The Taking of Gloves Paradox

[BiggBlue]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

 

[J Willhaus]

I have a pair of thin merino wool gloves for winter. They dry pretty quickly and even when wet, my hands weren't as cold. I didn't use them with poles. I wore them in rainy Galicia last winter in early January though. I even put them in the dryer on low sometimes.

 

[peregrina2000]

I have a pair of thin merino wool gloves for winter.

That’s my solution too. Since waterproof gloves leave my hands cold, and since I can stand wet hands more than cold hands, I always bring a pair of lambswool gloves. They insulate even when wet.

 

[trecile]

You can bring a few pair of very thin disposable type plastic gloves to wear over the non-waterproof gloves. These are the kind of gloves you can find in the supermercados in Spain in the produce section. Though they are meant to be disposable, you should be able to use a pair a few times before they tear.

Something like this

 

[SoundguyO]

On the cold mornings I experienced fall of last year I just used a pair of spare socks as gloves... nothing extra to hump

 

[Joynz]

Synthetic fleece gloves still help the body retain heat when wet.

 

[NualaOC]

I see that you're in the UK, @BiggBlue.
I recommend the really cheap Primark gloves (a pack of 2 is about £2.50). I wear one or both pairs, depending on how cold it is. They get wet, but dry quickly.

In an 'emergency' the socks option also works

Wishing you a Buen Camino with not too many cold mornings!

 

[C clearly]

Synthetic fleece gloves still help the body retain heat when wet.

I really don't know much about it, but this is contrary to the usual wisdom that wool, not most synthetics, helps the body retain heat better when wet. However, maybe some synthetics can repel the water better.

I used to carry some thin merino gloves, but my frustration was that they are hard to take off and put on, when wet! I haven't walked for a few years in a season when gloves were needed, but I would take either thin wool gloves or a pair of cheap synthetics maybe with the finger tips cut off, and some latex medical gloves or dishwashing gloves to put over them.

 

[BarbaraW]

I've always relied of the fall-back option of the "a la Trecile" plastic gloves in my first aid kit or the spare pair of socks. Can't be worn together though..
When I used to kayak, many moons ago, several people used Marigolds (washing up gloves) to keep their hands warm. Only the most proficient also kept their hands dry, but this shouldn't be a problem walking. Cheap, light and mostly available in pink or yellow.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I have a pair of thin merino wool gloves for winter.

Ditto. Should I experience more than a few hours rain I will stop in a supermarket and pick up a pair of rubber (dishwashing) gloves. For some reason they're typically pink or yellow: extremely stylish.!

 

[mspath]

I always wore knitted wool gloves not mittens. Found at Decathlon in Grenoble, France, several winters ago. They still are in great shape. You can see them here.

 

[K_Lynn]

I have a pair of thin merino wool gloves for winter.

Same. Icebreaker merino glove liners 29g/1oz. They will not save my life in negative temps but serve their purpose for cold mornings and keep my hands warm if it's raining.

 

[peterott]

Found outdoor gloves which have as an insert a "poncho for the gloves". Looks funny.
Brand is "Outdoor Research", Versaliner Sensor Gloves Black. I really like them as I went now multiple times into heavy cold rain.

Right normal glove with the "insert". You can take these out if it rains too much and just put it above the glove as a poncho (left picture)

 

[Anhalter]

Even in my sub 4kg packing list there is a pair of gloves. They are the cheapest ones decathlon is (was?) selling. Made from some kind of fleece material. Very likely also the lightest ones at 22g a pair.

I typically use them for cold mornings. I also use them when it is raining. For some time they keep kinda dry, but after hours of continued rain they get very wet. I still feel they retain some body heat, but it is far from comfortable. If i was expecting days and days of rain, i would either bring some of those disposable plastic ones (produce section or gas station), or take more solid ones to begin with.
However, since i started all my caminos in May, i took my chances of there not being to many rainy days. I've been lucky that way 2 out of 3 times.

 

[emmanuel]

Rain or shine I use cycling gloves, leather on the palm, nylon on the reverse. Cut-off fingers. I started to use them to avoid blisters caused by heavy use of poles. But they are also great to keep hands warmish.

 

[dougfitz]

I always carry sun protection mitts, sold at my local boating/camping/fishing store, similar to a biking mitt but without any padding on the palm. These are my go-to mitt when I am using poles. For cold conditions, I sometime use a fleece glove, but far prefer the possum fur gloves I get every few years or so when I visit NZ. Any Kiwi here will tell you what a wonderful gift we Aussies gave them when we sent them possums!

 

[El Cascayal]

These are the gloves I always take when walking. Fun green & orange neon colors.

Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Gloves | Showers Pass

Our most popular rain glove of all time. Provides reliable waterproof-breathable protection in a lightweight 3-layer knit with excellent dexterity.

showerspass.com

Keeps the raw cold out. I put a stick on sensor on index fingers for cell phone use & photos.

 

[Pilgrim9]

For emergency use, one could take a few "pairs" of those thin polyethylene bags that are provided in the produce section of most supermarkets and use them as emergency waterproof outer mitts over socks over the hands. Waterproof, economical, low weight, low bulk, zero cost.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

So I usually only bring lightweight fleece gloves... but earlier this year I hiked in January and February for the first time (Moz/Vdlp/Sanabres) and although January was nice and temperate, once I got into the hills of Galicia I encountered freezing rain and snow. My fleece gloves got soaked and my hands were painfully cold. I stopped short of my planned destination and stayed at a roadside truckstop type motel because my hands were so cold.

That night I went into the gas station next store and spied some of those red plasticky gloves that truckers wear when they have to change a tire or fix a flat in the snow. They were by all measures bulky but with my dried out fleece gloves underneath they kept my hands warm in the next few days of the storm.

Not an ideal solution but one that works if you're caught out there without the right equipment.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I've used a pair of Decathlon hiking gloves for the cold on some Winter sections of a Camino, they worked OK (caveat : wet doesn't usually bother me), but they did tend to smell (on me anyway) after a bit -- I've also used one for my staff hand if it blistered. Not once this year though.

My childhood memories of woollen gloves are not encouraging either though ...

But a decent pair of non-skiing + non-motorbike leather gloves seems hard to find, and many of the motorist gloves seem to be unsuitable for hiking, and town gloves too thin.

 

[Peggy McLaren-Villeneuve]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

Hi there, we did the camino Frances in September/October and we had temperatures in October drop to -4 degrees but all along the way I worn bicycle gloves, they left my fingers open to grip hiking poles but covered enough of my hands to keep me warm. They didn't seem to get really wet in rain. Anyways just a thought! Buen Camino!!!

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

Maybe buy them if and when you need them, along the way? Most big cities have a Decathlon store where just about any kind of glove can be had. Personally, I use a more utilitarian work glove that has done me in good stead.

 

[JerryStroebele]

I carry a synthetic Buff (neck gaitor) and only use one trekking pole, and then only when steep, rocky, really muddy. Also, I carry an umbrella in the rain. So if I don't need the buff for the neck or head, it can go on the cold hand and the other in a pocket. But, I am not a cold hand person and have only walked until early November. "On the other hand" my left hand in the sun gets too much of it. I am taking a fingertip-less thin fishing glove next week. Buen Camino

 

[Keyser]

Sealskins water resistant walking gloves.

https://eu.sealskinz.com/collections/gloves?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw6JS3BhBAEiwAO9waFyJFO-sVy3bTe52HorpTAHxNuTJPdXRgmT-bpYJ7NlvYiFZMOYnpgRoCL4kQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Paladina]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

I had a similar experience when cycling del Norte a few years ago, in May: 3 deg at 6 a.m. and 33 at 4 p.m. My hands were so cold that I couldn’t apply the brakes or change gear. Had I known how cold and wet it would be in that persistent early morning mist, I would have brought my neoprene gloves. Like a wetsuit, the wetter they get, the warmer you will be. Mine are lined with merino, which makes them more comfortable and less malodorous. Not recommended for use in cold, dry conditions.

 

[Marcus-UK]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

I use the finger-less ventilated cycling gloves all the time. On cold days they add some warmth. On hot days the ventilation helps with cooling. On wet days they get sodden but if it is warm enough they dry out quickly.

The main reason I use them is to prevent chaffing with my hiking poles.

 

[Mycroft]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

Many years ago I bought a pair of wind-proof gloves from REI. They weigh next to nothing (really!), and have tiny bits on the fingertips to help with grip. I found that while not waterproof, they repel most of a moderate rain. They are not insulated, so if you are in sub-freezing temps, you'll still feel the cold. I don't know if they still carry such gloves, but it may be helpful to see what's around.

 

[C clearly]

I just used a pair of spare socks as gloves

This is closer to a real paradox: The best gloves (in some situations) are socks.

 

[Gringazolana]

I thought the taking of gloves paradox was that if you took them, that was the guarantee that you wouldn’t need them. Like me last year!

 

[trecile]

I thought the taking of gloves paradox was that if you took them, that was the guarantee that you wouldn’t need them. Like me last year!

I think that the premise of the OP is more of a dilemma, conundrum, or a quandary than a paradox.

 

[DwainS]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

I took these gloves last year May-June and did not use them. Took them again this year in May-June and had to use them a few times. Very chilly on a few morning. They are called FLASHDRY and are made by North Face. Very light and dry quickly if they get wet.

 

[howardd5]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

There are very thin but waterproof mechanics gloves I bring on Caminos. Black and come in sizes. Check retail auto parts.

 

[dreaming]

Fingerless cycling gloves for me as well. I wore them the entire trip and they survived very well.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I always bring a pair of cheap fleece gloves and have always needed them at least a few times each on both spring and fall Caminos. I most recently appreciated them for several days in a row while walking the Sanabres this past spring. Wearing socks on my hands sounds very awkward and only in an emergency would I be willing. Gloves weigh little and take up almost no room in a backpack.

 

[antepacem]

I love my Smartwool merino gloves. They weigh almost nothing and are perfect for those chilly mornings and evenings.

Sites-swl-ca-Site

www.smartwool.com

 

[Scoutbuff]

As a boy scout leader, I try to teach them alternatives to extra and often expensive gear. I suggest that DIY/MYOG rain mitts are a lightweight and inexpensive alternative. You can pick a variety of materials such as Tyvek. Pair these with an extra pair of socks, and you're warm and dry.
Here's just one option... https://dutchwaregear.com/2019/11/19/rain-mitts/

...and to tie in with the "lost article" discussion, consider connecting them with a long cord that goes up your sleeves like when we were kids!

 

[trecile]

As a boy scout leader, I try to teach them alternatives to extra and often expensive gear. I suggest that DIY/MYOG rain mitts are a lightweight and inexpensive alternative

Thanks for reminding me that I have a lot of scraps of lightweight waterproof fabric I can use to make some rain mitts.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thanks for reminding me that I have a lot of scraps of lightweight waterproof fabric I can use to make some rain mitts.

And I have a big roll of noisy tyvek.

 

[lovingkindness]

Hi there @BiggBlue
I always carry gloves....
......I've tried quite a few brands and combinations.

In summer I often wear lightweight fingerless bicycle gloves to keep the sun of the back of my hands. I also carry gloves with suede palms and netting along the sides of each finger for ventilation. These are good for scrambling.

In winter, there are so many possibilities. I have tried rubber gloves but they are not the best.

Cheers
Lovingkindness.

Walking in Winter ...in rain and snow for a day, Galicia Dec, 2009
*Wearing rubber gloves over wiking liner gloves, my hands were very very cold. Wearing sodden Sealskinz was warmer.

WInter 2010-2011... on a very long walk to SdC which included walking through snow, rain & drizzle, I carried several pairs of gloves, changing them to suit the moment. I didn't use rubber gloves again:

Gloves (various brands)
*Jack Wolf Skin duck-down snow mittens/gauntlets (best at -5 C or less. Excellent for warmth but retained condensation);

*Sealskins plus silk liner gloves (ok in light drizzle but not in heavy rain, zero to 5 C not very warm);

*Berghaus fleece gloves (5 C. and above)


View across the frozen Elbe to the Hauptkirche St Jacobi, Hamburg (2010). By the time it took to take off my duck-feather gloves, retrieve the camera from under several woolen layers around my middle, then take the photo, my hands and feet were frozen lumps.

 

[RJM]

I have only carried gloves once on the Camino, in October. Wore them twice on that trip. They were surplus wool military. Worked great. Small, took up as much room and weight in pack as a pair of socks. I didn't find carrying them to be a paradox at all.

 

[Anna Cameron]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

I purchased Montane (UK brand!) gloves while preparing for my first Camino back in 2018 and wore them throughout my training and then all the way from SJPP to Santiago de Compostella (Sept-Oct 2018) - I was glad I had them and have continued to wear the same pair ever since, including in the torrid weeks in France, May 2022 on the Chemin d'Arles. I wore them this morning on my weekly beach walk with friends, in the brisk cold winds of early Spring in Adelaide. I wouldn't walk without them. Even in the hottest weather, I am glad of the gloves because they provide sun protection and prevent sweaty hands slipping on my poles. They are essential in cooler/cold weather, because I have Raynaud's disorder which causes poor circulation to my hands and feet at ANY time of year. I recommend the gloves I bought back then for A$75 (seemed astronomical but have paid for themselves ever since), and I note that Montane is a UK brand, which may be of interest to you. The only problem is that, having checked the Montane UK website, it seems as though they no longer sell my particular pair (Power Stretch Pro Grippy Glove, made of Polartec fabric, weight only 50g) - but I saw other pairs there which might suit you. Although lightweight and not Merino, my Grippy gloves have been really good to me. They also permit wearing a glove liner, if you were in very cold weather, and needed more warmth. Bottom line, I wouldn't leave home (or go on Camino) without gloves!

 

[arfajajc]

Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to bring gloves.

Historically, I've packed a very lightweight pair of lining gloves along with thicker ones. On one or two Caminos, I never ended up using them. One morning on the Norte, I started walking at about 6:30 AM. There was a fine drizzle, not heavy rain, but the clouds were low. After walking for an hour and a half through the forest in shorts and a T-shirt, I realized I was freezing. I struggled to open my backpack because my hands were colder than I had imagined. I layered up as much as possible, but my hands were so cold that I had trouble getting the gloves on. They quickly got wet.

When I reached the first café, about 14 kilometres in, I had to sit inside for an hour to warm up.

So, does anyone have recommendations for great gloves that aren't too bulky for wet weather? Or is it better to focus on staying warm overall and not worry too much about wet hands?

In my opinion, not taking gloves because they're too bulky is like not taking a coat because it's too bulky. Hands need to stay warm to work! Freezing, numb hands which make it hard to open a backpack to get at, for example, more warm clothes or food or whatever, are something you want to avoid (coming from personal experience). Wet hands aren't necessarily the issue - it's COLD hands which are the problem. Like with merino clothing - lightweight merino gloves are warm even if your hands are wet. There are other lightweight gloves which, although not waterproof, still keep your hands warm and reasonably dry in wet weather. I used a lightweight pair of Inov8 Train Elite gloves during my mid April Camino from SJPP and they were fine for all but the very coldest days; crossing the Pyrenees was extremely cold, windy and wet, so a slightly thicker pair would've been nicer on that day! I also have a pair of Montane Goretex Infinium which are slightly thicker and warmer but still lightweight - I'd probably take those next time. I would never not take gloves. Hope this helps. Buen Camino!

 

[Scoutbuff]

FWIW... I'm making my own waterproof overmitts that can accommodate a lightweight pair of gloves for less than $10 and under 3 oz.