[font=Comic Sans MS]I wear gloves that some kind friend gave me - Blue smurf gloves. They are great, a cotton _base_ so good to wipe sweat from your brow, easy to rinse by hand. They last about 5 climbs (depending) then need to be replaced as the blue is gone and all that is left is the cotton _base_.

So - Do you wear gloves?
What type?
Where do you purchse them?
what is the break point when the cost is to high to buy a certain glove as they are a quick to replace item of climbing gear?

thanks

jz[/font]

Atlas smurf gloves it is. I make mine last a long time, use them for going up and use a light touch going down. In winter I use the heavier version. I've tried a lot of different gloves, smurfs are the best IMHO

Vhat 'da heck are you doing to kill them in 5 climbs?
-moss

I use leather gloves that have no-finger covers. Inexpensive, last long and can be washed after a few uses to remove the funky smell. I get them at Home Depot. I last tried a fancier version recently with only two finger uncovered and made of lighter cloth and plastic material but they do not last as long as the leather ones.

Originally posted by JerseyGirl

Where do you purchse them?

They're available all over the place, I like the Atlas brand that Sherrill carries.

The deal with the smurf gloves is that they allow you to grip the rope with less pressure when your'e ascending DRT. This saves energy and reduces wear and tear on your forearm tendons.

Just adding this:
Chronically overgripping the rope while loading your arms can cause Medial Epicondylitis aka Golfer's Elbow. I've found the smurfs to be effective in reversing my inside elbow soreness.
-moss

I have IronClad _frame_rs (from Sherrill) which have two fingers uncovered. I like not having to take off my gloves to tie small knots etc. The only wear I have seen is from forgetting to take them off when clearing briars/brush. They're pretty tough.

Originally posted by cherring
I have IronClad _frame_rs (from Sherrill) which have two fingers uncovered. I like not having to take off my gloves to tie small knots etc. The only wear I have seen is from forgetting to take them off when clearing briars/brush. They're pretty tough.

Ironclads are great gloves. I climbed my first winter using the Ironclad Cold Condition gloves. Very nimble fingers even with gloves on They were only good to about 25 degrees and the gripping texture wore off after about 5 months of climbing. Maybe I can dip the palms in rubber to bring them back Still ok for rappeling and general rope handling as is. For very cold weather I wore them underneath cover mittens so I wouldn't have exposed skin to tie knots when the mittens had to come off.
-moss