C-Forum

gloves,mittens or poagies?

We paddle all winter long, in temperatures within 3 - 5 degrees of freezing. Personally, My favourites are Glacier Gloves -- I believe the model is "Perfect Curve." They're not perfect, but they're the best I've tried.
http://www.glacierglove.com/shop/perfect-curve-glove/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some speak highly of "Oven Mitts", though some say you give up dexterity by not having the fingers separate.

At temperatures lower than freezing, I find that wrapping the hands around a hot rum keeps them warm enough to place logs artistically on the fire.

Rick

Pogies. I modified Bob Putnam's design. He designed them to be water tight, which makes it difficult to get the top hand in & out. With my version, the shaft hand is still pretty much water tight. The top is not. My top hand only gets wet when I roll. My 2nd modification allows the top pogie to drain.

Bob's design: http://www.wwslalom.net/pogies/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My modified version: https://www.facebook.com/mike.watson.14 ... 421&type=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm personally a big fan of keeping the dexterity, so I go with the pogies. Only time I paddle with gloves is when I guide rafts early season; not as much of a need for increased paddle feel then. I think Fall Line Canoes is putting out some pogies soon if not already.

I used mitts http://www.palmequipmenteurope.com/product/talon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. They allow to feel the grip, all fingers are together and warm. Bad thing with pogies is when you release the paddle for some reason after that is difficult to thrust palm back in. IMHO it is for C-1 or very experienced paddlers. Buy the way pogie is only for lower hand. For upper hand you need something else anyway

beereddy wrote:I used mitts http://www.palmequipmenteurope.com/product/talon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. They allow to feel the grip, all fingers are together and warm. Bad thing with pogies is when you release the paddle for some reason after that is difficult to thrust palm back in. IMHO it is for C-1 or very experienced paddlers. Buy the way pogie is only for lower hand. For upper hand you need something else anyway

Not true, I've used both a canoe pogie and a regular kayak pogie on the T grip with some success. The biggest issue I've had is on a few occassions I've flipped and had the T grip twisted out of my hand well upside down in a powerful rapid and had to roll up gripping the pogie. For creeking it's also nice to be able to push off rocks. The lower pogie isn't a big deal. The one I have stays open on it's own making it pretty easy to get back on or you can always just not use it. T grip is another issue. Those open palm mitts look interesting though.

I currently use pogies top and bottom when I HAVE to and just the lower pogie when It's warm enough.

I like to use a Pogie on the shaft and a glove on the t-grip.
I often let go of the t-grip to push off a rock, or wipe my nose, or whatever, and I like to be able to quickly re-grip the t-grip. Hate it when there's a pogie in the way. There's more real estate on the shaft, so quick re-grips are not a problem there, but I hardly ever let go with that hand anyways.
Most gloves are too slick or too thick for my taste so it makes it more work to hold on to the paddle shaft, but I have no issues with that on the t-grip...
Another benefit of the shaft pogie is it's easy to slide it out of the way if you find your hand is too toasty.

http://www.xcelwetsuits.com/shop/produc ... ?color=BLK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These three finger gloves are pretty amazing, I use them surfing and hands stay dry most of the time and warm all of the time. The extra power you get swimming is a nice bonus, if that happens.

I have used the paddling a few times and they work well. The little bit of extra dexterity you get from having the pointer finger seperate from the rest, makes them a bit easier to use.