Bringing together dual fabrics, the Warlock Insulated Glove by Viktos combines the padded features of cold-weather gloves and added textured grip to provide the wearer with greater tactile control, durability, and improved comfort.
Made from a dual chassis using an insulated fabric backhand, with an AX suede Laredo leather palm, the Warlock Insulated Glove affords a good-degree of cold weather protection with adequate enclosure around the hand and fingers. This synthetic leather extends up and around the front half of each finger and thumb for increased protection. Flexible four-way stretch fabric between the fingers allows for in-depth articulation.
On the top of each finger is a welded Thermo Plastic Rubber (TPR) panel for added protection.
Between the thumb and forefinger are reinforced segments that will protect the hand web and material from compromise, be it through abrasion or impact. This is especially good for handgun users of compact and sub-compact handguns due to risk of contact with the slide.
Each finger includes touch-screen compatible segments for use on smartphones or other devices.
The Warlock Insulated Glove features a hook-and-loop enclosure around the wrist bone that secures the glove, as well as anchors a nylon pull loop that aids in donning the glove.
The Warlock Insulated Glove is available in Greyman (featured), Black, Ranger, Coyote and Black Camo with sizing between Small to 3XL.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Excellent (5/5): With its list price of $45, the Warlock Insulated Glove by Viktos is an affordable option for moderate cold weather gloves that will likely extend the end-user’s time longer than other light-use range/duty gloves. The leather and padded chassis will help ensure abrasion and impact resistance against most of the expected contact points to be encountered, while still being comfortable. In comparison, some of the market alternatives for this type of glove would include SKD’s PIG High Altitude Glove Cold Weather ($64.95), First Spear’s Operator Glove ($82.97), or the Coldshot Sensor Gloves ($50.00) from Outdoor Research. And while the market has a diverse range for this type of accessory in terms of design and material, the Warlock Insulated Glove was the more affordable for its design giving it a excellent rating for its overall cost and the market.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): The padding on the back chassis of the Warlock gave the gloves a very comfortable feel, being soft enough to contour across the back of the hand while still affording full coverage. Likewise, the leather palm was not stiff nor rigid, and easily contoured to the various surfaces encountered or firearm grip. The thumb and fingertips left a minor amount of bulk due to the difference/transition in materials and the rest of the fingers that utilize breathable four-way stretch fabric, but this was also beneficial as a cold weather glove due to the fact these will be the contact points that take the most abrasion and feel exposure to temperature first. Flexibility around the wrist was comfortable due to the elastic panel on the top of the glove that worked in conjunction with the hook-and-loop tab on the bottom. This way a secure and comfortable fit was achieved.
- Durability – Average (3/5): While the Warlock did provide light-to-moderate range use, the leather palms gave it an appropriate (or average) level or durability that protected the hand from most hard surfaces (save for puncture or slashing surfaces that would often necessitate a Kevlar lining). The same leather material also extended from the palm, down the bottom length of the fingers, and around the front half of the fingers. This ensured the fingertips were properly protected from hard or abrasive surfaces. The stitching appeared to be one continual line throughout most of the glove, with only bartack added to minimal stress points. And while the hook-and-loop (male) panel does also double as a point of anchoring for the nylon loop, again there was minimal reinforcement stitching and some minor fraying was noted of the nylon loop over continual contact to hook-and-loop (male) segments. Additionally, some “plucking” of the exterior fabric to the backhand was noted during the period of review after brushing the Warlock up against harsher hook-and-loop (male) panels of plate carriers, and an issue that could become exacerbated over greater time.
- Functionality – Fair (2/5): From a functional aspect, the Warlock Cold Weather Glove did what was expected, it protected the backhand with its non-slip style of padding material, while giving the palm and fingers extended protection with a pliable leather. Placing the hook-and-loop enclosure on the bottom of the wrist gave the strap an added bonus of not snagging on surfaces encountered, accessories, or other items on the outward facing side of the wrist. With little noted re-enforcement stitching, the nylon loop was better suited as a means to finish fitting the Warlock once already on the hand, or a means by which to hang the glove. Using it as the sole means to don the Warlock will most likely result in the eventual stitching’s failure, as some people tend to put on range/duty gloves like they are donning nitrile gloves for surgery. One negative function noted was the inconsistently to utilize the integrated touch-screen aspect of the Warlock’s finger tips. Using an iPhone during evaluations, while the screen and larger icons could be manipulated with some trial-and-error—smaller commands/functions or icons couldn’t be readily selected with any precision as the glove’s signature against the touchpad would blot out the desired area. Viktos may want to changing the stitch design more as a triangle at the fingertips and allow for a more focused point of screen control.
- Weight – Average (3/5): Weighing 2.9 ounces for the pair at a size large, the Warlock Insulated Glove was a lightweight and insulated additive to the range in the modest winter weather. Its materials, thickness, and size did not contribute to overall bulk or restriction in range of motion, and otherwise kept the fingers/hand comfortable. Alternatively, the SKD’s PIG High Altitude Glove Cold Weather (3.0 ounces), First Spear’s Operator Glove (2.8 ounces), or the Coldshot Sensor Gloves (3.9 ounces) from Outdoor Research.. Given the listed market alternatives, they all demonstrate that the Warlock is of an appropriate (or average) weight among its competitors.
Overall Rating – Above Average (17/25)
Product Link: https://www.viktos.com/collections/gloves/products/warlock-insulated-gloves
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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