gauntlets

Gauntlets are gloves that protect the hands and wrists, typically extending over part or all of the forearm. In historical use, gauntlets are the armored gloves of plate armor worn by knights and soldiers from the late medieval period onward. Armored gauntlets were made of steel or iron and featured a backhand plate, articulated finger joints, and a flexible cuff that integrated with the vambrace. They varied from rigid, heavily plated forms used in jousting to more articulated designs intended to preserve dexterity for combat and daily tasks. Knuckles were often reinforced, and some designs used riveted, laminated, or elaborately decorative elements.

In modern contexts, gauntlets describe protective gloves that extend over the wrist or forearm. They are common in trades requiring heat, cuts, or abrasion resistance, such as welding, metalworking, and woodworking, as well as in sports equipment and motorcycling gear. Contemporary gauntlets emphasize safety, comfort, and mobility, employing materials such as leather with heat-resistant linings, high-strength synthetics, or composites.

The phrase to throw down the gauntlet, meaning to issue a challenge, derives from the historical practice of flinging a metal glove to signify a challenge to single combat.

Overall, gauntlets reflect a legacy of protection and form, spanning ceremonial armor to practical gloves used in hazardous work and activity.