First snow and review of pogies, mitts and gloves

Today we had the first snow flakes in my part of Sweden. A bit late in the season but I don't mind :)

Hopefully there will be some kayaking in the weekend and I will write a bit about my experience with winter paddling and what gear I use. First out will be how I protect my hands from cold water and icy winds.

February 2015

I have during many years mostly used pogies made of nylon and with a "silver" lining. I have tried with mitts and gloves made of neoprene as well.
Before it has not been a big problem as I was hardly ever freezing my hands. But as I have lost a lot of weight and have less body fat my hands are almost always cold. To be able to continue kayaking all trough the winter I have to do some experimenting and testing.

Neoprene gloves

Here are some of my gear for protecting my hands.

Kanuk nylon Pogies

NRS neoprene mitts

From the top:

• Neoprene gloves. Works when it is not to cold. These are rather thin and a bit to tight. I sometimes use them when hiking in wet weather also. Price: 300 SEK or US$ 35.
• Neoprene mitts from NRS. Warmer then the gloves but very awkward to use. It is easy to put on the first, but to put on the second one is very hard, especially sitting in a kayak. To put them on before entering the kayak it's impossible to fasten the spray hood. And to use a camera? Forget it! Never use them. Price: 450 SEK or US$ 50.
• Then it's my well used pogies from Kanuk. Easy to fasten on the paddle shaft, very easy to enter the hand into and normally warm enough. I think the reflecting silver lining is helping to keep some warmth. Price: 300S EK or US$ 35.
• Next ones are the blue gloves from GUIDE made of latex. I have not used them yet but together with pogies I think the will work out well. It is possible to have some fleece gloves as a lining inside them if its very cold. This is a cheap alternative that I have used on ships in the Baltic during winter with good result. Price: 60 SEK or US$ 7.
• And last the neoprene pogies from Paddler that I use mostly nowadys. Very easy to enter and warmer than the ones made of nylon. Also easy to fasten with snap buttons rather than with velcro that the Kanuk ones use. How that will work when the water is freezing I have to test this winter. Price: 420 SEK or US$ 48.

GUIDE latex gloves

My experiences with pogies are that they work best with a short sleeve and that the material is stiff enough to keep them open when the hands are out of the pogies. I have seen some with a draw-string and do not recommend that type.
The best thing with pogies is that your hands are gripping the paddle with no material between the skin and the paddle shaft that can make you lose the feeling of the paddle or cause the grip to slip.

I have not tested the Snap Dragon Hyper Hands that are supposed to be very warm and are recommended in forums and reviews.

Paddler neoprene pogies

Paddling often makes me warm and unless it's windy my hands stays somewhat warm as well. But it's when going ashore for a break I freeze the most. Then the very warm mitts made of wool felt from Edvardson that helps me keep warm.

Testing my Paddler neoprene pogies for the first time. Warm and works well when rolling.