Can anyone suggest a pair of gloves... I am a bus driver and these would be for cold weather use only, but would need to allow use of the ticket machine and change giver, so have to allow finger tips to feel. I am not the biggest fan of fingerless gloves, but if that is all then so be it. Bottom line is they need to keep my hands warm, but I need to feel what I am doing while wearing them. I have several pairs of leather gloves, but they all seem to be too long in the finger. i was thinking along the lines of neoprene, nomex or some other synthetic, but am open to ALL suggestions. [edit] In my search, I have come across the following - does anyone have any experience with these at all? Hatch - Elite Marksman Shooter EM007 Glove - £40.95 (GBP) MacWet - Climatec Marksman Glove - £24.95 (GBP) Trouble is, I have nowhere to go to try these on so am reliant on other peoples opinion as I don't want to buy, send back, buy, send back, &c. BTW - they must not be gauntlet style and they MUST be black/grey or neutral do to the "professional" image we present. [/edit]
I know they are kinda hobo, but I just bought 2 pairs of fingerless knit gloves at the mall for $6. Not bad for the price. I bought them to use at work in the computer lab where the AC is on full blast all day for the servers. It allows me to type well. However, when I wore them driving I didn't have the grip that I like. I drive harder than most people in the turns but since you are a bus driver, you probably need good grip. The problem with my hands is that I feel that the gloves are either loose in the fingers or tight around my hand (wide hands?) Since you need good grip, I found a few on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/DPG23L-Fingerless-Synthetic-Leather-Spandex/dp/B000FPAS3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289090277&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Biker-Fingerless-Leather-Glove-L/dp/B001MK0CX2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1289090256&sr=8-7 http://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPDGL-007-Padded-Fingerless-Leather/dp/B001JT5JES/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1289090277&sr=8-4 Not sure if you can pull them off, but I really want to get the Dewalt ones for myself, but I just bought some.
I will go fingerless if I really have to, I am just not to keen on the feeling of the seam where the fingertip is cut away. RE: Dewalt... I like the look of them, and I do drive for Yellow Buses, but as I said earlier, they need to be black, grey or neutral due to our "professional" image. Of the 3 you picked, http://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPDGL-...9090277&sr=8-4 is the best suited to my needs. I'm not sure that it is grip that I need, more the ability to feel what I am doing. The steering on modern buses is surprisingly light, and as we are trying to keep our passengers comfortable there is no need to be yanking the wheel round a corner. TBH I am more concerned with keeping my hands warm (warmer) during the winter months whilst still being able to operate and feel the ticket machine (think computer) and change giver - and be able to pick up coins off the tray too...
Mechanix have some good gloves: http://www.mechanix.com/ The Original series (automotive) are worn bij mechanics (prob seen them on tv shows like American Chopper, Biker Build-off, West Coast Customs and the like) and provide comfort, protection and are still very comfortable.
Hatch shooters I have a pair of the Hatch Specialists and the fit is fantastic (AMAZING DEXTERITY), but heat retention is mediocre at best. In general insulation and dexterity are VERY contrary to one another. I would consider a layer system. A thin liner paired with a not too snug glove would give you some flexibility to choose between different degrees of warmth and dexterity. This might seem a bit complicated but if you can get the fit right I find it to be worth the trouble. I use Outdoor Research liners and mitts for my outdoor escapades during winter. I have been intending to upgrade to wool liners...and probably will this season.
I picked up a pair of under armor gloves for last winter. I had the same basic needs you did and these were the best of all those I tried. I'll be picking up another pair for this winter. Link
Sealskinz have a few options. Their waterproof high grip gloves aren't great thermally, but they have a merino wool liner glove too which is quite affordable. They also do riding gloves and other items which might work
I've got some Berghaus gloves just like those UA ones. Lasted ages. Really thin but warm and windproof.
A little late here, but one of my friends used to wear his hunting mitten/gloves all the time in cold weather. You can have the mitten cover down while driving, but push them back when you need the dexterity. http://www.ramseyoutdoor.com/product/bid-460/pid-5456/index.aspx?utmsource=avantlink.com&utmmedium=referral&utmterm=Swany%20Glove%20H1002&utmcampaign=nxs&avad=12909_f10b2161
I have been using a pair from The North Face that have excellent dexterity and nice palm grip. The best feature of them though is on the tips of the index fingers and thumbs, it has a material that works with the new capacitive screen touch phones. So now I can use my phone without freezing my digits off. http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/mens-accessories-filter-category-gloves_mitts/etip-glove.html
LA police gear had some 5.11 patrol gloves on clearance for 9.99. They were thinsulate and very good finger feel. Good deal I thought.
+1 For Mechanix, but I've had the leather wear out on the finger tips with moderate use (especially when you wash them!) on just about every pair. I do like these gloves, and I'm on my 10th or 11th pair... I've always had good results with mil-spec aviator or crew member gloves, and they have a semi-gauntlet wrist for warmth (keep your wrists warm and you're hand will stay warm!) - they are meant to keep your hands clean, but allow the manipulation of switch gear, dials, etc. inside aircraft or vehicles.
Have a look at the Youngstown’s Carpenter Plus I have their Pro XT gloves & have worn them in winter & they provided adequate warmth but were not as good as dedicated winter gloves, but that is not what you are looking for so the the carpenter plus gloves should be a good compromise.
Mechanix is a great option. I use them for everything from mountain biking to garden chores. They are not the warmest so keep that in mind.
how about a pair of these: http://stores.alleghenywholesale.com/-strse-338/USGI-MILITARY-RARE,-US/Detail.bok They're not the most stylish but should be really warm with wool inserts. On the leather mitten, the index finger has no insulation, it's just a thin tube of single layer fabric. You're supposed to normally use it as a mitten with your index finger tucked inside the mitten portion but it would allow quick finger access. I found them on ebay for relatively cheap.
I have a pair of the original mechanix which I always have and they are great down to 40 degrees or so. I was working in them around 30 degrees a few weeks ago and really felt chilly. Does anyone else have smelly mechanix gloves? It seems to come back quickly with use. I wash them by putting them on and washing my hands with laundry detergent in cool water. -vivek
