Pogies are under-utilised in Australia. Our clients are slowly catching on. Pogies are a type of paddling mitt that attaches to the paddle shaft - they velcro over the paddle shaft with an opening to slide your hand in. You then grip the paddle shaft normally, but with the pogie encasing your hand.

This has the benefit that your fingers together are collectively warmer than in a glove alone and you can slide your hand out of the pogie for any task that requires manual dexterity. For protection from wind chill they are the best!

The downside is that they are more open and tend to scoop up water. Also they are obviously not being worn when off water - if you are portaging or spending time on the beach you will need to consider additional warming hand wear. The solution may just be gloves with pogies!

I rarely walk out and not carry pogies in the colder environments. After sitting with young clients in front of Meers tidewater glacier after 5 minutes of admiring the most amazing spectacle I had seen from a kayak, their hands got cold and we had to move on… the next year we all had pogies and we were able to sit and enjoy for a good hour!

For sea kayaking touring you want easy access in and out of you Pogies, White water: the question is do you want water to flow in and out or easy access (how tight in the wrist).