Johnny Rotten wrote:Slappysan wrote:I've heard good things about Glacier Gloves, anyone have any first hand feedback?
I kite in under 5C water and air temps,
glacier gloves are the best wet glove I've tried, precurved easy on the arms block wind, and are warm(ish)
I wouldn't hesitate taking these out in anything above 0 C air temp
that stated these, gloves will still be the weak link in your gear (if below 5C)
Durability is crap and I usually tear them to pieces after a season or 2
don't waste your time with open palm mitts if kiting under 5C, these are USELESS, I tried it out based on recommendations from this form and they perform horribly in actual COLD.
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I haven't tried other insulated mitts or lobster claws yet as I find myself less motivated to get out in bone chilling high winds.
This is pretty bang on. I have 4 pairs of gloves: Glacier gloves (Perfect Curve), Ion (Neo), Dakine cold mitt and some dive gloves. I bought a pair of Glacier gloves based on some reviews from guys in North East US. Glacier gloves are actually for biking I believe, but are also used for fishing and wind sports now.
Glacier gloves are the best gloves I've found to date and here's why:
-Amazing dexterity, very soft and easy to grab the bar and move around.
-Fingers are pre curved, again making it easy to hold the bar
-Not too thick, 2mm but with a fleece lining. The thinner the better, the allows you to grab the bar normally and not grip to tight which cuts of the blood circulations and warmth.
-Neoprene is smooth skin to prevent the wind from penetrating
-The smooth skin is tacky, again making it easy to hold the bar
-They are loose around your fingers and hands, this promotes good blood flow and dead air in the glove.
-the one negative I've found is that they are not durable, I'm still on my first pair, but they are staring to tear.
The Dekine cold mitts just were not warm sub 8 C, plus I find I need a finger free to deal with lines. The Ions were ok, but too tight and not curved around the finger area, they just cut off the blood, not as warm as the Glacier gloves.
but get yourself a top to the line wetsuit or drysuit, as this will make a huge difference as well.