Columbia’s “Utilizer” half-finger gloves offer SPF 50 sun protection while maintaining dexterity for tying fishing knots and performing other delicate tasks. These gloves don’t have durable palms, so may not be optimal for paddling.
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Have you ever talked to one of the old timers at the bait shop and stopped to look down at their hands? The majority of them look like they are wearing old leather gardening gloves! While kayak fishing we always focus on wearing sunscreen; keeping ourselves protected with long sleeves and a wide brimmed hat, but what about our hands?
I’m always looking for easy ways to protect myself from the damaging rays of the sun. When I saw the Columbia Utilizer Fingerless Gloves they looked perfect. Light weight, fingerless, with build in UPF 50 sun protection that doesn’t wash off, “Perfect”.
First Impression: Columbia shipped them quickly; I ordered on Monday and received them Thursday. The gloves fit nicely and were very light. I didn’t want to feel like I was wearing gloves, I just wanted to protect my hands and these seemed to fit the bill.
After two uses:
The Good- The Columbia Utilizer Fingerless Gloves provided great sun protection for my hands. I was able to fish with them all day without issue. They dried quickly and I didn’t feel hampered while tying on lures or handling any of my tackle.
The Bad- After just two uses the gloves are starting to tear in the palms. I don’t see them lasting for more than five trips.
Final Thoughts: The Columbia Utilizer Fingerless Gloves does as advertised they protected my hands from the sun. Would I recommend them for anyone paddling a kayak, no. The palms are just too thin and were not meant for that type of use. So until Columbia makes a model with a leather palm, I’ll have to resort the slathering sunscreen on my hands several times a day.
