Sun protective gloves

wear long sleeves that are long enough to protect hands. Velcro or some other closure to fasten around wrist when you want to use hands.

I try to protect the backs of my hands even if wearing short sleeves. My arms don't burn any more, at least not painfully, but the backs of my hands get exposure when I'm fishing unless I wear gloves. I have a pair of Outdoor Research sun gloves, but they are looking pretty shabby after much use with trekking poles – the palms seem to wear quickly. A pair of Buff branded gloves is more durable and lasting longer for me. Buff also makes fishing specific fingerless gloves.

I use Glacier Gloves, Abaco Bay series. Due to a lot of sun exposure during my younger years I like to keep my skin covered on long hikes, especially on my hands. I don't like suncreen due to having to reapply, the odor that some lotions have, and the possibility of getting onto my contacts. The Abaco gloves are partially finger-less and they work really well. The do keep the hands much cleaner than without. I use poles and the gloves cut down on the abrasiveness. I usually get +300 miles on a set of gloves before I have to replace. They're very lightweight, I don't even realize I have them on.

I wear "fingerless" biking gloves and use trekking poles. With curled fingers, the gloves take care of the backs of my hands. Of late, I have been using fingerless mechanic's gloves from Home Depot that are $10 and are holding up well http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/99978/index.html?skip_to_post=846939#846939

I use two options: fingerless sun gloves from Coolibar which I mostly use, or some hand covers from Sun Precautions for really hot weather that offer more ventilation but look a little sillier. Having had one skin cancer removed from my face, and having had "age spots" frozen off my hands twice (before I started using sun gloves), I am definitely in need of good sun protection, and I find these work really well for me. I wear them driving as well as for any outdoor activities (unless I'm wearing cold weather gloves). They also have a loose fit for me, which I find more comfortable (I order a size up). Both these types have open areas in the palm, so poles don't wear away at them.

"A billion Chinese can't be wrong. . . ." Chinese with the luxury of not doing manual labor try to avoid getting sun tanned (so it doesn't look like they do manual labor) and will even go to the beach covered head to toe in some form of clothing. In hot and humid August in Shanghai and Bejing, I mostly saw lightweight, white cotton gloves in use. While walking, while on a scooter, and while waiting for a bus. I've used those in Baja to protect the back of my hands (and a long-sleeve, collared, retired cotton dress shirt for my upper body). Those cotton gloves worked really well against sunburn. It didn't wash or rub off like sunscreen. And even though it was a somewhat open weave, it blocked at least 90% of the UV because unlike on our previous trip, I didn't burn in that area. Moderately sturdy ones from the hardware store (pair aisle) lasted a whole week of sea kayaking – sun, water, and paddling. Walmart has 24-pair boxes for $0.83/pair for "disposable" ones that I suspect would last several days each if only hiking.

I've been using OR's fingerless Chroma Sun Gloves for a few years now, and they have worked quite well. I think I might have another year left on them, and I would get the same ones again. I have especially appreciated their durability. http://tinyurl.com/neg7w67

I have a pair of the coolibar gloves which I have been using for over 2 years now. The fabric of the gloves has held up well with trekking pole use and they have performed great too, however, the original stitching at several seams broke down fairly quickly. I gave up and just restitched all the main seams – no issues since.

wouldn't the back of your fingers get sun exposure? I guess it doesn't matter if your fingers become wrinkled and shriveled?

It's only the last knuckle or so that's exposed, and it doesn't seem to be a problem. And it is much cooler not to have the whole finger enclosed in fabric.

Hand Covers….no sweaty hands. Worked for me on the JMT using hiking poles the whole time. http://www.sunprecautions.com/product/31300 Dorky for sure, but allows for full ventilation and your hands are still free for use with good grip. Tony

I have Vitligo on my hands with large areas that have no melanin at all and those spots sunburn quickly. My fingers are almost completely exposed, but it is the backs of my hsnds that get burned. When walkingvwith poles, my fingertips are curled under and never get burned; likewise when walking without poles. I would wonder about kayaking being different as there is a lot reflection off the water. That could be an issue on snow too.

I use Sun Grubbies, but they tend to separate at the finger seams after a bit–but are still usable. I wear them when driving too. But I'll probably try one of the brands that have been mentioned here next. If you use poles, your hands are really exposed. Oh an added benefit is that mosquitoes can't bite your hands! worth it for that alone.

Oh, I have gotten bites through mine, if I don't spray them with repellent or permethrin.

Probably depends on the brand. But I have also spritzed mine with deet in heavy mosquito season. Here, the advantage is that you can take them off to eat. Permethrin would be best.

The wife and I recently took a trip on the Colorado Trail and used OR Spectrum sun gloves. They were cheap, lightweight and comfortable. And kept us from burning to boot. Only used them a few days so far, but they feel pretty durable. Ryan