I went out for a killer session last night with my ace and so far i have been fine without gloves with the beamer and the ace in lower winds for a limited amount of time. But last nightw as the longest session with the highest winds i've had the ace out in. Rubbed the skin right off the inside of my middle finger! :P . I'm looking at the hillbilly gloves, just curious what gloves do you guys use?

I use some 3/4 finger sailing gloves from west marine. I tried on every pair they had and I liked one of the least expensive ones best. $15-20. They don't seem to want to wear out either.

I'll 2nd the Sailing gloves. Never fly without them (after cutting my had twice and bleeding on a kite). Open fingers let you work a knot, etc.

Dakine full fingered.
I lost my last set before I could wear them out and I had them for about 3 years. They even work great snowkiting on most days.

I wear full finger gloves to water ski in, but appreciate the tactile use of having naked fingertips. Bladerunner is in a different environment and climate so full coverage might be worth the hassle of taking the gloves off to do something. With the open fingers, I can open a soda can or loosen and move a bridle knot without taking the gloves off. I find myself leaving the gloves on the whole session and forget about them being there. It was funny, but I noticed at our last kite fly in St. Augustine, that Angus and I have the same gloves. He had told me where he got his gloves but I hadn't noted the model he wore. I just tried them all on regardless of cost and picked these. I think they have the same model in full finger if that is what you prefer.

3/4 finger gloves

Full finger gloves

i have the sailing gloves( too snaggy, sloppy) but i use a wetsuit pair quicksilver ($26) nice well fitting, dexterity unaffected. i use them also for hand protection w/ ATB runs.good combo, couple of hundred hours still pretty fresh. plus cuts the wind. even in the heat i still wear them. decent protection, it was an unforeseen use i rarely use them on the water. they do smell after a run, easy to wash and very water tolerant.

i am amazed how they don't wear, as much as i use them.

I use carpenter gloves that have the index finger and thumb cut short. It is a combo between full fingered and 3/4 I use it year round (mostly) in the colder weather I wear a polypro liner under them.

Fox moto-cross gloves currently. Very similar to the mountain biking gloves (they work great too). Full fingered, tight fitting (but flexible), & inexpensive. Warm enough in our winter climate here in Portland and the coast. I would need something heavier though for the snow.

Dakine makes their glove in 3/4 finger as well. As mentioned I do need to take them off to do fine work like knots. In the winter the extra warmth makes it worth while !!
If I was always in a warm climate I would go 3/4 ! Still I would go for Dakine !

Man up and get some calluses :P No gloves needed ladies.

Sailing gloves full finger for winter and 3/4 for summer.

Susan (npw goddess)

Awesome, thanks for the advice! they both look really cool and durable. Decisions decisions... :P

I use some light colored leather climbing gloves. I used to use black workout gloves, but ended up with black hands one day. Never a problem with the new ones. Lots of sessions, dunked in saltwater, sweaty, hot, crashed, etc... pretty tough, and open fingered. Not a lot of padding, though. I like em.

LOL i feel so ghetto. i paid like $9.99 for Craftsman Mechanic gloves at Sears. They worked awesome in the winter with my Crossfires since they had so much pull. and they were so warm and so easy and flexible to move in. didn't have to take them off for making any larks head knots. never had ripped off skin since then. :singing:

MACE Carbon "full finger" gloves - http://www.macegear.com/index-flash-usa.php

also Six Six One / Dakine make some sweet gloves too.

So I got in my gloves last week and got a chance to try them out yesterday. I went ahead and bought the hillbilly gloves. Dude, they look freaking sweet and are very comfortable. I thought they were a good choice because they have wrist protection for when I fall while landboarding . I'll post up a picture or two of them later today when i get home.

Putting them on they are very comfy, they've got 1 strap that goes all the way around your wrist and then two other's that are on the top. They've got a plastic "bar" for the top of your wrist and the bottom of your wrist protecting from both sides of a fall. They are made out of goat leather so they're nice and soft haha. The only trick is with the wrist protection it's a bit different with handles it works a different muscle in the forearm. I might have to save these for when i'm in my harness cuz my forearms were killin me! All in all they are great for what they were intended . hillbilly makes great stuff! i can't wait to get some impact shorts from them :P

I hold the handle below the leader so my fingers never touch it - that way I don't have to worry about chaffing and I have more leverage on the brakes.