Sailing gloves are a critical piece of gear for any sailor – whether it be for warmth, comfort or to help with grip, they have a place on board any size boat. But how do you know in advance of buying which pair of gloves best suits your needs?
In this roundup you’ll find sailing glove reviews from some of the top manufacturers in the game today. From popular sailing gloves for women and men to the best sailing gloves for the winter months, you’ll find everything you need to know before making your decision.
The Gill Three Season Glove has been around for some time and continues to be an excellent choice for cold weather sailors. the 1.5mm neoprene will ensure that your hands stay warm when they inevitably get wet and offer much more range of motion than a bulkier waterproof glove. As a former college sailor, the Gill Three Season Glove was a go to choice for cold March regattas.
Features:
* 1.5mm neoprene keeps you warm even when wet
* Dura-Grip™ fabric on palm and fingers providing incredible levels of grip without any compromise in flexibility and durability
* Pre-shaped construction fits your natural hand shape
* Extended cuff for warmth
The Bottom Line:
Best for the tail-end of the Fall and the late Spring. I found getting one size larger was ideal as they tend to get tight and lose mobility when drying.
The Gill Deckhand glove comes in both short and long finger versions and is a versatile choice for a glove. These gloves are a common sight on the racecourse as they are a reliable glove that will hold up to a season’s beating on the course. They are also a good choice for those not looking to spend too much on a pair of hearty sailing gloves.
Features:
* Excellent flexibility and comfort
* Pre-shaped construction fits your natural hand shape
* Stretch fabric on back for comfort
* Seamless wraparound Amara® reinforcement on fingers
* Inside facing wrist closure prevents accidental starting of watch
The Bottom Line:
Solid gloves with proven performance that won’t break the bank.
The Gill Pro glove is Gill’s top of the line performance glove. The material is designed to be extra durable and the glove is made to last season after season of when the toughest beatings. According to Gill these gloves have been proven to be significantly more durable than most other sailing gloves. gillna.com
Features:
* Patented pre-curved fingers with seamless construction for ultimate durability
* Proton-Ultra™ palm and fingers with wrap construction prevents rope burn tested and proven to be significantly more durable than conventional glove materials
* Dura-Grip™ fabric on lower part of palm construction providing incredible levels of grip without any compromise in flexibility and durability
* Contoured fit for dexterity
* Durable stretch woven fabric on back for more flex
The Bottom Line:
Highly durable, but one of the more expensive options. These gloves will last season after season.
Ronstan’s ‘Sticky’ race gloves are a tried and true classic. The older design is a common sight on many a race boat. The “sticky” material in the fingers and palm is designed to reduce fatigue by minimizing the physical effort required to hold line. These gloves are very durable durable and will last season after season. Ronstan has updated the design with a new version of the glove in grey.
Features:
* ‘Amara’ synthetic leather for maximum durability, minimum stretch and shrinkage
* Double Aramid stitching in high wear areas
* Double thickness palm and fingers for protection and grip
* Mesh panels for flexibility, comfort and quick drying – now available in Grey
* Low cut neoprene wrist band for secure fit and clear access to start watch
* Sticky gloves reduce fatigue by minimizing the physical effort required to hold rope
The Bottom Line:
These gloves are a classic that will last a long time. A little pricier than the Gill version, but worth it for the durability.
When it comes to cold weather sailing gloves, Atlas sets the bar. The Temres Breathable Warm Gloves provide the perfect balance of flexibility and warmth that allow you to maintain range of motion even on the coldest days. These gloves are a staple piece of gear for any college sailor that braves the tail-end of February to start their Spring season.
Features:
* Fabric: Abrasion-resistant, breathable Polyurethane coating with warm acrylic lining
* Grip: Rough grip to handle wet lines and slippery objects even in the cold
* Other: Warm to -4 degrees, Nitrile was added to the fingertips to increase protection
The Bottom Line:
The go-to cold weather sailing glove. Period. Thin enough to maintain flexibility, thick enough to keep you warm.
The Atlas Hot Tamale are the warmer sibling of the Temres glove. These gloves offer significantly more lining and will keep your hands toasty in down to -4º. The drawback? Mobility. These gloves are thick and the warmth comes at the cost of some flexibility. Despite the reduced range of motion however, these gloves are a great choice for frostbiters.
Features:
* Fabric: PVC Shell with internal lining
* Grip: Rough grip for handling slippery objects such as sheets and halyards
* Fit: Loose fit, designed with a larger cuff to fit over a softshell jacket, and either over or under an offshore jacket
* Designed for use down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit
* Allows freedom of movement and flexing to help reduce hand fatigue
The Bottom Line:
Great for warmth when frostbiting, not great for mobility. The thicker sibling of the Temres glove.
Just about every company makes a version of the nitrile grip glove, including Atlas. These are a standard purchase for just about any sailor, with good reason; they are cheap, plentiful and fairly durable. They won’t outlast the higher quality construction of the Ronstan or Gill race gloves, but at a fraction of the cost, you can afford to replace them more often. Thickness can vary from company to company and version to version, but these gloves are best suited to warm weather sailing as the temperature resistance is minimal.
Features:
* Coated Palm
* Elasticated cuff
* Rough finish over entire surface
* Anatomical Shape
* Seamless knit
The Bottom Line:
One of the most common choices for sailing gloves with proven performance. Check your local hardware store for similar gloves before springing for the brand name version.
The Harken Black Magic glove is designed to provide extra resistance to reduce fatigue while holding lines. The comfort of the glove along with the double thick Black Magic palm material make the gloves a good choice for longer use. Mesh on the back of the hand helps provide a superior fit.
Features:
* Fabric: Black Magic palm, Amara and corded nylon, Nylon Spandex mesh.
* Grip: Durable double thick Black Magic palm material for superior grip an abrasion resistance.
* Fit/Cut: Nylon Spandex mesh for super fit.
* Other: Minimal stretch when wet, dries soft
The Bottom Line:
Not the most durable, but an excellent choice for comfort. Won’t dry hard and salty like most other gloves.
Harken’s reflex glove are the higher performance version of the Black Magic classic gloves. With the same grip technology in the palms, the gloves are more rugged so they will last longer than their cheaper counterpart. These gloves will dry soft and reduce stretching.
Features:
* 50 % Black Magic® / 30% Nylon / 20% Rubber
* Low-profile wrist doesn’t push watch buttons
* Durable Black Magic finger wraps reduce seam bulk and increase dexterity
* Black Magic palm material provides outstanding abrasion resistance, protection and durability
* Mesh vents at base of fingers give a cool, custom fit
* Molded-rubber guard strips on back
The Bottom Line:
Cheaper than Gill’s high performance glove with very good durability.
