Mechanix WearMechanix Wear FastFit Work Gloves - Anti-Slip & Abrasion Resistant Heavy Duty Gloves - Touchscreen Compatible - Vibration Damping - Multipurpose Use - Large - Black

I bought a pair last summer, and I've just returned here to buy at least 3 more pair. For what they're made for, nothing could be better. They aren't going to keep your hands warm in very cold weather, but they aren't designed to. The thin leather makes handling things almost as easy as not having gloves on. I can do all sorts of chores around the house and shop in cold weather, and they work great. You can easily handle small objects. They're great for handling firewood. I also use them in glassblowing, and again it's like not having gloves on, except they provide more protection than you might think for such a thin glove. They fit very well, and they slip on and off easily. When they're on, they're like having a second thick skin. I've typed on a computer with them. I can take my wallet out of my pocket and insert or remove bills easily. Being such thin leather, they aren't going to last as long as heavier gloves, but they're SO much more handy than any other gloves I own. I just can't say enough good things about these gloves. Once you've got them wet a couple times, the leather acts like a chamois and will immediately soak up any moisture they come in contact with. But they dry out nicely and continue to wear and fit superbly even after many wet/dry cycles. Even in our long cold NH winter, I've worn these all winter long and only switch out for heavier gloves when I am doing extended outdoor work. I've got lots of work gloves; cotton with rubber dots, cowhide insulated & uninsulated, pigskin, you name it. I've also got similar gloves with a bit heavier leather and velcro wrist straps. These are much better, both for the feel and for being quicker and easier to put on and off. Once they're on, they stay on very nicely. These are my favorite and most versatile gloves by far.

Handy gloves. Protected figures from tool drops, heat, oil, and other workplace issues.

Mechanix Fast Fit, Large, Black - 2012 EditionI'm not really sure if these are new for 2012, but I just ordered these from Amazon so the description of the design is current as of early February 2012. I have an older pair of the black Fast Fit gloves from late 2009 and the design is remarkably different.First off, these new Fast Fit gloves have a different logo/print on the back of the glove. There's a different font for MECHANIX, and it actually says FASTFIT on the sealant graphics (feels sticky/tacky). In addition, there's a tag advertising TEKDRY fabric used for the glove that allows for quicker drying and wicking of moisture. It is supposed to stimulate the hand's own ability in systemic health, whatever that means? I know it feels comfortable though.The palm material is also remarkably different from the traditional Mechanix gloves. Instead of the usual 65% Nylon and 35% Polyurethane, it is 60% Nylon and 40% Polyurethane. As a result, the simulated leather seems to be smoother, more durable, less susceptible to pilling like the older material. I have not tested the true endurance of this material, but I know the 65/35 stuff tends to wear out quickly with use. This 60/40 material just seems more durable, and I'd expect that with more polyurethane content. The thumb also has a light gray leather patching.The styling really is very different in a good way. The Fast Fit differs from the original Mechanix gloves mainly with the lack of a Velcro wrist strap and less simulated leather around the finger tips. The Fast Fit feels thinner and lighter overall. What this means to the user is that the original Mechanix glove is probably a better choice if you're expecting to get your hands dinged up badly. The Fast Fit is designed more for the casual use glove that slips on/off faster and allows for more dexterity. That said, I don't see a huge difference between the two types of gloves to justify the price delta.The Fast Fit is more convenient and lighter, but the Original is still a good design. I'm going to do a comparison between the 65/35 and 60/40 material to see which I like in the long run. Generally speaking, the simulated leather parts of the glove will be the first to wear out - so this is probably the most important aspect of the glove. I had a really old pair of Mechanix Original gloves from 2007 where I wore holes through the index/middle fingers and thumb. I got my index caught under the tire of my car as I was spinning the tire (with the car up on jackstands) to check for brake rotor drag. It smooshed my finger and had I not worn the Mechanix gloves, I probably would have lost the nail and incurred more damage. But I still got a nasty bruise and some scratches. Had I worn a Mechanix glove that didn't have holes, I probably wouldn't have gotten hurt at all.Overall: 5/5 stars, great fit, easy to wear, new Tekdry fabric seems to work in keeping my hands dry, and the new 60% Nylon / 40% Polyurethane simulated leather seems to be more durable.

Better than I expected

I was given a set of these gloves to evaluate for a magazine story, along with a couple of sets of the regular MW gloves with the wrist straps. I fell in love with all of the wrist strap gloves (the more common style) for all the automotive and hobby farm work I do. The best feature of the MW gloves are the way the fingers are made. They fit better and allow for a better sense of touch and more detailed work than any glove I've ever owned. The other impressive feature about the MW gloves are how long they last. I get out to work as often as possible... nowhere near full time... but I was still wearing out at least two or three sets of hardware store gloves a year. The MW gloves were giving me at least a year. When I finally used up the "free sample" wrist strap gloves, I finally put the Fast Fits to work and found my true "glove love." I'm on and off with my gloves a lot and the straps became a bit of a pain. The Fast Fit gloves come on an off easily but they stay on when you want them to. The perfect compromise for me. I need gloves more than most because I go from being an office worker to a laborer at a moment's notice. I spend most of my time pecking on a computer keyboard and my hands are not tough like they once were. These gloves offer a great fit, extraordinary feel and outstanding wear. My hands are addicted.Update 2012: Significant changes have been made to these gloves and I can no longer recommend them. The latest are thinner and not as well constructed. I could barely get a year out of the last set I purchased. Sears now offers a Craftsman glove that is every bit the equal of of the original Fast Fit gloves I loved so I advise checking them out.