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How to Choose the Right Gloves

When you need to choose the right gloves, the key factors you should consider are:

  • What conditions you are likely to be using the gloves in?
  • Is there a specific activity you will use the gloves for? – i.e. walking, climbing, skiing, running
  • Will you want the gloves to keep your hands warm, protect from windchill, keep hands dry, or a combination of a few?
  • How much dexterity you will need?
  • Do you need some parts of the glove, such as the palm, to be particularly durable or offer good grip?

For some uses and activities, there may be obvious choices such as “Running Gloves” for running/jogging. For others, however, there can be an extremely varied choice. Some activities may use a combination of gloves/mitts which may suit your requirements the best. It is common practice to use a layering system when you choose the right gloves, just as you would do for clothing, to get the best performance.

Useful Terms when Choosing Gloves

Common words used in glove specifications:

Breathable – The material will allow water vapour to pass through to avoid the build up of sweat and condensation. Some waterproof membranes are breathable.

Wicking – This material actively transports sweat away from the body to keep you more comfortable.

Taped seams – When a waterproof fabric is sewn, the seams are sealed using waterproof tape that is applied with heat and prevents water from coming through. This makes the garment fully waterproof. Critically, seam-sealed is only applied where waterproofing is necessary.

Thermal Gloves

Thermal gloves are used to keep your hands warm first and foremost. There a three different levels of thermal gloves:

Base layer – thin layer to use next to the skin, could be silk or synthetic fibre.
Mid layer – use on their own or under a waterproof or thicker mitt or glove.
Outer layer – could also be waterproof, with insulation such as Primaloft.

Windproof Gloves

Windproof gloves are designed to keep off wind chill, but they often don’t have many thermal properties. Many windproof fabrics such as WINDSTOPPER are also breathable which helps to improve circulation through the glove. Waterproof gloves that have a waterproof membrane will also be windproof.

Waterproof Gloves

These have a waterproof liner inside which is usually breathable.
Come in various guises usually with some insulation to provide warmth as well as keeping hands dry.

If you’re still unsure about what glove would suit you best, then please contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss your specific requirement.