Gloves

[whizzif 0]

Ok, so the rubber glove thing over shitty gloves isn't working. Anyone got a good pair of gloves and know where I can get some cheap? I've see some white water winter rafting gloves but thought I'd ping you guys.

Let me know.

Thanks

[quade 4]

4-way? Cold weather skydiving?

Can you be more specific?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Miami 0]

Quote

Ok, so the rubber glove thing over shitty gloves isn't working.

Normally the latex gloves under the thin leather gloves is the way to go. Can't have holes in the leather though or the latex doesn't do much to help.

I've had good luck with scuba gloves for winter jumping here in Colorado. Leather palm with a neoprene back, has kept the fingers from getting too painful when it's cold out.
Hope this helps...

Miami

[BlindBrick 0]

Quote

Ok, so the rubber glove thing over shitty gloves isn't working. Anyone got a good pair of gloves and know where I can get some cheap? I've see some white water winter rafting gloves but thought I'd ping you guys.

Let me know.

Thanks

I use Mechanix brand mechanic's glvoes. They are light, tough, and give reasonably good sense of touch. They run about $20 US.

-Blind

"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

I use Mechanix brand mechanic's glvoes. They are light, tough, and give reasonably good sense of touch. They run about $20 US.

Same here. I'm a HUGE fan of Mechanix gloves, I have a handful laying around. I have a pair for jumping, a pair for riding my motorcycle and of course the greasy pair in my toolbox.

They're great for jumping due to the fit and the dextarity, although they're not that great for winter jumping (standard aka classic version of the gloves). So when it gets really cold I toss on a pair of latex gloves under my Mechanix gloves. Works like a champ.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[BlindBrick 0]

Quote

They're great for jumping due to the fit and the dextarity, although they're not that great for winter jumping (standard aka classic version of the gloves).

I've found that a pair can be "winterized" in a couple of minutes by usign a thin layer of sealer (i used expoxy) over the vent holes. The holes are on the sides of the fingers so you don't mess with the dexterity and as logn as you are just covering the holes rather than the entire finger, you do not decrease the flexibility.

-Blind

"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

[bch7773 0]

I've used the scuba dive gloves too... they work fairly well with latex gloves under them, but the leather palm is terrible for hanging off the strut on a cessna. its just too slippery.

MB 3528, RB 1182

[Tonto 1]

Quote

I've had good luck with scuba gloves for winter jumping here in Colorado

Same here, although I'm in Africa, but our DZ is also 5000ft ASL so it can be very cold at altitude in winter time.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[altichick 1]

I got some cycling gloves called WindStoppers and they're great

Don't sweat the petty things... and don't pet the sweaty things!

[Dumpster 0]

I jump all year around in Wisconsin, and I've found what I beleive to be the best winter glove around - Go to IronClad's website, http://www.iclad.com/ironclad/ccg.html
Look for the "Cold Condition" glove. You'll pay a little more for these, but they will last for years. One feature I really like is they are neoprene with a longinsh cuff, so they don't put a velcro strap around the wrist, and they still seal up nicely and fit like a second skin. You can get them off the website, (price will be higher plus you'll have to pay shipping-) or find a dealer, ours is Ace Hardware.

Easy Does It

[councilman24 37]

If you use scuba gloves wear thin polypropylene liner gloves inside them. This will wick your sweat out to your cuff. Works great.

Also I wear neuman receiver gloves all year long and they come in a cold weather version. Never had any but good for occasional cold weather jumps. I also just wear themolite insulated leather driving gloves from Wilsons leather in the mall.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[AndyMan 7]

Quote

Normally the latex gloves under the thin leather gloves is the way to go.

I do not understand why this recomendation persists. In cold weather, trapping moisture is a recipe for frostbite at worst, damn cold fingers at best.

A visit to any mountainerring supply store, REI, EMS, Mountain Equipment Co-op, or a x-country ski store should give you a plethora of tight, windproof, low-bulk insulated gloves that still give good tactile response.

This is a great opportunity to take ideas from other sports. We don't have to reinvent the wheel for every problem. All "sport" gloves are designed to wick moisture away.

Trapping moisture with latex "liners" is not a good idea in cold weather.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[phoenixlpr 0]

I was advised to buy cross-contry skiing gloves.

[MrBrant 0]

i use a tight (insulated) leather driving glove.

I have no problem finding or gripping my handles.

[pilotdave 0]

I bought a pair of cross country ski racing gloves last winter. First problem was they were slightly big on me, so that doesn't help with dexterity. But I practiced pulling my handles and all that on the ground and figured they were good enough. Second problem was the palm was slippery as hell unless I used a lot of pressure. It was made of a fake leather called clarino I think. Supposed to have good grip, but I guess a skier's definition of good grip is different from ours. But again, with a good squeeze, pulling my handles was no problem.

Got on the plane... fingers were already getting cold on the ride up...bad sign. Practiced opening my Z1, which tends to fog in the winter under canopy, almost the whole ride up. It was tricky, but I was able to do it every time.

Under canopy, my visor immediately started to fog. And with my cold hands, I just wasn't able to open it. Tried one hand, two hands, every way I could think of. Eventually realized I had to just concentrate on landing and gave up. Luckily the top of the visor didn't fog and I had enough visibility to land.

Never wore the gloves again. If you want some cross country gloves, I have a pair for sale.

I am convinced that there is no such thing as a good skydiving glove for me. My hands just get cold under canopy. Freefall is never a problem. I have 0 exposed skin in the winter. Nothing bothers me except my hands. And whatever gloves somebody swears by, there's always somebody else that will say the opposite.

I have a feeling the people that say latex gloves work great either don't get cold hands generally, or don't jump where it's actually cold in the winter.

I gave in this season and ordered a pair of the iron clad cold condition gloves ($30 from amazon.com). I was eyeing them last year and went with the cross country gloves instead. I don't have any confidence that they'll be any better than my current nike football gloves/stretchy glove liner combo that I've been using for the last 4 or 5 years. But it's worth a shot.

EDIT: If they didn't require 8 D-cell batteries, I'd give THESE a try. Anyone know what 8 D-cells weighs?

Dave

[SeaKev 0]

Another Mechanix fan here. I use the cold weather version. They work great for me up here in the perma-drizzle.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

I do not understand why this recomendation persists. In cold weather, trapping moisture is a recipe for frostbite at worst, damn cold fingers at best.

Why? Because we're not wearing the gloves for long periods of time while engaging in a very physically demanding environment (like cross country skiing).

Its proven to work, you don't wear the gloves more then the time from the 2 minute call till after you're back in the hanger, that's only a couple minutes.

Not to mention the gloves are cheap as sin.


Basically, the moral of the story is yes there are better gloves out there, but they cost a lot more, they are a lot bulkier and latex is proven to work as glove liners in our sport and work well.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[AndyMan 7]

A good pair of x-country ski gloves should cost no more than $25. Here's a good pair here: http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47669648&parent_category_rn=10574234&vcat=REI_SEARCH. I wear a pair very similar once the mercury dips below 60F on the ground. I've worn them comfortably in temperatures as low as 15F on the ground.

Latex liners do not work in cold weather. Moisture collecting under the latex gets cold, quickly. This is especially important if you plan on wearing the gloves for a slow plane ride.

Importan attributes for gloves for winter jumping are:

Low bulk - you need to be able to maintain dexterity.
Tactile ability - you should be able to feel through the fabric.
Insulated - keeps things warm.
Windproof - keeps things warm.
Breathable - keeps things dry.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

Latex liners do not work in cold weather

Then it must have been a placibo effect since I've used them the past 3 winters and they worked like a champ. A box of latex gloves that will last me a whole winter costs about $5.

Do you realize I'm wearing them under the gloves I jump in year round? I'm using them simply as a wind block, which is what I need to keep my hands warm.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[AndyMan 7]

Quote

Then it must have been a placibo effect since I've used them the past 3 winters and they worked like a champ.

The average winter temperature in Texas is about 50F. I presume when someone asks about jumping in the cold, we're talking below freezing. People jumping in northern climates, and landing in snow have very different requirements than someone near the gulf of Mexico.

Cold weather can seriously impact a persons ability to perform, and being ill-equiped is not only dumb, but dangerous.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[jlmiracle 7]

I currently use neuman gloves with silk glove liners (for winter). I am going to look at the UnderArmor Cold weather Receiver gloves. I saw them on their website and am probably going to have to pay $45, but I will pay to be comfortable.

Judy

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

The average winter temperature in Texas is about 50F. I presume when someone asks about jumping in the cold, we're talking below freezing. People jumping in northern climates, and landing in snow have very different requirements then someone near the gulf of Mexico.

Cold weather can seriously impact a persons ability to perform, and being ill-equiped is not only dumb, but dangerous.

Nice generalization there chief. Did you go look that up or guess at the number?

In Texas I've jumped quite often in freezing tempuratures and even close to 0F on more then one occasion.


Once again, thank you for an over generalization about where you don't live.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[AndyMan 7]

Actually I looked it up. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=average+texas+winter+temperature

I can assure you that no matter how cold it is in Texas, it gets colder as you go north.

This wasn't suposed to be a pissing match, so I'm done.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

I can assure you that no matter how cold it is in Texas, it gets colder as you go north.

I never said it didn't. People just assume that it doesn't get cold enough in Texas to be a problem, it does.

My overall point is that folks don't have to go to an expensive store like REI and drop a lot of money on some trendy winter gear when there are alternatives that work well and are cheap.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[pilotdave 0]

But theres one more factor that's missing from the equation. Do your hands get cold? I mean, generally. If not, I don't care what works for you.
When I jump in sub-50 degree weather, my hands HURT. Lower 40s or less, I can't use my hands for anything for a while after jumping. Sometimes I can't even take my gloves off for a few minutes.

For you, rubber gloves might work fine. For me, I doubt it.

Dave