Whether you spend hours out on the water with your board or just a half hour at a time, there is a pretty good chance that you’ll end up with blisters on your hands and/or fingers. These tend to form as a result of gripping your paddle too firmly. It’s an easy mistake to make, especially if you’re not on flat water. And don’t worry, a lot of kayakers get them too!
The easiest way to prevent blisters is to change your grip and hold the paddle more loosely in your hand. However, a pair of fingerless paddling gloves will also help prevent the blisters from forming. The only downside is the funny looking tan that you end up with!
[table id=18 responsive=collapse /]Sea to Summit Eclipse Paddling Gloves Review
Definitely our top pick when it comes to the #1 best fingerless paddling gloves on the market. These lightweight paddling gloves are comfortable to wear without being bulky.
The available sizes are based on men’s hand sizes, so pay special attention to that if you are not a guy. Despite being sized for males, we still recommend these for all genders because they are so good.
As your hand moves, the fabric easily stretches so that you don’t feel constricted in your movements. And the palms have a synthetic leather pad that helps you keep a secure grip even when your hands are wet.
And one of the best features is that these are awesome sun protection gloves. They offer a UPF rating of 50+, which means that the backs of your hands shouldn’t get sunburned under the gloves while you’re out paddleboarding in the sun.
Our only complaint is that sometimes when you put these on, the palm pad is a bit stiff. However, this is easily remedied by dunking them in the water first to soften that leather pad up a bit before you set out on your board.
If you are looking for the best warm weather paddling glove, then this is it in our opinion. (These also get our vote for the best kayak paddling gloves!)
Kokatat Lightweight Hand Jacket Paddling Gloves Review
These unisex gloves are available in a variety of sizes to ensure a good fit for both men and women’s hands. The palms have a synthetic suede pad that gives you a great grip on the paddle even when your hands are wet.
The wrist enclosure is also very secure thanks to its hook and loop adjustable closure. Even teens will be able to comfortable wear these paddling gloves.
The back of these gloves is made of mesh, which is great for keeping your hands cool when you’re out paddling in the sun.
Overall, these offer a comfortable fit without being too tight or restricting your hand movement. You also don’t have to worry about the gloves moving around as you move your hand since the wrist closure keeps them secure and in place.
Our only complaint with these is that they do not offer any sun protection. Yup, your hands will get sunburned right through these. So, you have to remember to put on your waterproof sunscreen under the gloves.
Already Got Blisters? Here’s What To Do
Though painful, the good thing about blisters is that they eventually turn into calluses when left alone. And once you have a callus, then you shouldn’t have to worry about a blister forming in that spot again. So, if you have a blister, here’s what you should do:
- Don’t pop it! Instead, just let it be and the liquid inside will eventually recede back into the skin and help to form the callus.
- Cover the blister with a waterproof band-aid if it is painful and you need to use the hand for paddling.
- If the blister breaks open, then cover it with a band-aid or some other sterile covering to prevent an infection.
- If you notice that the open blister gets infected, then you will have to clean it and cover with a sterile bandage.
Blisters are normal and you should really resist the urge to pop them so that they can turn into calluses.
Leave a Reply