Skin-protective, fast-drying, warm weather paddling gloves

[Glenn MacGrady]

I'm interested in suggestions for some sort of thin and fast-drying paddling gloves for skin protection for warm weather paddling—NOT waterproof or insulated gloves for cold weather/water paddling.

I've been paddling a lot in the New Jersey Pinelands, which has unusual challenges. The rivers are very narrow and twisty with unrelenting, obstructive downed trees, overhanging branches, underwater stumps, and banks sometimes covered with greenbrier thorn bushes. One inevitably paddles through or against overhanging branches and thorns, sometimes grabbing and pushing off them to help "make the move" that is necessary to prevent a pin. My hands can get scratched, punctured or abraded from these woody encounters.



So, I'm thinking of some sort of gloves that can offer hand protection, plus help prevent paddling blisters on winter-virgin skin. Something thin but protective, sort of breathable and quick-drying. Not fingerless.

 

[Tryin']

Might be too much grip for paddling, but the palm-dipped gloves are very puncture resistant and have jersey backs. I used them a LOT when I was doing tree work. Your local gas station probably has them for $6/pair. Even cheaper will be to buy a multi-pack from Amazon or U-Line.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Might be too much grip for paddling

Thanks, but you're right. I wouldn't want anything grippy because a significant percent of my strokes involve palm rolls. I'd prefer a material more slippy than grippy.

 

[tketcham]

I've been using these Outdoor Research gloves for paddling for years and they work well. They're great for sun protection and blister prevention because they don't get hot, and they dry quickly. They pack up small so I keep them in a side pocket of my PFD, ready when I need them. The thin synthetic leather is plenty slippery and doesn't affect palm rolls, even when wet. In fact, I take the gloves off before handling the canoe because they will slip on really smooth surfaces. They're not work gloves but if used strictly for paddling they seem to last. To ward off greenbriar thorns I think you'd need Kevlar-reinforced gloves.

ActiveIce Chroma Full Sun Gloves | Outdoor Research

The ActiveIce™ Chroma Full Sun Glove provides superb back-of-hand protection, utilizing dynamic cooling technology for long-lasting temperature regulation, comfort, and UPF 50+ sun protection for hiking, trail running, cycling, or paddling.

www.outdoorresearch.com

These gloves look like a good option as well...

Ironsight II LT Glove | Outdoor Research

The Ironsight II LT Glove is a minimalist platform for those prioritizing dexterity and breathability, incorporating a perforated palm and stretchy back of hand for premium tactility and comfort.

www.outdoorresearch.com

 

[gumpus]

I wear gloves year round and think they are especially helpful in hot weather. My go-to is NRS. Personally I much prefer fingerless to maintain feel of the paddle. NRS gloves are low friction and not padded. If you want or need padding I suggest looking at bicycle gloves; in my experience they help keep hands from getting numb.

Blue and white are NRS and the green are Bontrager bicycle gloves which have proven to be surprisingly durable.

I rarely use my full finger gloves but for you I'd recommend the NRS Cove gloves.

 

[Pseudonym]

I love these cheap gloves:

Amazon.com

The padded synthetic leather provides protection and just the right amount of friction. I've probably been through three or four pairs.

Whereas gloves like these (which I have also tried) have a working surface that is too slippery:

Amazon.com

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Not fingerless.

Fingers are what get the abuse.

 

[MJones]

My wife loves NRS' Boater Gloves, the same ones that Gumpus suggested above. They do dry quite quickly

NRS Men’s Boater’s Gloves - Closeout

Closeout Model: Find out why the NRS Men's Boater's Gloves have become such a gear bag staple. Designed for kayaking and rafting but equally at home on a bike or fishing rod. Blister and sun protection all in one lightweight, comfortable warm-weather glove.

www.nrs.com

 

[wjmc]

A golf glove for each hand? I used this approach years ago, but have switched to cheapos like Tryin.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I've been using these Outdoor Research gloves for paddling for years and they work well.

Tom, do they work with phone touchscreens reliably? I use my phone a lot to take photos. I should have specified this feature in my OP. The newer OR Ironsite II LT glove claims touchscreen compatibility.

 

[Pseudonym]

Fingers are what get the abuse.

Oh, I missed that parameter.

My experience is the opposite actually. I need the tactile acuity of fingerless gloves or I would drive myself nuts taking them on and off all the time.

I asked ChatGPT for a full-fingered equivalent to my preferred style with a padded, synthetic leather and here is what popped up:

Amazon.com

Here's a hybrid finger/fingerless option:

Amazon.com

 

[jdeerfoot]

I use the gloves Costco sells every spring in 10 ct packs. Very inexpensive and durable, I go through maybe 2 pr per year.

I like my paddling gloves by NRS. I started using these on the advice of my dermatologist who noticed too much sun exposure on the top of my hands.

 

[tketcham]

Tom, do they work with phone touchscreens reliably?

As long as you use the black sections of the glove to touch the screen it works. Now, I don't type fast on a smart phone so my deliberate, single-digit touches on the screen work fine, but if you like to type fast using both finger and thumb it might be (annoyingly) slower. Perhaps a skilled touch screen user will chime in.