The only thing preventing me from spending more time on the water in the winter has been my gloves. When I saw the Solite surf boots advertised and then saw they make 5mm gloves, I wondered if surf gloves might be the answer. What followed was a months-long journey into ordering numerous pairs from different manufacturers and finally deciding that, yes, the Solite glove completes my winter gear. I’ve gone from 20 minutes of paddling, when discomfort really starts to set in on a cold day, to a full hour+ with discomfort never setting in - and in some pretty brutal conditions. I even tested the Solite split-mitt 5:3s in 10º F (-12.22º C), on a morning that started out as -4º F (-20º C). Though after 30 minutes I decided to call it good. Water freeze on you instantly in those conditions.
35 knot winds. I took a beating getting out of the surf zone, so I kept my gravity low coming in. I frequently paddle and surf by myself. Having the right gear means getting out for fun and getting home safe! Also going to plug the MetaLeash belt I’m wearing here, with yellow leash, my preferred leash for boards. Link at the end of the article.
Solite sells through its own website primarily and has a chat window. I clicked on it, and at first I was underwhelmed by the response, which basically was from someone who SUP surfs in San Diego and does not need 5mm gloves in the winter. They didn’t even think it was a great idea because the gloves at 5mm are stiff. A surfer friend in my local waters said the same thing. I was also advised by Solite to buy multiple pairs and just send back what didn’t fit. It turned out they were wrong about the gloves being too stiff for a SUP paddle, and it turned out I was wrong about their service. It proved to be great. I did some more research and found Xcel lobster gloves highly recommended. I ended up buying two pairs of Xcel and two of Solite. After all, if a glove does not fit, it won’t be any fun trying to wear it in the surf. It is important that neoprene gloves fit snug. Too much room and they glove could fill with water, cold water. Just right and if any water gets in, it should warm to your body.
NRS gloves, Solite and Xcel. These are all the same “size.” You can see the variation. Notably you see how tight the wrist section is on the split-mitt.
I am a big fan of my three pairs of NRS gloves. But all three are 3mm, and all allow water inside. 3mm is fine for transitional spring weather. At first I really liked the Xcel, which accommodated my wide but small hands. While I could get the Soilte on, they were uncomfortably tight. These were last year’s Solite, and I went back to chat. I was told that a manufacturing issue had made last year’s model come out too small, and that they were reduced in price consequently. I decided to buy two of the 2023 model and send back what didn’t fit. I also decided to send back the Xcel and get a smaller size. When I asked for customer service from the Xcel dealer, they said they could not help with sizing because everything was in a distribution center. They had no inventory to look at themselves. So… the Solite chat window started seeming better and better to me.
Xcel lobster mitt 5mm and 5 finger comparison. These are both smalls. You can see how different they are by looking at the thumb. The sizing was way off per style.
What is really unique about the Solite is the true split mitt, which keeps two fingers together on either side versus 1 and 3 in the traditional lobster glove. At this point I was about $600.00 USD into glove purchases. This is not how I like to make purchases, and I was really worried about my carbon footprint, sending gloves back and forth. So I really urge the manufacturers to do a better job showing actual sizing. On the other hand, everyone’s hands are unique. Xcel may end up being your first choice because they simply fit you better. However, when I down-sized to get a better fit, what showed up was so small it seemed only a very young child could ever get the Xcel glove on.
You want to fold over the cuff to squeeze your hand in. You can see the width of my palm compared to this glove. When it is on it is snug without being constrictive.
Solite has a little video where they show you how to roll over the cuff to make getting them on easier. The first glove is pretty easy, as you hook your fingers under the rolled cuff and pull it up. The second glove can be a challenge. I found that after a few paddles, the gloves gave just enough to make getting them on and off a little easier. I found the split-mitt very natural for my fingers and the 1 and 3 finger Xcel to be uncomfortable, with too much thumb and way too much room in the 3 finger pocket. The gloves are not so stiff that I can’t do things like put on my leash. I can even put my Apple watch on over the cuff.
The 3mm neoprene wrist seals tight over my latex gasket on my drysuit. To date, even in brutal surf, no water has gotten in. The 2023 version has the tacky triangle surface.
Both Xcel and Solite feature tacky rubber palms that make gripping your board easy. Even the NRS surface allows for some grippiness, but this coating is superior. Neither my board nor my paddle have a chance of slipping out of my grip. Though on the 10º paddle of course I could not grip the icy edge of my board. It’s February as I write this, with winter half way over. If you live in a cold region like I do in the winter and have $100 for an upgrade, I recommend you check out either glove. My personal favorite is of course the Solite. Returns were a breeze and shipping was faster than Amazon. I recommend you do buy more than one size and send whatever you don’t need back. I expect I will get the five finger 3mm Solite gloves to replace my NRS, specifically for the wrist seal. Also, if you don’t paddle in the dead of winter, I still recommend any NRS glove as they cost half the price. With the Solite at twice the cost, you do end up with more than twice the fun. Because who doesn’t want to test their gear out in gale force winter surf? :) I should also mention that this is year three of paddling and surfing through the winter in my Kokotat dry suit. And it has not leaked a drop.
Solite split-mitt 5:3 test.
I was not thinking about my gloves at this moment. When you have good gear, you’re just focused on the wave.
Dry hands.
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