Cold Hands
 

I was out in the wind agian today which was great fun the other day. After
only 20 minutes my hands were numb with the cold. Need advice on what gloves
to buy so that I can keep coastal paddling during the winter.

--
Muzz
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Cold Hands
 

In message
"muzz" wrote:

I was out in the wind agian today which was great fun the other day. After
only 20 minutes my hands were numb with the cold. Need advice on what gloves
to buy so that I can keep coastal paddling during the winter.

I'd say you have two choices.

Pogies are the usual ones. If you haven't seen them, they are fixed to the
paddle shaft, and you slide your hand in through the wrist tube. Most fix
with Velcro, so you can also attach them while you are wearing them. They
keep the wind off, and there are also fleece lined ones, which provide
insulation.

True gloves are more of a problem, as most are made, in this fashion
conscious world, of brightly coloured double lined neoprene. The
disadvantage is that the material isn't wind or waterproof, and worse, it
increases the surface area several-fold, increasing evaporative cooling.

I got some jet-ski gloves from a mail-order shop in Brighton which are
smooth-skin neoprene, thus windproof, and low surface area. You just need to
make sure they are large enough, or they'll restrict circulation. Not cheap
either, but I like them.


--
Alan Adams

http://www.nckc.org.uk/

Cold Hands
 

Alan Adams wrote:

Pogies are the usual ones. If you haven't seen them, they are fixed to the
paddle shaft, and you slide your hand in through the wrist tube. Most fix
with Velcro, so you can also attach them while you are wearing them. They
keep the wind off, and there are also fleece lined ones, which provide
insulation.

Though they're remarkably warm even without the liners. Mine are
unlined and I've never been cold in them.
They work very well, but it can be a bit bloody awkward to do things
like scratch your nose.

True gloves are more of a problem, as most are made, in this fashion
conscious world, of brightly coloured double lined neoprene. The
disadvantage is that the material isn't wind or waterproof, and worse, it
increases the surface area several-fold, increasing evaporative cooling.

Good ones I've had recommended to me are smooth neoprene but the palm
and base of the fingers are cut away, so you've actually got a direct
hold on the shaft.
I've found Sealskinz waterproof breathable gloves are okay /if/ they
don't get soaked, at which point they get very gold.

You might try marigolds and see how you get on with them keeping the
wind off. It'll only cost pennies for the experiment.

A pal of mine just worked at hardening his hands to cold, which
ultimately worked though took time. I'm working on this and my hands
don't suffer as much as they did, but I still like the pogies in my back
pocket.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Cold Hands
 

"muzz" wrote in message
...
I was out in the wind agian today which was great fun the other day. After
only 20 minutes my hands were numb with the cold. Need advice on what
gloves
to buy so that I can keep coastal paddling during the winter.

I use paddling mitts. They are neoprene mitts with an open palm so that you
have contact with the paddle. They have a Velcro wrap around the wrist.

If you wear them they work exactly like a wet suit and give a protective
warm layer. However, if you flip them off when they are wet they are bloody
cold when you put them back on - they soon warm up again though.

Ewan Scott

Cold Hands
 

I use pogies all year round.
My web site is http://pages.ivillage.com/mcgruer ; Here all year round
means ice, ice bergs, snow and freezing spray.
Pogies are dandy alone for me but I need gloves when I get ashore . My
hands get wet under the neoprene pogies but they remain warm.
I recommend pogies but I have friends that prefer gloves and you do
need them once you get off the water

Cold Hands
 

Cheapskate's way: thin poly glove liners under dishwashing gloves. When
i use these my hands get too hot after an hour or so.

If you buy neoprene, don't go too thick. You lose a lot of finesse on
the paddle while the 3mm of neoprene squishes.

Pogies are surprisingly warm, until you swim. Then you've got nothing,
and your hands lose mobility in about 2 minutes.

Steve Cramer
Athens, GA, USA

Cold Hands
 

Cold Hands
 

For example,
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Sear...s&cat=40003707

Cheap ones are about as warm as expensive ones, but don't feel as good.

Steve

Cold Hands
 

Steve is right. Pogies are OK Till it is time to swim.
I sea kayak almost exclusively: So swimming, while it happens, is not
common.
You likely have to loose your gloves to get a spray deck back on anyway
and pogies actually hold the paddle so you don't have to grip it as
much when you paddle.
I like the pogies but have a zip lock ( sandwich bag.) for dry gloves
when I get out.It is under the front hatch.
I still preffer pogies
Alex

Cold Hands