Open Box Dive Gloves — Warmth and Grip Without the Full Price

Cold hands end dives. They also make you clumsy with clips, valves, and camera controls at exactly the moment dexterity matters. Gloves are a small purchase relative to the rest of a dive kit and they change the experience of a cold-water dive substantially.

This collection covers gloves from thin tropical models through heavy cold-water and dry gloves. Every item is inspected and graded before listing; see Product Conditions for full definitions.

The Warmth and Dexterity Trade-off

Thicker gloves are warmer and clumsier. That's the whole decision, and where you land on it depends on what your hands actually need to do. A photographer working camera controls will accept colder hands for dexterity; a diver running a reel in cold water will accept the opposite.

• 1.5–2mm — warm water; abrasion protection and grip more than warmth
• 3mm — temperate water; a reasonable balance of dexterity and insulation
• 5mm — cold water; noticeably reduced dexterity
• 7mm and three-finger designs — genuinely cold water, trading finger independence for warmth
• Dry gloves — sealed systems that keep hands entirely dry, used with drysuits

Fit Matters More Than Thickness

A glove that's too loose flushes water continuously and never warms up, and a glove that's too tight restricts circulation, which makes your hands colder rather than warmer. Fingers should reach the ends without pressing, and the wrist should seal against skin or tuck under a wetsuit sleeve.

Check the condition note for any mention of seam or fingertip wear — fingertips and the web between thumb and forefinger are where gloves fail first.

Why Buy Open Box Dive Gloves from DiveCatalog.com?

• Inspected and graded — condition stated clearly on every listing
• Expert advice — our team can help you balance warmth against the dexterity your diving requires
• Fast shipping — in-stock items ship within one business day
• 30-day returns — with RMA approval; see our Returns & Exchanges page
• Rewards program — earn points on every purchase

Frequently Asked Questions

Should gloves be tight or loose?

Snug, with fingers reaching the ends without pressure. Loose gloves flush cold water continuously and never warm up. Tight gloves restrict circulation, which paradoxically makes hands colder. Neither extreme works.

Are three-finger gloves worth the loss of dexterity?

In genuinely cold water, often yes — grouping fingers shares warmth between them and is measurably warmer than the same thickness in a five-finger design. You lose fine dexterity, so it depends on what your hands need to do during the dive.

What are dry gloves?

A sealed glove system used with a drysuit that keeps your hands completely dry, usually attached via a ring system at the wrist. Considerably warmer than wet gloves since no water contacts the skin at all, and they allow a thin liner underneath for additional insulation.

Do open box gloves come with a warranty?

No. Open box and used products are not eligible for manufacturer warranty coverage.

Browse the full collection above, or see all Open Box & Used gear.