Sealskinz gloves

Every year I buy myself a new pair of gloves and every year I end up with wet cold hands and gloves that look like they have been ravaged by a demented rat! So when I got the opportunity to put the Sealskinz range of gloves through the ringer I was not convinced that they would cope much more than a month, but after three months of intensive testing with nearly 400hrs in the field, I can report that the gloves are still alive and kicking providing my hands with complete warmth and waterproof protection that is in a class of its own.

It is vital to keep your hands dry up here on the north east coast of Scotland during the perishing winter months. Wet hands hit by the chill artic winds can soon turn into blue lumps of ice, making smooth trigger control an impossibility. When the hands get that cold it is also a very painful experience that makes you want to pack up and get inside by a warm fire.

The gloves from Sealskinz are more than up to such hostile conditions, in fact they can be plunged into a barrel of ice cold water and not a single bead of moisture comes through. Nor does the cold bite. I know this because I have been smashing the ice on the animals drinking troughs this winter by hand with the Sealskinz gloves, breaking through it then clearing out all the ice by hand - the gloves providing complete and utter protection.

It is therefore fairly obvious that these gloves can cope with the most torrential down pours. I have had days this year when the rain has been so hard and persistent that during the course of a day I have had to change coats because the rain was coming through - but the Sealskinz gloves did not need changing… they just went on and on keeping the rain at bay. They are without doubt the most water resistant gloves that I have ever worn, offering an extreme level of protection from the harshest conditions this country can offer. I tested four different types of Sealskinz gloves as follows;

The Winter Glove

This combines serious waterproof protection with warmth that is able to perform in sub zero temperatures. This is also a really tough glove. I have used it on the smallholding when carrying out such tasks as fencing and log chopping, and have found the synthetic palm and finger covering on the inside of the glove to be virtually indestructible. The back of the glove is a robust tear proof nylon and is equally tough. On the back of the thumb there is a soft suede-like material that can be used to wipe sweat or rain from the brow which is a very useful feature. Around the wrist the glove can be drawn shut with a Velcro strap that keeps even the most stubborn drafts and rain at bay.  This is a very well conceived glove for anybody who finds themselves venturing outside in seriously cold and wet conditions. Sealskinz Winter Glove sizes are S-XL and the price is £25.

The Ultra Grip

This is a close fitting glove that provides the wearer with great dexterity of movement and a substantial level of touch sensitivity. The high grip palm has an amazing level of adhesion even on smooth shiny surfaces, making this glove the first choice for anybody who needs to carry out manual work in wet conditions. The level of waterproof ability is also phenomenal. The glove though very pliable and soft to the touch is one tough customer, able to endure the worst of outdoor environments. Sealskinz Ultra Grip Gloves are available in sizes S-XL and the price is £25.

The Activity Glove

This glove has a soft leather palm, nylon back and snug wrist closure by means of a broad Velcro strap, it also has a reflective strip across the back of the hand. The activity glove is the ideal choice for law enforcement professionals who require a tough glove that can keep the hands bone dry and warm when carrying out long searches in wet conditions. Military personal would also find this a very effective glove when operating in seriously wet conditions. The reflective strip can simply be taped over if not required. Sealskinz Activity Gloves are available in sizes S-XL and the price is £30.

The Shooting Glove

These have a leather palm and a soft synthetic back and though it is a very thin glove offering a high level of sensitivity it is like all Sealskinz absolutely waterproof. The trigger finger folds back so as to allow direct finger contact with the trigger. I have tested these gloves in some bitterly cold winds and torrential rain and found them excellent at keeping the circulation active so that weapons handling is crisp and responsive. The close fit and snug wrist closure mean that the glove fits like a second skin. I am very impressed with these gloves that have made my winter shooting exploits a lot more comfortable. Sealskinz Shooting Gloves are available in sizes S-XL, and the price is £30.