I've been paddling with Toaster Mitts since November and am thrilled with the level of comfort they bring to my previously wet and cold hands.
Previous to using Toaster Mitts, I was an enthusiastic pogie user. (This is the point in my blog where I may be losing my non-kayaking readers. 'What's a pogie?' They might well ask.) Enthusiastic, yes. After all, pogies are a world above neoprene paddling gloves -- both in terms of providing a firm grip on the paddle and maintaining a level of comfort for the hands.
Pogies, as I learned over time, do have a number of shortcomings: (1) once pogies get wet, they are, well, wet -- and so are your hands; (2) if you paddle in waves or whitewater, your pogies will get wet; (3) if you paddle with a wing or a Greenland paddle (think no drip rings) your pogies will, see above, get wet; (4) in the event of capsize or when going ashore, once you take your hand off your paddle, your pogies are no longer with you.
The NRS Toaster mitt is a fuzzy-lined neoprene mitten shaped to curve around your paddle shaft and fit snugly around your wrist, and with enough texture to provide a good grip on your paddle. The thickness is just right. Thin enough to provide a feel for the paddle shaft. Thick enough to provide warmth. NRS provides a fit chart and guidelines to measuring your hand so the right fit is assured when ordered online. They come on and off more quickly than a pogie as well.
And they stay dry.
I've used mine in temps approaching up to 50 degrees and down into the upper 20's. I expect I'll be using them for the first races of the whitewater series this spring.'
The NRS Toaster Mitt is now on sale for $33.75 at NRS. I like them so much I ordered a second pair. Get them before they are gone!
Read more on the advantages and disadvantages of pogies, paddle mitts, and gloves at Canoe & Kayak Magazine.
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