Waterproof Gloves

A never-ending question and debate: Which gloves are the best? During every training session on Level 1, 2, 3 or Level 4, everyone asked, "Which gloves do you use?" The stories went horrendously.

We listened to stories about how previous crews used long sleep gloves, such as:

I can not picture somebody on the helm wearing such gloves and just trying to stay dry.

To make a long story short, there are no waterproof gloves in the Southern Ocean or the Pacific. Your hands will get wet and damp!

The main question for you is how to stay warm and mobile. Because, let's face it, if you don't wear thin gloves, you can't do much on the deck except helming or waiting for the next shift. The best way is to harden up your hands and become less sensitive to cold. Whoever sailed with the legend Bob Beggs knows his opinion. If your hands get cold, put them in your pockets; otherwise, get along with it.

How often have you seen somebody in the pit or on the bow trying to do something while wearing nice, warm, cosy gloves? It takes ages to complete the task. I have seen it too many times.

But I think there is a way in between. Based on my experience, I would wear 3-5mm neoprene diving gloves on the helm against the cold.

Neoprene Diving Gloves keep your hands warm and are inexpensive.

3mm ~ £20.00

5mm ~ £50.00

AMAZON

Musto

If you're a fan of Musto, you might want to consider their HPX GORE-TEX Ocean Gloves. While I haven't tried them myself, some crew members expressed dissatisfaction with them during Leg 3 in the Southern Ocean. Their main complaint was that the gloves do not keep your hands warm once they get wet inside. Often, after just one shift, your hands are soaked with seawater. I am sure that under less demanding circumstances, they are working fine. The price for these gloves is around £100.00.

Constructed from waterproof GORE-TEX for the outer layer and a microfleece lining with a Thinsulate backer, these gloves use Primaloft® Gold insulation for optimum warmth.

Gill Marine

Another reputable brand for sailing equipment is offering the Helmsman Gloves. These gloves are reasonably priced at $57.95 and have received positive reviews.

A few years ago, I owned a pair of gloves that I used during the Fastnet Race, but I ended up throwing them away afterwards. Perhaps the newer models are an improvement. In any case, I believe Gill offers the best value for money when it comes to sailing gloves.

They feature a high-performance waterproof and breathable Porelle membrane and Thinsulate insulation, which remains effective even when damp to ensure warmth.

Fisherman Gloves

Industrial fishermen's gloves are a good alternative. They are durable, easy to put on and take off, and keep your fingers warm when wet inside. However, they are not as warm as 5mm neoprene diving gloves.

Waterproof Winter Gloves with Grip.

Conclusion:

I used only two pairs of gloves during Leg 3, 4, and 7. I wore heavy-duty 5mm neoprene diving gloves for helming during Legs 3 and 4 when it got very cold. I also used long-fingered Musto gloves to prevent any rope burn when flying the spinnaker or even recovering the spinnaker. Otherwise, I did not use any gloves, and when it became too cold, I just followed Bob's advice and put my hands in my fleece-lined pockets.