How to protect hands in cold water when winging

[mede]

Soon the temperature will be back to single digit Celsius degrees, and for longer wing sessions, some hand protection is required.
Last winter, I tried 2 different windsurf/kitesurf specific gloves, but they just don't work with the wing handles.
It's fabric on fabric, and ways too slippery.

How do you protect your hands from the cold when winging?

[Mikey]

a bit OT, but wonder has anyone every used water skiing gloves for kite / winging

https://www.masterlineusa.com/products/ ... 7afc&_ss=r

Palm strap with dowel for superior grip
Pre-curved
Extra padded writs strap
Reinforced palm strap
Double-stitched
Third tab locking system

[evan]

Don't use gloves, get your core, head, arms and feet as warm as possible while constantly being active too keep your muscles producing heat. If your hands and face are the only places to vent the excess heat they won't get cold. This works up to 6deg C.

Don't sit idle outside and preferably change your wetsuit under the shower if you have the option to drive home in your wetsuit while warming up in the car.

[StellaBlu]

Winging with gloves is brutal. My forearms get throttled holding onto the handles. The best I've found are really thin 1.5mm Oneill gloves - which are more flexible. THey work for an hour long session when its not terribly cold. other people swear by curved handed mitts so that you aren't fighting the neoprene. I've got some 3mm Mystic curved gloves that are too stiff and kill my forearms. Harnesses are also helpful since you can give your arms a rest. Honestly Im not sure theres a great solution once it gets really cold.

[bragnouff]

Same as windsurfing with gloves, that was near impossible due to forearms swelling. What was working for me back then were neoprene mittens with open palms. That means that the grip on the boom/handles is mostly unaffected, and the only purpose of the glove is to protect the fingers from the wind chill, which is typically the main factor.
Looks like Prolimit and Ion are producing some.

[elmarco]

Same as windsurfing with gloves, that was near impossible due to forearms swelling. What was working for me back then were neoprene mittens with open palms. That means that the grip on the boom/handles is mostly unaffected, and the only purpose of the glove is to protect the fingers from the wind chill, which is typically the main factor.
Looks like Prolimit and Ion are producing some.

I've had the best luck with mystic 3 finger gloves. WAY warmer than 5 finger gloves.
They used to be super narrow and too tight, they've made them more roomy over the past couple years. I wear them down to 1C. They also last a lot longer than gloves. Too many seams on gloves break down.
if you can't find 3 fingers, go full mitts. mitts ok for wing, 3 fingers better for kite.
I've used the mystic open palm too, they're ok for early-mid fall while water is still reasonable, but as soon as water gets below 10C they're no good. Spring, no good.

[mede]

I tried Mystic Gloves. They work great for kitesurfing, but are ways too slippery for Winging (handles and gloves are fabric - no grip)

[mede]

Same as windsurfing with gloves, that was near impossible due to forearms swelling. What was working for me back then were neoprene mittens with open palms. That means that the grip on the boom/handles is mostly unaffected, and the only purpose of the glove is to protect the fingers from the wind chill, which is typically the main factor.
Looks like Prolimit and Ion are producing some.

Great advice, Bragnouff. I was not aware that this existed. Will try and report.

[nothing2seehere]

Back in my windsurfing days, the gold standard locally was marigolds (washing up gloves) with open palm mitts over the top. The mitts kept off the wind chill and the marigolds filled with a small amount of water that warmed up quickly to keep the hands warm.

No option is great if your core body is cold (and I suspect thicker neoprene is needed rather than just windproof jackets like with a kite as wing foilers spend more time in the water) but the most successful options seem to be about cutting down on the wind chill on your hands.

[cglazier]

… The best I've found are really thin 1.5mm Oneill gloves - which are more flexible. THey work for an hour long session when its not terribly cold. …

Agreed