Cold-Weather Gloves

In freezing temperatures we field-tested 12 pairs of cold-weather gloves from different sports to see which ones keep hands warmest, yet still offer a bit of dexterity.

Top row, left to right: Gill Helmsman, NRS ūRadiator, Gul Gloves, Stanley HandiHelpers, ūScuba Max Sea Grip (Aqua Wing). Bottom ūrow, left to right: Atlas Therma Fit, Straight ūLine Tournament, Davis Polar Grips, Kenai ū016BK, and Kenai 712GY.

For sailors, gloves can serve two purposes—keeping the hands from getting chewed up, and keeping the hands warm. Usually in the summer, or in year-round warmer climes, the first type of glove will suffice. But in colder places the other three seasons offer plenty of opportunities for the hands to get really cold, really painful, and eventually numb and useless. At best, this takes the fun out of the sailing, or, more often, the work project, like changing a winter stick for a mooring or rigging a pulley line for a tender. At worst, it's dangerous. Ever try buckling on a PFD with nearly senseless hands? …