How to identify good sailing gloves
Good sailing gloves will feature a number of identifiable qualities. High-quality materials such as leather and robust synthetic fabrics offer durability and protection. Reinforced palms and fingers ensure a secure grip and additional durability. A good fit with adjustable straps ensures comfort and freedom of movement. Breathable inserts help to keep hands cool and dry for a comfortable fit.
When should sailing gloves be used?
Sailing gloves are used on board in a variety of situations and give the wearer numerous advantages. One such benefit is protection. Sailing gloves prevent your hands from blistering and chafing. This protective function, is of course beneficial to anyone putting in the hours at the wheel or holding and pulling sheets. Ropes tend to get wet and the rough texture can easily damage skin. Gloves will also protect against injuries such as crushing, which can be caused by carabiners or winches. With the right gloves, the crew and captain can concentrate fully on sailing without the constant distraction of sore hands.
What materials are used for sailing gloves?
A combination of different materials is often used for sailing gloves. This is the only way to guarantee special properties such as robustness, maximum flexibility and maximum wearer comfort. Commonly used materials for sailing gloves are neoprene, polyurethane, nylon, elastane, rubber and leather. These fabrics ensure that sailing gloves are both durable and comfortable to wear and can withstand the high manual demands placed on them.
These are the most commonly used materials for sailing gloves with their individual properties:
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that has
excellent insulating properties. It keeps
hands warm even in wet and cold weather as it repels water and retains
heat. Neoprene is also flexible and allows fingers to move easily.
Polyurethane (PU) is a durable,
water-repellent material, that is known
for its abrasion resistance. It provides excellent grip, even when wet,
and protects hands from blisters and chafing. It is also lightweight
and flexible, which makes it more comfortable for the wearer.
Nylon is a strong, lightweight and
durable material, that dries quickly. It
is resistant to mould and UV radiation, making it ideal for outdoor
use. Nylon also has a certain degree of elasticity, which improves the
comfort and fit of gloves.
Elastane, also known as Spandex or Lycra,
is known for its exceptional stretch and shape
retention. It ensures that gloves fit snugly and do not
restrict the freedom of movement of your hands. As a result, these
gloves mould perfectly to the shape of the hand and are extremely
comfortable to wear.
Rubber is
often used in the palms or finger areas of
sailing gloves to provide additional grip. It is non-
slip and offers excellent control when gripping wet
surfaces. Rubber is also hard-wearing and protects against abrasion and
mechanical stress. Leather is a
traditional material that is recognised for its
longevity and natural feel. It offers e
xcellent protection against abrasion and mechanical damage and adapts
to the shape of the hand over time, which increases comfort. Leather is
also breathable and offers good protection
against wind and cold.
Each of these materials helps to ensure that sailing gloves fulfil their function optimally and protect and support the hands of sailors in various conditions.
The big sailing glove test
We made sure to pay special attention to our test criteria for our sailing glove test, To start, we thought it would make sense to test the gloves in terms of men's sailing gloves and women's sailing gloves separately. However, as the gloves are all unisex designs, i.e. equally suitable for men and women, we decided not to test sailing gloves for women and sailing gloves for men separately and instead summarised the test results.
Evaluation criteria for our sailing gloves test
We therefore conducted a sailing glove price comparison as evaluation criteria in the first test and determined the test winners from different price categories. Which gloves for sailing have the best quality in their respective price range in terms of workmanship and the materials used? And which gloves can we recommend based on our sailing glove price comparison? In the two other tests, we also determined and listed the test winners based on the most common glove variants long fingered and short fingered. In addition to the price, we also considered the workmanship, quality and material in our assessment. Individual special features such as water resistance and wind protection are listed in the individual test results.
And these are our test winners in our sailing gloves comparison:
Sailing gloves test winner - test category short fingered
Sailing gloves test winner - test category Long fingered
The results of our sailing glove test - overview
In our first test category ‘short fingered’, we tested glove models from the brands SEATEC, GILL and MUSTO. All of the gloves tested are adjustable in width, have reinforced palms and are therefore very similar in design. Only the GILL model has a fixed standard size. In the end, a SEATEC glove from SVB's own brand came out on top, delivering a convincing result overall in terms of the materials used and properties. Also recommended and immediately following in second place: another SEATEC glove, which is also designed for rough work on deck with leather on the palm. In 3rd and 4th place is a glove from GUSTO (our personal price-performance winner) and a glove from GILL, which is priced slightly higher than the other products, but is still highly recommended on balance
In test category 2, ‘long fingered’, we compared sailing gloves from the brands SEATEC, MUSTO and Gill. All gloves tested are width-adjustable, have reinforced palms and are designed for similar requirements. SVB's own brand SEATEC impressed here and rightly earned the test rating of ‘very good’. These gloves are waterproof and offer reliable protection from the elements even in cold temperatures.
Overall, they are outstanding value for money in terms of workmanship, material, comfort and robustness. The gloves from GILL came in second place here. They also impressed by being waterproof, warm and breathable. The slightly higher price was justified by the above- average quality and excellent workmanship. Closely following were the gloves from SEATEC and MUSTO in 3rd and 4th place, with the SEATEC model coming out on top in terms of value for money.
Overall, our two tests have shown that often only small details, such as price-performance ratio in particular, were decisive for the ranking and winning the test. Overall, all glove types featured in the test were impressive and are clear recommendations for anyone looking for an excellent pair of sailing gloves.
Sailing gloves are available from these brands at SVB
Experience has shown that sailing gloves from renowned manufacturers differ significantly in terms of material quality and workmanship compared to products from unknown and inexpensive suppliers. When buying new gloves, it is therefore advisable to choose established and recognised brands. In our sailing gloves comparison, only gloves from the following manufacturers are tested and compared:
How to care for your sailing gloves
Sailing gloves are robust and can withstand even the most extreme use, but they also need a little care from time to time to ensure they can do what they should for a long time. With the following tips for the care of your sailing gloves, you can ensure that your new favourite gloves from the sailing gloves test last as long as possible.
1. Rinse after use
It is recommended to rinse your gloves thoroughly with clear water
after every sail. This removes salt water and dirt residues that could
damage the material further down the line.
2. Dry gloves properly
After washing, it is important to allow gloves to air dry. Never place
your gloves on a radiator or dry them with a hairdryer - heat can make
the material brittle and considerably shorten their lifespan. Simply
hang them up or lay them out flat and wait for them to dry
completely.
3. Use care products
If your gloves are made of leather, a little leather care is required
from time to time. A special leather grease or oil keeps the material
supple and prevents cracks.
With these simple care tips, your sailing gloves will last a long time and will always be ready for your use on board.
More sailing clothing
In addition to sailing gloves as a central component of sailing clothing on board, a few other essential items of clothing are necessary to be optimally prepared for your next sailing adventure. Depending on the weather and sailing difficulty, be sure to have the right sailing jacket. SVB’s range is sure to include the right sailing jacket for women and the right jacket for men. Choosing the perfect sailing trousers is just as important. SVB also offers fashionable and functional trousers for women and trousers for men. SVB also has other handy accessories such as caps, hats, , sailing shoes and additional items such as sunglasses or nautical scarves. Finally, the right care products such as detergents and waterproofing sprays for sailing clothing are essential.
Summary of the sailing glove test
Sailing gloves are an indispensable accessory for every sailor, whether beginner or professional. They protect your hands, improve your grip and help you to concentrate fully on sailing. The materials used in the manufacture and construction optimised for sailing offer protection, comfort and functionality that go far beyond what normal gloves can provide. They are made to withstand the challenges at sea and at the same time improve performance and safety on board. Sailing gloves from well-known manufacturers are highly recommended. Based on the results of our sailing glove comparison, you can quickly and easily select the gloves that are best suited to your personal and individual requirements.