How to Buy Crabbing Gloves
Crabbing gloves may not be necessary to catch crabs, but they're a great help when it comes to handling them. Tongs can substitute for gloves in a pinch, but it's easier to buy crabbing gloves when you're purchasing other crab gear and store them with your crabbing equipment so that they're always handy when you need them.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Try on several gloves to ascertain what size you need. Even if you're going to purchase online it's worth making a trip to your local fishery or sporting goods store to make sure you get the right size. Any store that sells crabbing gear should have crab gloves as well.
-
2
Call local stores to check availability and pricing of gloves, then compare with prices on the internet. Seattle Marine & Fishing Supply Co. or Best Glove Inc. are good places to start.
-
-
3
Select your purchase, keeping in mind that if the gloves don't fit you won't want to use them; and if they don't last you'll just have to pay for others next year or before. It's worth paying a little more to be assured of a good fit. There should be no pressure points inside the glove when you move your hands (they could potentially cause blisters), and your fingers should fill the fingers of the glove completely with no extra material at the ends of the fingers. The gloves should be easy to get on; make sure to try on both gloves because you may find getting the second one on to be unexpectedly difficult.
-
4
Avoid the temptation to substitute non-crabbing gloves. Aside from keeping you warm and dry, crabbing gloves are usually made of PVC to help protect you from the crabs' sharp claws. Given the extreme crushing strength of crab claws, non crush-proof materials like leather will offer little protection and thus little utility.
-
5
Try the gloves on when you receive them--or before buying if you're shopping in person--and move your hands in the widest range of possible, checking for cracks, rips and weak seams, especially between the fingers. Also be alert to rub spots or tight spots that may cut off your circulation.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Some crab gloves come with an extra-long PVC sleeve to help protect your entire arm.
