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Hello,
<br>I'm considering the purchase of either Goretex or Sealskinz gloves for hunting in the rain. Does any one have an opinion on them?
<br>I'm concerned about their flexibility. can I work the safety/hammer,or the bolt/lever? Can I feel the trigger?
<br>Thanks,
<br>Frank

My view on gloves for hunting in tough weather/tougher country, is to use unlined leather gloves which have had all the bees wax they will absorb put to them. I use them in saltwater and fresh, raining, snowing, whatever, and have found them better than anything else.
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<br>They wear forever and stay water proof. They are extremely uncomfortable to break in but once they are worked loose they are incredible and last for years. All of the fabric gloves seem to leak and tear very easily in the salmon berry bushes.
<br>art

Art,
<br>Thanks for the help. I'm keeping your post on file,for future use. I would of loved to have that suggestion 50 years ago.
<br>I'm no longer an "agressive" hunter,and a fabric glove will last me a lifetime.
<br>Your idea appeals to me,and I have a supply of bees wax. Do you heat,or melt the wax?
<br>Frank
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Frank
<br>I use a heat gun and simply warm the leather and wax enough to get it to run... DO NOT put your hand in the glove when applying melted wax... it hurts! They will be terribly stiff and uncomfortable for awhile, but once they match your hand size and break in they will amaze you with their toughness and comfort.
<br>best of luck
<br>art

I won't say my hunting conditions are as tough as art's but I have done just about the same thing using a good boot dressing like mink oil or snow proof. Warm the gloves up with my wife's blow dryer and work in the boot dressing. Lasts pretty well and you can always redress as needed.
<br>BCR

I spend alot of time duck hunting on the Wa. coast, I'm trying to remember the last time it didn't rain. I've tried Goretex and other water proof gloves and have had no luck. I use thinsilate lined polarfleece gloves they are about $10.00/pr. They keep my hands warm through the rain even though they are wet, after picking up decoys or falling in the drink I switch to a dry pair I keep in a sandwich bag. They dry just hanging in the camper overnight and seem to wear pretty well still using the first ones I bought about 4 years ago, I use them for cross-country skiing also. I've got a few pair stashed, it seems that if I find something that works for me they quit making it.
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<br>Good Luck
<br>erich

If the leather gloves are stiff when new, would it help to soften them first with neatsfoot oil or lexol and then apply the beeswax goo?
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<br>I put Snoseal on my boots. Good stuff. I have tried other substances but Snoseal is the best, especially as it is the cheapest.
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<br>I lke leather gloves treated this way too unless it gets really cold, then I switch to mitts.
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<br>I have not tried Sealskin or Goretex gloves or mitts yet but I swear by Goretex clothing. Some folk say it is too noisy but if it is raining, it will be noisy in the bush anyway. If you do get Goretex gloves, make sure they have their seams sealed with tape or do it your self with SeamSeal or similar goop.

Snoseal is beeswax with solvent to make it easier to apply. I tis nothing close to the equal of straight wax for water-proofing. Where snoseal requires application after application the straight wax is a once-a-year thing, if you use them like I do, which is a lot. If you only wear your boots occasionally they will last for years.
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<br>I would not use the snoseal on gloves because I am willing to put the time into breaking them in...
<br>art

Snow seal only works on my boots one day if I am walking in the wet brush. Then I have to reseal the next day. Come to think of it, my feet are always wet too when I take my boots off at the end of the day. It may work fine in cold dry snow but not in snow filled with water or thru puddles and wet brush.

Somthing I learned from the Danner Boot Co. Don't use Snow Seal on anything with Gortex lining. They say it clogs up the Gortex and won't let it berath. For some reason Neats Foot Oil is okay though.

Why?

Dan

I got a pair of Thinsulate insulated, Gore-Tex lined camo hunting gloves from Cabelas back in 1985. I have used them to hunt ducks, pheasants, deer, quail, etc.

Picked up our dead ducks out of the water a few days ago wearing them. My hands have not gotten wet while hunting since 1985.

The amazing thing is Cabelas still makes a glove that is almost the same--but you have to look in their Master Catalog to find them.

I brought a pair of seal skins with me on my AK bou hunt . They do not breath at all , were clamy, which in teurn made my hands cold . I will be leaving them at home next time.

I didn't think ducks could afford Gore Tex! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

BMT

I don't think Cabela's "makes" anything.

IF you hunt waterfowl for nearly 20 years without getting even your hands wet, you should either give lessons, or sell tickets...

For nasty, cold, wet waterfowling weather I use a pair of "Aleutian" neoprene gloves. Warmth and windproof without the bulk. I cann't stand to hunt bulkly gloves and these seem to work well.