Best gloves for cold weather fly fishing

EugeneFisher · 12-22-2009, 10:33 AM

I'm looking for a new pair of 1/2 finger gloves, probably wool, to keep my hands toasty while winter steelheading. I'd love to find a 1/2 finger glove that doesn't have the "mitten top" to cover the fingers, as it seems to flap around a lot while casting (and adds weight to the hand). I'd also like to find a glove that has the same (or similar) nanosphere technology that Columbia uses on their higher end wool hunting gear (like the Horn Mesa pant and jacket).

I'd like to hear what everyone's favorite glove is for winter fly fishing... any suggestions?

kilchisfisher · 12-22-2009, 01:23 PM

This may not directly answer your question, but I gave up my favorite fingerless (1/2 finger) wool for fingerless (1/2 finger) glacier gloves -- the Kenai ones with wind blocker. They have a neoprene palm and fleece backs. There was some discussion on the main board a couple of years ago regarding gloves and that's where the idea to change came from. They are more comfortable and I find them warmer, even when wet.

fish-on-bend · 12-22-2009, 01:45 PM

I have been using these for several years in temps down to zero in Central Oregon. I find I want a full finger glove since my fingertips get the coldest. They are nitrile and made by Kinco.. They are surprisingly warm and thin enough to tie knots with.

Here's an action shot.

NCL · 12-23-2009, 04:10 AM

I also use the Kenia Glacier gloves with the wind blocker and they work ok but my fingers do get cold. One tip I got I think from this board is to use surgical gloves under the fingerless gloves and at least your fingers stay dry.

I like looks of those gloves that Fish-On-Bend showed. Does anyone know who sells that brand?

Best Fishes · 12-23-2009, 07:22 AM

I like looks of those gloves that Fish-On-Bend showed. Does anyone know who sells that brand?[/QUOTE]

I sell industrial supplies and we sell the Kinco gloves. We typically sell direct from our supplier, but I have a few pairs of medium & a dozen extra large in stock. The cost is $2.75 per pair plus freight. The Kinco gloves #1890 nitrile coated are not insulated and not very warm. I believe the Glaciers are a better idea for warmth.

Home Depot sells the Atlas Blue gloves that are similar to the Kinco #1890.

Best Fishes

PacificCoastSteel · 12-23-2009, 07:31 AM

i like to use all-neoprene fingerless... the gloves i use most are from the Glacier company - i think the model is the Aleutian... gotta cut the fingertips off on your own

much warmer than fleece when wet IMHO

i do prefer wool over fleece as a second or third glove to have. if i'm in the db then i will always have at least two pairs, to ditch a soaked pair for a dry one if the rain stops.

SandySlayer · 12-23-2009, 08:17 AM

Out of curiosity do you feel that the neoprene gloves wear down the cork handles excessively? I have a pair of glacier gloved but don't use them on my spey rod because I'm afraid of that.

kilchisfisher · 12-23-2009, 08:17 AM

First step in keeping fingers and toes warm is to keep the core very warm. Saw a documentary on hypothermia and ways to help people work outside in cold temps. Keeping the core very warm was the most important step in maintaining finger dexterity. Experimented with it and found for me at least that it really makes a difference in keeping my fingers warm.

Of course in the cold, wet, windy conditions often involved in winter fishing all bets are off....

PacificCoastSteel · 12-23-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandySlayer

Out of curiosity do you feel that the neoprene gloves wear down the cork handles excessively? I have a pair of glacier gloved but don't use them on my spey rod because I'm afraid of that.

hmmm.... i don't really think so, but i like all my rod grips super super skinny anyway

in fact, after about 2-3 seasons of winter use the gloves are showing wear (breaking down of the rubber) in the webbing areas of fingers as well as off the ends of the fingers. this makes me think that the rubber/neo is breaking down way more than the cork ever could be.

Kilchis: absolutely - good stuff... if your fingers/toes are cold then get a warmer hat, put your hood up, and loosen the laces in your boots!

EugeneFisher · 12-23-2009, 09:51 AM

Thanks for the input, everyone!

fish-on-bend - what is the back of the Kincos made of? It looks like a fabric and I'm wondering if they'll soak through when it's raining?

Kilchisfisher - I completely agree with your post. I've found that if I layer good, warm clothing around my torso and legs, my fingers and hands stay much warmer, almost making gloves a non-necessity.

fish-on-bend · 12-24-2009, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Best Fishes

I like looks of those gloves that Fish-On-Bend showed. Does anyone know who sells that brand?

I sell industrial supplies and we sell the Kinco gloves. We typically sell direct from our supplier, but I have a few pairs of medium & a dozen extra large in stock. The cost is $2.75 per pair plus freight. The Kinco gloves #1890 nitrile coated are not insulated and not very warm. I believe the Glaciers are a better idea for warmth.

Home Depot sells the Atlas Blue gloves that are similar to the Kinco #1890.

Best Fishes[/QUOTE]

I disagree from personal experience. I too sell gloves, the Atlas or blue coated latex is a very cold glove as latex conducts cold way worse than nitrile. These Kinco 1890's surprise me every time I wear them how warm they are. On extremely cold days I wear them as a liner. A second glove, fingerless or whatever will slide over nitrile easier than skin. where as latex as a liner will not slide easily at all.

Eugenefisher, the backs are nylon mesh, so these are not a great choice for rain, just cold.

TheCamel · 12-24-2009, 08:20 AM

Nitrile gloves under half finger fleece like the Kenai Glacier should do the trick. Hands/fingers stay much warmer when not directly wet. I keep an extra pair of the nitrile gloves in a coat pocket in case one gets a tear or puncture.

NCL · 12-25-2009, 03:31 AM

I said surgical gloves in my post on this subject but TheCamel's post reminded that the gloves I have are nitrile. I just need to remember to take them with me.

Best Wishes

Thank you for the information, it is very appreciated.

trizzie · 12-27-2009, 09:26 AM

These gloves might not be the best for extremely wet conditions, but check out POW's snowboarding "Pho-Tog" gloves. They are rated for cold weather and have fold away thumb, index, and middle fingers. The company is out of Seattle.

Google Search "powgloves"

EugeneFisher · 12-29-2009, 12:30 PM

Has anyone tried the SealSkinz waterproof gloves? I tried on a pair at REI today; they're fairly thin but a bit stiff... I'm wondering if they break in (soften) with time? I'm thinking they'd make a good base layer to a wool or fleece glove.

matt95 · 01-01-2010, 10:50 AM

Well at the moment I live in hawaii, and when we go spearfishing, we use gloves identical to the kinkos. They would help in the cold but the dont really help if they're wet. It mainly helps with the grip. Because of the rubber outer layer over the nylon mesh, you can grip your rod with warm hands better.

matt

steelymann · 01-04-2010, 05:41 PM

Hands down. Glacier Glove 957BK.

SailCat · 01-07-2010, 08:18 AM

I must confess to being a fair-weather fisherman by choice. As much as I live to fish, I hate being cold just a little bit more. As a consequence, when I do venture out in chilly weather, my hands are really vulnerable.

I, too, use Kenai gloves and got the ones with the flip fingers. One trick I use is to activate disposable hand warmers and place them inside the gloves on the back of my hands as this is where the blood flows. It makes for hours of comfy warmth.

Raining_Kings · 01-07-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EugeneFisher

I'm looking for a new pair of 1/2 finger gloves, probably wool, to keep my hands toasty while winter steelheading. I'd love to find a 1/2 finger glove that doesn't have the "mitten top" to cover the fingers, as it seems to flap around a lot while casting (and adds weight to the hand). I'd also like to find a glove that has the same (or similar) nanosphere technology that Columbia uses on their higher end wool hunting gear (like the Horn Mesa pant and jacket).

I'd like to hear what everyone's favorite glove is for winter fly fishing... any suggestions?

I'm still looking for the best gloves my self. I've tried the wool fingerless, fingerless with mittens, Glacier Kenai (full Glove with index finger and thumb open), Atlas gloves and a few others. None seems to work that well for me. Either too cold, too hard to put on/off, or too clumbersome to work.

The other day I was at Bi-Mart and they had a $10 pair of cheapo glaciers with fleece back and neoprene palm that looked pretty good. Was watching Marc Adams steelhead essentials DVD and he also recommended those. I'm trying them next.

silverhead · 01-07-2010, 08:43 PM

I bought some really thin neoprene gloves with a thin felt lining in them at Joes a year ago before they closed. They have been amazingly durable for how thin they are. They are called Ice Bay gloves and I have used them with spinning gear and fly fishing, You can actually feel the line with the fingers. I have used them in 20 degree weather where I had to dip the rod in the river every 3rd cast to clear the ice out of the guides. You can also use the fingerless gloves with small handwarmers inside on the back of the hands to help keep your hands warm.