Gauntlet gloves extend beyond the wrist and protect the forearms, traditionally made of leather or metal and used in close combat. Today, they are used as protective equipment in specialized industries and for historical re-enactments. They are also seen in movies and video games set in historical or fantasy universes. The expression “throw the gauntlet” comes from medieval knights challenging others to combat by throwing their gauntlet to the ground.
Gauntlet gloves, often referred to simply as gauntlets, are a style of gauntlet that increases the protective nature of the glove by extending beyond the wrist and also protecting the wearer’s forearms. They can be made from traditional materials like leather or metal or modern materials like Kevlar and were worn in the past by combatants in close combat. However, modern gauntlet gloves are typically used as part of protective equipment, such as suits that protect from harmful environments or working conditions. Motorcyclists can also often see leather gloves looking for protection in the event of an accident.
In a historical context, gauntlet gloves were often an important part of the armor worn by a warrior who would engage in close combat. This type of hand-to-hand combat left a combatant’s hands open to potential attack, which could easily disarm or seriously injure a fighter and make continued use of a weapon impossible. These types of gauntlet gauntlets were often made of leather and could include metal segments, either in plates or chains, that would cover the leather to provide further protection against attack.
The gauntlet gloves worn by warriors could even be designed to provide some limited offensive options as well as their remarkable defensive capabilities. By covering a fighter’s knuckles in metal, a blow delivered during combat would cause far more pain and damage than an unarmed blow, and could be used to disorient an unsuspecting opponent. However, as firearms began to dominate the battlefield around the world, hand-to-hand combat became a secondary concern, so gauntlet gloves became less popular for battle and today they are kept mainly in specialized industries and for historical re-enactments.
Metalworkers can sometimes be seen wearing thick gloves made of leather or other similar durable materials. These provide the user with protection not only for their hands, but also forearms, which can easily be struck by red-hot debris when working with metal. Astronauts also often have gauntlets as part of their suits, to provide further protection against the atmospheric pressures of space.
Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism often include gauntlet gloves as part of their costumes to better recreate the look of historical clothing and armor. Gauntlets are also often seen on characters in movies and video games set in historical times or in alternate fantasy universes built around medieval technology and fashions. The expression “throw the gauntlet” derives from the practice of medieval knights removing a gauntlet and throwing it to the ground as a combat challenge to another person. A person challenged in this way would then take the gauntlet to accept the challenge, or walk away and potentially lose honor.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
