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 the best sailing gloves, and is especially true for those on faster boats such as RIBs, where windchill can be a significant factor. Equally, 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. The ever-growing use of touchscreens on board can also pose problems when sailing gloves need to be worn. In cold weather sometimes the most effective, and certainly the most frugal, option (if you can\u2019t afford a separate part of winter sailing gloves) 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. However, there are of course plenty of occasions when these are not the best option, or when a degree of style is an important consideration. In any case some of the very best technical sailing gloves have outstanding performance.
\nBest sailing gloves available right now<\/p>\n
Gill Pro Sailing Gloves \u2013 Long Finger
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Durable
\n\u2022 Available in wide range of sizes from XS to XXL
\n\u2022 Machine washable
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2022 Might be a little stiff for some smaller hands
\nThe Gill pro glove is made up of a harder wearing material than the championship or deck hand glove. Whilst this is harder wearing, it can also be a little stiffer on the hand as a tradeoff. These are brilliant for spinnaker control lines and other jobs around the boat that involve the risk of rope burn. They\u2019re also useful to med mooring lines that have barnacles on them to avoid your hands being cut.
\nBuy it now
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves \u2013 Long Finger
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Form fitting to curved hand shape
\n\u2022 Available in wide range of sizes from XS to XXL
\n\u2022 Machine washable
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2022 They usually only last a season before needing to be replaced.
\nThe Gill Deckhand gloves have been my go to glove for years now. For a while there was a women\u2019s option available which was a much better fit than the unisex version.
\nThe way the glove is tailored to the curve of the hand makes them easy to wear and easy to grip lines and other control surfaces. They do get a bit soggy to wear when wet and I keep a few pairs to be able to swap out while the others dry off. They usually last me a season and need replacing but I keep buying the same gloves because they are so comfortable to wear.
\nBuy it now
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Super lightweight at just 20g
\n\u2022 Available in wide range of sizes from XS to XXL
\n\u2022 Machine washable
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2022 Winter sailors may want more warmth
\nBuy it now on Amazon
\nBuy it now on Musto.com
\nNote: 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
Gill Helmsman Gloves
\nRead our full Gill Helmsman sailing gloves review.
\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.
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Waterproof
\n\u2022 Thinsulate lining
\n\u2022 Elasticated cuff and drawcord helps trap heat in
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2022 Relatively expensive
\n\u2022 Not the most flexible
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Zhik Superwarm Neoprene Wetsuit Gloves
\nRead our full Zhik Superwarm sailing gloves review.
\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.
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Quick-dry fleece inner
\n\u2022 Reinforced grippy silicone palm
\n\u2022 Available in wide range of sizes from XXS to XXL
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2022 Summer sailors can make do with cheaper options
\nBuy it now on eBay
\nCheck Amazon<\/p>\n
Decathlon Forclaz Warm and Windproof Glove 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.
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Removable fingertips
\n\u2022 Budget-friendly option
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2022 Not designed for marine environments
\nBuy it now on Decathlon<\/p>\n
Zhik G2 Performance Sailing Gloves
\nRead our full Zhik G1 and G2 sailing gloves review.
\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.
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Reinforced palm and finger panelling
\n\u2022 Hi-vis and reflective detailing for aid in low light
\n\u2022 Available in wide range of sizes from XXS to L
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2022 G1 version is cheaper and more lightweight
\nCheck Amazon
\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.
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Finger tabs make them quick to put on and take off
\n\u2022 Highly affordable
\n\u2022 Designed specifically for sailing
\nReasons to avoid<\/p>\n
\u2022 Not machine washable
\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 zero-movement inner lining is of 100 per cent polyester.
\nLike other Sealskinz products they come with a lifetime guarantee.
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Goatskin leather palm gives great grip
\n\u2022 Zero-liner movement
\n\u2022 Lifetime guarantee
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2022 Sizing comes up small
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Gill Championship Glove
\nRead our full Gill Deckhand and Championship sailing gloves review.
\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.
\nReasons to buy
\n\u2022 Wraparound palm protection
\n\u2022 4-way stretch fabric across the back of the hand
\n\u2022 Suitable for a wide range of watersports
\nReasons to avoid
\n\u2022 Only available in two sizes: short and long finger
\nBuy it now on West Marine
\nCheck Amazon
\nDidn\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for? Head to Amazon\u2019s dedicated sailing page for more marine products.
\nThe post Best sailing gloves: 10 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