Vanguard Safety Wear

Vanguard Safety Wear


Firefighting Gloves Built by Firefighters

Structural, extrication and wildland gloves from Amboy, Illinois, led by the MK-2 and kangaroo-palm MK-2 Ultra, certified to NFPA 1970-2025.

For structural firefighters

The MK-2: Certified to NFPA 1970

The MK-2 is the next generation of Vanguard's MK-1, now certified to the new NFPA 1970-2025 standard and labeled for PFAS compliance. It keeps five layers of Kevlar/para-aramid knit and adds a modified fit, a leather grab patch for wet donning and a third Kevlar fingertip seam. Vanguard named its MK gloves for FDNY Firefighter Michael Kiefer (Ladder 132), who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

MK-2 (6877)MK-2 (6877)Goatskin palm, NFPA 1970-2025MK-2 Ultra (6877K)MK-2 Ultra (6877K)Kangaroo palm, NFPA 1970-2025MK-1 (7877)MK-1 (7877)Gauntlet, wing thumb, NFPA 1971-2018WILD-1 (3755)WILD-1 (3755)Wildland, NFPA 1977-2022
Shop Vanguard Structural Gloves

If your department specs NFPA 1970-2025, order the MK-2 or MK-2 Ultra; the MK-1 and MK-1 Ultra are certified to NFPA 1971-2018. Vanguard lists no NFPA certification for the Squad-1, so it is not a structural firefighting glove. Not sure which you need? Compare all Vanguard gloves.

Compare

Which Vanguard Glove Is Right for You?

Every Vanguard glove we carry, side by side. Click a glove to see sizes.

GloveUseCertificationPalm / backHighlights
MK-2 (6877)Structural firefightingNFPA 1970-2025Goatskin palm; cowhide-reinforced back5 layers Kevlar/para-aramid knit; leather grab patch; 3rd Kevlar fingertip seam
MK-2 Ultra (6877K)Structural firefightingNFPA 1970-2025Kangaroo palm; goatskin backMK-2 build with a naturally water-resistant kangaroo palm
MK-1 (7877)Structural firefightingNFPA 1971-2018Goatskin palm; cowhide back of handGauntlet cuff, wing thumb; 5 layers Kevlar knit; Kevlar thread
MK-1 Ultra (7877K)Structural firefightingNFPA 1971-2018Kangaroo palm; cowhide back of handKangaroo version of the MK-1; replaced by the MK-2 Ultra
Squad-1 (SQ-1)Extrication & technical rescueNo NFPA rating; ANSI Cut Level 3Synthetic leather palm; Kevlar back shellPadded knuckles with reflective strip; Kevlar debris cuff
WILD-1 (3755)Wildland & forestryNFPA 1977-2022Goatskin palm; 100% Kevlar backModacrylic liner; gathered wrist stitching keeps debris out

Certifications are as Vanguard lists them for each model. The Squad-1 has no NFPA certification and is not for structural firefighting.

Sizing

Vanguard MK Structural Glove Sizes

Vanguard sizes the MK-2 and MK-2 Ultra to the NFPA structural glove system: the number comes from your index finger length and the letter from your hand width across the knuckles. MK gloves have a tailored fit. Vanguard says many firefighters trade up one size, so size generously.

NFPA 1971-2018 sizeNFPA 1971-2013 sizeOur size menu
64NXXS2X-Small
70NXSX-Small
70WSSmall
76NMMedium
NFPA 1971-2018 sizeNFPA 1971-2013 sizeOur size menu
76WLGLarge
82NXLX-Large
82WXXL2X-Large
82XWXXXL3X-Large

How we make it easy

  • Measure your index finger length and your hand width across the knuckles. If you fall between sizes, Vanguard recommends going up.
  • Cadet sizes match Regular sizes but have fingers 1/2" shorter. Choose Cadet in the Type menu.
  • This chart covers the MK structural gloves. The Squad-1 and WILD-1 use plain letter sizes, and 4XL has no NFPA size code. The size menu on each glove shows what we carry.
  • Wrong size? Exchanges are simple with our easy 30-day returns.

Vanguard Safety Wear FAQ

  • Who makes Vanguard Safety Wear gloves?

    Vanguard Safety Wear is a firefighting glove company in Amboy, Illinois. It opened in 2017, founded by glove designer Andy Shapiro and career firefighter Nick Dinges, now an assistant chief and paramedic. Its MK gloves are named for FDNY Firefighter Michael Kiefer, who died on September 11, 2001.

    MK-2 glovesAll Vanguard gloves

  • Are Vanguard gloves NFPA certified?

    Most are. The MK-2 and MK-2 Ultra are certified to NFPA 1970-2025, the MK-1 and MK-1 Ultra to NFPA 1971-2018, and the WILD-1 to NFPA 1977-2022 for wildland firefighting. Vanguard lists no NFPA certification for the Squad-1 extrication glove (it is rated ANSI Cut Level 3), so do not wear it for structural firefighting.

    Structural glovesWILD-1 wildland gloveCompare gloves

  • What is the difference between the Vanguard MK-2 and MK-2 Ultra?

    The palm. The MK-2 (6877) has a goatskin palm, and the MK-2 Ultra (6877K) has a kangaroo palm. Vanguard says kangaroo skin is, ounce for ounce, the most durable leather, with 10 times the tensile strength of cowhide, and it is naturally water resistant. Both have the same NFPA 1970-2025 certification and five-layer Kevlar/para-aramid knit build.

    MK-2MK-2 Ultra

  • What changed from the Vanguard MK-1 to the MK-2?

    The MK-2 is certified to the new NFPA 1970-2025 standard; the MK-1 is certified to NFPA 1971-2018. Vanguard also gave the MK-2 a modified fit, a leather grab patch for easier wet donning and doffing, a third Kevlar seam at the fingertips, and PFAS-compliance labeling.

    MK-2MK-1Compare gloves

  • How do Vanguard structural gloves fit?

    Snug. Vanguard says the MK gloves have a more tailored fit than other structural gloves, and many firefighters trade up one size from what they wore before. Sizes follow the NFPA system (64N to 82XW), and Cadet sizes have fingers 1/2" shorter than Regular.

    Glove size chartStructural gloves

  • How do I wash Vanguard firefighting gloves?

    Vanguard recommends hand washing in a mild detergent such as Tide Gentle or dish soap, wringing them out gently, then hanging to dry or machine drying on low to medium heat. If you must use a gear extractor, skip turnout gear detergent, which dries out the natural oils in leather. Once dry, Vanguard suggests rubbing Barbasol shave cream into the leather to keep it supple.

    MK-2MK-2 Ultra

  • What is the Vanguard Safety Wear glove warranty?

    Vanguard warrants its MK structural gloves against defective workmanship or materials for the life of the gloves. The Public Safety Store is an authorized Vanguard Safety Wear dealer, so gloves bought here are covered. If you think your gloves have a defect, send us your order number and we will help with the claim.

    Contact usStructural gloves

  • Where can I buy Vanguard Safety Wear gloves?

    You can buy Vanguard Safety Wear gloves at The Public Safety Store, a firefighter-owned store, For the Brave Behind the Badge, and an authorized Vanguard dealer. We carry the MK-2, MK-2 Ultra, MK-1, Squad-1 and WILD-1. Every order is backed by our price match guarantee and easy 30-day returns.

    Price match guaranteeEasy 30-day returnsShop all Vanguard gloves

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