SSgt, US Air Force

I originally used the Fuel Handlers glove in Korea as a Bulk Fuel Operator and found them to be extremely versatile. They kept my hands warm in the winter and were still usable in the summer. The barrier to POL is amazing and has allowed me to use 1 pair of gloves for a multitude of tasks. I have now been using the Fuel Handlers for 3 years and have brought them with me to Afghanistan and Kuwait. Even in the deserts of Kuwait, I was still able to wear the gloves. The versatility of being able to wear the same pair of gloves in the winter and summer and still have protection from POL and the dexterity to operate a weapon is unbelievable.

USMC, MEU User 2006

“The [Fuel Handler] gloves are working great ... In one picture I have a shot of a Marine showing his hands without the gloves on and there is not a drip of fuel on his hands. That’s after having both hands in JP5 and the gloves were dripping.

MSgt, ANG

Just a note to let you know I received my [Fuel Handler] gloves yesterday and that I put them to use today. It is pouring rain and the gloves kept my hands perfectly dry. Also we have a device in our trucks that require us to use keypad entry and it was no problem with the gloves on.

I have passed on the information about these gloves to the Flight Line individuals as I know they are also looking for a good glove that allows dexterity and protection.

I will keep you informed as to how they perform after a little time using them, but so far, they have performed better than any glove I have found after 22 years in the POL career field.

Thanks again.

Cdt/1SG
US Army: ROTC

Location:
ROTC Ranger challenge competition

"Last year I had gave you a little feed back on the [Utility A-1] glove system and I decided that I wanted to give you a little more. I used the glove system during a ROTC Ranger challenge competition this past fall and I ended up using them for doing the "one-rope bridge". First of all, what was amazing, I was actually able to tie an end-line bowline with the gloves ON! My hands stayed nice and warm during the training runs, unlike the other person who had to tie a knot as well, it was fantastic. Also, the gloves we able to stand up to the punishment of the rope constantly running through them, normally thicker leather gloves are used for this, again I was very impressed with the Utility A1 glove system and just wanted to give you some more feed back. Thanks"

LTC, MP Army Guard Deployment 2004

Jan-Feb: Ft. Dix NJ: “The [Utility A-1] gloves are holding up real well. I used them at Fort Dix, NJ where the weather ranged from about 5 degrees to 30 degrees in December, January and February. At this temperature range, they kept my hands warm while outdoors for 8-12 hours per day. Other gloves did not and a number of other people actually got frostbitten hands using an experimental pair of air force gloves which were issued. Your gloves did very well in the dexterity department, allowing me to load M-16 rifle magazines and M-9 pistol magazines with gloves on. That can't be done with standard issue gloves. Also, your gloves allow better trigger control when firing.

On some days, with the wind-chill, it was as cold as minus 12. I know that they are not designed for that low a temperature, but they still kept my hands warm while outside for 3-4 hours at a time.”

March: Kuwait: “In Kuwait in the desert in March, the temperature dropped from 105 degrees in the daytime to slightly above freezing. It was uncomfortable without gloves. With your gloves on, I was very comfortable. Again, there was no loss in dexterity in firing or driving. Also, the gloves help in the hottest part of the day if you touch plastic or metal (steering wheels on vehicles for example). The same goes if you are riding outside a vehicle and your hands are exposed to sand, dust, wind and sun.”

April: Northern Iraq: “I am in a remote location in Iraq…
The weather currently ranges from 100 degrees in the daytime to the 60s at night. It is deceiving, because two days ago, it hailed. Last night it poured down rain for two hours. This weather is not characteristic for this time of year and region. Normally, it is 10-20 degrees hotter and dry.

The gloves have held up well. There are no rips in the seams, etc., even after hard use. I wear them with or without the liner as needed.”

US Army Paratrooper in Iraq - Hot Weather, August 2003

“I am most impressed with them [Utility A-1], wearing them a couple of hours or more each day on (vehicular) patrol. I like the way they are not too hot, though of course they are warmer than bare hands, but it beats dust and sunburn… once the palms were broken in, they are very comfortable and just plain cool looking.”

McGuire AFB, NJ/ 108th ARW

“In the past, especially during inclement weather, there would be a slight trend towards rushing the job in order to get back indoors, causing greater incidence of carelessness. This would lead to many “unreported” injuries of the scrapes, bumps and bruises nature. Having the proper gear allows me to do the job carefully and safely and remain focused upon the goal. The gloves [Utility A-1] are comfortable enough for me to put on and leave on the entire duration of the work task, as opposed to putting on and taking off gloves for a specific aspect of the task. Overall, I perform duties more quickly due to increased job efficiency, but more accurately and safely as well.”

Ft. Belvoir

I wanted to share something with you that I quite like and was unexpected - the [Special Liners] liners.

We have a problem of having to work with computer keyboards and the like in cold conditions. During the height of winter we are often working in the 50-degree range trying to type and use the mouse. We've tried a variety of gloves but they were all too clumsy. We did get some "Bob Cratchet" fingerless gloves from England and we made our own but they weren't entirely satisfactory.

I've discovered that I can type as well wearing your liners as I can without them. They are so shear that they don't change the finger spacing and they fit so well that they don't hit the wrong key - that sadly is still operator error.

With more and more of our stuff being digital and with us throwing computers forward into austere environments this strikes me as a pretty cool (no pun intended) benefit.