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I use FCS winter gloves, in cold Lake Michigan, and they work pretty well. That being said i use 3mm, not 5mm because those are too big...

Long-time surfer, fairly new kiter, first time yesterday kiting with gloves. Wow, see what you mean, a lot more work to hold onto the bar. Due to gear failure my session was only 20 minutes, but I can see after an hour or two that grip would get tough. (a buddy of mine says he does forearm and grip exercises, just to help winter kiting)

I use 3mm Ocean Rodeo ... at least for surfing I find the 5mm is so thick you lose all feel for the board ... presumably the same for the bar. We don't get much below 5 degrees in winter in west coast BC though.

Some of the windsurfers around here use these open palm mitts:
http://www.windance.com/Mystic-Open-Palm-Mitten.html

And one kiter I know recommends these "pogies":
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/MensCloth ... unisex.jsp

I've never tried....wonder if you still have enough freedom of movement on bar.

Am also in the market for some and asked a similar question on the uk forum.

Few mixed reviews of these:

http://www.ion-essentials.com/public/co ... loves_3_2/

Only 3/2 with pretty distinct pre curved design.

I have tried many different gloves and can not stand any. You just can not feel the bar and they tend to cut off my circulation which is the last thing you want in cold temperatures. I have basically gone to the point if I need gloves then I don't need to kite. Fortunately I live in Texas and that is when it is 40degrees out.

I have found these to work very well for me in the coldest of temps ( Texas so not that cold compared to others ). http://www.mysticboarding.com/products/ ... p?pid=1385

I just peal them back while riding and if my hands get too cold I put them over my hands and do a few tacks. Once my hands are warmed up I ride some more.

I know all that info does not really help. Mitts will be the best option.

Regards,

If you need gloves, might as well be warm...go with the thickish Neoprene dudes....

Here's the trick though, ya gota cut-um...That's right brand new and unblemished may they be,,, they also be shite for Danglers less-en you cut um...

Cut the palms totally out....this does two things, well? three---summer type feel on the bar, total coverage for what's in the wind (digits) and a great way to take your fingers out for fiddly stuff without the need to stow them...

They remain on your delicate wrists ...

Buy the good ones---then cut-um....don't want too?

fine with me, freeze or fatigue your current options...

Some things just do not change

Cheers
fo

TheJoe wrote:I have tried many different gloves and can not stand any. You just can not feel the bar and they tend to cut off my circulation which is the last thing you want in cold temperatures. I have basically gone to the point if I need gloves then I don't need to kite. Fortunately I live in Texas and that is when it is 40degrees out.

I have found these to work very well for me in the coldest of temps ( Texas so not that cold compared to others ). http://www.mysticboarding.com/products/ ... p?pid=1385

I just peal them back while riding and if my hands get too cold I put them over my hands and do a few tacks. Once my hands are warmed up I ride some more.

I know all that info does not really help. Mitts will be the best option.

Maybe things do change?

Those mitts might even be better---then again, you can still second chance those existing Fatties...

fokiten you might have something. Depending on how soon the snow falls, I might have to take up your suggestion buy some brand new 7mm mitts and cut 'em

best cold water gloves i've ever found, fleece on inside so they stay warm when wet, not completely waterproof but you don't get flushing either.

http://www.amazon.com/Glacier-Glove-Pre ... ier+gloves

I've been using open palm mitts for a long time. They are great for feel, and great for peeling them off when its warm or when you need your fingers to do stuff. BUT, they're not for someone spending a lot of time in the water. They have about as much warmth as no mitts as all once in the water. Something to do with the huge hole in them. If I'm in my drysuit and ride to not fall and submerge my hands, they probably are good to a few degrees above freezing. A couple good submersions, and they're not nearly enough on a really cold day. I've borrow some gloves that were warmer, with no open palms, and had no forearm issues. I thought the forearm cramping in gloves only happened with winsurfing.

HTH,
Peter

lookin4wind wrote:best cold water gloves i've ever found, fleece on inside so they stay warm when wet, not completely waterproof but you don't get flushing either.

http://www.amazon.com/Glacier-Glove-Pre ... ier+gloves

those are the ones I cut.....

the thing about being cold if you are swimming is true enough... all things considered the gloves would be better submerged than the Mits.


I'm a mitten guy---Mits are best for keeping warm on dry land...

However, winter kiting on those black water days rightly should be seen as a no fall exercise...and the gloves have it in my book.

you're out there, that's ballsey enough...

jmho
f