11 Pairs Of The Best Sailing Gloves For Sailors

EDITOR'S PICKS

Sailing gloves are an essential piece of equipment for any sailor. Intended for water use, they'll protect your palms while improving your grip in wet conditions.

Below, we'll teach you everything you need to know about this essential piece of sailing gear and highlight a few of the best and most popular sailing gloves on the market today that you can wear to your next sailing adventure. In addition to recreational and competitive sailing, these water-repellent styles can be used for kayaking, canoeing, and other water sports.

Do I Need Sailing Gloves?

Yes. Sailing gloves are essential for a safe and enjoyable sailing adventure, regardless of whether it's a casual trip around the lake or a competitive racing event.

What To Look For In The Best Sailing Gloves

Superior Grip

The sticky grip surface on the palm of your sailing gloves provides an excellent grip on wet ropes and sailing equipment.

Protection

Palm and finger padding protects your hands from painful rubs, rope burn, and blisters that can ruin your day on the water.

Warmth

Sailing in the winter? An insulated pair of sailing gloves will keep your hands warm and dry in cold weather conditions.

Breathability

On hot summer days, lightweight gloves made with stretchy, neoprene fabric and breathable mesh panels will keep your hands cool and comfortable.

Dexterity

Fingerless gloves (or full-finger gloves with a touchscreen-compatible pad) allow you to use your phone, tie intricate knots, and handle small items with ease.

Versatility

Sailing gloves can also be used for kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, windsurfing, jet skiing, and other water sports.

What To Look For In The Best Sailing Gloves

Before you start shopping, let's ensure you know what makes good sailing gloves. Whether it's recreational sailing or competitive racing, here's what to look for in your next pair of sailing gloves:

Sailing Glove Style

First things first, you'll need to determine what style of sailing gloves you're shopping for: long-finger or short-finger. While long-finger gloves offer the most protection and warmth, fingerless gloves provide better dexterity and breathability. If you're shopping for full-fingered gloves, be sure to get a pair with touchscreen-compatible fingertips.

Durable Construction & Materials

Though sailing gloves were traditionally made from leather, most modern pairs are made from a mix of stretchy neoprene and high-performance leather alternatives. Look for gloves equipped with a reinforced palm, offset seams, and an adjustable velcro wrist strap. It's worth spending a bit more to get something with high-quality materials and superior durability.

Right Size & Snug Fit

Getting the right fit is absolutely crucial. Sailing gloves are usually sized according to hand width. Using a measuring tape, measure just below the knuckles at the widest point of your palm while making a fist. You'll want to measure your dominant hand, as it's usually a tiny bit larger.

Quality vs. Price

You don't need to spend a fortune to find a good pair of sailing gloves. But if you're serious about sailing, it's worth splurging on a high-quality pair that'll last for countless sailing adventures to come. Expect to spend somewhere between $25- $50 to find something with the durability and versatility you're looking for.

11 Pairs Of The Best Sailing Gloves

Now that you know what you're shopping for, let's check out a few of the best sailing gloves on the market today:

Fingerless gloves are a great way to improve your grip without sacrificing comfort or dexterity. These Helly Hansen Short-Finger Leather Sailing Gloves leave your fingertips free to use your phone and handle small fishing equipment. Made from flexible leather, they're windproof, lightweight, and durable. And at $35, they're an easy addition to your sailing gear. Use them for coastal sailing, inshore sailing, and ocean offshore sailing. They're versatile enough to do it all.

Looking for a pair with a little extra protection? These Helly Hansen Sailing Gloves have long fingers to prevent rubs and blisters while improving your grip on wet ropes and slippery surfaces. Despite the added coverage, they're incredibly lightweight and flexible, giving you total dexterity in any condition. Crafted from supple black leather, the best-selling leather sailing gloves are windproof, highly durable, and versatile enough for coastal, inshore, and offshore sailing.

Keep your hands protected during your next fishing trip with these Fingerless Fishing Gloves from Palmyth. The unisex sailing gloves are designed to protect your hand from sunburns and blisters while improving your grip on your fishing rods and equipment. Made from lightweight, stretchy neoprene fabric, they've got UV protection woven right in. A full synthetic leather palm features non-slip silicone dots along key pressure points. Exposed fingertips give you the freedom and dexterity to tie knots, adjust fishing hooks, and even snap a few pictures on your phone.

When it comes to durability, these Dexter Series Premium Sailing Gloves from Scout Performance Gear are hard to beat. The lightweight, fingerless gloves are designed to offer maximum hand protection in extreme sailing conditions. They're made from premium-quality synthetic leather with a grippy material along the palm, thumb, and fingers. Use the multi-purpose gloves for sailing, kayaking, fishing, and every water sport in between. Double stitching with Kevlar thread ensures they'll last through every last adventure on the water.

LL Bean's NRS Boater's Gloves are perfect for summer sailing. Instead of leather, they're made from H2Core rashguard fabric: a breathable nylon-spandex blend designed to keep you cool and comfortable. Amara synthetic leather palms are reinforced with silicone for an improved grip and an added layer of protection in blister-prone spots. Plus, the lightweight gloves offer UPF 50+ sun protection and ample ventilation in hot weather conditions. Available in both men's and women's sizes, they're a practical choice for any summer sailor.

These Gill Helmsman Gloves are designed to keep your hands warm during cold, winter sailing trips. The high-performance gloves boast a next-generation Proton-Ultra XD palm and fingers with Dura-Grip fabric and seamless reinforcement. Together, the breathable Porelle membrane, Thinsulate insulation traps, and waterproof materials keep your hands warm and dry. Pre-curved fingers and drawstring cuffs offer all-day comfort no matter the conditions out on the water. A touchscreen-compatible pad on the thumb and index finger lets you use your phone without needing to take off your gloves.

For the competitive sailor, there's Gill's Pro Sailing Gloves. Their 3/4-length fingers and reinforced palm offer the perfect balance of comfort, performance, and protection. Four-way stretch fabric repels water and protects the back of your hands from sun exposure. Pre-shaped construction cups your natural hand shape while offset finger seams reduce pressure and prevent rubs. The short, adjustable cuff boasts a silicone grip that's easy to grab in wet conditions. From dinghy sailors to speedboat drivers, they're a must-have for any competitor on the water.

Unlike other sailing equipment, you don't need to spend a lot of money to find something with high-quality materials and excellent durability. These FitsT4 Half-Finger Sailing Gloves pair lightweight, neoprene construction with a reinforced double layer along traditional pressure points. Available in men's, women's, and children's sizes, these affordable sailing gloves make a practical choice for any water sports lover. In addition to sailing, they're great for canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing too.

For serious sailors, it's worth splurging on a high-quality pair. Might we suggest these Radar Engineer BOA Inside-Out Waterski Gloves? They're crafted with engineered mesh, an Aramid palm, and a BOA closure system. Full-finger construction with inside-out stitching allows for a snug, seamless fit with superior durability and protection. Pre-curved fingers and a supportive wrist strap keep you comfortable all day long. While these premium sailing gloves are a bit of a splurge, they're worth every penny if you're a committed sailor.

You can't go wrong with these Short-Finger Sailing Gloves from MRX Fitness— no matter what water sport you're shopping for. The versatile sailing gloves are constructed from premium-quality Amara with a reinforced palm and hook-and-loop closure. 3/4-length fingers offer ample protection while giving you the necessary dexterity to tie intricate knots. Use them for everything from sailing to kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, jet skiing, and windsurfing. At just under $20, they're a no-brainer for any water sports enthusiast.