Shooting gloves

Why Shooting Gloves Are a Must-Have for Air Rifle Sports

If you practice with an air rifle without shooting gloves , the rifle’s weight can, over time, press painfully against your supporting hand and lead to pressure points. A shooting glove specifically designed for air rifle shooting acts as a shock absorber by cushioning the areas under stress. At the same time, its non-slip surface ensures that the stock remains precisely in position, even when you’re sweating heavily. This helps prevent the rifle from wobbling while aiming.

Thanks to the improved grip and padding, you’ll also need less force to hold the rifle in the shooting position. This can offer noticeable advantages, especially on longer competition days.

Closed or open: Which models are best suited for what?

Shooting gloves for air rifles are broadly divided into three types:

• Closed-finger models: This style encloses the entire hand, offering both maximum cushioning and protection from the cold. At the same time, you benefit from an even contact surface against the fore-end.
• Open-finger models: Here, all fingertips are exposed, so you retain your usual dexterity when making adjustments to the sight or the butt plate. In the summer, fingerless shooting gloves for air rifles ensure optimal ventilation, so your hands don’t sweat as quickly.
• Models with an open thumb and index finger: This hybrid design combines the best of both worlds. While the three outer fingers are enclosed and well-padded to provide maximum stability for the rifle, the thumb and index finger remain exposed. This allows you to handle the rifle with precision without sacrificing protection.

Closed-finger shooting gloves for air rifles are primarily suited for shooters who use the so-called “fist grip.” With this grip, the hand is clenched into a fist, and the rifle is rested on the knuckles or the back of the hand. For people who rest the rifle in an open palm or whose hands tend to sweat, fingerless models are generally the best option. Hybrid shooting gloves offer all-around shooters and tournament shooters maximum efficiency during the shooting process. They are particularly popular among shooters who hold the rifle in the classic “V-grip” (between the thumb and index finger).

Important for competitive shooters: The official association rules for shooting gloves

If you want to use your shooting gloves in air rifle competitions, you must ensure they comply with DSB or ISSF standards. The rules state that the gloves must not artificially stiffen or mechanically restrict the wrist. Additionally, the regulations permit only elastic bands that loosely encircle the wrist. Cuffs are prohibited, as are buckles and Velcro fasteners.

Furthermore, shooting gloves used in air rifle tournaments must not extend more than 50 mm beyond the wrist toward the back of the hand. The total thickness of the palm and back of the hand sections, measured at a single point without a seam or hem, must not exceed 12 mm.

How to Determine the Right Size for Your Air Rifle Shooting Gloves

Shooting gloves for air rifle sports have very little stretch. That’s why it’s especially important to choose the right size. To ensure the best possible fit, manufacturers grade glove sizes (XS through XXL) in 2.5-cm increments.

To measure your hand circumference, it’s best to use a flexible tailor’s measuring tape. Wrap the tape measure around your hand just below the base of your fingers, leaving out your thumb. While measuring, keep your hand slightly open so that muscle tension doesn’t skew the measurement. If in doubt, choose a size larger.

High-quality shooting gloves from renowned manufacturers

Shooting gloves for air rifle sports are more than just a stylish accessory. They combine protection, grip, and comfort in a single product and can make a big difference in both training and competition. We carry shooting gloves from SAUER and TEC-HRO, which meet the highest standards for quality, fit, and ergonomics. Compare the different models now and find out which glove suits you best. If you’d like to further optimize your gear, it’s also worth checking out our shooting jackets, shooting pants, and shooting shoes.