We all love spending time on the water, going after our favorite species and hoping to catch our new personal best. This time on the water is fantastic but it can wreak havoc on our skin. With how quickly clothing has advanced many fishing specific companies have popped up. Each company trying to make their way to the top and earn the trust and anglers across the country.

Over the past couple years I have gone through a number of different companies but struggle to find one that makes a pair of gloves that will last a full season. The hours I spend not only fishing, but paddling can do a number on gloves in no time. Then I heard about Tailin’ Toads from a friend. When looked at the gloves and neckwear online and they seemed like good quality products, made in the USA, and are spf 50+ so I decided to give them a shot.

When I received them in the mail the neckwear, Shieldz, was good. One thin layer of fabric with no seams. However, gloves were slightly different than expected. I noticed a couple of things. First, they had two layers of fabric. No grippy material on the underhand side, just regular fabric. The second, is that they seemed to be sewn quite well and the seams were not noticeable. Thirdly, and most shocking to me, I knew they were fingerless gloves but there was no tube for the thumb. It never showed in any of the pictures so was hidden? It was not, it was non existent! The gloves were more like a sleeve, with a slit sewn in for the thumbs. This made it a little bit harder to figure out which one belongs on what hand. So after I figured that out (logo on top of left hand) I was good to go. They were very comfortable to the touch, the fingers could move around easily and the fabric between the thumb and fingers was not in the way at all of movement. Also the gloves went far enough up on my wrist to go a little past the sleeve on my long sleeve shirt. So far their a win, but I haven’t had them out on the water yet.

After a number of trips out, paddling, fishing, and even landing a couple, the gloves held up excellent, even without grips! They took their beating with no show of wear. Even after getting wet and then being put straight to work by paddling or fishing they were great! The gloves and Shieldz dried pretty quickly and never smelled. I usually hang them on my drying rack over night and they are set for the next day. Other products I have used started to fray, smell, and/or get the ever annoying balling on the fabric. No issue like that all with the Tailin’ Toads. I even got them full of mud and tossed them in the washing machine and they come out just fine!

Now looking at the price, the Shieldz cost $22 and the gloves are $24. The price falls on the lower end compared to similar products from other companies. The Tailin’ Toads products are made to order, are made from comfortable, and quality material that will take a beating and not show sign of wear! In my book, Tailin’ Toads gloves and Shieldz are a definite CATCH!

I have tried multiple types of fingerless gloves and all have either been bulky or uncomfortable. I can paddle with some but not fish well with them. I was almost at wits end but decided to give Tailin' Toads a try. I got a pair for myself and I have to say they were the most comfortable gloves I have ever worn. I paddled with them and there is enough grip from the fingerless design that I had complete control of my paddle even in strong current. the next big test came from fly casting. I could hold my 10wt fly rod with authority and they were comfortable for all day on the water. I was sold in just a couple trips, Tailin' Toads are my kind of waterwear ! My biggest surprise came when I contacted them for my bride. She has little hands and we can NEVER find her anything that fits right. Instead of just suggesting a size, Manny contacted me back to ask for measurements to make sure the gloves would serve her well. I have only seen that kind of service from a few companies and you better believe I remember that. When my brides mahi mahi Tailin' Toads showed up she was pumped ! she even celebrated with a mahi mahi nail painting LOL. The real test was on the water for her, complete comfort, all day, paddling and fishing. Yep, we are a Tailin' Toad couple and glad to have found a glove made right here by a company that cares.

The first time I saw the logo, I thought, “How cool is this?” Being the big redfish fisherman that I am, I checked them out. Now after my recent medical problems, one of the things my doctor told me is that I am sun sensitive, meaning that prolonged exposure will aggravate my symptoms. This all made sense; prolonged trips to Cedar Key and other locations left me with small blisters on the tops of my hands.

My doctor told me this was all part of the immune disorder that has been plaguing me these past months. When I saw a chance to try these fingerless gloves, I jumped at the opportunity. Regular gloves were nice, but the leather pads on the palms and fingers took too long to dry, and as a photographer I hate getting any water on my camera. I contacted Manny Aldrich Altman, and she sent me a pair to try out. My first trip with them, and I was hooked.

From the Tailin' Toads site:
Tailin’ Toads, TAILIN' TOADS OFFERS AN AWESOME SELECTION OF FINGERLESS GLOVES FOR ANYONE FROM THE COMPETITIVE ANGLERS TO KAYAK LOVERS TO THE WEEKEND ANGLER WHO LOVES BEING ON THE WATER!! THESE COOL FINGERLESS GLOVES PROTECT YOU FROM HARMFUL UV RAYS WHICH CAUSE SKIN CANCER AND SUN SPOTS!! THESE GLOVES ARE EVEN BEING SOLD TO THE YOGA ENTHUSIASTS AND THE AVID GARDENER!! CHECK OUT THE COOL PRINTS ON THE NEXT PAGE AND REMEMBER....WHETHER FISHING OR PLAYING....KEEP IT REEL WITH TAILIN' TOADS!! PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA.

The gloves are very comfortable, they provide ample support while paddling and best of all for me, they dry very quickly. I contacted Manny again, and was pleasantly surprised when she offered me a position on the Tailin’ Toad Pro Staff. On my very next trip, I tested them out on one of my good friends, Rik Llewellyn. Rik has been around the sport of kayak fishing for a long time; I think he may have invented it, I’m not sure though.

“Wore a pair of Tailin' Toads today while fishing with Bill Howard. Best fishing gloves ever! I've tried all kinds and never liked the cut off fingers. They never felt right plus the seams always split after a couple outings. Yours felt so good I was hardly aware that I had them on. Great product!”

Tailin’ Toads gloves come in a wide range of colors, and they are made right here in the USA. Give them a try, and I think you’ll be a Toad convert like I am.

Sun protection for your hands is something that is often overlooked. In recent years, I've noticed that the tops of my hands have bore the punishment of the sun - the elasticity is not what it was before. So, along with wearing long-sleeved shirts, I have incorporated gloves into my arsenal of sun-protection products.

I obtained a pair of the Tailin' Toads Fingerless Gloves in a raffle-prize package, and they have quickly become a go-to accessory while on the water.

The Tailin' Toads gloves are fingerless. I like the open-ended design, with no individual finger holes.

The gloves also dry quickly! A plus when choosing gloves to wear while paddling.

Very satisfied with the Tailin' Toads Gloves - I highly recommend them!