The field guide · Wet-weather hands
DexShell Everyday waterproof gloves for running: grip, fit and wet-weather use
Some links in my articles are affiliate links. I may earn a commission when you buy through them.
The DexShell Everyday gloves are worth a look if you want rain protection but still need to hold a bottle, open pockets and check a phone. The waterproof layer is built into a knitted glove, so you keep each finger free.
I’d choose them for a cool, wet run where you’ll want the gloves on for most of the route. For a sheltered session where your hands warm quickly and the gloves spend most of the run in a belt, start with a lighter pair.
Rain protection with your fingers free
The black Everyday pair shown has a flexible knitted outer, a waterproof layer inside and a soft acrylic-blend lining. Check the model when ordering: DexShell also makes gloves with different linings and shapes.
Try them with the same flask and jacket you already use. A glove can look neatly fitted in a picture and still bunch up when you wrap your hand around a bottle.
I found the palm useful for holding a bottle and could check a phone without exposing my fingers.
Measure the hand, then check the fingers under a grip
DexShell’s glove sizing instructions say to wrap a flexible tape around the widest part of the hand just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb. Keep the hand relaxed and flat. Use the chart for the exact pair you are ordering, and check any finger-length guidance in that listing too.
After putting the glove on, settle each finger gently into place and make a relaxed fist. The palm should sit against your hand without a large fold gathering under a bottle. Check the web between thumb and forefinger while wrapping it around the filled flask: that movement can reveal pulling that was not obvious with your hand flat.
If you plan to add a liner, try it now. DexShell advises choosing larger if between sizes or wearing liners. Adding another glove inside an already tight fit can make gripping less comfortable; an oversized palm can gather instead. Check that your fingers still move comfortably with both layers on.
Check the flask, the zip and the phone separately
Hold the filled bottle you actually carry, with the same handheld strap or flask shape. Check whether the silicone palm grips that particular bottle comfortably. You should be able to relax the hand between drinks rather than squeeze continuously to keep the bottle in place.
Open the pocket zip and take out the item you use most often. Do this with both gloves on. If a small zip pull is the obstacle, try a more accessible pocket before changing an otherwise comfortable glove.
Try the phone unlocked and dry, then in its normal pouch. A successful swipe is a different task from tapping a small map control. The touchscreen troubleshooting guide separates glove fit, water and pouch response without making you buy another pair first.
The outside can look wet while the inside stays dry
The outer knit can become wet in sustained rain while the waterproof layer protects your hands. Feel inside before assuming a dark, wet-looking patch means the glove has leaked.
Check the wrist opening and the way you take the gloves off. Rain can get in through an open cuff, and wet hands can transfer water to the lining. Your hands may also sweat during a hard effort.
Start the next run with fully dry gloves and hands, then note where moisture first appears. If a repeatable problem remains, ask the seller or maker about that exact model and the conditions. Do not puncture, cut or coat the glove to improvise a repair to the membrane.
When I would choose this pair
I’d choose the Everyday gloves for cool, wet runs where an ordinary knitted pair keeps soaking through. Try the cuffs with your jacket and watch as well as checking your hand size.
For a windy route with occasional light showers, the windproof-versus-waterproof comparison may lead you towards a wind-resistant glove instead. The lightweight running-glove shortlist is the better starting point if you mainly need warmth for the first few minutes.
Leave time to dry the pair after use. The waterproof-glove washing and drying guide follows DexShell’s current care instructions and helps you avoid putting a dry-looking outer over a damp liner.