Best Gloves For Kayaking

By Taylor Jensen

We tested the Best Gloves For Kayaking. Check out our buyers guide below.

Do you have a passion for kayaking? If you’re anything like me, then you just can’t wait to get into the water and spend hours and hours paddling against a tough current – just you and nature. On the other hand, maybe you enjoy long, leisurely rides, spent relaxing and admiring nature.

Whatever the case may be, we both know the most annoying part that stops you from kayaking as much as you can – calluses. Your arms may become stronger, your endurance may improve, but your hands first hurt, then they callus, then these fall off, then they hurt again. These things are a nightmare, especially on long runs. That’s why I suggest you check out gloves for kayaking, trust me, they’re a lifesaver!

There are a couple of elements that are very important when buying the best gloves for kayaking.

What to look for in the Best Gloves For Kayaking:

Materials: The most important thing to consider might is the materials the gloves are made off. However, even this depends on the type of kayaking you do, and where you do it.For example, a person kayaking in cold, salty waters may get their gloves degrade with more speed than someone who paddles in a more pleasant and temperate climate. A good pair of gloves should be waterproof as much as possible, have a non-slip surface and be comfortable, not too tight, and not too loose.

Glove thickness: This is basically a battle between protection and dexterity. Obviously, the thicker the gloves, the more protection you get, but also, the less maneuverability you have. This may not seem like a problem, as a beginner would think that you don’t really need dexterity and that all you have to do with your hands is to just tightly grip the paddles.Unfortunately, this is not so simple, as you would need your fingers to, for example, adjust your helmet, pick up your bags and move the oar in a more advanced, veteran technique type way.

Proper fit: Be aware that the fit is not something that’s just for comfort. In cold water and freezing temperatures they can actually cut off circulation to your fingers. This can result in some serious damage to your hands.

Something you won’t see featured in this review are pogies. If you’re wondering what those are, pogies are, in a way, gloves connected to your oars. They are sturdy, big and hard to loose, as they are obviously fixed to your paddle. However, me personally, I’m not a fan of pogies. The downside is that they have this annoying habit of basically being oversized water cups. Of course, there are some who prefer pogies, and I’m the last one to judge. This is just my personal preference and opinion.

With that said, here are our picks for the best gloves for kayaking.

Warmers Barnacle Half-Finger Paddling Glove

The Warmers Barnacle gloves are of a very high quality. They are made from a combination of neoprene, lycra and terry cloth. What makes them special, however, is the “barnacle” grip. The gloves are reinforced at certain points with a material that gives you a much stronger grip, keeping you more in control, and decreasing the chance of sleeping. Not to mention the obvious factor of them protecting your hands.

If there is one thing that’s annoying, besides calluses, that’s dropping your paddle. This will minimize the chance of this happening and as an added bonus will keep your hands fixed exactly where you want them, without having to worry about using all the muscles you can muster to hold on.

What Users Are Saying:

Everybody loves the barnacle grip
Extra padding between the thumb and index finger area
Extra piece of fabric on thumb for wiping your face (while being soft to the touch)
Even the smaller versions tend to be too big for women (or people with very small hands)

NRS Men’s Boater Gloves

These gloves by NRS are very light, and the fact that they have a ¾ finger design means you get maximum dexterity for almost the maximum comfort and protection. A fleece panel found on the back of the thumb lets you wipe sweat and water from your face, without scratching it. They are secured in place by Velcro straps. It even offers UPF50+ sun protection. The gloves also have Amara synthetic leather palms. This gives you excellent comfort and a strong, non-slip, grip.

Honestly, the soft fleece on the thumb may sound irrelevant, but it can be a lifesaver when you have sweat dripping right from your forehead into your eyes, and yet you don’t want to wipe it off on account off scratching your eyebrows off with rough gloves. Luckily, this is not a problem with the NRS’s.

What Users Are Saying:

Excellent protection
Breathe well
Excellent for kayaking in the winter
Durable
A bit short on the thumb knuckle

NRS HydroSkin Gloves

The NRS HydroSkin Gloves are perfect for the in between weather, when the air is warm but the water is cold. Made of .5 neoprene, these gloves protect without adding bulk allowing you to paddle without feeling like you have anything in your way. The unique texture on the palm and fingers provide a better grip with increased durability.

During our testing we found that the inner lining was comfortable with just the right amount of insulation. With a bike glove style wrist fasteners, they are easy to take on and off.

What Users Are Saying:

Saved my hands for normal kayaking abuse
Held up on a 9 day run in Colorado
Fantastic palm grips
Very nice fit
neoprene allows for easy movement and protects against blisters

NeoSport Premium 3/4 Gloves

One of the main problems affecting kayakers is not so much arm fatigue, but hand fatigue. You may have enough strength and muscle in your back and on your arms, but your forearms, wrists, and hands rarely follow – unless you already have a few paddling years under your kayak.

That’s why the NeoSport premium gloves are extra useful – they have a specially designed anatomical fit. This fit makes the gloves as ergonomic as can be, making paddling much easier on your wrists. You won’t need to invest any extra grip strength with these gloves. They also offer extra protection as they are vented and have wrist fasteners.

What Users Are Saying:

Vents release trapped heat
Non-slip material is the best
Feel light
Ergonomic fit
No completely waterproof, but resist water well

NRS Maverick Gloves with HydroCuff

Now these are some hardcore gloves. The NRS Maverick Gloves are 2 millimeters thick and have a titanium laminate adhesive. The thickness makes them very durable- they’ll withstand ice, snow, and salt with ease. Besides lasting for a long time, they will definitely keep you warm.

The cuffs are made from a neoprene and use HydroCuff technology. This means that they grip your hand and, while staying comfortable, will stop water from entering them and touching your hand. The neoprene on the outside is water resistant- it basically sheds water, while the material on the palms gives you extra grip control.