo, you would NOT expect any kind of tactical company to reside in a small residential town of retired folks where land is pretty expensive (the CEO of Safeway lives on the hill next to me). The Starbucks here closes at 8 or 9. I wonder if I can pop in and try out some gloves!
Was going to try a pair to test but every color but Black is sold out. …Black is so old school.
found some in black for you. I Clicked the link on the bottom of the page. looks like it is the AUS Distributor http://www.legear.com.au/line-of-fire-australia-z…
Best gloves I have ever owned!!! I have i Have the Styrker kevlar/Nomex blend, had them for 2 years and still going strong
Being from Oregon, i would like to know what this story is…
would like to get a pair, but my agency frowns upon the plastic knuckles (especially around detainees). Guess I'll stick to my mechanix.