Kast Steelhead Gloves for Cold Weather

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Thought I would post this here since there has been discussions on gear (the LED Lenser). I fish out of my boat until I can't break ice. One problem is trying to keep my hands warm and dry on those 20 degree days in November. The best solution I've had so far is insulated rag wool gloves that I can get for about $15 at any local outdoor store. Hands still get wet, but the wool insulates.

I've got a good rotation of gloves for ice fishing, however when ice fishing I don't have the cold hands problem because my hands are not getting wet all the time. I also can sit in my portable and turn the heater on to warm/dry my hands. When I'm fishing from the boat, I'm doing a lot of casting with braid and hands are constantly wet from the line.

Anyway, I've been doing some research on gloves for fishing in cold temps. There are gloves I've found called Kast Steelhead Gloves. They are made for cold weather temps. They are $80. I have no problem spending $80 if they work well. I've found plenty of reviews about these gloves. Unfortunately, the reviews are from people in climates that are not as aggressive as Minnesota in late November.

Has anyone on this board ever used these gloves or know anyone with a pair? I'd like an opinion from someone that fishes in the boat when it is below freezing. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

[TruthWalleyes]

Good luck finding gloves that offer the required dexterity and maintain waterproofing. If you do, let me know. I'll see if i can special order a pair of XXXL's.

Best pair i've found are Manzella. They are a very thin, wind proof glove that have no insulation. They are now full of holes, but when new worked very well. Cannot dip your hand in the water with them, but i was amazed how with very little (If any) insulation, by breaking the wind, your hands maintain warmth.

These are my go-to gloves for hole hoping when below zero and WINDY! Been trying to find these gloves the last year with no luck. I'd buy another 4 pairs if i ever do though.

[Slabasaurus]

Anyway, I've been doing some research on gloves for fishing in cold temps. There are gloves I've found called Kast Steelhead Gloves. They are made for cold weather temps. They are $80. I have no problem spending $80 if they work well. I've found plenty of reviews about these gloves. Unfortunately, the reviews are from people in climates that are not as aggressive as Minnesota in late November.

I haven't heard any first hand experience with these, nor do I have any... but after reading a plethora of reviews from AK steelheaders, I'm intrigued, especially for winter trout fishing here in MN.

Hopefully someone on the board with first hand experience can chime in, they sound pretty nice.

[20lbSloughShark]

rubber gloves under any gloves doubles their warmth. If you can find some big enough, wear them over some thin ones, like those cheap black utility gloves.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

I haven't heard any first hand experience with these, nor do I have any... but after reading a plethora of reviews from AK steelheaders, I'm intrigued, especially for winter trout fishing here in MN.

Hopefully someone on the board with first hand experience can chime in, they sound pretty nice.

Since the manufacturer seems to be marketing the product to fly fishermen, I'm hoping a fly angler might chime in. I'm very close to just rolling the dice and placing the order. I've wasted more than $80 on other fishing gear that disappointed.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Good luck finding gloves that offer the required dexterity and maintain waterproofing. If you do, let me know. I'll see if i can special order a pair of XXXL's.

The big C has them on sale on their HSOforum for $64.00. Problem is they only have them available in 2XL. The Kast webpage has a sizing chart. I can't get the deal at big C because I've got medium sized paws.

[Stick in Mud]

I haven't heard any first hand experience...

Hopefully someone on the board with first hand experience

Puns intentional, I'm assuming?

[BobT]

Quote:

Good luck finding gloves that offer the required dexterity and maintain waterproofing. If you do, let me know. I'll see if i can special order a pair of XXXL's.

I hear ya. Any gloves I have tried that are waterproof are so stiff and uncomfortable to wear, I end up not using them.

[Jcup]

I have a pair that are kind of similar to these. I payed like 70 bucks at gander last winter for them. They are great at keeping my hands dry but terrible at keeping them warm. its like once the material is soaked the wind on that wet glove make them really cold. granted my hands are still dry but really cold. I'm not saying these kast's are anything like that but it is something to think about. Their HSOforum says they don't have the dwr coating like the other ones with the finger missing do.

If you do get them please write up a review! I've never been able to find a glove that I truly liked. Seems like you cant have warm/waterproof/dexterity all in one, you can only have two.

[hnd]

rubber gloves under any gloves doubles their warmth. If you can find some big enough, wear them over some thin ones, like those cheap black utility gloves.

2nd this.

i have some nice gloves but i keep a box of surgical latex gloves in my bucket now. i can slip off my gloves, reach into the water, bait my hooks, and my hands are dry. they also help keep them warmer when i have my other set of gloves on. whether they have other advantages is a matter of opinion but sometimes i wonder if it also keeps my scent off baits for finicky fish.

[TruthWalleyes]

I can't stand surgical gloves. Less than 10 seconds of wearing them and my hands are sweating. Maybe it's different outside when it's colder as i've never worn them outside. It doesn't take 5-10 minutes and my hands look like a raisen wearing those medical gloves. Don't know how some people do it for a living.

[Northlander]

Ditto. Rubber gloves get me sweaty and then colder. Best I have found is wool gloves with the tip of the pointer fingers and thumbs cut out.

[BartmanMN]

Those gloves look interesting. Last Fall I wore the rubberized neoprene ones that worked pretty well. I did need to keep hand warmers on my palms, but there were 100% water proof so I could dunk my hands in the water to wash fish slime off.

[Alagnak]

Ditto. Rubber gloves get me sweaty and then colder. Best I have found is wool gloves with the tip of the pointer fingers and thumbs cut out.

Yep- I've tried them all (except for these spendy ones listed) and that's the best I can put on my hands. Good old wool. Have a few with the mitten thing that folds over your fingers when I drive the boat. I have a few pair in the boat and when they get soaked I either swap out a pair or wring them out of water and put them back on.

[CASTnBLAST]

Great post. Almost ordered the gloves you were talking about but opted for Under Armour "Extreme Cold" gloves instead. Should have put the money towards the Kast pair. Let us know how they work out if you get them.

[20lbSloughShark]

Its easy for me to wear them, I've worked at a nursing home for 4 years now. Its just personal preference I guess. I originally got the idea from dirtrider magazine, and used them a few times when riding in the rain. It works great for me, and my budget.

[buzbunni]

Glacier Gloves.

2mm or 1mm neoprene with lining in both. Waterproof. Pre-curved or not.

You can get them with finger/thumb slots or without. I have both (2mm without slots and 1mm with slots).

Pretty decent dexterity and touch. Purchased a couple of pair after some wet/nasty/raw Spring/Fall open water angling on Leech Lake. These gloves have made enjoyable several cold/wet/raw/windy weekends of angling for me since then.

[mwal]

I steelhead fish a lot and always used rag wool fingerless gloves and hand warmers. I bought a pair of Alaska River Series 2mm fingerless neoprene with fleece backing gloves 4 or 5 years ago. I use them hunting Ice fishing early season boat fishing. I have not used a hand warmer since. Best gloves I have ever used for Steelheading. I centerpin and do indicator nymphing and they work for either technique. I highly recommend them. About $23.00 a pair

Mwal

[TravP]

I ordered a pair of the Kast Steelhead gloves and have used them on 3 outings now. Very warm and dry! You can cast with them on but it's still a bit awkward at first. Doable though. Measure your hands correctly according to their sizing chart! I normally wear a L or XL. I ordered a medium and they felt tight when I first got them but have stretched and now they fit great. I'm thinking about purchasing a second pair already, I like them that much.