10 Best Kayak Gloves in 2023
Our writers and editors look for the best Kayak Gloves available. We test, research, and review the best products in different categories with a focus on quality, performance, and the overall value for the price.
Kayak gloves are essential for kayakers who want to protect their hands from the rigors of the sport. The extra layer will extend the pleasure of kayaking adventures while preventing calluses and blisters. Kayak gloves also provide a better grip for holding on to the paddle when it is wet.
When choosing kayak gloves, kayakers must take into consideration the weather conditions and season in which they normally kayak and the type of material and fit of the gloves.
The best kayak gloves provide protection and are extremely durable and comfortable. The following list includes information on the best kayak gloves in 2020 and offers you an informational guide for what to look for when buying kayak gloves.
While these are the best, they have their own pros and cons. For your consideration, we have reviewed the top 10 kayak gloves.
The Top 5 Kayak Gloves in 2023
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1
Best Overall: Southern Fin Apparel -
2
Best for Comfort: Koofin -
3
Enhanced Grip: WindRider -
4
Best for Cold Temperatures: Seibertron -
5
Best for Mobility: Fits T4
All the Kayak Gloves We've tested
The Southern Fin Apparel kayak gloves are the perfect companion for kayakers looking to protect their hands from the rough kayak paddle handles. An affordable pair that will prevent blisters while the open fingertips provide tactile tasks like tying rope and fishing.
This pair of gloves is also ideal for temperate climates as it protects your hands from UV rays and offers full mobility to use your fingers. The Southern Fin kayak gloves are also extremely comfortable and offer a good level of wrist and palm support for kayaking.
The combination of leather and synthetic fabrics makes for a durable glove that will dry relatively fast. It is also well-suited for other sports and tasks, like paddle boarding or fishing
Specs & Features
- SPF +50 UV protection material
- Fingerless
- Reinforced palm
- Easy-removal tabs
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Soft breathable fabric -
Synthetic leather adds comfort
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Stylish
Things we don't like:
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Clip to keep gloves together not provided
These kayak gloves are great for kayakers who want comfortable, durable, and quick-dry kayak gloves for temperate climates. The Koofin kayak gloves provide excellent protection and grip without sacrificing finger mobility and comfort.
They feature fingertip and wrist pull tabs for easy removal and leather padding along index and middle fingers and across the palms where blisters tend to form.
But the flexible material keeps your hands cool as well. These gloves are good for long tours that require keeping them on for many hours at a time.
Specs & Features
- SPF +50 UV protection material
- Fingerless
- Reinforced palm
- Wrist and fingertip removal pull-tabs
- Light and breathable design
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Stretchy, lightweight and breathable
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Easy to remove
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Quick Drying
Things we don't like:
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Not good for colder temperatures
If you’re a kayaker looking for gloves that will enhance your grip and simply prevent your kayak paddle from slipping through wet hands, then the WindRider kayak gloves are the perfect option for you. They are also durable and comfortable for touring.
The mesh backing makes the WindRiders breathable and allows them to dry fast. This means they’ll also perform well as sailing gloves and kite surfing gloves.
They offer a grip seemingly as good as other kayak gloves and are extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear. These gloves are also comfortable and allow for maximum mobility when kayaking.
With a low wrist profile as well, wearing watches or health trackers has been considered in their design.
Specs & Features
- Synthetic leather
- Breathable mesh material with stretch
- Padding in grip area
- Low profile wrist design
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Lightweight and durable
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Offers superior reinforced grip
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High level of mobility
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Ergonomic design offers cushioning and max comfort
Things we don't like:
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Too bulky for warm temperatures
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Thumb patch might not align of some hands
The Seibertron kayak gloves are heavy-duty kayak gloves that provide kayakers with superior protection and grip. They absorb shocks and effectively reduce hand fatigue making them ideally combined with long touring kayak rides.
The Seibertron kayak gloves are also extremely comfortable and provide a suitable level of thermal protection for colder climates. With kevlar integrated into the material, there is a little extra protection against any impact associated with whitewater kayaking.
Being both suited for cold weather and more extreme conditions, the Seibertron gloves are also great sailing gloves and climbing gloves.
Specs & Features
- Reinforced synthetic leather
- Kevlar threads stitching on palm
- Reinforced palm
- Puller on middle and ring fingers
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Superior level of protection
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High level of durability
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Reduce hand fatigue
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Easy to remove
Things we don't like:
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Not great for warm temperatures
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Doesn’t offer much mobility
The Fits T4 kayak gloves are comfortable, durable and offer a high level of mobility for kayakers looking for an excellent pair of gloves for kayaking. These gloves provide the necessary level of protection and are ergonomically designed to fit comfortably and tight.
The Fits T4 gloves have a good level of thermal protection making them versatile for kayaking in different weather conditions. It’s due to the combination of synthetic leather and spandex materials that they can prevent blisters by fitting so well.
They essentially just extend the natural protective qualities that the layers of skin on your hand have.
Specs & Features
- Soft high stretch spandex
- Fingerless
- Reinforced synthetic leather palm
- Adjustable hook and loop wrist fastener
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Very snug and comfortable
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Versatile and useful for different sports
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Good for both cold and warm temperatures
Things we don't like:
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Lack of protection directly below the fingers
The KastKing Sol Armis Sun kayak gloves are some of the most flexible kayak gloves on the market. They provide a high level of mobility and allow for a full range of motion and maneuverability when kayaking.
With ¾ fingers–often called fingerless–the small tasks that require tactical senses, like tying strings or smart phoning, are no problem.
The Sol Armis gloves are also extremely comfortable and have a number of stylish customization options for kayakers who want gloves with some color.
Specs & Features
- SPF +50 UV protection material
- Fingerless
- Breathable 4-way stretch fabric
- Microfiber palm and pull tabs
- Machine-washable
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Lightweight
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Provides lots of mobility
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Stylish
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Easy to clean
Things we don't like:
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Little insulation, not good for cold
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Offers limited protection from shocks
The BPS kayaking gloves are proficient at keeping your hands warm in colder temperatures. With the option of either 3mm or 5mm, kayakers can decide what level of thermal protection they need depending on what temperature their hands are exposed to.
These gloves also provide a superior grip and comfort to the kayaking experience as well as for almost any other paddle sport and scuba diving too.
The velcro wrist straps do an excellent job keeping water out, ensuring these gloves retain warmth. At the same time in warmer seasons, opening the straps will allow for cooling. Pretty useful actually.
Specs & Features
- Double lined-neoprene
- 3mm or 5mm option
- Adjustable wrist straps
- Grip textured palm
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Neoprene offers high-level thermal protection
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Skintight fit
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Good level of grip
Things we don't like:
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Only for cold temperatures
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Sizes run small
The BassDash Astro kayak gloves are a great pair of gloves with anti-slip properties, reinforced durability, and stretchy fabric that offers mobility. They are great for protecting your hands from calluses and provide a proficient level of thermal protection in cold temperatures.
These gloves are ideal for kayakers looking for an all-around excellent pair of kayak gloves that can be used in a variety of weather conditions. Additionally, because of their design the Astros will also provide ideal protection for all other water sports.
Specs & Features
- Neoprene and spandex material
- Microfiber leather anti-slip patches
- Breathable 4-way stretch fabric
- Hook-and-loop wrist straps
- Different finger cuts to reflect actual paddling use
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Keep hands cool and dry
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Easy to put on and take off
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Versatile for different climates
Things we don't like:
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They’re going to need to be aired out a bit when purchased
The stylish, supportive and ergonomically comfortable Palmyth kayak gloves are perfect for kayakers looking for reliable quick-drying gloves. Ideal for sunny climes, the Palmyth kayak gloves are comfortable, flexible, and offer lots of mobility.
With the seemingly standard ¾ fingers to allow for dexterity-demanding tasks, their is only a lighter protective padding that will suit paddlers on the more leisure side of kayaking, rather than heavy-duty gloves for extreme conditions.
These gloves also come in a range of colors and styles in order to accommodate your tastes. The fabric is particularly good for protecting your skin against the sun and can be machine washed to remove sweat stains and scents.
Specs & Features
- SPF +50 UV protection material
- Fingerless
- Ultra-lightweight
- Wrist and fingertip removal pull-tabs
- Light and breathable design
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Provides great comfort and stability
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Stretchy and lightweight
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Quick Drying
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Easy to remove
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Offers a high level of thumb support
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Lots of customization options
Things we don't like:
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Provides little protection
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Thin material with little insulation
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Not great for cold weather
The Brace Master kayak gloves are extremely comfortable and durable, providing a good level of thermal protection and mobility while kayaking thanks to the soft all-leather materials.
They are easy to put on and provide a suitable level of protection from shocks. These gloves are water-resistant and will dry quickly making them ideal for kayaking in cold temperatures.
The soft leather creates a snug but flexible outer skin sensation that allows you to keep them on for a long time without discomfort. It also means they don’t develop that sour stench some synthetic materials can develop.
Suitable for touring in colder weather and temperate climates, the Brace Master gives optimal support for a variety of conditions.
Specs & Features
- Soft leather to ensure finger flexibility
- High-quality leather palms
- Fingerless
- Fast drying
- Quick hook & lock wrist strap
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Comfortable design
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Superior durability
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Quick tightening and fitting
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Provides a high level of protection for palm area
Things we don't like:
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The sizes run small
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Weak grip
Related Reviews
What to look for when buying Kayak Gloves
It can be a struggle to figure out what kayak gloves are the best for your kayaking needs. Here at DiveIn, we provide you with all the necessary information in order to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and aid you in your decision when choosing the best perfect kayak gloves.
When deciding on the best pair of kayak gloves to buy there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. The weather conditions and temperature should play a major role in your decision. Colder temperatures require thicker gloves and gloves that have thermal protection properties. Accordingly, the factors to consider when buying the best dive boots are:
Materials
The materials used in the construction of kayak gloves are important depending on the weather and how much mobility, protection, and comfort you would like to have when kayaking. Neoprene and Spandex are classic materials used for kayak gloves and they ensure heat retention and mobility. Synthetic leather is also used in some kayak shoes and provides more comfort and protection.
Leather is also used, but usually in soft leather because of the need for flexibility and to retain dexterity. Because they are thin enough to keep a tactical sense they don’t need to be worked in like thicker leather usually would.
Design
The thickness of the gloves is important because the thicker the gloves the more thermal protection they will provide your hands with. In colder climates and temperatures kayakers should buy gloves with good thermal protection. Alternatively, if you are kayaking somewhere warm you will need kayak gloves that provide a good level of breathability. Just like sailing gloves, kayak gloves can also be fingerless or covered. Fingerless gloves provide more finger dexterity for activities such as fishing, however, they leave fingers exposed to the cold. On the other hand, covered gloves keep your hands warm but reduce finger mobility.
Budget
Kayak gloves are relatively cheap compared to other kayaking accessories, however, there are some more expensive gloves that provide superior protection and comfort. The more premium kayak gloves are more effective at keeping your hands protected and often give you more mobility.
For more information on other essential kayaking equipment, check out our Best Kayak Life Vests, Best Kayak Racks, Best Kayak Trailers, and Best Kayak Paddles.
Frequently asked questions
The best kayak gloves offer kayakers protection, provide grip, warmth, and comfort. It also helps if the gloves are durable, fit well around the hand, and have a stylish look.
Check out the list of our favorite kayaks gloves:
- Southern Fin Apparel Kayak Gloves
- Koofin Kayak Gloves
- WindRider Kayak Gloves
- Seibertron Kayak Gloves
- Fits T4 Kayak Gloves
- Kastking Sol Armis Sun Kayak Gloves
- BPS Kayak Gloves
- Bassdash Astro Kayak Gloves
- Palmyth Kayak Gloves
- Brace Master Kayak Gloves
Kayak gloves are designed to be worn when kayaking in order to protect the kayaker’s hands from the elements. A good pair of kayak gloves should offer protection against the weather, provide grip, and stop your hands from slipping off a wet kayak paddle. Kayak gloves should also allow mobility, support, and comfort for your hands.
Kayak gloves should be rinsed and hung up to dry. If they are not made of UV protected materials, they should not be hung in the sun. A pair of all-leather gloves like the Brace Master gloves can seem like they shrink, but as soon as they are pulled on they will regain their size and fit well like they originally did.
Kayak gloves should fit snuggly so they seem like an extra layer of skin. That is why neoprene and flexible materials like spandex are often used. These gloves should ideally stretch over fingers and hand while allowing enough circulation for freedom of movement. The following gloves are good examples of this:
- Southern Fin Apparel Kayak Gloves
- BPS Kayak Gloves
- Koofin Kayak Gloves
Comments
Hi Lori,
Given your requirements, I recommend you use the Seibertron Kayak Gloves. This should keep you warm given the average temperature in Maine in October is 52°F.
Hope this helps.
I have neuropathy and tightness in my hands from chemotherapy which gets worse when my hands are cold. Which brand of gloves would you recommend for me to use for kayaking in Maine in October?