Concept2 Forum

I know that rowing with gloves can be seen as an emotive topic, certainly when I rowed otw 25 years ago we just toughened up, but some of us really did, and still do, suffer and Martin Cross (team Gb mens HWT 4+ Olympic gold medal, ultimately died from infected blisters when doing the Boston (uk) marathon as I recall)

Returning to rowing, or rather ergoing, as I dont scull and done have time and commitment for crew rowing, I am considering in vesting in these........

Has anyone tried either of these products, or simialr that they can recommend? The shoes are kinda steep pricewise but Im not put off by that as I have problem feet and often have to spend lots on shoes anyway:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rowing-Gloves- ... 28Large%29

https://batlogic.net/product/projectb-pbr2/

Smee

I have never used gloves personally so I can't comment. Shoes I just use any old trainers but I do know that a lot of ergers love the Reebok crossfit trainers (Nano 7.0 in particular)

Not tried either of these so cant help directly but thought it worth saying:

I use Nike dryfit training gloves very similar design to the ones you link to, but include the little finger. even so I still get blisters and callouses on the top pad of the palm and bottom pad of my fingers on all but my index finger. Maybe I hold the handle wrong...but I wouldn't want to not protect the little finger.

I recently changed from an old trainer (squash shoe I think) to a Merrell Glove which has the non cushion, non wedge, sole that works better on the erg. What the tests don't show is what the erg foot straps have to go across. I used to row with the footplates at 4 holes, but that put the straps across the bottom of the laced area and some fancy trim under the straps made that painful after a short time. I've now moved to three holes on the footplate to keep the straps off the laces and its fine for comfort, but doesn't allow me to put as much force through the stoke in extreme sprints - tend to lift off the seat. I notice the velcro straps on your shoe link are quite high and there's extra trim about where the erg straps will go. I'd suggest something to get on trial therefore if poss.

The shoes are almost certainly good since they're designed specifically with rowing in mind. If you've got money to burn you might want to look into the Batlogic erg adaptors.

Gloves wise I've had very little trouble with blisters in comparison to OTW rower. I suspect this is due to differences in the handle shape, the lack of need to feather and the fact you aren't splashing water onto your handle at all.

Martin Cross wise: he's still alive and well apparently

I have never used gloves but I do have and use the Bat Logic erg adapter with the shoes and the shoe plate pro system. I love the Bat Logic erg adapter so much so that I think it has been on my C2 now for more than 2 years and in that time I have erged about 8,000 kilometers. I am getting the new Bont shoes next month as I have had the Nike Omada 2’s since I bought the Bat Logic erg system.

JerekKruger wrote:The shoes are almost certainly good since they're designed specifically with rowing in mind. If you've got money to burn you might want to look into the Batlogic erg adaptors.

Gloves wise I've had very little trouble with blisters in comparison to OTW rower. I suspect this is due to differences in the handle shape, the lack of need to feather and the fact you aren't splashing water onto your handle at all.

Martin Cross wise: he's still alive and well apparently

My apologies to Martin Cross and his family and friends!! It was Andy Holmes who died. Same GB crew, same year, same Olympic gold medal

Thanks for pointing that out. Moritifed now!

I use baseball batting gloves (about US$35). I've worn out two pair this season, but they sure save MY hands for longer rows. For 2K or hard short intervals, I don't use anything, the calluses are tough enough.

My shoes are flat canvas boat shoes (about US$10 at Walmart). Not much heel rise like running shoes, no laces, real comfortable.

Keep it simple, and inexpensive, is my mantra.

For what it's worth, BatLogic footplates are not allowed [at least at present] on the competition floor at Crash-Bs. The rules there specifically state:

BatLogic footplates are not allowed on the competition floor due to scheduling restrictions and ensuring that all athletes have consistent equipment on which to race.

As far as I know, C2 in general has no problem with them and neither does FISA. My reading is that the Crash-B organizers don't want the hassle of people futzing with the things in the short period they allot between races. Who knows whether organizers at other venues have even considered the possibility of some competitors bringing them....

Cyclist2 wrote:Keep it simple, and inexpensive, is my mantra.

I erg in socks

gooseflight wrote:I erg in socks

Me too, though I'm considering using shoes.

I use CrewStop gloves http://www.thecrewstop.com/rowinggloves.html and

FiveFinger "shoes" https://us.vibram.com/shop/fivefingers/ ... g-fitness/

Both work very well for me, and I'm super-happy with them, but YMMV

I used to use gloves but with the right grip and hardened skin they do more harm than good. To me anyway.

I use a pair of cycling shoes... No cleats obviously

bob01 wrote: ↑

February 18th, 2018, 3:44 am

I use a pair of cycling shoes... No cleats obviously

I tried cycling shoes, but I found the rounded heel wouldn't grab the foot trap and my feet were sliding out of the straps. Did you have that problem, and if so, how did you fix it?

You don't row in gloves and anyone that argues shoes matter needs to refocus their energy on their training.
Sorry if this comes off as rude or harsh, but it shouldn't have taken this many comments for someone to tell you this.