Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: supthecreek on November 24, 2018, 06:37:26 AM
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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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yZfdA9vCxo
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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.
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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 ;D
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.
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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.
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creek with a touch of andy rooney!
nice review--love the hatcam perspective
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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.
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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 (https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--men-s-three-season-full-finger-sailing-gloves--P018576041?color=P018576041_BLACK_WHITE&recordNum=12)
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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.
.
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Good timing....looking at new winter gear now. Do a boot review too...:)
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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 ;D
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.
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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.
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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.
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How easy are those flashbombs to get in and out of (when wet)?
edit to add:
[obviously I asked that before watching. Good tip]
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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.
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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
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Stoney ---> booties:
Zippered booties for sure!
That's the "Creek easy" way
When I am dead tired... it's 15* and windy, last thing I want to do is throw my back out, struggling to pull off some stupid tight wetsuit boot.
I went zippered years ago... I simply step in, step out.
My feet are as warm in my 5mm zippers, as they were when imprisoned by standard booties.
NOTE:
only downside to my 5mm NeoSport boots:
the zipper has become looser over the years, so my left boot unzips in heavy wipeouts... so I have to zip up again.
If I was going to be here all winter, I'd buy a fresh set.... but I'm going full Monty Snowbird again soon ;D
They also come in 7mm for even more protection.
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Creek: watching your video I was getting OJ flashbacks. I guess they should have removed the water damn (latex gloves) from that demo.
But otherwise, great review and advice.......as always.
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creek--i know well the punishing imprisonment of booty bondage, and the injury risk one assumes doffing and donning--(and I dont like the bondage--tho nothing wrong with it for those who do..consentingly!.....)
but those things look like they instantly fill with water, and become sloshing ankle/foot weights....
now most booties do ultimately leak, tho my dipped 5mm oneill originals stay pretty darned dry
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Creeker: I picked up a pair of these (Flashbomb) gloves in 5mm a month or so ago just to have for deep winter conditions (Jan-Mar). Not sure when/if I'll need them but reassuring that I've got them and stoked to see your review to confirm my hopes of these being a good glove choice. I supported my local shop and paid $49.00 for the 5mm.
I think I've posted in the past about my 3mm (XL) Quick Silver's that I've been using for the last couple of years. LOVE these (pic below). They're holding up well no rips/tears/etc., and slip on like a pair of garden gloves. I used these gloves from last Oct thru right the spring in water temps in the 30's and 40's and never froze the digits. Grip is great too.
I went out this morning and my feet got a little chilly after a hour or so in my 5mm boots but my hands in these remained warm....of course my feet were in the water and my hands just in the air for the most part. Still in my 4/3 suit this am with local water temp 48F.....NOT looking forward to going back to the 6/5 front zip!!!
Stay warm all! 8) 8)
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creek--i know well the punishing imprisonment of booty bondage, and the injury risk one assumes doffing and donning--(and I dont like the bondage--tho nothing wrong with it for those who do..consentingly!.....)
but those things look like they instantly fill with water, and become sloshing ankle/foot weights....
now most booties do ultimately leak, tho my dipped 5mm oneill originals stay pretty darned dry
Eastie, the zippered boots have a water shield inside the zipper.
Easy on/off cuz the barrier is accordion style... but keeps flush minimal.
Plus there isn't a ton of room for excess water in the boots.... but I like a little, so it can warm up and insulate my foot.
NOTE:
Wetsuit boots do NOT work well for winter flat-water paddling.... totally different boot for that.
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hear ya creek--prolly the accordion helps
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creek--i know well the punishing imprisonment of booty bondage, and the injury risk one assumes doffing and donning--(and I dont like the bondage--tho nothing wrong with it for those who do..consentingly!.....)
but those things look like they instantly fill with water, and become sloshing ankle/foot weights....
now most booties do ultimately leak, tho my dipped 5mm oneill originals stay pretty darned dry
Eastie, the zippered boots have a water shield inside the zipper.
Easy on/off cuz the barrier is accordion style... but keeps flush minimal.
Plus there isn't a ton of room for excess water in the boots.... but I like a little, so it can warm up and insulate my foot.
NOTE:
Wetsuit boots do NOT work well for winter flat-water paddling.... totally different boot for that.
I'm seconding what Creek said about the boots. I used to use 5mm boots for cold water paddling. Now I'm using 7mm.
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Jim, are the Hyperflex the same as Neosport ?
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Rick, I got the 5/3 version of those Ripcurl's last year. I was not sure I would be able to hold the paddle with them when I first put them on. I am able to surf with them. Helps that I have large hands. The wrist seal is great on these. WARM !!
JP
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I own a pair in a small. The gel helps to paddle and keeps them from shredding. WARM!😎
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my best gear is all Flashbomb. Its worth the price.
also cant speak to their booties......but Hyperflex gloves are the WORST gloves on the market. I had 2 pairs fall apart literally in 3-4 sessons. Stitching failed both times.
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i have always been an oneill loyalist, and love the TB, but i noticed xcel is now using japanese limestone nanoprene in their drylock x model. so when i recently replaced my 3/2, i got a drylock x. it's great. not sure which i prefer: my psychofreak 4/3 with TB2. my oneill pyrotech 5.5/4 is TB1 (there is now TB3), and 5 yrs old, quite worn. so its time has come.
i ordered LT and XL of both the xcel drylock x 5/4, and the oneill psycho tech TB3--4 suits! Gonna try em all on, keep one, return three. Seems kinda cheesy of me, but how else to get it right?
and i agree with jim k. wetsuits are like cars: a 2019 camry (23k$ new) is way more pleasing to drive than a (50k$ new) 2005 530i---ie even the cheapest wetsuit fabrics offered now perform light years better than the "best" most expensive of 10 years ago--prolly overkill that i buy top of the line suits, but im old and get cold, so i coddle self in this case...............
flashbomb looks nice too--at first i was skeptical about the interior fuzz, (none in TB interior), but the drylockx has it and it seems fine--i will let you know what i end up choosing...3/4 suits arrived a moment ago, but i gotta run to the endodontist--fun
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I have a ten year-old O'Neil Mutant which I have to wear but hate. Eastbound, you just inspired me more to replace it. I'm drooling over those new SUPSKINS.
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icky--if you can wear an o'neill xl, the pyrotech 5.5/4 i am replacing would be an uptick from your mutant--it's yours--let me know if itll fit you
and anyone else, for that matter, pm me--youll be shocked i am replacing it--has years left in it for sure--oh....and ive never peed this suit--just couldnt do it--the suit is pretty watertight, so it'd be me and my pee--no go that!
i decided to buy the xl in the oneill psychotech 5.5/4 (essentially the same suit, newer, with TB3, 2 generations improved technobutter)
after the pita of trying all four on, the o'neill stood out--who knows how they'd compare when wet, but not an option to test that way
net, the oneill TB3 felt stretchier, lighter, slid on easiest, and has this kind of gummy feel to it that seems great--same feel as the TB2 in my 4/3--it aint fuzzy like the drylock x, or the flashbomb, but neither is my pyrotech, and i have never been cold in that suit, down to 15F air temp, and god know what water temp--so i tried to stay and decided to stay.....
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I bought the 5/3 RipCurl Flashbombs 5 fingers and my hands froze in 35F air / 38F water 10mph winds. I bought XL as I have thick fingers. I have noticed that my hands go numb quicker as I get older (50). Also, my grip on the paddle felt really off from the get go. In the middle of the palm they gripped well, but the fingers were slipping a lot.
When I switched back to my NRS gloves in mid-session, there was a night and day improvement. My grip and control of the paddle improved dramatically. It literally felt like a different paddle. Also, for some reason my hands were warmer. Water got into the glove, as it doesn't have any sort of dam and has quite a short sleeve, and my fingers stayed toasty. Is this because the small amount of water that gets between the neoprene and my body heats up? Either way, I can't recommend these gloves enough.
https://www.nrs.com/product/25039.02/nrs-maxim-gloves-closeout
If anybody in NYC wants a brand new 5/3 pair of Flashbomb's, message me I will sell them super cheap.
ps., I also had some 5mm o'neil lobster claws, and my lonely finger also got numb. Switched back to the NRS and the same thing. Toasty.
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In my experience, yes on the positive effect of a little water in the glove. Also feeling the cold more as I get older. (No it's not due to poor circulation, it comes from experience.) For the first time ever, I picked up some lobster claws this year.
On a seperate note:
Hey Creek, what boots do you use for flat water? My toes, are normally toasty in the surf, but are getting fairly cold in my 7mm booties when I paddle flat water (dry boot).
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7 MM Billabong! Accept no substitutes! Warmest five finger EVAH!
Lobster Claws almost frostbite on the index finger
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7 MM Billabong! Accept no substitutes! Warmest five finger EVAH!
Lobster Claws almost frostbite on the index finger
Yeah, the claws kind of sucked for me. Unfortunately on the 7mm, I have a Sunova now, with a LiftSUP...
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Bean,
Unless he has found something in Portugal Creek and everyone else I know uses oversized Hyperflex EXPLORER BOOTS
They are nice but not for swimming (like Surf SUP) You can swim if you fall in but get out as soon as you can with these
I sell a bunch of these every year and as far as I know everyone loves them
JIMK
Extreme Windsurfing
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Thanks Jim
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In my experience, yes on the positive effect of a little water in the glove. Also feeling the cold more as I get older. (No it's not due to poor circulation, it comes from experience.) For the first time ever, I picked up some lobster claws this year.
On a seperate note:
Hey Creek, what boots do you use for flat water? My toes, are normally toasty in the surf, but are getting fairly cold in my 7mm booties when I paddle flat water (dry boot).
I agree Bean, wetsuit surf booties do not keep me warm when flat-water paddling.
Here is my review of the Explorer Boots:
https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,22864.0.html
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You think they will slip over a loose-fit dry suit?
(The problem with this particular suit is it does not have attached boots just latex cuffs to bare feet.)
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Bean, Absolutely not! Been there done that. The seals will rip!
I have used them over Sox, and then just look like Barbarella. If the water gets over the top, sox get wet and you will get cold FAST.
I got some 8 ml XCEL booties two sizes to big. Two pair of woolies, and the seals are fine over the regular booties.
#livinginadrysuit
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Bean, Absolutely not! Been there done that. The seals will rip!
I have used them over Sox, and then just look like Barbarella. If the water gets over the top, sox get wet and you will get cold FAST.
I got some 8 ml XCEL booties two sizes to big. Two pair of woolies, and the seals are fine over the regular booties.
#livinginadrysuit
Hey Biggie, are you saying the latex seals will seal over regular wetsuit boots?
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Yes! The latex seals are fine over regular wetsuit booties.
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I just assumed they would leak down the seams, but I’ll have to try that out. Yes I’m going to stick my foot in a 5gal bucket. Thanks Cleveland.
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Seems to me that Biggie is saying he puts the wetsuit boots UNDER his dry suit?
Am I misunderstanding you Big guy?
Otherwise, I can't see how seals will rip.
I respect Mr Bigs thoughts one this since Mr Big and I paddle more really cold conditions than almost anyone else.... we go all the time.
We each follow a different path to keep warm.
I've been out at -8 F (below Zero) and I was fine in my Explorer boots.
Bean, I see absolutely no issues with wearing oversized Explorer Boots OVER your dry suit.
But I'll be interested to hear Biggies response
I'd still put thick wool socks between the boots and the dry suit
The warmth protection comes from keeping your feet and socks dry.... the boots keep the elements out and the socks keep the warmth in.
I almost never get water in my Explorer boots, but when I have, they simply become wetsuit boots.
Never had any cold issues the time I did step in deeper water and got my socks wet.... still much warmer than wetsuit boots IMO.
The dynamics are simply different from when I am surfing.
Wetsuit boots keep me warm then.... but decidedly NOT when on flat-water.
The fact that your feet are sometimes packed in ice and not moving at all is the issue.
If my feet are wet.... the ice buildup around my boots transfers all that cold directly to my feet.
The one thing I really miss while in Portugal...... those amazing pure glass sunrise paddles when it is super cold.
The crispness in the air, the clarity of the sky... the lack of human noise.
Combined with the peace and tranquility that exists in nature, when they are all hunkered in place to preserve warmth, is something you won't experience at any other time of year.
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Couple of years back I was paddling in the snow, at night, and in the distance I saw a blinking light.
.Who Dat Whud Dat?
The phantom drew closer!
Weeks! Biggie! Aloha!
A prize winning photo of night blizzard paddling!
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Hey Cleveland, that shot looks like a genuine LeRoy Neiman! ;D
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Tell it to Creek! It's all pixolated up after image resizing!
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in the snow, at night
youre adventurous, biggie, among other tings
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Merely an apparition, caught on my "Ghostbusters Cam"
Good times Biggie! :)