As you prepare to hit the water, there are certain things that you need. One of the most important pieces of gear recommended by avid kayakers is kayaking gloves. These come in handy and will serve to protect your hands from blisters or the cold. However, what are the best kayaking gloves for your specific conditions?
We realize that there are so many kayaking gloves available on the market today. Therefore, you might find it daunting when you have to make a purchase. With this post, though, you don’t have to fret. We have considered some of the highly rated and most popular options on the market and have come up with this list of the ten best kayaking gloves on the market. When choosing these gloves, several factors come into consideration. The first one is the type of gloves, which will depend on the weather. Some other things we considered include the durability and the dexterity offered, and more. We discuss why these are so important later in the buying guide. In the meantime, let’s focus on the ten best kayaking gloves right now.
More features: extra padded palm and mesh back; brushed Amara leather reinforcement; low-profile adjustable wrist; fast drying
Our first choice is these excellent gloves from Windrider. They are fingerless options that offer some really nice features that will certainly make your kayaking safer and more enjoyable than when done with bare hands.
The gloves are made of good quality materials. The spandex and Lycra combination of materials results in a pair of gloves that are breathable, fast-drying, and great for warm weather. With these gloves, you will not sweat as much in the hands. The palms have Amara leather padding that offers good level of protection. As these are fingerless option, you have greater level of dexterity and enjoy better grip.
You will find it easy to hold on to stuff like paddles and all that. The leather on the palms ensure that you don’t suffer from blisters as well. The gloves are really versatile and can be used not only for kayaking, but also for sailing and other water sports.
What we liked: These are fingerless gloves that offer excellent dexterity and protection from blisters on the palm. They let you enjoy kayaking by giving you an excellent grip.
What could be better: The gloves are fingerless; therefore, they are not suitable for cold weather. However, a full-finger version of these gloves is also available.
More features: waterproof; pre-curved fingers; seamless palm design; fully integrated wrap design
The next gloves are excellent where the top pick fails to shine. Perfect Curve Gloves are full-finger gloves that are made of high-quality neoprene material which is just what you need if you are hitting the water. The gloves are pretty cool and have been described as a hybrid option. With these gloves, you can have a great time kayaking whether in the winter or in the summer.
The material of build is of high quality and ensures that the gloves remain good for you.
The neoprene material is excellent, although some parts of the gloves aren’t waterproof. Apart from the material covering the fingers, the palm section is padded and offers good safety reinforcements for you. Due to the combination of design and material, you have gloves that are very durable and offer you remarkable grip under the wettest conditions.
Another nice thing about the gloves is that they come with a short wrist; therefore, they offer a good overall fit.
The pair is available in several sizes and is the best option for anyone who is looking to go kayaking in the cold weather.
What we liked: These gloves are made of high-quality neoprene which makes it the best gloves to wear for kayaking in cold weather.
What could be better: One issue with the gloves is that there are some quality control issues. Some of them do not fit the hands.
More features: waterproof; quick-drying; anti-slip GripCote palm and fingers
In a very close third place on our list of the best gloves for kayaking are these excellent NRS Hydroskin gloves. As with the option above, they are full-fingered options that offer you excellent performance in all kinds of weather, but especially in cold weather situations.
The gloves are made of high-quality parts, including a 0.5 mm thick neoprene lining. This lining serves plenty of advantages. One of the things that is offered by the lining is the ability to keep the hands warm for longer and to give protection from the elements.
As a neoprene material glove, it offers resistance to water by using a coating that will ensure complete dryness even as you go kayaking. In addition to the neoprene and the coating, the gloves also have a silicone layer that gives even more protection to you and is easy to grip.
What we liked: These are an excellent pair of gloves that are an upgrade over several others on the market. They come highly recommended and will give a good time kayaking.
What could be better: These gloves are great for many weather conditions but are not for icy environments.
More features: strong yet flexible material; blind-stitched; unisex fit; adjustable wrist closure; rubber-printed palm
If you will be facing dangerous water conditions, then these full-fingered gloves offer you the best protection that you can get. They come with high quality materials of construction and will last you for a very long time. One thing that we liked about the gloves is that you can get them at different thickness levels. Thus, you can choose between the 3 mm and 5 mm thickness levels. The thickness of the gloves will determine how flexible the gloves will be. Either way, you are bound to receive excellent overall protection.
With these gloves, your hands will receive plenty of protection despite the cold. It also means that there is a lower chance of suffering injuries from abrasions, rope burn, and all of that. It is a very versatile option that is excellent, not just for kayaking, but for other activities as well.
It might be more expensive than several of the others on this list, but it is certainly worth the price. In addition to all that we have mentioned, the gloves also come with palms that will stop any slip due to their anti-slip properties.
What we liked: These gloves are high quality options made from high grade neoprene. It is soft, easy to wear, and will keep you warm in the cold.
What could be better: Due to the thickness of the material, you might find it hard to grip the paddle as well as you’d like.
More features: anti-slip silicone palm; washing machine safe
The Hornet Watersports rowing gloves are excellent gloves that come with good features that will ensure that you keep warm even as the temperature drops ever lower. The gloves are made to last for a long time and give you excellent performance.
One of the things that sets these gloves apart from the others on our list is that they are made for the hot weather. Therefore, if you are thinking of kayaking in the summer, you will find these to be just right for you. It comes with a padding that enhances the overall durability of the gloves and that will help you keep rowing even as the paddle rubs against your palm.
Many women have used this and reported it to be an excellent companion during kayaking. It is true to its size and will be a good choice for all women.
What we liked: These gloves offer plenty of comfort and durability. They are flexible, have good padding, and come in different sizes.
What could be better: These gloves are only designed for hot weather, so they will not be sufficient in cold weather.
More features: breathable and ergonomically shaped; low-profile wrist; 4-way stretch fabric and mesh back; padded palm; quick drying
Although these are not exactly labelled as kayaking gloves, they are still some of the best gloves that you can use for kayaking right now. These gloves are made of high-quality materials which mean that you get gloves that will last you for a long time. Therefore, they are just what you need for kayaking. Unlike some of the others on this list, they are mot full finger gloves. Instead, they are half fingerless. Therefore, you will get a pair of gloves that will offer the best blister protection, especially when it comes to your palms.
Due to the half finger design, you will discover that you can still do stuff with your hands and fingers, ranging from tying knots to opening can and other stuff that require the need of your fingers and sensitivity.
Additionally, like the others from the same manufacturers, these gloves dry quickly. If you are a frequent paddler, you will certainly enjoy this feature. If you paddle often, you don’t have to wait for a long time before you can wash and wear the gloves and keep them from being uncomfortable and smelly.
What we liked
These gloves offer good dexterity. The parts that cover your hand are of high quality and will offer good protection.
What could be better
Although these gloves give you excellent protection, they do not cover the whole hand. Thy also will not keep your hands warm.
More features: hook and loop closure; stretching unisex design
We have already considered one pair of gloves from the NRS brand above. Their gloves come in a variety of shapes and materials and functions, but an underlying factor is that they are of high quality. That quality is what you get with this model. Where the initial gloves that we reviewed come as full-fingered gloves, these are available in a half-fingered design.
As with the best options, they are made of neoprene too. Therefore, they offer similar advantages. Whether you are under the dry or wet conditions, you will find these gloves useful. For most gloves, one downside is the limited dexterity. That is certainly not the case with this option. It comes with a half-finger design that means your fingers can still function at all times.
The gloves, although with a half finger design, are warm.
What we liked
Although they are not very thick, they offer a certain warmness. They let you do whatever you want with your hands and are easy to wear and take off.
What could be better
These are some of the more expensive gloves available.
More features: anti-slip silicone palm
Another excellent pair of kayaking gloves that you must check out are these gloves from Warmers Barnacle. They are ideal for outdoor use as the come with impressive UV protection and even some protection from the cold.
The gloves are made of silicone and neoprene, a combination that ensures that they feel comfortable on your hands and give you excellent ability to maneuver your paddle. You get excellent grip with these gloves. The padding is relatively minimal, which might not do much for protection, but ensures that these are super comfortable to wear.
Another thing that we liked about these is that the wrists are adjustable and the gloves are easy to take on and off. You can also choose from the different sizes that you have available.
What we liked: These gloves have an anti-slip palm that will give you minimal stress. It makes it easy to grip the paddle and ensures that the gloves will last for a long time.
What could be better: Some users mentioned that several hard-stitched seams made the gloves uncomfortable to wear during paddling.
More features: unisex design; adjustable velcro wrist strap; UPF50+ protection; machine washable
These gloves are made for a variety of watersports including kayaking. You will find that they offer good versatility, including the ability to wear and remove them easily. They also come with a quick-drying design and are super comfortable.
The gloves are fingerless and are made of good quality materials. The spandex and lycra combination results in a pair of gloves that are breathable, fast-drying, and great for warm weather. With these gloves, you will not sweat as much in the hands. The palms have Amara faux leather padding that offers good level of protection. As these are fingerless options, you have greater level of dexterity and enjoy better grip.
You will find it easy to hold on to stuff like paddles and all that. The leather on the palms ensure that you don’t suffer from blisters as well. The gloves are really versatile and can be used not only for kayaking, but also for sailing and other water sports.
You can get the gloves in either navy blue or sand colors. If you have problem with blisters, these might just be the right gloves to assist you to keep the blisters away.
What we liked: As fingerless gloves, these will help to keep your fingers free as you kayak. It is comfortable and will last for a long time.
What could be better: Well, these face the same issues as what most fingerless gloves face. They are simply not going to keep you warm in the winter.
More features: unisex design; quick-drying fabric; adjustable wrist straps
When buying kayaking gloves, one of the best ways to choose an excellent model is to choose a pair that comes from a reputable brand. Well, the last pick on this list fulfills this criterion. It comes from the NeoSport brand that is known for the quality and reliability of its products.
To that end, we are pleased with the performance and design of these gloves. They are 3/4-finger gloves that are made of neoprene and faux leather. The leather offers padding on important parts of the hand and offer excellent protection and a good grip. As for the neoprene material, it ensures that the gloves are resistant to water and offer you a greater level of dexterity.
They are really comfortable and will help you have a good grip on the paddle.
What we liked
These are quality gloves from a reputable maker. They are designed to give you comfort and prevent your hand from developing blisters.
What could be better
These gloves have some quality control issues. And we observed that they are not very durable.
Are you looking to go kayaking? Then you certainly need high-quality gloves for that purpose. Well, in the section above we discussed ten of the best kayaking gloves that you can buy today. You might not be satisfied with those that we have reviewed so far and might want to make your personal choice. If that is the case, this buying guide section will come in very useful. Here, we review the important factors that you have to consider before you make a buying choice. We also consider some of the important things to know about the care and maintenance of your kayaking gloves.
For many kayakers, it is very important to have gloves handy at all times. In regions with lower temperatures, these gloves are a must-have for anyone that is kayaking. They serve several protective purposes. For one, they protect the hands from dryness and cold common in such regions.
Even in hot regions or weather, these gloves come in handy in protecting your hands from the sun.
Spending just an hour kayaking with a paddle on the water can have an effect on your hands. Therefore, you should always have these gloves handy if you really want to have a great time.
Now, you might not have to wear these gloves at all times, however, it is important to always have these at hand. The hands of the kayaker are constantly exposed to the elements and damage from cold water, friction from the paddle, changes in temperature, and other issues. Therefore, it is imperative to keep the hands warm and safe.
Now that we have considered the importance of kayaking gloves, we move on to the features to look out for when you are looking to make a purchase. These will certainly help you to make the correct decision.
When considering the gloves to buy, you should keep in mind the type of glove. There are two main types of kayaking gloves. For many users, the choice based on the type is dependent on the user’s preference. Let’s take a look at these types.
Fingerless (half- or 3/4-finger): As the name implies, these gloves are without covering for the fingers. They are similar to biker gloves so the covers the hand but expose the fingers.
The advantage of this type of gloves is the flexibility that you enjoy. You have the ability to hold thing and use the hands to carry out delicate activities.
The downside of this type of glove is also quite clear. Since these only cover some part of the hands, it does not offer the same level of protection that you would get from other types of gloves like the full-fingered options. An example of this type of glove is The Fishing Tree Fingerless Fishing Gloves.
The finger-less option is suitable if you live in a warm region. Another sub-type is the half-finger gloves. These cover more but leave the tips of the fingers exposed. Examples of these include the NRS Half-Finger Guide Gloves and Warmers Barnacle.
Full Finger: As the name implies, this type of kayaking glove covers the whole hand, including the fingers. The design protects all parts of the hand.
Since this is the design, you will find it better to wear in cold weather and conditions. It also comes in handy in other conditions as it will help to prevent any blistering.
The disadvantage of this type of style is that you lose dexterity. Examples of this type of gloves are Perfect Curve Gloves, NeopSkin Water Gloves, and Nrs Men’s Hydroskin Gloves.
Some do not agree that you should buy gloves that pad the palms. Nevertheless, some find such options excellent. As with several other products of this kind, kayaking gloves are available in a variety of materials. Some of these include spandex, lycra, and neoprene. Each of these materials comes with pros and cons.
Spandex and lycra materials are excellent and will be great in warm conditions. They aren’t very thick which makes them excellent summer options. They protect your hands from the sun without feeling stuffy. The downside is that they are only excellent in the warm weather. When the cold arrives, they are too thin to offer any real protection or warmth from the cold weather. An example is the WindRider Pro Sailing Gloves.
This leads us to the neoprene material. This material is an excellent option for cold weather. It is waterproof and an insulator from the cold. Therefore, it is a perfect option for kayaking. The NeopSkin Water Gloves are an example of this type of glove.
Another important thing to consider when buying a kayaking glove is the fit. If the glove doesn’t fit, you are liable to run into issues.
The ideal gloves should not be too tight or loose. Rather, it should fit like, well, a glove.
This is similar to the fit of the glove. It should come in just the right size for your hands. There are several options on the market that are available in different sizes. This makes it easier for you to find the right option for you. The WindRider Pro Sailing Gloves, for example, is available in many sizes.
This is majorly a matter of style and isn’t an essential factor to consider. Nevertheless, the right color will enhance your look.
Whenever you buy a product, you certainly want it to last for as long as possible. To that end, buy a pair of gloves that are properly stitched and made of high-quality materials that will last for a long time. The NeopSkin Water Gloves is an excellent example.
Kayaking is a lovely pastime that many people certainly enjoy participating in. If you are looking for the best kayaking gloves, then you will find that the options we have provided are just right for you. If you are looking for the absolute best option, then the WindRider Pro Sailing Gloves are for you. They are comfortable and offer you loads of dexterity. If you will be kayaking in the cold weather, Perfect Curve Gloves come with the right materials and full-finger design to keep your hands warm. And if money is no issue and you want an upgrade over your current kayaking gloves, the NRS Men’s Hydroskin Gloves will suit you well. It is made of neoprene, is water resistant, and gives excellent grip.
