The 7 Best Sailing Gloves: And a Surprise Grip!
Here’s the best gloves to suit your sailing
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Sailing gloves – to wear, or not to wear, that is the question! Ask around sailors for the answer and you’ll typically get an enthusiastic “yes love ‘em, wear them all the time”, or “nope never do”.
Naturally, I wanted to explore both sides of this – so that you have all the information you need to find the right gloves for you. There’s no doubt that sailing is an exciting and adventurous lifestyle and being safe and comfortable onboard is key to your enjoyment. Whether you’re dinghy racing or sailing across oceans, gloves are an essential part of your sailing kit. There will be times you appreciate having them handy (pun intended), even if you don’t wear them every time you’re out on the water.
Overall, wearing sailing gloves can improve your comfort, safety, and performance while out on the water. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or just starting out, investing in a good pair of sailing gloves is a smart move.
I’ve researched the best gloves on the market, and the type of sailing they’re suited to, so you can pick the right gloves for your sailing plans. You’ll also find out the practical details about how to tell your glove size and keep them clean (because no one likes smelly glove hands!). Plus — check out the glove that gave me the biggest surprise in terms of performance grip (Hint: It’s not a sailing glove!).
What are the benefits of wearing sailing gloves?
Improved grip: Sailing gloves can provide a better grip on ropes and other equipment, making it easier to handle them in wet or windy conditions. This may help prevent accidents and increase overall safety.
Protection from blisters and calluses: Sailing gloves can help protect your hands from blisters and calluses caused by friction or repetitive movements. This can make your sailing experience more comfortable and enjoyable.
Reduced hand fatigue: Wearing sailing gloves can help reduce hand fatigue by providing extra cushioning and support. This can be especially helpful during long or intense sailing sessions.
Increased warmth: Some sailing gloves are designed to provide extra warmth in cold or windy conditions. This can help keep your hands comfortable and prevent them from getting too cold or numb.
Protection from the elements: Sailing gloves can help protect your hands from sun, wind, and saltwater, which can all cause skin damage or irritation over time.
What are some of the potential drawbacks?
Reduced dexterity: Depending on the type and thickness of the gloves, they can restrict finger movement and reduce dexterity. This can make it harder to handle small or delicate objects, such as knots or navigation tools.
Decreased sensitivity: Wearing gloves can also reduce sensitivity in your hands, making it harder to feel the texture and tension of ropes and other equipment. This can make it more difficult to adjust your grip and could potentially lead to accidents. Plenty of sailors prefer to build up calluses by feeling the lines hands on.
Risk of entanglement: Loose gloves or gloves with long straps can pose a risk of entanglement in ropes or other equipment. This can be dangerous and potentially cause injury.
Now we’ve looked at the pros and cons, you’ll see that some of the drawbacks arise from not wearing the right type of gloves. These days, there are very well designed, safety focussed, hi-spec gloves on the market with excellent reviews from happy sailors world wide — these are the ones I’ve picked out for you below!
I highly recommend you add a pair of gloves to your sailing kit to protect your hands, when you need to.
What features should you look for in sailing gloves?
The top three things to consider when choosing your sailing gloves is:
Comfort
Grip
Durability
How do you know what size gloves you need?
It’s important to buy the right size glove. Measure around the top of your hand — across the top of your palm (base of your fingers) and around just below your knuckles. Don’t include your thumb in the measurement. Every brand glove has it’s own size guide but knowing your measurement will help you choose the right gloves to fit your hand well.
Measure around the top of your hand for your glove size
Tip: Use the measurement from your dominant hand which is usual larger.
Your gloves should be a snug fit but comfortably allow you to flex your wrist, ball your hands into a fist, spread your fingers and grip lines etc.
How do you make your gloves last longer?
If you’re using your gloves in hardcore sailing every week — your gloves are going to take a beating and wear out much faster than if you only wear them a few times a season. But there’s a few things you can do to keep your gloves clean and help them last longer:
Rinse off the salt water
It’s tempting to throw your gear in a bag or get to it later after a few vinos in the evening sun. But I guarantee taking the time to give your gear a quick rinse in cold water straight away is worth the effort. Rinsing off the salt stops them the gloves from perishing, reduces mould growth and helps keep them supple for their next use. Plus, putting on smelly, crusty gloves isn’t fun!
Lay them flat to air dry in the shade
After a fresh water rinse, dry your gloves on a flat surface, in the shade out of direct sunlight. Once they’re 100% dry, store them in a fresh gear bag or dry area where they won’t get mouldy.
Read the label (seriously)
I’m sure we’re all guilty of ignoring the ‘How to care for…’ label but with sailing gear it’s worth reading! Buying new gear is expensive, and since we’re all onboard with trying to reduce the amount we buy, the best way is to keep our gear lasting as long as possible. That label is there to help you look after your gear in the best way possible. So no, you shouldn’t put your sailing gloves in the tumble dryer!
Keep ‘em sweet (not sweat) smelling
Rinsing them after each use will keep the sweaty gloves clean. But if you find they’re building up a bit of a stink, give your gloves an hour long soak in lukewarm water with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Follow with a freshwater rinse and dry fully in the shade.
Review — The 7 best sailing gloves
I wear my Gill deckhand gloves when my hands need a break sailing trimming
With so many gloves on the market, it can be a bit overwhelming choosing the right one — especially if it’s your first pair. So I’ve done the research for you and narrowed it down to the seven best gloves available this year.
Each of these gloves below have been chosen for their comfort, durability and grip. And check out the surprising glove that the young high-performance sailors are wearing these days!
Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves
Gill deckhand sailing gloves
Best all round glove (exposed finger and thumb design)
These are my top pic! The Gill Deckhand Gloves are a popular choice among sailors. They’re made of durable synthetic leather with reinforced fingers and palms for maximum grip and protection. The gloves have an adjustable wrist strap and a breathable mesh back for comfort and ventilation.
FEATURES
UV 50+ protection and is water repellent
Double-layer Amara reinforcement won't absorb or hold water and dries quickly
4-way stretch fabric across the back of the hand provides
No seam fingertips for improved comfort fit durability and dexterity
Offset finger seams remove pressure points and help reduce wear
Wraparound palm protection eliminates uncomfortable side seams and provides complete wear protection
Race proven flexibility and comfort
Wide neoprene wristband with stretch
Inside facing wrist closure prevents accidental starting of watch
2. Harken Sport Reflex Gloves
Harken Sport Reflex gloves
Best 3/4 finger performance sailing gloves
The Harken Reflex Gloves are a responsive performance sailing glove designed for active line handling in all conditions. They feature a unique design that provides maximum flexibility and dexterity. Made of durable synthetic leather they have a double-layered palm for extra protection. These gloves have an adjustable wrist strap and a Velcro closure for a secure fit.
FEATURES
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
3. Ronstan Sticky Race Glove
Ronstan Sticky Race gloves
Best all round watersport glove
Ronstan Sticky Gloves are soft and comfortable. The 'Sticky Finger' synthetic leather provides extra grip without bulk in the palm. The Short style version has all five fingers open, like most traditional sailing gloves.
But they’re also highly durable made with a ‘sticky’ synthetic leather which provides extra grip without bulk in the palm. For that reason, they provide maximum performance across all demanding water sport activities — sailing, kayaking, Windsurfing, kiteboarding, SUPing. They’re made of lightweight and breathable materials with a synthetic leather palm for maximum grip and durability. The gloves have an adjustable wrist strap and a Velcro closure for a secure fit.
FEATURES
Synthetic leather for maximum durability, minimum stretch and shrinkage
Double aramid stitched in high wear areas
Double thickness palm and fingers for protection and grip
Hook-and-loop wrist closure/adjustment
Mesh panels for flexibility and comfort
4. Gill Helmsman Sailing Gloves
Gill Helmsman sailing gloves
Best long cuff, full fingered gloves
Gill’s experts designed these gloves for the coldest conditions. They’re made from a high performance waterproof and breathable Porelle membrane as well as Thinsulate insulation which remains effective even when damp to ensure warmth. Their long-sleeve style enables the glove to be tucked up inside the sleeve of a foul weather jacket, which drips from your arm finding their way inside the glove.
FEATURES
High performance waterproof and breathable Porelle membrane
Thinsulate insulation traps warmth and remains effective even when damp
Dura-Grip fabric on palm construction providing incredible levels of grip without any compromise in flexibility and durability
Touchscreen friendly feature on index finger
Pre-curved fingers for active fit
Elasticated cuff and drawcord closure for best possible fit and protection
Extended cuff length making it easier to tuck underneath neoprene layers or a wet-weather jacket
5. Helly Hansen unisex sailing glove
Helly Hansen sailing gloves
Best short length sailing glove
These Helly Hansen sailing gloves are a high-quality option for sailors looking for a reliable and comfortable pair of short gloves — whether that’s for racing or cruising. They’re made from a combination of neoprene and Amara fabric, which ensures durability and protection against wear and tear. HH designers have reinforced the glove stitching and built in a strong Velcro closure that provides a secure fit. The Amara material on the palms and fingers allows for an excellent grip and prevents slipping, making them ideal for wet and slippery conditions. Additionally, these gloves are designed to be breathable, ensuring that your hands stay cool and dry during extended use.
FEATURES
Durable short finger leather gloves for sailing in conditions where extra protection is needed
Hook and Loop closure
Machine washable
Inner velcro wrist adjustment
6. SEALSKINZ Waterproof All Weather Ultra Grip Knitted Glove
SEALSKINZ Waterproof Ultra Grip glove
Best glove for wet cold weather
These silicon wool gloves by SEALSKINZ are not technical sailing gloves, but they’re perfect for keeping your hands dry onboard when it’s raining or you’re hunkered down in the cockpit during wet conditions. Being highly waterproof they’re a preferable substitute to fleece gloves. Additionally, they’re quite breathable and don’t retain moisture from perspiration during extended use. It’s worth noting that if you get them fully soaked they can take a while to dry. Overall, these gloves are super flexible and you don’t have to take them off to operate the chartplotter or do fiddly things onboard. And when it’s cold — that’s always a good thing!
FEATURES
Waterproof glove — three layer construction for warmth, durability and waterproofing
Comfort — merino wool lining provides moisture control, insulation and comfort
Grip and control — silicone printed palm and fingers for firm handling and added grip
Touchscreen friendly feature on index finger and thumb
Excellent range of movement — high stretch construction for a supportive, comfortable fit
Machine washable
A surprising grip discovery!
At a recent regatta, I discovered many of the experienced racing crew wearing (to my surprise) gardening gloves. Is this actually a thing?!
Turns out — many of the up and coming high-performance youth sailors and savvy experienced racers — love the high grip, seam free fingers offered by your general gardening glove.
It makes sense too. Being hot and sweaty in the garden pulling weeds or chopping bushes is going to give you blisters unless you’re wearing gloves designed for the job. Gardening gloves offer great value for money — with a decent pair costing about a third of the price of a marine sailing glove. Now, it makes sense why we found black gardening gloves left onboard by the previous owners of our yacht, who sailed it halfway around the world. Full-time cruisers always figure out the best and cheapest hacks right?!
Of course, not everyone’s into the gardening glove look, but I’ve seen them in action onboard. They work an absolute treat hauling halyards under pressure and pulling spinnakers in quickly! Here’s my top gardening glove for sailing:
7. CoolJob gardening gloves
CoolJob gardening gloves
These CoolJob rubber coated garden gloves (listed for men but they’re unisex) are breathable and comfortable and highly durable. These seamless polyester knitted work gloves deliver flexibility and dexterity. Long cuff and easy elastic wrist for easy on and off. Plus, they come in a two pack (super handy!). If you’re looking for a super glove at a great price — definitely give these a go.
FEATURES
Superior durable rubber palm to offer extra protection
Non-slip grip in dry and wet conditions
Soft micro foamed latex coating reduces fatigue for long day work
Durable
Machine washable for long time use
In Summary
Sailing gloves one of those small pieces of gear that goes a long way to improving your comfort and protection at sea. You may not wear your sailing gloves every time you go out on the water — but having a decent pair or two in your kit is smart and you’ll be stoked a pair of these.
Happy sailing!
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