The choice of sailing gloves can be bewildering. Do you most need to protect your hands from physical damage and rope burn, keep them dry, or keep them warm? The answer will depend on the season, the weather and the boat you’re sailing, writes Rupert Holmes.For much of the year thermal insulation is an important attribute for sailing gloves, and is especially true for those on faster boats such as RIBs, where windchill can be a significant factor.
\nEqually, on a sailing yacht long night watches often involve extended periods with little activity.
\nIn addition, you may need protection against physical damage to your hands and rope burns, particularly if racing, while maintaining good dexterity for tying knots, handling shackles and so on.
\nThe ever-growing use of touchscreens on board can also pose problems when sailing gloves need to be worn.
\nIn cold weather sometimes the most effective, and certainly the most frugal, option is to use a thin inner fabric glove with a pair of household cleaning gloves over the top.
\nThere are others who will vouch for the effectiveness of gloves sold for commercial fisherman, which are also a cost-effective alternative.
\nHowever, there are of course plenty of occasions when these are not the best option, or when a degree of style is an important consideration.
\nIn any case some of the very best technical sailing gloves have outstanding performance.
\nBest sailing gloves available right now
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Musto Essential Sailing Short Finger Glove
\nThese are a classic fingerless glove, designed to protect your hands from the rigours of handing rope all day, that has been re-engineered using today\u2019s high-tech materials. They are among the highest rated of all sailing gloves.
\nThe lightweight four-way stretch mesh fabric maximises freedom of movement and anatomical comfort, while providing a high level of breathability. Construction is of 70 per cent Nylon, plus PU, neoprene and spandex.
\nThe protection panels are placed strategically and oversized Velcro wrist closures give a secure tailored fit.
\nBuy it now on Amazon
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Gill Helmsman Gloves
\nReview: Gill Helmsman sailing gloves tested
\nAs the name suggests, these are designed for use when helming and recognise that task can involve long periods with little activity.
\nThey are, therefore, well insulated, using quick drying breathable materials that retain warmth when wet.
\nMy pair are very comfortable to wear and have an impressive level of waterproofing.
\nThe long gauntlet style enables the glove to be tucked up inside the sleeve of a foul weather jacket, which minimises the risk of drips from your arm finding their way inside the glove.
\nA touchscreen compatible pad is built into the forefinger on each hand.
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Zhik Superwarm
\nReview: Zhik Superwarm sailing gloves tested
\nThese superwarm and stretchy four layer neoprene gloves are intended to offer the ultimate in warmth without impinging on dexterity.
\nThe outside of the material is water repellent to keep hands dry for longer and there\u2019s a fast drying soft fleece on the inner face. The palm and fingers have a super-grippy layer of reinforced polyurethane.
\nTo improve comfort and fit, these gloves are produced in the slightly curved shape of a hand.
\nThis winter they have been my first choice of gloves in extreme conditions when there\u2019s little prospect of being able to keep hands dry.
\nThey proved effective when I was on the water for Pip Hare\u2019s Vendee Globe race finish, in the middle of a wet, windy and bitterly cold February night.
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Decathlon fingerless mittens
\nWhen it\u2019s really cold mittens can be much better than gloves and many years ago for a Southern ocean passage I took a pair of ski mittens.
\nThey were not ideal \u2013 fabric technology has moved on enormously since then \u2013 and had to be dried next to the cabin heater at the end of every watch, but they certainly helped keep my hands warm once we were south of 50 degrees latitude.
\nI love the concept of these \u201cfingerless\u201d mittens from Decathlon \u2013 when you need dexterity and ability to use your fingers and thumb, the end of the garment slides off, leaving you with a more conventional pair of fingerless gloves.
\nLike my old ski mittens they are not intended as a marine garment, so may not be fully waterproof, but it\u2019s easy to see that they could still be very useful.
\nBuy it now on Decathlon<\/p>\n
Zhik G2 Performance Sailing Gloves
\nReview: Zhik G1 and G2 sailing gloves tested
\nThis is the heavier version of the company\u2019s product for all types of racing and performance cruising.
\nIt has three full fingers, leaving the index finger and thumb unencumbered for tying knots, undoing shackles and operating touchscreens on either smartphones or chartplotters.
\nThe high-grip padding is positioned such that it works with ropes of any diameter and is offset to eliminate the pressure points that can be created by seams.
\nThey are heavily reinforced and have an extra-secure Velcro wrist closure that all but eliminates the chances of losing a glove during a high-adrenaline manoeuvre.
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Decathlon adult sailing fingerless gloves
\nSailing gloves can be disappointingly easy to lose, so keeping a spare pair in the bottom of your kit bag can be a good move.
\nThis pair of fingerless gloves from Decathlon is priced such that keeping a few extras around won\u2019t cost a fortune.
\nThey have plenty of grip, offer good protection, are made of a comfortable stretch fabric and have a Velcro wrist strap.
\nDespite the competitive price the specification is good enough for ordinary use.
\nBuy it now on Decathlon<\/p>\n
Sealskinz waterproof all-weather glove
\nThese lightweight insulated gloves are made of 100 per cent waterproof material to keep your hands dry, and therefore warmer, for longer.
\nThe goatskin leather palm gives added protection and a natural feel, while fingers are pre-curved for comfort. Touchscreen compatibility is included on thumb and forefinger.
\nThe outer layer of the breathable fabric is made primarily of polyester, with added neoprene and elastane, while the inner lining is of 100 per cent polyester.
\nLike other Sealskinz products they come with a lifetime guarantee.
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Gill Championship Glove
\nReview: Gill Deckhand and Championship sailing gloves tested
\nAimed at all types of performance sailing and watersports, these have three long fingers with seamless fingertips to improve dexterity.
\nThe pre-shaped construction creates a comfortable fit, without excess fabric, while a reduced cuff length further reduces bulk and means wrist movement is not impeded.
\nWraparound Dura-Grip fabric is used on the palm to maximise grip without compromising flexibility and provide excellent resistance to abrasion.
\nOn the back of the hand a four-way stretch material provides good comfort and has a high SPF50 sun protection factor rating.
\nBuy it now on Amazon
\nThe post Best sailing gloves: 8 top pairs to protect your hands and keep them warm appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The choice of sailing gloves can be bewildering. Do you most need to protect your hands from physical damage and rope burn, keep them dry, or keep them warm? The answer will depend on the season, the weather and the … <\/p>\n