Winter SUP surf - wetsuit glove review

[supthecreek]

I have purchased a lots of wetsuit gloves over the years.
Most suck for SUP paddle handling and overall warmth.

These latest Ripcurl Flashbombs are the best yet.
5 finger for paddle control
3/2 and fleece lined through the fingers.
The gel pad palm is AMAZING for paddle grip.... best by far.
Much better than my older Flashbomb grip.
so easy and much warmer than expensive and bulky 5mm mitts.
My hands are fine all winter.

I show why and how I remove the "water-dam" in all my gear....
Last thing I need is a struggle suiting up when it's 15 F 

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

Thanks for the review, Creek. I have some NSP gloves which kind of suck, so I've been looking for new ones. I think I'll put these on my Christmas list.

[burchas]

Thanks for the review creek! Another good option to try.

I have the a very similar pair, NRS Maxim: https://www.nrs.com/product/25039.02/nrs-maxim-gloves-closeout

They actually don't come with the water seal, so super easy in and out, amazing grip as well.

That said, I actually want the water seal, unlike you if I had to be out on 15F I would wear 3 pairs of those
The water seal would at least make those usable for my at 30-40F.

One trick I read that actually works with these water sealed gloves is to fold the cuff beyond the point of the seal.
smooth in and out. Now looking for a deal on those Flashbombs. Thx.

[surfcowboy]

I'm actually trying some xcels this year myself. I know, I know, I'm soft for wearing gloves in 55° water and air lol.

But the seal fold thing is a good tip. I do that on the ankles of my suits too. Foot pops right through.

[eastbound]

creek with a touch of andy rooney!

nice review--love the hatcam perspective

[Beasho]

Fantastic review!  Now I want some.

Just as I have been going Booty-Less to get into the Foil Board footstraps I am going to add gloves . . . .  because I can. 

[IRideYellow]

I use sailing gloves from West Marine since I find they last longer and have better grip then "surf gloves".  And it kind of makes since as my hands are not in the water all the time.  Surfing gloves presume you are a proner and hence need wetsuit like protection.  But them I'm not where it is sub zero so YMMV

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--men-s-three-season-full-finger-sailing-gloves--P018576041?color=P018576041_BLACK_WHITE&recordNum=12

[Badger]

The best grip test is on glass. If the glove gets traction on glass and doesn't slip, then it has good grip. The worn out Body Gloves I'm using now pass this test. Most other brands fail.

The gel grip on the Rip Curl Flash Bombs looks fantastic. Thanks to Ricks review I might have to get some, but 3/2mm won't cut it for me. I need the 5/3 three finger mitts.

.

[stoneaxe]

Good timing....looking at new winter gear now. Do a boot review too...

[supsean]

Thanks for the review creek! Another good option to try.

I have the a very similar pair, NRS Maxim: https://www.nrs.com/product/25039.02/nrs-maxim-gloves-closeout

They actually don't come with the water seal, so super easy in and out, amazing grip as well.

That said, I actually want the water seal, unlike you if I had to be out on 15F I would wear 3 pairs of those
The water seal would at least make those usable for my at 30-40F.

One trick I read that actually works with these water sealed gloves is to fold the cuff beyond the point of the seal.
smooth in and out. Now looking for a deal on those Flashbombs. Thx.

I really like my NRS gloves--super easy to get on and off and toasty so far. I haven't really gone in full winter mode yet, but I am surprised that my hands have been quite warm. I bought a pair of 5/4 mm claws, and I actually find the gloves warmer. I'm not sure why. The grip seems good as well. I believe they were designed for paddling. I see that they don't have my size anymore. I wonder if they have discontinued them.

[devon_sup_surf]

Great video- but I just can't get on with gloves. I just put up with the cold.

To me- the paddle is such a fundamental connection to the water- I really don't like impeding that connection at all. I tolerate boots- although I don't like them. But gloves infant get on with them. It would be like driving a car with oven mits on.

[stoneaxe]

You simply can't surf here in winter without them. If you didn't have them on your hands would soon become useless anyway. Even worse when you have arthritis in your hands...mine turn to stone...... I can't believe how much things have changed for me in the last few years....I used to embrace the cold. I'd steam taking off my wetsuit....now I shiver.

I have used the NRS 2mm titanium for 5 years or so. Occasionaly adding a liner. Last year it wasn't enough. Looking forward to trying these out.

[yugi]

How easy are those flashbombs to get in and out of (when wet)?

edit to add:
[obviously I asked that before watching. Good tip]

[supthecreek]

How easy are those flashbombs to get in and out of (when wet)?

edit to add:
[obviously I asked that before watching. Good tip]

yup... even easier after they loosen up a bit, super fast like the old Flashbomb in the opening sequence.

NOTE:
If you leave the water dam in place, they are miserable on/off.

[JimK]

StoneAxe

Rick turned me on to the best Winter Booties EVER. The Hyperflex 5mm Zipper HiTop booties.
I was struggling with starndard booties (one time we went out) he was in his booties in a second (or so it seemed) and he was out just as fast. He told me they were just as warm as any bootie he had used...I got a pair and CREEK WAS TOTALLY RIGHT

If anyone is looking for cold weather booties get in touch with me...These booties are amazing and I'll get you a ZONER Deal to boot...No pun intended

Aloha
JimK
Extreme Windsurfing