Glove recommendations

[BugzyCan]

Many sailors wear gloves I understand, but what is preferred?

- Fingerless?
- Padded?
- Leather?
- Mesh?

Is there a favorite brand or style you prefer? Something you love, something you tried and hated?

Thanks.

Thoughts on this? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3299...chweb201603_55

[sailorboy1]

I like the cheap leather and mesh work gloves from like Home Depot that are 3 pair for $12. But i only wear sailing if my hands get cold, which has been a few years now.

[BugzyCan]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I like the cheap leather and mesh work gloves from like Home Depot that are 3 pair for $12. But i only wear sailing if my hands get cold, which has been a few years now.

You find it OK if they are loose fitting? I would have thought tighter fitting gloves would provide more control, such as for tying knots in a hurry or something.

[sailorboy1]

They aren't loose fitting! I bet the smallest line on my boat is 5/16” and easy to tie. But if the gloves would to be source of an issue i would ........... take them off.

[LauraleeG]

I like a tight, fingerless glove. They protect my palms. I like the kind you find at sport check for weight lifting.

[thinwater]

Much depends on how actively you trim sheets, whether you have finger problems, weather, and personal preference.


Warm Weather

• Ronstan Sticky Race, long finger (means thumb and index are free)
• Harken Black Magic long
• Some dinghy sailors like Atlas Fit with the finger tips cut off. Snug fit.

Cool weather (40-50F)

• Musto Pro
• Gill 3-season
• Heat packs can help

Cold (<40F)

• Ski gloves. Have to take them off to do anything, so take something else too.
• Various coated gloves for very wet. I like insulated double coated Hyroflectors for the kayak, better than any kayak glove.

Various work gloves can work--I've used them when I left sailing gloves at home--but the grip generally stinks, they don't protect the tendons as well, and they don't last as long.

[rbk]

For cold/cool weather I prefer the mechanix gloves. Leather palms and silicone padding on the knuckles and tops to take any bashing. I usually splice double braid with them as well to give you an idea of dexterity.

[Chotu]

Don't get this year's west Marine branded fingerless gloves. I've used those for years. They skimped on the leather and the fabric comes apart in a couple weeks.

[Benz]

I only use gloves when it's cold, but there's several thicknesses of insulated fishermen's gloves that will keep your hands dry, which is the utmost concern in the cold. I also use merino glove liners from Sealskinz under whatever glove or mitten I'm wearing.
I avoid leather. It gets cold and clammy when wet, and is then worse than useless at keeping your hands warm.

[MicHughV]

You could try the bike shops.

Back in my Harley riding days, I had a pair of fingerless gloves, which lasted forever. I loved them, as on a hot day, my hands would get sweaty, or parts of the bike would get hot, etc. Quite inexpensive.

Ended up using them on the boat for much the same reason as with my bike.

[dcondit]

I don’t use gloves at all except for cold weather. For regular cold I use waterproof motorcycle touring gloves. They’re usually breathable, washable, and provide great dexterity. For really cold (Iceland/Greenland/etc.) I use professional, lined commercial fishing gloves and spare no expense.

[SailingInfidels]

I found the Gil fingerless gloves to have a seem that dug in right between the fingers and was really uncomfortable. I stopped using them because of that and only used them when I had to handle a muddy anchor chain. Fixed the windlass and threw them out. That was 5 or 6 years ago, haven't bothered with gloves since.

If I were to get a pair, it wouldn't be the over-priced sailing gloves, that's for sure

[jo_sail]

I always deposit a pair of strong, ordinary and cheap leather working gloves in the anchor chain locker, where I find it is essential to protect fingers, even if someone forgot to put on the personal gloves. This has helped a lot of situations. Sometimes you lack the time to pick your gloves but working safety for fingers at the anchor and at the chain should not be compromised. And if there is a slimy mooring line, you can use this pair, too.

[thinwater]

I started testing a selelction of gloves just after I posted on this thread 3 years ago. My opinions changed a bit.


(amended from my last post)



Warm Weather

• Gill Pro or Championship, 3-finger. The Pro is a bit stiffer but protects more and lasts longer. Backing is softshell, so they are almost 3-season. Total redesign just 2 years ago, so old reviews are wrong. Love these.
• Ronstan Sticky Race, 3-finger finger (means thumb and index are free).
• Harken Black Magic 3-finger.

Cool weather (40-50F)

• Musto Pro. Nope, did not wear well and stayed stiff.
• Gill 3-season. Nope, not much warmer than the Gill Pro.
• Heat packs can help. Yes.
• Mountain Hardware Gravity Gloves. Windblocker fleece with high quality leather palm. But they don't make them anymore.

Cold (<40F)

• Gill Helmsman. A total redesign, you can actually sail with these now! Very warm, waterproof, and more dexterous than any insulated ski glove.
• Ski gloves. Have to take them off to do anything, so take something else too. Only for guests.
• Various coated gloves for very wet. I like insulated double coated Hyroflectors for the kayak, better than any kayak glove.

[hpeer]

Cold wx only. Then I use orange insulated fisherman's gloves. Long gauntlets.
I have several pairs in case one gets wet.