Double the Protection? Simms ProDry Gloves (continued)

Operation: It may seem simple but not all gloves are created equal when it comes to operation and ease of use. Some are overly complicated with multiple straps and cinches, others go so far to protect you from the cold that they are an absolute pain to get in and out of. Simms prioritizes ease of use with the ProDry gloves, and they are made to come on and off easily, with a single Velcro adjustment to lock the gloves in place. The paneled neoprene gauntlet cuff is designed to keep water from coming back in and swamping the glove, a nice touch that I found did help keep my fingers dry when I accidentally submersed the gloves too far when reviving and releasing fish.

A solid grip on my aluminum coffee mug? Check.

In terms of dexterity the outer gloves are big, and while you can cast with them as you might expect you lose a lot of sensitivity as to what is happening on the end of the line. A reasonable tradeoff in sub-zero temperatures but something to consider nonetheless. The ProDry gloves feature a reinforced goat leather palm construction for greater durability and a better grip, even when wet.

Unfortunately the ProDry gloves will not work with touchscreen devices like your phone or GPS

I tested this design in both rain and snow, and in both conditions I found the grip that the material afforded me absolutely excellent. I was able to grab all the things I normally was able to clutch including my aluminum coffee mug, fishing outfits, and my boat steering wheel. When you first grab fish the gloves are a bit slippery but interestingly once they are properly wet I found that I was able to handle fish quite easily. The bass’s micro-teeth did scratch the glove’s fingertips but over a season the waterproof shield was never compromised.

Operating fish finders with the gloves on was no problem

Even with the inner and outer glove on I found I was able to make pretty detailed movements, including operating my fish finder. One bummer is that the outer glove is not touchscreen enabled, meaning you will not be able to operate you smartphone or GPS touchscreen without removing the outer glove. For this purpose the inner liner has a few half fingers for more detailed operations including line management and knot tying. Once you are done with these activities simply slip the outer glove back on and your hands will start to warm back up.

Handling fish was also easy with solid grip afforded by the ProDry gloves

Overall the operation of the ProDry gloves was quite good, and the outer gloves provided an excellent shield from the elements while not being too bulky or heavy like some ski gloves. Weighing in at 6.4oz. these gloves never feel bulky or heavy when fished in all day long. The only issues I encountered with the gloves had to do not with the outer glove but the inner liner. Over time the liner starts to break down and ball up, and abrasion with certain surfaces on the boat only accelerated this process. While I wouldn’t say the liners “failed,” I do wish that they came closer to matching the durability of the outer gloves.

Rain was no issue and neither was freezing temperatures and snow

Price & Applications: The ProDry gloves are available in sizes ranging from Small to Extra-Large and retail for $99.99 a pair, putting them firmly in the premium glove category, especially applications specific fishing gloves. There are a lot of other options out there including the Stormr Typhoon neoprene gloves ($34.95) but none offer quite the same level of protection and premium features that the Simms ProDry provides, this is truly the enthusiast’s fishing glove.

The outer gloves are awesome, the inner liners are comfortable and warm but started to show wear after a few uses. Overall while the gloves are not perfect they still proved to be a very good shield from the elements

Are these gloves worth the 100 dollar price tag? This is a question that only you can answer. If you prefer to fish only in more favorable conditions then you will never have a need for these gloves, but if you’re a guide, a pro angler, or simply a die-hard angler then forsake that next swimbait or keep fishing that rod one more season and that extra bill you drop on the ProDry Gloves will probably be one of the most noticeable investments you make that very first day you find yourself braving those artic morning conditions.

Conclusion: The ProDry gloves offer both flexibility and performance in windy, rainy, and cold conditions. I like the two-stage design which enables anglers to utilize the gloves in a variety of different configurations as well as still have the ability to tie knots as needed without removing the liners. While the gloves are very good they also have a few flaws, including the lack of touchscreen enablement and the durability of the liners not matching up to the excellent outer gloves. As with all Simms garments the ProDry delivers excellent overall ergonomics, and these are gloves that you will not only enjoy fishing in, but help keep you fishing, dare I say comfortably, in conditions that will send most anglers back to the launch ramp.