Best Sailing Gloves
Sailing gloves protect your hands from rope burn, blisters and cuts when you trim sheets, grind winches, hoist sails or handle mooring lines. A good pair also improves your grip on wet lines and, in cold weather, keeps your hands warm enough to stay useful.
The best gloves are the ones that fit well and suit the sailing you do, so below we cover the main types and materials, what to look for, and six sailing gloves worth considering for different needs and budgets.
Best Sailing Gloves
1. Musto Performance Gloves: Best Overall
Musto is one of the best-known sailing clothing brands, and its Performance gloves are a favorite with racing and cruising sailors. They come in short-finger and long-finger versions. A 4-way stretch mesh back keeps them light and flexible, the grippy palm gives excellent hold on wet lines, and the extended cuff adds wrist protection. The main material is nylon, with polyurethane, neoprene, spandex and synthetic rubber for grip and stretch.
Buy the Musto Performance gloves on Amazon
2. Gill Pro Gloves
The Gill Pro is the top model in Gill’s glove range and is available in short-finger and long-finger versions. The back is made from a quick-drying 4-way stretch fabric with neoprene around the wrist, which makes it comfortable and flexible. The palm uses a durable, abrasion-resistant material with a grippy finish for extra friction on lines. The gloves also offer UV protection for the back of your hands.
Buy on Amazon | Short-finger version on Amazon | Long-finger version on Amazon
3. Harken Sport Classic
Harken is famous for its blocks and winches, and its Sport gloves are simple, durable and comfortable. They fit well, grip well and resist abrasion, and many sailors find they last a couple of seasons. They are designed for warm-weather sailing rather than cold or wet conditions. Like most leather-palmed gloves they feel snug at first and loosen up after a few days of use, so check the size chart carefully.
Buy on Amazon | Short-finger version on Amazon | Long-finger version on Amazon
4. Stormr Typhoon: Best Winter Sailing Gloves
For cold-weather sailing, the Stormr Typhoon gloves are made from 2 mm neoprene with a soft micro-fleece lining. They keep your hands warm even when wet, and the textured palm helps you hold lines. They stay flexible enough for most deck work. Note that neoprene gloves keep you warm by trapping a thin layer of water rather than keeping it out, so they are warm but not fully waterproof. They fit tightly, so consider sizing up.
Buy the Stormr Typhoon on Amazon
5. Slam Sailing Gloves: Best Budget Option
These Slam gloves are made mainly from nylon for durability, with polyurethane for water resistance and a little Lycra for stretch and comfort. They are reasonably priced, well made and have an adjustable wrist strap. They come in two versions: one with the thumb and index finger exposed, and one with all five fingers cut to three-quarter length. The padding is fairly light, so they are better for general sailing than heavy line work.
6. Kamo Ultralight: Best Sailing Gloves for Women
These lightweight gloves come in women’s sizes and several colors, and work well for sailing, kayaking and paddling. Silicone grip dots and foam padding on the palm help prevent calluses and blisters without restricting hand movement, and the nylon fabric is breathable and dries quickly. A small pull tab between the fingers makes them easy to take off. They are also inexpensive, so buying a spare pair is easy.
Buy the Kamo Ultralight gloves on Amazon
How to Choose Sailing Gloves
The term “sailing gloves” covers everything from light summer gloves to insulated winter mitts. Most sailors want a general-purpose pair for handling lines, plus a warmer pair for cold days. Saltwater and friction are hard on gloves, so expect to replace them regularly if you sail a lot. Rinsing them in fresh water and letting them dry before storing them makes them last much longer.
Materials
- Synthetic leather (such as Amara) is affordable, grippy and dries fast, but usually wears out sooner.
- Real leather is very durable. Cowhide is tougher but stiffer; goatskin is softer and more flexible. Leather can stiffen after drying out in salt water.
- Stretch fabrics and mesh on the back of the hand improve breathability, comfort and dexterity.
- Neoprene is warm and flexible and works well in cool, wet conditions. For very cold sailing, look for lined or thicker winter gloves.
Finger length
- Full-finger gloves give maximum protection and warmth, which is good for long passages, heavy line work and cold weather, but they reduce dexterity.
- Short-finger (3/4) gloves leave your fingertips free for tying knots, using electronics and handling small fittings. Your fingertips get less protection.
- Hybrid gloves leave only the thumb and index finger exposed, a good compromise between protection and dexterity.
Fit and grip
Sailing gloves should fit snugly without restricting movement. Loose gloves can bunch up or catch in a winch, which is a real safety risk. Look for a reinforced palm and fingers, a secure wrist closure and a grip surface that works when wet. If you are between sizes, consider how the glove material will stretch: leather loosens a little, neoprene does not.
Top Sailing Glove Brands
Gill, Musto, Helly Hansen, Harken and Ronstan are among the most respected sailing glove brands, and many sailors stick with one brand once they find a fit they like. Still, the best glove is the one that fits your hands and your type of sailing. For more gear from these companies, see our guide to the best sailing clothing brands.
How Much Do Sailing Gloves Cost?
Prices vary widely. Basic sailing gloves are inexpensive, mid-range performance gloves from the major sailing brands cost more, and insulated winter gloves are usually the most expensive. Since gloves wear out, many sailors find a mid-priced pair offers the best value.
Do You Need Gloves to Sail?
You do not strictly need gloves to sail, and some sailors prefer the feel of bare hands on light dinghies or in light winds. But on bigger boats, in strong winds or on long passages, loaded sailing lines can cause serious rope burns and blisters very quickly. A good pair of gloves is cheap protection, and most experienced sailors keep a pair in their foul weather gear. For more on what to pack, read our guides on what to wear when sailing and the best foul weather gear.
Best Sailing Gloves: Summary
For all-round use, the Musto Performance and Gill Pro gloves are excellent choices. The Harken Sport Classic is a durable, simple warm-weather glove, the Stormr Typhoon keeps your hands warm in cold conditions, the Slam gloves offer good value, and the Kamo Ultralight is a light, inexpensive option for women. Choose the material and finger length that match your sailing, make sure they fit snugly, and rinse them after each trip to make them last.
