By: Bradley Axmith
We gave our Boating Experts one job:
Find the best and most popular sailing gloves and review them.
Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.
A good pair of sailing gloves will make the difference between enjoying the wind in your sails or having to brave through the cold. If you’ve ever been sailing, you know how much you rely on your hands to execute all sorts of tasks. And you also know all the abuse your hands go through. When it’s cold your ability to be quick and effective is hampered.
That’s why it’s important to have a good set of sailing gloves.
The best sailing gloves will not only protect your hands from rope burn and blisters, but you’ll enjoy the trip more.
They should also protect your hands from sunburn as well as keep them dry and warm in foul weather. Sailing gloves can also be used for other water sports as well.
We’ve reviewed the 11 best sailing gloves on the market today to help you excel next time you go sailing.
The Top 5 Sailing Gloves in 2025
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1
Reliable & Comfortable: Gill Deckhand Long Finger -
2
Good for Racing: Helly Hansen Unisex -
3
Durable & Comfortable: Gill Championship -
4
Solid Padding: Harken Reflex 3/4 Fingers -
5
Budget Option: MRX 3/4 Finger Gloves
All the Sailing Gloves We've tested
Where to buy Gill Deckhand Long Finger:
Amazon
The Gill Deckhand Long Finger sailing glove is a solid choice for recreational sailor. The reliability of this product rests in its value and durability and comfort during both the summer and autumn seasons.
It’s a versatile glove that can be used for paddle sports and fishing as well, making it a useful bit of kit that’s got a middle-of-the-pack price with a better than the rest performance.
The fingerless index and thumb allow for dextrous tasks like tying knots and plotting courses or lighting your pipe.
I’ve used this glove over the last 6 years or so, buying a new pair after 3 years because of wear and tear. Read this in-depth review to find out how they performed and if it’s a good offering for your boating (or water sports needs)
- Materials: neoprene, amara suede, microfiber
- Spring, Summer and Fall seasons
Things we like:
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Comfortable flex -
Quality manufacturing that keeps the seams from splitting
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Wide neoprene wrist closure
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Fingerless index and thumb makes executing tasks easier
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Wraparound palm protection
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Inside facing velcro wrist strap doesn’t get snagged on jacket or watch
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Versatile during changing temperatures (especially in northern climates)
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Wraparound fingertip seams for dexterity and comfort
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Relatively quick to dry
Things we don't like:
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They will get worn down after a couple of seasons’ worth of heavy use (but hey, who doesn’t)
Where to buy Gill Deckhand Long Finger:
Amazon
Where to buy Helly Hansen Unisex:
Amazon
Good quality and a perfect fit are the features that make the Helly Hansen Sailing Gloves another great choice for sailors.
Designed to protect you for years to come, they are built with 100% polyester, which makes them well-ventilated even on those hot summer days.
The heavy-duty palm construction with extra padding provides excellent protection as well as a great grip while the inner velcro wrist adjustment ensures a snug fit.
Things we like:
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Very durable
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It fits nicely
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Machine washable
Things we don't like:
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Pricey
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A few customers have said they are not waterproof
Where to buy Helly Hansen Unisex:
Amazon
If you want to invest in a durable and high-quality pair of sailing gloves, the Gill Championship model will serve as an excellent choice.
The offset finger seams design offers plenty of comforts, helps remove pressure points, and reduces wear while the pre-shaped construction ensures a perfect fit for your hands.
They also come with wraparound palm protection to eliminate uncomfortable side seams, Dura-Grip fabric on the palm and fingers for improved abrasion resistance and grip as well as a wide neoprene wrist band with stretch.
On top of everything, they’re also water repellent and UV protected.
Things we like:
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It fits nicely
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Very comfortable
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Designed to eliminate pressure points
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Water repellent
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UV 50+ protection
Things we don't like:
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Extra reinforcements contribute to a slight loss of dexterity
Built with Black Magic, nylon, and rubber, the Harken Reflex Gloves were designed to help you perform your best while sailing.
The Black Magic material equips these sailing gloves with excellent protection from chafing and rope burn as well as durability and a good grip for all kinds of weather.
The short finger design together with the nylon construction allow your fingers to move freely while the mesh vents at the base ensure breathability.
They also come with molded-rubber guard strips on the back and a velcro tab on the wrist for a secure fit.
Things we like:
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Quality materials
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Durable
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Comfortable
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Machine washable
Things we don't like:
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Pricey
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Tight fit
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It’s not waterproof
A budget option, the MRX Boxing & Fitness Sticky Sailing Gloves are your go-to gloves for occasional, recreational sailing.
The Amara in its construction will keep your hands cool and safe from blisters while also allowing them to flex and move with ease.
The hook and loop closure makes for a strong and tight fit, with a long strap for added wrist support.
The spandex printing design adds flexibility and the extra grippy palm helps you handle slippery surfaces without much effort.
Things we like:
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They fit well
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The spandex grid-pattern provides extra grip
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Durable
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Very comfortable
Things we don't like:
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A few customers have said they’re too thick for paddling
Related Reviews
How to choose the best sailing glove? | Buyer’s Guide
As is the case with kayak gloves, good sailing gloves should offer you two things: functionality and protection.
But with so many options to choose from, finding the right pair can be a challenge.
The kind of sailing glove you end up choosing will ultimately depend on the tasks you are required to perform onboard.
With that being said, here are the main things to consider before buying yours:
Type: Full-fingered and Fingerless Gloves?
- Full-fingered gloves: as the name says, this kind of glove has full coverage on every finger. They are ideal for foul weather as they will keep your entire hand nice and protected from the rain, wind, and cold. However, they don’t allow a great range of movement and flexibility.
- 3/4 (short-fingered, fingerless): this type of sailing gloves covers your palm but leaves all fingertips uncovered. This is the most popular choice among sailors. The main advantage of fingerless gloves is that they provide more dexterity and flexibility. They also let you use your touchscreen gadgets with ease, but they’re not suitable for cold weather.
- Three-fingered gloves: this type of glove has all fingertips covered except for your index and your thumb. They provide protection and warmth without compromising dexterity.
Size
Your sailing gloves should, as the old saying goes, fit like a glove.
They should offer you a secure and comfortable fit so that you can perform your tasks skillfully.
A snug fit will help minimize finger and hand fatigue after long hours of sailing.
Check each manufacturer’s size guide to help you choose which one is the most appropriate for your hand.
Here’s a size chart from WindRider just so you can have an idea:
Grip
Good sailing gloves should have reinforced palms with extra padding as well as a sticky construction to provide you with protection from rope burn and blisters along with a great grip for handling lines and slippery surfaces.
Materials
When you’re out there sailing, you’re at the mercy of the elements.
To help you with that you’ll need a well-built set of sailing gloves that is water resistant and breathable, dries fast, and will last season after season.
Sailing gloves are made from a combination of materials, such as nylon, rubber, polyester, and synthetic leathers like Proton and Amara.
Keep an eye out for this last one as it offers minimum stretch and shrinkage, better gripping as well as abrasion resistance.
Durability
The durability of your sailing gloves will ultimately depend on their material and how you take care of them.
Remember to check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to wash and dry them properly.
Now that you have a good selection of sailing gloves as well as what things to keep in mind before buying yours, share with us your experience with this essential sailing gear.
We’d love to hear your opinion in the comments below!
If you already have a sailing glove or you just bought one, leave a comment in the comment section below and share your experience with it.
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Comments
Hi Sherry. The Gill championship gloves have no elastic in the wrists, leaving adjustment (velcro straps) up to the person alone. These ones have open fingertips for the index and thumb too, which is both nice for more delicate tasks (incl. touch screen operation) as well as keeping the hands a little warmer–which is nice for circulation issues.
Hello,
My son has RA and his wrists are very swollen and large. Which sailing gloves can accommodate large wrists?
Hello,
I was very confused as to how to choose the best fingerless gloves, but your amazing article made it possible. I recently bought new fingerless gloves with remember your buying guides and reviews and I am happy about its working properly. Thanks a lot for sharing..!