A guide to some of the best swim gloves for outdoor swimmers. Keep your fingers warm and cosy \u2013 and stay in the water for longer \u2013 with a good pair of swimming gloves, ideal for open water swimming sessions.
\nNumb fingers can detract from your cold water swimming enjoyment. Step in neoprene swimming gloves. Designed to keep your hands (and sometimes wrists) warmer in cold water, they can be brilliant for protecting your fingers from pain, numbness and nerve damage.
\nHowever, some cold water swimmers warn against wearing neoprene gloves. Why? Because they say that your hands \u2013 and feet \u2013 are your best gauge for ensuring you don\u2019t stay in the cold water for too long. In other words, wearing gloves can lull you into a false sense of security, putting you at risk of hypothermia.
\nI started wearing neoprene gloves because my fingers hurt in very cold water and because I suffered nerve damage. This wasn\u2019t painful or permanent, but it felt weird and worried me \u2013 I go into this a bit more in my buying guide (scroll down to read).
\nIt\u2019s not worth messing with your hands \u2013 they\u2019re too important. So, I recommend investing in a pair of neoprene gloves but being mindful of how long you can tolerate being in cold water.
\nAt a glance
\nBest adjustable swim gloves: Speedo Adult Swim Gloves
\nMost comfortable neoprene swim gloves: Orca Core Swim Gloves
\nBest swimming gloves for keeping water out: Lomo Swimming and Triathlon Gloves<\/p>\n
1\/ Orca Core Swim Gloves
\nMost comfortable neoprene swim gloves
\nSpecifications<\/p>\n
2 mm thick neoprene
\nHighly elastic inner lining for a better fit
\nExtra-long pattern to overlap a wetsuit for better insulation<\/p>\n
Reasons to buy:\u00a0Easy to pull on and take off, minimal water ingress, long wrist cuffs, super comfortable
\nReasons to avoid:\u00a0Slightly thinner neoprene than other gloves
\nWhen it comes to neoprene swimming gloves, comfort is at the top of our wish list. Orca\u2019s offering is just that \u2013 comfortable to wear and easy to get on and off.
\nMade from 2mm flexible neoprene, these swim gloves are nice and stretchy. This means pulling them on is a cinch and they feel comfortable. But what separates them from the other gloves is how they\u2019ve been tailored to fit your hands.
\nWhile 2mm neoprene is stretchy and flexible, the flip side is that it\u2019s not as warm as thicker neoprene. However, a good fit is key and our tester found these easy to wear with minimal water ingress. Five stars.<\/p>\n
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2\/ Lomo Swimming and Triathlon Gloves
\nBest swimming gloves for keeping water out
\nSpecifications:<\/p>\n
Super stretchy 3mm neoprene
\nGlued & blind stitched
\nLiquid seams
\nWrist gasket<\/p>\n
Reasons to buy:\u00a0Minimal water ingress, toasty warm, good value, good sizing range
\nReasons to avoid:\u00a0Tight to get on and off, short wrist length
\nLike their neoprene socks, Lomo\u2019s gloves come with a promise to minimise water ingress by having better seams, a wrist gasket and tighter fit.
\nWith glued seams, 3mm thick neoprene and a thermal lining, Lomo\u2019s Swimming and Triathlon Gloves feel like excellent quality and they\u2019re comfortable to wear.
\nThey\u2019re our tester\u2019s favourite swim gloves. She likes the gasket, which fits tightly around your wrist and the thick, 3mm neoprene. However, this does make them a very tight fit \u2013 we recommend checking the sizing carefully and perhaps going up a size.<\/p>\n
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3\/ DHB Hydron Thermal Swim Gloves 2.0
\nBest neoprene swimming gloves with a grip
\nSpecifications<\/p>\n
Neoprene outer with thermal lining for warmth and comfort
\nNon-slip bright print on the palm
\nExtended tab makes them easy to get on and off
\nPerfect accompaniment to dhb Thermal Wetsuits<\/p>\n
Reasons to buy:\u00a0Easy to put on and take off, flexible, comfortable, non-slip grip
\nReasons to avoid:\u00a0Grip cracks, water ingress
\nIf you grip a railing to get in and out of the water, you\u2019ll need to ensure your hand doesn\u2019t slip. That\u2019s where DHB\u2019s Hydron swim gloves come into their own.
\nOur tester\u2019s ever faithful swim gloves have got her through a few winters of swimming. With a thermal lining and mid-length wrist tab, they\u2019re warm, comfortable and easy to get on and off.
\nWe like the bright orange palm grips, although these do crack after a while \u2013 which doesn\u2019t affect their performance. They\u2019re not quite as warm as some of the other gloves we tested, which cost them a star. Four stars.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
4\/ Speedo Adult Swim Gloves
\nBest adjustable swimming gloves
\nSpecifications:<\/p>\n
Velcro fastening wrist loop with gasket seal \u2013 designed to help keep glove in place, provide a secure & adjustrable fit and reduce water ingress
\nOptimised wrist length \u2013 designed for wearing with or without a wetsuit
\nGripped palm \u2013 designed for increased grip, and to aid in ease of getting gloves off when cold
\nDesigned to be comfortable and enable good freedom of movement and feel for the water whilst swimming
\nExternal seams \u2013 for comfort
\nMade from Yamamoto neoprene \u00a0\u2013 limestone based neoprene
\nMade from 3mm neoprene<\/p>\n
Reasons to buy:\u00a0Adjustable wrist fastening, gripped palms, easy to get on and off, comfortable, warm
\nReasons to avoid: No thermal lining
\nSpeedo are nailing their cold water swimming offering, and we struggled to find fault with these gloves.
\nMade from 3mm Yamamoto neoprene, which is slightly more sustainable than other neoprene, they\u2019re comfortable and easy to get on and off. They don\u2019t have a thermal lining, meaning they don\u2019t feel quite as warm as some other 3mm gloves. But we found them perfectly snug.
\nThe winning design feature for us, though, is the adjustable wrist gasket. That little strip of Velcro ensures a good fit wetsuit or not. It\u2019s also great if you have thick or thin wrists.<\/p>\n
5\/ Nabaiji Swim Gloves
\nSpecifications:<\/p>\n
2 mm neoprene gloves
\nSealed seams
\nPalm grips<\/p>\n
Reason to buy:\u00a0Long wrist sleeve, minimal water ingress, flexible and comfortable,
\nReasons to avoid:\u00a0Not as warm as other gloves, limited sizes
\nDecathlon\u2019s open water swimming brand, Nabaiji, is known for making decent gear \u2013 and these swim gloves are no exception.
\nMade from 2mm neoprene, they\u2019re not as warm as other swim gloves. However, they proved a surprise favourite for our tester. This is largely down to the long wrist covers, which stop water from getting in and keep your wrists warmer.
\nWe found them extremely comfortable \u2013 we like having more flexibility than perhaps thicker gloves can offer. We were also surprised by how little water got into the gloves.
\nGrippy palms, good seals \u2013 great gloves. We just knocked off half a star for the limited range of sizes.<\/p>\n
A few more great gloves we like:<\/p>\n
Zone 3 Neoprene Heat Tech Gloves
\nIn the market for a warm and reliable winter glove? Look no further than Zone 3\u2019s Heat Tech design. This glove uses 3.5mm thickness neoprene and liquid sealed seams to trap in heat, and a clever titanium lining further reflects warmth for noticeably warmer hands in chilly winter waters. We love the longer-length wrists, which fit easily under a wetsuit but also feature a strap so that you can get a snug fit (this stops the gloves getting flushed through with water as you swim). The rubber grip on the palms and fingers is also good.
\nMaterial: neoprene
\nThickness: 3.5mm
\nSealed seams: liquid sealed seams
\nSizes: XS-XL
\nPros: reliably warm thanks to reflective lining, good adjustable wrist straps, decent grip
\nCons: too thick for warm water dips
\nPrice \u00a335 (RRP \u00a335) $46
\nBuy Zone 3 Neoprene Heat Tech Swim Gloves from wiggle.co.uk<\/p>\n
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Patagonia R3 Yulex gloves
\nNeoprene is a bit of a wonder material for swimmers \u2013 it\u2019s warm, lightweight, comfortable and close-fitting. The one downside is that this petroleum-based material is not good news for the environment. Wetsuit and swim glove makers are now turning to yulex, a more sustainable material harvested from rubber trees. Patagonia\u2019s R3 glove is our pick of the pack \u2013 3mm thickness and taped seams trap in heat, and the grip on the palms is brilliant. These are the priciest gloves in our round-up, but if you love to swim and surf all winter and want to shop sustainably, they\u2019re worth the spend. A mitt version is also available.
\nMaterial: yulex and recycled polyester
\nThickness: 3mm
\nSealed seams: taped seams
\nSizes: XS-XL
\nPros: made from yulex, a more sustainable alternative to neoprene, taped seams, great grip
\nCons: pricy, no wrist strap
\nPrice \u00a355 (RRP \u00a370) $72
\nBuy Patagonia R3 Yulex glove from amazon.co.uk<\/p>\n
Neoprene Diving Gloves
\nShopping for swim gloves on a budget? These simple gloves are great value for money at under \u00a310. Aimed at divers, snorkellers and swimmers, they\u2019re thinner than most swim gloves at 1.5mm, which makes them much more dexterous but less warm than other designs. We\u2019d stick to using them from spring to autumn, but if you already own thick winter gloves and want something you can pull on for year-round swims, this is an affordable second pair to choose. It\u2019s just a pity there\u2019s no grip to speak of.
\nMaterial: neoprene
\nThickness: 1.5mm
\nLiquid sealed seams:\u00a0 no
\nSizes: M\/L
\nPros: Affordable price point, thinner neoprene means more mobility, ideal for warmer weather
\nCons: no grip, too thin for winter swims
\nPrice \u00a39.70 (RRP \u00a39.70) $12.70
\nBuy Neoprene diving gloves from amazon.co.uk<\/p>\n
Dakine Cyclone Glove
\nMost of the gloves in our round-up are aimed specifically at swimmers, but Dakine\u2019s Cyclone glove is a surfer\u2019s favourite design that doubles up nicely for any kind of water sport. These streamlined gloves are made with a mix of neoprene and nylon and are easy to pull on and off. The Cyclone has 3mm of thickness coupled with liquid sealed seams to suit most water temperatures, and a good grip thanks to a hex pattern on the palms made of silicone. Sizing from XS-XL also make it easy to get the right fit, although these gloves run on the small side.
\nMaterial: neoprene
\nThickness: 3mm
\nLiquid sealed seams:\u00a0 yes
\nSizes: XS-XL
\nPros: great grip, comfortable to pull on and off, liquid sealed seams, versatile design
\nCons: no wrist strap, sizing runs small
\nPrice \u00a335 (RRP \u00a350) $45.79
\nBuy Dakine Cyclone Glove from surface-2-air sports via ebay<\/p>\n
Blueseventy Thermal Swim Glove
\nBlueseventy\u2019s thermal glove ticks all the boxes for swimmers \u2013 it uses warm, heat-retaining neoprene at a 3mm thickness and the seams are liquid sealed. Even better, this design has a metallic liner that further traps in body heat, so these gloves work for bitter winter swims without much loss of mobility. The slim, longer-length cuffs on these gloves also make them easy to pop under a wetsuit. There are only two sizes \u2013 S and L \u2013 available. Most women should find the S fits them, while the L will suit the average man, but if you\u2019re between sizes you might find gloves with a bigger size range more suitable.
\nMaterial: neoprene
\nThickness: 3mm
\nLiquid sealed seams:\u00a0 yes
\nSizes: S\/L
\nPros: effective heat-trapping metallic liner, liquid sealed seams, works well under wetsuits
\nCons: only two sizes available, limited grip
\nPrice \u00a337.50 (RRP \u00a337.50) $65
\nBuy Thermal Swim Glove from wiggle.co.uk<\/p>\n
Buying guide \u2013 What we look for in a great pair of swim gloves\u2026
\nThe main reason for buying swim gloves is comfort. When we get into cold water, warm blood shunts away from our extremities to keep our core warm. The result is numbness, tingling and changed sensations in our hands and fingers, which goes back to normal once we\u2019ve warmed up. Although temporary, in the extreme cold, this numbness can be quite painful and unpleasant.
\nBut, some cold water swimmers suffer from something called non-freezing cold injury. This is where the normal cold water symptoms (pain, altered sensation and cold sensitivity) can persist for weeks, months or even years. Researchers don\u2019t know how cold is too cold, or how different people will react.
\nThe downside of swim gloves
\nWith the risk of non-freezing cold injury, why would anyone not wear swim gloves? One of the main reasons is that they reduce feeling, or bio-feedback. In other words, because you can\u2019t feel the water on your hands, it can alter sensations and disrupt your technique. For winter swimmers, it can also impair your ability to tell when it\u2019s time to get out. Without your hands as a gauge for how cold you\u2019re getting, you risk staying in too long making you more susceptible to hypothermia.
\nWhat about Reynaud\u2019s?
\nLots of swimmers who suffer with Reynaud\u2019s ask if wearing swim gloves will help. Raynaud\u2019s is a vascular disorder where the small blood vessels in your extremities overreact to the cold. This causes your fingers (and toes) to turn white or blue, lose feeling and become painful and uncomfortable. Most suffers of Reynaud\u2019s say that wearing neoprene gloves is the best protection from these uncomfortable symptoms.
\nHow do neoprene gloves work?
\nSwimming gloves work like a wetsuit. They trap a layer of water between your skin and the neoprene, which then warms up to your body temperature. When you first put them on, many gloves will keep your hands dry. The water seeps in as you swim, usually through the seams and down the wrists. This is normal, but the water shouldn\u2019t feel freezing cold or make your gloves sag \u2013 if they do, they\u2019re too big.
\nWhich neoprene gloves?
\nStart by choose the thickness of your swim gloves. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer the gloves will be. But there\u2019s a trade-off \u2013 the thicker the gloves, the less sensation and mobility you\u2019ll have in your hands. So, think about what kind of swimming you\u2019ll be doing, in what temperature water and how well you cope with the cold. For example, if you swim front crawl over a distance in 10-15 degrees Centigrade water, you\u2019ll need thinner, more flexible gloves. If you\u2019re dipping in sub-5 degrees Centigrade, go for the thickest gloves you can find.
\nAlso look for:<\/p>\n
Durable welded or liquid-sealed seams to keep more water out
\nA wrist strap or gasket to help seal the cuff
\nGrippy fabric on the palms and finger<\/p>\n
Wrist covering \u2013 a long wrist will help with warmth and preventing water ingress
\nThermal linings for extra warmth<\/p>\n
Measuring and fit
\nWhichever gloves you choose, ensuring they fit as snugly as possible is really important. Follow the brands\u2019 fitting guides, using a fabric tape measure (or bit of string and a ruler) to measure your hands. It\u2019s worth measuring both hands as your dominant hand is often slightly bigger. If you\u2019re between sizes, go with the smaller hand.
\nTop tips for warm hands
\nWhat you do with your hands before and after your swim will also affect how comfortable they are. Your hands are so important, but they\u2019re easy to neglect. Show your hands the love they deserve and follow this handy cold water swimming routine!<\/p>\n
Take off your dry gloves and put your neoprene gloves on straight away
\nBefore you swim, do some jumping jacks, running on the spot and windmilling your arms to get the blood flowing right to the tips of your fingers
\nSwim in your neoprene gloves
\nAfter your swim, put on your normal gloves \u2013 mittens are best. You can also use hand warmers, hold a hot drink or hot water bottle to help warm your hands
\nWear warm, loose layers as tight clothing will restrict your blood flow<\/p>\n
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If you enjoyed this\u2026.
\nYou might also enjoy reading our other articles on open water swimming and cold water activities
\nA guide to the best winter wetsuit
\nCold Water swimming gear \u2013 everything you need before taking the plunge
\nYou can also read about some of the best places to go outdoor swimming on Sian Lewis own award winning blog the girl outdoors
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\nThe post 5 of the best neoprene gloves for cold water swimming : Tried and tested appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A guide to some of the best swim gloves for outdoor swimmers. Keep your fingers warm and cosy \u2013 and stay in the water for longer \u2013 with a good pair of swimming gloves, ideal for open water swimming sessions. … <\/p>\n