Surfing gloves for winter

Optimization of the double-layer solution (glove with an inner glove)

We’ve been searching for the perfect glove solution for cold water sports days during the winter months for many years now. Our focus is on a waterproof solution that also allows for easy, fatigue-free grip.

We already covered the key points (and various solutions) in a story a few years ago. Now we’ve found an update to the combination of a waterproof dishwashing glove and a thin liner glove that offers a little extra warmth: a matching glove made of very thin neoprene - more on that below.


Basics
The advantage of this glove combination is the layering principle. The waterproof outer glove prevents direct contact with cold water, while the fabric of the inner glove traps air, creating an insulating layer. The thin material allows for effortless gripping—so your forearms don’t get stiff.

The long cuffs on the kitchen glove also create a large overlap between the neoprene sleeve and the glove, preventing water from getting in.

Winter glove set: dishwashing glove, textured 2-mm neoprene glove, and elastic Velcro strap

You can further improve this seal by wearing a flexible Velcro strap over the outside of your wetsuit. This largely prevents water from entering the sleeve during a fall and then seeping all the way down into the glove as it drains.

Until now, we had been using either mountain bike fingerless gloves or work gloves made of fabric with a thin latex foam coating as liner gloves, which kept us well-prepared for days with temperatures just below 10°C. Sweat (or water that gets in during falls) causes the gloves to slowly become damp from the inside, reducing thermal comfort.

A special neoprene glove performed better when worn as an undersuit. The Comp 2.0 from XCEL is actually a surfing glove designed for milder weather. When worn on its own, the boom quickly tore the delicate smooth-skin neoprene on the palm - the glove isn’t designed for this kind of use.

The cut-out neoprene reduces the thickness of the material on the palm - it doesn't look great, but it's functional

But the thin layer of material (2 mm neoprene) provides good insulation on the back of the hand. We peeled the torn neoprene away from the fabric backing on the palm, creating an extremely thin layer of material in the grip area. The glove thus fits perfectly inside the dishwashing glove, providing good insulation on the back and a good grip on the palm.

You can ride comfortably down to 5°C. Your hands stay mostly dry, and by circling your arms, you can easily manage any initial cooling.

The elastic Velcro strap effectively prevents water from entering between the wetsuit and the glove

Important
The key to this setup is choosing the right dishwashing glove. So far, the only one that has proven suitable is Vileda’s “Der Griffige Super Grip”. It features a special microstructure and fits the boom like a glove. Always choose a size larger than your usual glove size to ensure the glove fits comfortably without any tightness.

This dishwashing glove is usually only available up to size L at drugstores (e.g., DM). A Safe Grip version in size XL is available online, but we haven't tested it yet.


Updates
(1) Our reader Philipp reports that Vileda's “Safe Grip” glove is just as good as the “Super Grip”.
(2) Marcus reports that the “Wileda Supergrip” in size XL can be ordered online from cleaning supply wholesalers. He wears the “Camaro Titanium Glove 1mm” underneath it.

13.01.2025 © DAILY DOSE  |  Text: Jürgen Schall  |  Photos/Videos: Jürgen Schall

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