Tips For Choosing a Pair of Fishing Gloves

Fishing gloves, unlike other forms of protection gear, can be quite expensive. Why are fishing gloves so expensive? Probably because neoprene has gotten way less expensive over the last decade or so, good quality, durable gloves are still pretty common. However there will always be trade-offs in durability and comfort depending on where you plan on going. A great example is if you’re fishing in Alaska for a king crab.

If you’re going to Alaska for the weekend rather than months at a time, it’s likely that you’ll be dealing with extreme cold temperatures. In addition to the extreme cold temperatures, you probably aren’t planning on catching any fish anyways so the dexterity issues aren’t that important. However if you were planning on fishing for Marlin, halibut, or any other species in the colder weather, you definitely want to invest in some high quality fishing gloves. While they may not provide as much dexterity as their lighter weight brothers, they will offer the wearer many times more protection. There are pros and cons to every type of glove, so we’ll discuss those below.

Sun Protection: Sun can do a lot of damage to your skin so you really need the best fishing gloves you can get if you’re planning on fishing during the summer months. Typically sun protection is offered in a couple different styles; sun hats and sun shields. These are typically offered as a standard with most brands, but the protection offered by a hat may be worth a few extra dollars.

Fleece Gloves: Some people like to use fleece fishing gloves, which are extremely lightweight and warm. However I warn you, these are not for everyone. Fleece doesn’t wick moisture so it left’s your hands warm when you’re fishing, but it doesn’t keep them that way. Additionally, while the materials are extremely soft, they don’t offer the same dexterity protectors offered with leather or webbing. They are certainly worth checking out as an option, but not the best choice for someone who needs the dexterity protection of a leather glove.

Flexibilty: Fishing gloves with a little give are the perfect choice for those of us who are on the heavier side. These are much better at protecting the hands and maintaining grip. The only downside to flexi-grips is that they tend to take up more space than regular webbing fishing gloves. Still, these tend to have the best grip and dexterity for your money. So while they aren’t the most flexible, they are still excellent choices if you need the most grip and dexterity for your next fishing trip.

In general, a good pair of fishing gloves will provide the necessary grip, offer adequate protection from the elements, and provide sufficient warmth and insulation. If you find yourself in a situation where you really need the dexterity, then it’s probably time to invest in a good pair. However, if you’re just buying a set to have around for times when you go fishing, there isn’t a huge benefit to shelling out extra money for a good pair. Still, the extra investment is a worthwhile one, and a very important part of the decision to get a set of fishing gloves. To get the best deal, you’ll need to do some comparison shopping.