When the weather gets wet, or you’re out recreating in cold water, you’re going to need waterproof gear. But the body parts that seem to get the least amount of love when it comes to “waterproofiness” are our hands and feet. Sure, there are boots and winter gloves with waterproof membranes, but what about thin gloves so you can still do things like fishing or paddling? What about waterproof socks in case you step into a stream and water fills your boots? Enter Hanz and their waterproof gloves and socks.
Hanz is a California-based company that has been making waterproof outdoor products since 1993. All their gear is produced right here in the U.S.A. They offer a wide selection of gloves and socks with varying degrees of thermal rating, so you can match a pair to whatever activity or condition you’ll be doing in the water.
Hanz gloves and socks feature:
- Three-layer construction, securely bonded throughout entire glove
- HANZ® wicking liner for moisture management
- HANZ® stretchable waterproof, breathable MVT membrane
- Nylon/Lycra® Spandex offering a durable, flexible, stretch covering
- Palms covered with abrasion-resistant grip dots
- Seamless design provides the ultimate in performance and comfort without annoying ridges and pressure points
- Pressure tested to ensure it has no leaks
We got pairs of the light weight gloves and socks (thermal protection level H2) and took them out for a test drive. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to recreate in any downpours, or go for a nice stroll in a river, so my testing was limited to putting my hands and feet under cold tap water in the bathtub.
First, the gloves: I kept my hand under cold water for over 5 minutes and I barely felt the temperature despite these gloves being a lighter-weight version. They were also completely waterproof as the company claims. My hand stayed 100% dry. I would not hesitate to bring these along on backpcking tripS when rain is expected, while fly fishing in the cold, or mountain biking in a downpour. The palms and fingers are rubberized for grip, and the material is flexible and fit like… well… a glove.
Next, the socks: I filled the tub to ankle depth and stood in the water for the same length of time. My toes felt a little cold after a while, but that’s pretty typical with my chronically cold feet. Just like the gloves, these socks were 100% waterproof. However, I have a hard time trying to figure out a situation where I would need waterproof socks. Out of the box, I was concerned the rubbery material would be very uncomfortable when worn in shoes, but after taking them on a walk, they really felt like any other technical sock. The seamless construction goes a long way is achieving a high comfort level. For a guy like me, I suppose these would be worth tossing into a pack just in case during spring and fall (or winter) backpacking trips. Hunters will love them.
The Good: 100% waterproof, comfortable, warm.
The Bad: Difficult to find an opportunity to wear waterproof gloves and socks in dry-old Utah.
Final Word: If you recreate in a soggy place (think Pacific Northwest) or torture yourself with winter water immersion, Hanz waterproof gloves and socks should have a place in your gear closet.
For more, visit www.hanzusa.com