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If you’ve ever been on a long paddling session without a good pair of gloves to protect your hands, you probably know how important having the best kayaking gloves is. Paddling raw handed can leave your thumbs and palms with blisters and sores. Since you will need special protection while paddling, regular gloves won’t do.
You need strategically padded gloves that will give you a good grip on your paddle and keep blisters at bay. To maintain dexterity and control, the best gloves for kayaking should also leave your fingertips exposed. The best paddling gloves we’ve reviewed below meet these criteria and are top rated for kayaking. Our buying guide further down outlines the considerations to make so you can find the best kayaking gloves for your adventures.
EDITORS CHOICE
The Fishing Tree Sun Protection Fingerless
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Exceptional dexterity and control for paddling and fishing
- Fingerless design provides excellent maneuverability and dexterity
- Certified to provide full UV protection - UPF and SPF 50+
- Faux leather and PVC palm pads prevent blisters and give great grip
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Materials: Faux Leather and PVC, Spandex
BEST VALUE
Palmyth UV Protection Fingerless
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Outstanding value for money
- UPF 50+ and SPF rated fabric provides excellent UV protection
- Padded palms to prevent blisters and silicone grips for a stable grip
- 3/4 finger length maintains maneuverability and dexterity
- Protective patches and gaps on the index and middle fingers
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Materials: Synthetic Leather, Silicone Wave
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Kayak fishing
- H2Core rashguard material offers UPF 50+ sun protection
- Patches and bumper guards provide good grip and prevent blisters
- Open-finger design allows maximum dexterity for fishing
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Materials: Synthetic Leather, Nylon/Spandex
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Excellent grip even with wet hands
- 1.5mm neoprene fabric keeps your hands warm
- Padded yet vented synthetic-leather palms for grip and comfort
- Anatomical fit and exposed fingertips provide dexterity
- Perfect to keep your hands warm and dry
Size: Large (Unisex)
Materials: 1.5mm Neoprene, Synthetic Leather
Glacier Glove Islamorada
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Paddling under the hot sun
- Independently rated to provide 50+ UPF sun protection
- Excellent sun coverage while still allowing dexterity
- Synthetic leather on pressure points provide cushioning and grip
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Materials: Synthetic Leather, Lycra
FitsT4 Unisex 3/4 Finger
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Great protection without sacrificing dexterity
- Padded and vented palms provide protection and comfort
- Synthetic leather palms provide great grip and hold up well
- Adjustable wrist cinch and stretchy spandex back for a snug fit
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Materials: Synthetic Leather, Spandex
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: cool-weather kayaking gloves
- 1.5mm neoprene keeps your hands warm and mobile
- Padded palms prevent blisters and calluses
- Silicone pattern on the palms gives good grip and control
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Materials: Neoprene with silicone detail
FitsT4 3/4 Finger
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best for: Women, kids, and paddlers with small hands
- Fits small hands starting from 8 to 10 inches
- Padded synthetic leather palms prevent blisters due to paddling
- 3/4 finger design provides dexterity for fishing
Sizes: Youth/Adult M, Adult L, Adult XL
Material: Synthetic Leather, Mesh Back
Warmers Barnacle Half Finger
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Warmth when paddling in cold weather
- Silicone barnacles offer great grip and control
- Half-finger design protects hot spots and maintains dexterity
- Terry cloth thumb panel is handy for wiping perspiration
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL
Materials: Neoprene, Lycra, Terry Cloth
How To Choose The Best Paddling Gloves – Buying Guide
Material
Water gloves for kayaking can be made of neoprene or nylon. Neoprene waterproof gloves are the best cold weather kayaking gloves, as they will keep your hands warm. When paddling under the hot summer sun, on the other hand, lightweight and breathable nylon gloves are better than waterproof kayak gloves.
Related Review: Waterproof Gloves
Glove Thickness
Whether you’re looking for warm winter kayak gloves or the most flexible gloves for kayak fishing, gloves for paddling should protect without compromising dexterity and control. Due to this, the best waterproof gloves for kayaking are made of a 1.5mm thick neoprene, while the best kayaking gloves for summer are padded on the key pressure points only.
Related Review: Dive Gloves
Proper Fit
Kayak paddling gloves should provide a snug yet flexible fit. To ensure you get properly fitting gloves, measure around the widest part of your palm, and pick the corresponding size. Beyond this, the best kayak gloves feature a stretchy lycra/spandex on the back, which enables them to fit like gloves.
Fingers
When it comes to kayak paddle gloves, you want the ultimate protection without sacrificing dexterity and control. For this reason, the best kayak gloves feature a fingerless, half-finger, or 3/4-finger design. This protects the hot spots while still ensuring you can handle delicate tasks.
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FAQs
Q: Do I Need Kayak Gloves?
Absolutely yes. When paddling a kayak, your hands are subjected to moisture, UV rays, and friction. Paddle gloves are essential to save your hands from all these elements. Without protection, your hands will get sore and develop blisters and calluses.
Related Review: Fishing Gloves
Q: When To Use Kayak Gloves?
To protect your hands, you should wear your kayaking or canoeing gloves whenever you’re paddling or stripping the fishing line. It’s best to keep them on at all times, as the flexible and fingerless design gives you great control so you can even tie knots with gloves on.
Globo Surf Overview
When it comes to the most important kayak accessories, gloves are right at the top of the list. Whether you need waterproof paddling gloves or breathable non-waterproof gloves for hot weather paddling, we hope our best kayak gloves reviews and guide will help you find the best kayaking gloves for your needs.
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