Good Substitute for Gloves

[miket-nyc]

I never liked the sticky rubber on the handles of my rower and I've tried various substitutes for gloves. I also used to put chalk on my hands to keep them from slipping.

But I no longer have to worry about these things because I hit upon a simple and free covering: I put two no-show athletic socks on the handles. These are socks I wear anyway and they give me a very comfortable grip. Here's a link to a photo:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pUih9EgZDDo2hRbs6

The question may arise what keeps them on? They never fell off during use, but occasionally one would fall off during storage because I store the rower vertically. So now I have them tied together in the center with a piece of dental floss. This is much stronger than thread, and it doesn't damage the socks. I put new socks on there every month or so. They don't get dirty very fast.

Mike Taglieri

[gvcormac]

I never liked the sticky rubber on the handles of my rower and I've tried various substitutes for gloves. I also used to put chalk on my hands to keep them from slipping.

But I no longer have to worry about these things because I hit upon a simple and free covering: I put two no-show athletic socks on the handles. These are socks I wear anyway and they give me a very comfortable grip. Here's a link to a photo:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pUih9EgZDDo2hRbs6

The question may arise what keeps them on? They never fell off during use, but occasionally one would fall off during storage because I store the rower vertically. So now I have them tied together in the center with a piece of dental floss. This is much stronger than thread, and it doesn't damage the socks. I put new socks on there every month or so. They don't get dirty very fast.

Mike Taglieri

They have no incentive to fall off. Almost all the force is perpendicular to the handle.

When I used to row 30km at a sitting, I used socks. I could never decide between cotton and nylon. They have a different feel, and they both help. The cotton stays in place on the handles and any motion is between your fingers and the sock, but it is padded. The nylon slips a bit on the handle, so there is no motion between the sock and the finger. Overall the nylon is probably better for callus prevention, but doesn't feel quite as comfy. Tube socks avoid the heel clumping, and children's socks fit better.

[agross29]

For the longer rows I’ve found neoprene grips to be best. Not a perfect solution, but they work quite well.

https://www.amazon.com/PULLUP-DIP-Weigh ... ast_sto_dp

https://www.amazon.com/PULLUP-DIP-Weigh ... ast_sto_dp

[pjago]

I used to get into the habit of winding tennis racket grips around the handle after a friend suggested using the tape on oar handles. As a substitute, I've just used half a paper towel in each hand.

[HornetMaX]

For the longer rows I’ve found neoprene grips to be best. Not a perfect solution, but they work quite well.

https://www.amazon.com/PULLUP-DIP-Weigh ... ast_sto_dp

https://www.amazon.com/PULLUP-DIP-Weigh ... ast_sto_dp

Usually I have a pair of cotton bath gloves on the handle, held in place with small velcro strips looped over them.
I gave the above pads a try (the square pads, 1st link): a couple of hard interval sessions and a long-ish-one (4x15min) and I do like how they feel.
I need to:

1. find a way to "fix" them to the handle (maybe a fitting rubber band or a zip tie)
2. verify if they're OK also in the heat: it's winter here, but without gloves my hands still get sweaty and they become unpleasant
3. verify if they hold (reasonably) over time

[p_b82]

I pop a sweatband over the handle for most of my longer rows - they move around a bit, but that's fine with me as I can spin them if I feel they're getting a little sweaty on one side easily.