Protect Your Hands With the Best Sailing Gloves
Want to ace your sailing performance? Every serious sailor knows the importance of picking up the right sailing gear and getting the wrong pair of sailing gloves might be the difference between enjoying a comfortable day out on the water and an absolute nightmare.
For most of the year, thermal insulation is a critical attribute for sailing gloves because you won’t want to brave the cold. And if you’re on a faster boat, where windchill is the most significant issue, having a pair of cozy and comfy gloves on allows you to sail comfortably while protecting your hands from the physical damage and rope burns.
But with so many options available, finding the perfect pair of gloves can quickly become a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the premier sailing gloves of 2024 to help you choose the ideal ones that fit your needs.
Our Top Picks
- Buying Guide: Finding Your Elite Sailing Gloves
- 1 What Are the Types of Sailing Gloves?
- 2 Complete-finger sailing gloves
- 3 Short-fingered or fingerless sailing gloves
- 4 Factors To Consider When Buying Sailing Gloves
- 5 Size and fit
- 6 Grip
- 7 Endurance and durability
- 8 Material
- 9 What Are the Benefits of Sailing Gloves?
- 10 Safeguard the hand
- 11 Improve sailing performance
- People Also Asked
- Related Reviews
Premium Sailing Gloves Worth Considering for 2024
Best Overall
The FitsT4 Sports Sailing Gloves are suitable for a range of activities and are thick enough to withstand routine abuse while protecting your hands from blisters. These gloves have synthetic leather palms to let you manage your sailing gear with dexterity. The fingerless design allows you to perform different tasks by using your fingertips for fine motor skills.
You don’t have to worry about slipping out of these gloves because they feature velcro wrist straps to offer a secure and snug fit and the backside spandex offers amazing breathability. Plus, the double stitching in the wear area keeps them from fraying, allowing you to keep them as good as new for a long time. Thanks to these impressive features, we’ve named these sailing gloves our best overall pick.
Pros
- Hook and loop closure for a secure fit
- The longer strap offers added wrist support
- Don’t lose flexibility even when wet
Cons
- Not available in small size
Most Skin-Friendly
If you have sensitive skin and are prone to allergic reactions, the OMGear Sailing Gloves are the ideal choice for you because they’re made of thick neoprene. What’s better is that these gloves have a four-way stretchy nylon lamination, making them resistant to routine abuse. With their anti-slip rubber palm and glue binding, these sailing gloves offer a firm grip and keep water from penetrating your hands.
These gloves come with elastic straps to give you a snug fit, keeping your hands warm and toasty. Best of all, you can choose from two thicknesses according to your needs and weather conditions. You can even wear these handy gloves while scuba diving without worrying about water getting in.
Pros
- Conforms to natural hand shape
- Textured, anti-slip pattern on palm
- Tight-seal and ultra fit
Cons
- Not 100% waterproof
Most Versatile
The NeoSport Sailing Gloves offer optimal protection from weather and keep your hands safe from physical damage while you’re on the boat. These sailing gloves feature padded synthetic-leather palms, offering you the ultimate comfort and secure grip while preventing rope burns.
These gloves dry quickly to keep your hands warm and toasty during wet conditions. Because they have stretch and elasticity, you can wear them for bicycling and even weightlifting. Another great feature of these gloves is that they boast an anatomical fit to keep hand fatigue at a minimum. Plus, the wrist straps allow you to customize the fit according to your wrist size and comfort for superior comfort.
Pros
- Sung, comfortable fit
- Feature multisport versatility
- Minimize hand fatigue
Cons
- Some may find them too small
Best Sun Protection
If you’re a professional or hobbyist fisherman or if you love water sports, the Palmyth Sailing Gloves are for you. These UPF 50+ gloves offer complete UV protection, which is woven into the fabric to give you peace of mind and protect your hands from harmful rays. The half-finger design makes them comfortable to wear without restricting your movement.
Made from durable, synthetic leather with non-slip silicone dots on the palm, these sailing gloves offer a better grip on paddles, ropes, and fishing rods. The lightweight and quick-drying material keep your hands dry while wearing gloves, keeping sweat and itchiness at bay. The best part? You can easily take these gloves off by pulling from the fingertip tabs, even when they’re wet.
Pros
- Cushioned palm prevents blisters
- Stretchy and breathable fabric
- Machine-washable for easy cleanup
- Half finger length offers better flexibility
Cons
- Finger length is too short for some
Most Breathable
The RUNCL Sailing Gloves protect your skin from harsh UV rays with its UPF 50+ build and are equipped with an extended cuff for extra coverage. If you’re concerned about the maneuverability and dexterity of wearing these half-finger sailing gloves, you can rest assured that won’t be a problem. Their unique design and double-layer microfiber on the thumb and palm region offer complete protection against cuts and hand rope burns while minimizing hand fatigue during paddling.
Because these gloves leave the fingertips free, you can use touch-enabled devices without taking them off. Also, you’ll get optimal dexterity while tying knots, kayaking, or handling fish with these sailing gloves on. They feature 24 holes on the palms to wick away moisture and keep your hands dry.
Pros
- Microfiber design for enhanced dexterity
- Half-finger design offers a sensitive touch
- Prevents hand sweat and frayed skin
Cons
- Not ideal for winter
Buying Guide: Finding Your Elite Sailing Gloves
Every sailor is aware of the significance of selecting the proper sailing equipment, such as a nice set of sailing gloves, for their sailing effectiveness. The finest sailing gloves protect against rope rash, sunburn, the wind, and other elements when you’re out on the water. Finding the ideal glove for your preferences and sailing style will take a lot of research on your side. To save you time, we’ve put together this detailed buying guide so you can choose the right pair of sailing gloves for your needs.
What Are the Types of Sailing Gloves?
Complete-finger sailing gloves
As the name implies, these types of gloves cover every finger completely to offer you optimal protection. They’re perfect for snow storms since they will safeguard your full hand from the rain, wind, and cold, but they lack dexterity and maneuverability.
Short-fingered or fingerless sailing gloves
Although the palm of these sailing gloves is covered, the fingertips are fully exposed. The majority of sailors choose these types of sailing gloves because they allow for more mobility and movement. They also make it simple for you to use touchpad technology. Keep in mind that these gloves are not appropriate for cold climates.
Factors To Consider When Buying Sailing Gloves
Size and fit
Your sailing gloves should fit comfortably and snugly. A tight fit reduces finger and hand strain after hours of sailing, minimizing hand fatigue.
Grip
Excellent sailing gloves must have thick palms with additional padding, a sticky structure, and a superb grip for managing lines and rough terrain. They should also protect you from rope rashes and blisters.
Endurance and durability
The lifetime of sailing gloves depends on the thickness of the gloves, your usage, and how you take care of them. You should always read the product’s guidelines on how to correctly wash and dry these gloves to make them last longer.
Material
Handling sailing lines is mostly what sailing gloves need to accomplish, which means shielding your hand from intense friction. This typically calls for some type of synthetic or genuine leather.
Although synthetic leather is less expensive, it’s typically lower quality. Instead, you can buy gloves made of goat or cow leather. Goat-hide is agile but less robust than cowhide, which is more resilient but tougher. Although they might feel stiff, leather gloves can be extremely comfortable, especially if they have a hybrid design.
On the back of the gloves, there may be a softer material, such as neoprene. A hybrid design with elastic materials improves breathability, convenience, and mobility.
Neoprene is a light, windproof, and waterproof material that ensures a snug fit for maximum responsiveness in any movement and keeps your hands dry. Sailing gloves made of neoprene are appropriate for cooler days, but they’re not the best option for really chilly ones.
What Are the Benefits of Sailing Gloves?
Safeguard the hand
They shield the hand from bruises, rope burns, and other physical damage. Your hands stay safe and clean, and some gloves offer UV protection. Cuts, blisters, and other types of injuries are common during sailing and other sports-related activities. Sailing gloves protect your hands and fingers from these wounds.
Improve sailing performance
By keeping your hands secure, sailing gloves improve sailing performance. The design of certain gloves is similar to a mesh net. These gloves allow air to circulate while protecting your hand from irritation and perspiration.
People Also Asked
Why should I wear sailing gloves?
Gloves are not at all necessary for sailing, but going sailing in bad weather without a proper set of sailing gloves is harmful to your hands and your overall health. Without gloves, sailing can lead to rope burns and may make you dislike the activity.
Which type of gloves should I use to keep my hands warm during sailing?
The ideal winter sailing gloves for chilly weather include a waterproof outer and wool, fleece, or synthetic material lining to keep your hands warm and dry.
Should I wear reflective gloves while sailing?
While it’s not necessary to wear reflective gloves while sailing, doing so during bad weather or at night can offer you better protection.