Good Hunting Gloves

[Alchase]

OK, I have been trying to find a pair of gloves to use while hunting. I have tried who knows how many different styles, all seem to have serious draw backs. I am looking for some light weight, flexible, "water resistant" gloves that do not loose their dexterity.

I have been using Mechanics gloves with knuckle protection. They work alright until they get damp, then they are useless. I usually have to bring two or three pairs per hunt. These will not last if you touch shale either.

I tried multiple Gortex gloves (most of those sold by Cabelas), not one has actually been really waterproof, most were too bulky and fit horribly or the seems were in the wrong places. I do not care for wool gloves, unless really really cold. Nomex Tactical gloves worked well but to get good ones you have to fit them (I would not rust the fit of internet bought versions) and the are very expensive.

Anyone else find a good pair of "water resistant" or better, flexible gloves that offer good protection?

[DeKuma]

I have always worn mechanix wear too, but they suck when wet, like you said.  I also have a pair of Rocky gloves that are very similar to Mechanix, but seem to work better.  Do not absorb as much water.

[Alchase]

I will have to check them out thanks

[ICEMAN]

I am usually too hot to wear gloves. When we snowshoe, our rule is: if your hands, feet or face are cold, put on another layer around your midsection. This actually works. Your core temperature drops even one degree, it starts to reduce bloodflow to your extremeties.

Contrary to the design of alot of gloves, a warm glove should not be tight, but oversized. Snug fitting gloves restrict bloodflow, and do not have room for the insulative value a layer of air provides.  I also like oversized gloves, so that if I am actually wearing one, lets say when sitting for a while, I can easily take it off if I need to take a shot...

[Houndhunter]

i wear wool with cut off finger tips if its cold, usually dont wear gloves hunting just fishing

[Ghost Hunter]

When it's really cold, I wear mittens.  doesn't take but a second to pull one off

[Alchase]

Thanks guys, I should have clarified my post a little better. I usually do not wear the gloves because of cold, more for hand protection. I prefer tight fitting but functional that do not become useless when wet, or torn when touching shale. I should just pony up and by a new pair of nomex Operator gloves.

I agree if really cold, nothing is warmer then a mitten.

[MountainWalk]

for me, skin is cheaper to grow than to buy.

[littletoes]

I have a pair of glove-mitts that I have worn for several years....and they are getting worn. 

I've used them from elk to 'yotes at 35 below. At colder temps I slip a hand warmer into the mitten half to keep my hands warm, and its a simple feat to bring out my uncovered trigger finger for a shot and a good "feel" of the trigger.

I want to replace them, but finding a new pair that has worn as well as these, is as warm as these, and is the "brown-tan" color that I love for hunting gloves.

IceMan-I just can't agree about keeping my hands warm by layering my body. Don't know if its from the years on the farm letting my hands get too cold, or perhaps its because I'm "thin" and don't have the natural insulation that some others have...either way, me hands gets cold! Think I've had frost nip a time or too also, and that doesn't help.

[ICEMAN]

I hear ya.

I have read that those who have experienced any frostbite, suffer miserably from the cold later after recovery. I also agree that more body mass helps. Some of us even create our own weather patterns... 

[coastalghost]

Waterproof winter plus gloves
http://www.ytgloves.com/store/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=203
I just got a pair....they sell them in camo too and also have a gauntlet style glove.  A guy on another forum suggested them to me. He uses them for the high country.

[bucklucky]

One bad thing about a truely water proof glove, in no time your hands will smell like your old sweaty work boots!

[coastalghost]

Kinda depends on what the liner material is.  Those straight neoprene gloves are bad for the smell factor.  I had a pair of sealskins....good comfortable gloves until they got wet.  When they dry out the liner pulls out from the fingers and you cant get them back on.....smelly too!

[DOUBLELUNG]

IceMan-I just can't agree about keeping my hands warm by layering my body. Don't know if its from the years on the farm letting my hands get too cold, or perhaps its because I'm "thin" and don't have the natural insulation that some others have...either way, me hands gets cold! Think I've had frost nip a time or too also, and that doesn't help.

You're both right.  IF your hands are dry, and it's not windy, Iceman is exactly right: keep your core warm, and your extremities will take care of themselves.  If your feet are dry, but they are cold too, chances are your pre-hypothermic, and need to pump up the core temp.  Gloves won't help.

If it's conduction (wet or solid surface) or convection (wind), a warm core can't provide enough blood flow to combat the cooling effects on your extremities.  You need a barrier to cut convection, and if it's cold and windy enough, insulation too.  I usually go with wool, but if it's really wet my go-to gloves are neoprene - they feel clammy, but WILL keep your hands warm enough they don't hurt. 

For scrabbling, I prefer full leather deerskin gloves - the soft, supple good ones will run you $20-30 a pair, unless you get lucky and find the 3-pack at Costco.  Before using them, put them on and grab a big wad of Snowseal or your favorite leather waterproofing.  Spend a ridiculous amount of time rubbing that waterproofing into the leather, then hang them in the sun or on a sunny windowsill for several hours.  If they soak it all up, repeat (you rainforest types might need to steal the wife's hairdryer, for the rest of us the sun is that big yellow thingy in the blue sky).  When they are warm, covered with excess waterproofing, and won't soak up a drop, put them on and vigorously rub with rags or paper towels to get off all the excess waterproofing.  Now, hang them up in a warm spot in the garage, they will soak in the remaining residual waterproofing.  When they get too dirty to replenish the waterproofing, throw them into the wash with Woolite, then airdry.  They will be hard and stiff until you put them on and repeat the waterproofing process, then they will be as good as new, except scarred up.

You are also both right about the bad effects of frostnip/bite.  My uncle worked 10 years in Antarctica, and now has terrible pain even with mild cold - like below 40F.

[follow maggie]

A good place to get durable gloves is Tactical Tailor in Tacoma. They're on 99, just North of the exit for the VA hospital at American Lake.  They have good fitting Nomex/Kevlar, and some made by Oakley.  I wore them both in Iraq, and they were comfortable and durable.