Best Gloves for Fly Fishing: Sun, Stripping and Winter Picks

Our verdict

Fly Fishing Glove Top Picks

A fly glove has to keep feel for casting, stripping and knots. As Graham Bristow, a river guide who writes Trout and Steelhead, puts it: “The key to a good fly fishing glove is maintaining a tactile feel both on the rod and on the fly line, since often you are holding the line in one hand.”

Related guide: Weight Forward Fly Lines: 9 Picks Compared

Related guide: Best Line for Saltwater Fishing, Compared: Braid, Mono and Leader

We compare nine gloves from four brands for three jobs: sun gloves for summer stripping, half-finger wool and fleece for cool mornings, and a flip mitt and neoprene for winter rivers. For the rest of the kit, browse our fishing gear guides.

Compare the picks

Compare the 9 Fly Fishing Gloves

Each row names the size the link opens; switch sizes on Amazon.

How We Picked Gloves for Casting, Stripping and Cold Water

What each glove had to show

• A citable fly-fishing tie (maker, fly shop, fly writer or r/flyfishing).
• Line feel: open fingertips, a flip mitt or slit fingers.
• A clear job: sun, cool weather, or cold and wet.
• The exact Amazon listing, checked for size, stock and seller.

Sources and how independent they are and what r/flyfishing says about winter hands

Sources and how independent they are

Trout and Steelhead, Sipping Mayflies and MidCurrent are fly-fishing publishers that do not sell gloves. The fly shops quoted sell the gloves, so their notes are retailer copy. Maker claims are quoted as claims.

What r/flyfishing says about winter hands

The r/flyfishing winter gloves thread starts with a poster whose Simms half-finger wool gloves are “great in Autumn but when stripping line in winter weather, they make my hands cold too and the wool stays wet.” Several replies suggest nitrile gloves underneath; one brings three pairs of cheap wool gloves and swaps them as they get wet.

Fly Fishing Gloves: Detailed Reviews

Simms SolarFlex SunGlove, Open-Palm Sun Glove

Evidence: Independently reviewed, previous generation. MidCurrent: earlier SolarFlex SunGlove (PG-12661 likely), version not stated.

Simms describes “Half-finger construction with extended index & middle fingers and mapped AxSude designed for stripping guards and line management,” on an open palm with “direct contact with your oars, rods, and equipment.”

Fly-fishing tie: that maker wording and MidCurrent, whose February 2025 review describes a padded palm and so most likely tested the earlier SolarFlex SunGlove (PG-12661), not this PG-14315: “built-in stripping guards mean that your fingers don’t feel like they’re going to fall off after a long day of ripping streamers.” Sipping Mayflies (2022, so also an earlier glove) wears SolarFlex gloves into the 40s °F but warns: “If they get wet, they stay wet.” For managing stripped line, see our stripping basket guide.

Specs (linked: SolarFlex SunGlove PG-14315, Pale Pine, Large)

• Sun rating: UPF 50+ (Simms; standard not named)
• Price tier: $$ (live Amazon price in the table above)

Glacier Glove Islamorada Sun Glove, Part-Palm Sun Glove

Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Duranglers (fly shop): Islamorada Sun Glove, size not stated.

Glacier Glove rates it UPF 50+ and says the “partial synthetic leather reinforced palm provides an extra layer of defense against abrasions and line cuts.” Its fly-fishing tie is the fly shops that stock it, Fly Fish Food and Duranglers, which writes: “The Glacier Glove Islamorada Sun Gloves are a necessity when the forecast calls for all day sun.” Sold by Gritr on Amazon at the time of writing.

Specs (linked: Islamorada Sun Glove, Light Gray, Small)

• Sun rating: UPF 50+ (Glacier Glove; standard not named)
• Fabric: four-way stretch, quick-drying (Glacier Glove)
• Price tier: $ (live Amazon price in the table above)

Palmyth UV Fingerless Fishing Gloves, 3/4-Finger Sun Glove

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Palmyth (Amazon listing).

Its fly-fishing tie is that mention by Trout and Steelhead’s Graham Bristow, who does not review it. Palmyth’s Amazon listing says “Certified UPF 50+ and SPF UV Protection is woven into the fabric,” without naming the certifier. Sold by profishing on Amazon at the time of writing.

Against the Islamorada: much the same partly reinforced palm, plus 3/4-length fingers and pull tabs per its listing, but no maker page, list price, warranty terms or fly shop stocking it that we found; the Islamorada has Glacier Glove’s one-year warranty and fly-shop backing.

Specs (linked: Air Light Gray, Large)

• Sun rating: “Certified UPF 50+” (per the Amazon listing; certifier not named)
• Fabric: stretch, quick-drying; split not published
• Price tier: $ (live Amazon price in the table above)

Simms Wool Half-Finger Glove, Wool-Blend Half-Finger

Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. Sipping Mayflies: Simms wool half-finger glove, version not stated.

Its fly-fishing tie is the Idaho fly blog Sipping Mayflies: “The fingers are exposed from around your second knuckle, making strips and changing flies a breeze.” Its summary: “These are for fly anglers who value feel over insulation.”

Sources disagree on fabric. Sipping Mayflies (2022) says “They’re made entirely of wool”; Simms lists the current glove as “30% Lambswool/70% Nylon,” so the blog may describe an earlier version.

Specs (linked: Wool Half-Finger Glove, Steel, L/XL)

• Fabric: 30% lambswool, 70% nylon; TPU palm overlays (Simms)
• Price tier: $$ (live Amazon price in the table above)

Simms Freestone Half-Finger Glove, Fleece Half-Finger Glove

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Simms.

Its fly-fishing tie is Simms’ own wording: the gloves “keep the circulation flowing, while freeing up your digits for tying knots and picking through flies.” The shell is “95% Polyester/5% Spandex Fleece – 250g/m2 with DWR Treatment,” with TPU palm overlays.

Related guide: Fly Fishing Knot Tying Tools: 8 Picks Compared

Specs (linked: Freestone Half-Finger Glove, Black, Large)

• Fabric: 95% polyester, 5% spandex fleece, 250 g/m2, DWR (Simms)
• Sizes: XS to 2XL (Simms)
• Price tier: $$ (live Amazon price in the table above)

Fish Monkey Wooly Half Finger Glove, Grip-Palm Wool Glove

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Fish Monkey.

Fish Monkey lists “73% Natural Wool, 27% Polyester with Synthetic Leather Palm.” Its fly-fishing tie is a maker-hosted customer review headed “Amazing for fly fishing on chilly days”: “The half-finger design is perfect for fly fishing — it gives me excellent dexterity for handling flies, tying knots, and adjusting gear without sacrificing warmth.” Another warns: “They do feel very snug, almost to the point of discomfort.” Sold by The Kingfisher on Amazon at the time of writing.

Specs (linked: Wooly Half Finger, Tan, L/XL)

• Fabric: 73% wool, 27% polyester; synthetic leather palm (Fish Monkey)
• Price tier: $ (live Amazon price in the table above)

Glacier Glove Alaska River Fingerless, Neoprene-Palm Fingerless

Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Fly Fishing Outpost (fly shop): Alaska River Fingerless, size not stated.

Glacier Glove lists “windproof fleece and featuring a 2mm sharkskin neoprene palm.” Its fly-fishing tie is Fly Fishing Outpost, a fly shop that sells it: “If you fish in cold weather conditions, these Alaska River fingerless gloves will keep your hands warm but still allow for tying on flies and tying tippets.” Sold by Gritr on Amazon at the time of writing.

Specs (linked: Alaska River Fingerless, Black, XL)

• Fabric: windproof fleece; 2 mm neoprene palm (Glacier Glove)
• Price tier: $ (live Amazon price in the table above)

Simms Windstopper Foldover Mitt, Windstopper Flip Mitt

Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Mad River Outfitters (fly shop): Windstopper Foldover Mitt, size not stated.

Simms calls it “The warmest, most technically advanced convertible fishing glove in the Simms lineup,” and says the “Unique stowable overmitt prevents line snag.” That wording and Mad River Outfitters, an Ohio fly shop that sells it, are its fly-fishing tie; the shop notes the mitts were “updated and upgraded for the Fall 2023 season.” Trout and Steelhead’s guide, on Orvis and Simms flip mitts generally: “Yes, they are not waterproof.”

Specs (linked: Windstopper Foldover Mitt, Black, XS)

• Fabric: Gore-Tex Windstopper stretch fleece; TPU palm overlays (Simms)
• Price tier: $$$ (live Amazon price in the table above)

Glacier Glove Pro Angler, Slit-Finger Neoprene Glove

Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Duranglers (fly shop): Pro Angler, size not stated.

Glacier Glove says it “is designed with a slit index finger and thumb for easy casting and knot tying” and calls it “the perfect choice for cold, wet conditions.” Its fly-fishing ties are that wording, the fly shop Duranglers, and an r/flyfishing poster who likes “the neoprene Glacier Gloves” (model not named): “The pair i have have the holes in the forefinger and thumb for knot tying.” Fly writers disagree on neoprene: Sipping Mayflies says it “ends up being clammy,” and Trout and Steelhead’s guide finds neoprene gloves “uncomfortable, stiff, with no dexterity.”

Specs (linked: Pro Angler, Medium)

• Fabric: 2 mm fleece-lined Techline neoprene, blind stitched and glued (Glacier Glove)
• Price tier: $$$ (live Amazon price in the table above)

Choosing Gloves for Fly Fishing

Fly fishing sun gloves: UPF, open palms and stripping guards

None of the three UPF 50+ ratings names a test standard; Glacier Glove’s claim that its fabric blocks “over 98% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays” is a maker claim, not a guarantee. Choose by palm: open on the SolarFlex, partly covered on the others. For the face and neck, see our fly fishing sun masks.

Fingerless, flip mitt or neoprene for cold weather

Trout and Steelhead notes that wool “still insulates the body when wet.” Half-finger gloves (picks 4 to 7) leave fingertips bare, a flip mitt (pick 8) covers them between casts, and neoprene (pick 9) has waterproof glued seams, per Glacier Glove’s listing, with slits at thumb and index finger. Sipping Mayflies also advises keeping your core warm; see our fly fishing waders.

Sizing

Fish Monkey and Glacier Glove publish hand-measurement charts. All picks are men’s or unisex; for women’s layers, see our women’s fly fishing clothing guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

For sun, cold and line wear. MidCurrent cites sunburn and sore stripping fingers; Sipping Mayflies says cold hands “make it tougher to tie knots and remove flies.”

Some do. River guide Graham Bristow wears sun gloves on warm days and flip mitts in the cold, though he writes “I HATE fishing with gloves on.”

This guide does not cover handling gloves. Sipping Mayflies suggests a net so you “don’t have to put your hand into the water,” and an r/flyfishing poster pulls his Simms mittens off by their tab before handling a fish.

Follow the label. Simms says machine wash and dry for the SolarFlex and Wool Half-Finger, though the wool glove’s Amazon listing says hand wash only.

The bottom line

Final Verdict

For sun, start with the Simms SolarFlex SunGlove (check price); the Glacier Glove Islamorada Sun Glove (check price) adds a part-covered palm with a maker warranty and fly-shop backing, and the Palmyth UV Fingerless Fishing Gloves (check price) is the budget spare with pull tabs. For cool mornings, pick the Simms Wool Half-Finger Glove (check price), the woolier but snug Fish Monkey Wooly Half Finger Glove (check price) or the fleece Simms Freestone Half-Finger Glove (check price). For winter, the Glacier Glove Alaska River Fingerless (check price) adds a neoprene palm, the Simms Windstopper Foldover Mitt (check price) covers fingers between casts, and the Glacier Glove Pro Angler (check price) is fleece-lined neoprene with glued seams, per Glacier Glove, at some cost in feel.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.