There are different types of surf gloves, each with their own benefits depending on the conditions and your personal preference. The most commonly used are fully closed neoprene gloves, which cover your entire hand and provide maximum warmth during cold sessions. These usually have a rubber grip layer on the palm for extra control on your bar. For riders who want to maintain more direct contact with their equipment, there are also open palm gloves. With these your palm remains free, which gives you more bar feel and grip, while the top of your hand still stays warm. In addition, there are pre-shaped gloves that follow the natural position of your hand. These feel more comfortable when holding your bar and reduce fatigue during long sessions. Depending on the temperature, your riding style and your preference for grip or warmth you choose the type that suits you best. With mittens your fingers are together, which holds extra warmth. They are great for really cold water, but offer slightly less freedom of movement and grip than regular gloves.

To keep your hands as warm as possible while kiting, it is important to use well fitting surf gloves that connect properly to your wetsuit. Choose neoprene gloves with sufficient thickness, usually 3 mm for cool water and 5 mm for real winter conditions. Make sure that as little water as possible gets into the gloves, a good seal at the wrists helps with this. It is also smart to use long surf gloves that you can wear under the sleeves of your wetsuit. This prevents cold water from flowing between your glove and wetsuit.

It is also a good idea to keep your hands dry for as long as possible before going into the water. Avoid contact with cold water as long as you can. During your session it helps to move your hands regularly and squeeze often, so your blood circulation stays active.

The thickness of surf gloves you need mainly depends on the water temperature and how sensitive you are to cold. For most kitesurfers 3 mm surf gloves are the best choice during autumn and spring, when the water is not ice cold yet but you can definitely use some extra warmth. This thickness offers a good balance between warmth and flexibility, so you have enough grip and bar feel while your hands stay much warmer without cramping.

If you also go on the water in winter, 5 mm gloves are a better option. These keep your hands warm for longer during really cold sessions, but can feel slightly less flexible. If you often suffer from cold hands or ride long sessions in water below 8 degrees, 5 mm gloves are usually the better choice. You have less bar feel with this thickness, but after some time in cold water you would lose feeling in your hands anyway. If you are in doubt, we are happy to help you with personal advice.

At Kitemana we have surf gloves from all major kite brands.
Brunotti: NO MATTER THE CONDITIONS
ION: WE LIVE THE VERSATILITY OF ACTION SPORTS
Manera: STAY SALTY NO MATTER WHAT
Mystic: PUSH THE EVOLUTION OF WATER SPORTS TOGETHER
ONeill: THE ORIGINAL CALIFORNIA SURF BRAND
Prolimit: PUSH THE EVOLUTION OF WATER SPORTS TOGETHER