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how to choose the right gloves for scuba diving?

Scuba gloves are highly recommended for snorkeling or scuba diving. During cold water diving, the hands will lose heat at a rapid rate and they can easily become numb. This will make it difficult to operate your diving kit or do any other scuba diving tasks. Using scuba diving gloves will also protect your hands from injury due to stings, cuts or scratches from contact with sharp objects and various marine creatures. Here are some of the most important characteristics you should look for when choosing scuba diving gloves.

Thickness
The thickness of the diving glove you buy should be determined by the temperature and depth of water you will be diving in. Gloves made of neoprene have a thickness that ranges from 2mm to 7mm. In warm water or during the hot summer months, you may use a thin 2mm glove. When you are diving into any cold water, a glove with 5mm thickness is recommended. But if you are going to a depth that is greater than 50 ft, you should opt for the 7mm glove. In very deep water, the air in the gloves decreases and it affects the effectiveness of the gloves.

Material
Neoprene is the basic material used to produce diving gloves. But additional materials such as kevlar and rubber are used to provide vital features like tear resistance and grip. With good grip, you can use the gloves to hold vital equipment under water. Kevlar is a very durable material that makes the gloves nearly impenetrable. Gloves that are fortified with kevlar offer good protection against scratches or abrasions, especially for divers who have to use their hands frequently underwater.

Size
Diving gloves come in various sizes including small S, medium M, large L, and extra-large XL. Some manufacturers also offer other kinds of sizes including extra-small to small XS-S, medium to large M-L, and large to extra large L-X. You can use the measurement and size charts available online to determine your size. You should also test the gloves before you go into the water. Try them out in your bath tub and see how they work. If you buy them online and you are not satisfied, you will be allowed to return them.

Wrist Strap and Seam
Wrist straps are added to diving gloves to prevent water from getting into them. If the gloves get soaked with water, they become very uncomfortable and they lose their effectiveness. Most wrist straps used on diving gloves are made from stretch material. They are wrapped around the wrist and they are secured with velcro. Some glove designs include a hidden zipper that can also be used to make it water tight at the wrist. If your glove does not have a wrist strap, you must make sure it can be tucked under your wetsuit to prevent water from coming into it. Additionally, you should opt for gloves that are sewn with liquid taped and blind stitches because they are waterproof.

Conclusion
Those are some of the most important features you should look for when choosing diving gloves. Due to the importance of diving gloves, you should ensure that you test them carefully, and make sure they fit snugly to your hands before you take a dive with them.