Firefighting Gloves for WOMEN

[AnneThomas]

I've finally decided to buy my own gloves (structural) since the brand my department offers just don't fit. I need some that a small enough in the wrist and palm to stay on, but usually when they are that small, they are too short in the fingers. There are a million gloves on the internet but how do I pick! Anyone got any suggestions?

[FD55]

I have never had a problem with wearing men's gloves so, the only advice that I can give you is to pick a brand that is well-known/tested, and to make sure the company has a good return policy just in case they don't fit. Other than that I can't help much. Sorry. :D

[NCRSQ751]

Look for Cadet sized gloves. They are made for smaller hands. I have a pair and they are great!

[mark440]

I have a problem with the gloves being too small for me.

[mark440]

Not when I buy from the company that sells you yours...

*Mark

[AnneThomas]

In eight years of firefighting I've hoisted enough hoses to break them in, but it didn't help. While the gloves soften up, they don't change size. Anybody know of a store in northern california with in stock gloves you can try on?

As for Mark who's TOO BIG for his gloves, try starting your own thread in another forum. I'm sure the big boys can offer you some advice. Us little ladies probably can't help you.

[AnneThomas]

Hey! Wait! - were did that other post go? The one teasing Mark about his helmet not fitting his big head? Did the firehouse folks censor that? It was hilarious. Where's everybody's sense of humor. Put that back!

Uh oh - now it looks like just me picking on poor little (I mean BIG) Mark.:eek:

[andigirlff]

OKAY, I confess. It was me that wrote that comment wondering if Mark haves trouble getting gear to fit his big head in addition to his big hands. I meant that to be funny. Not everyone got the humor. I was admonished privately by someone posting on this thread (NOT MARK). I tried to explain but she still thought I was out of line. Ironically, she's the same person that advised me to be "less senstive" in another thread. So if she thinks my comment was rude, I figured I'd better pull it.

So MARK, if I offended your delicate sensibilities, I'm sorry. I didn't think you had delicate sensibilities. I figured you had sensibilities, but they probably weren't delicate. But if they are, I'll try and be more delicate when I handle them. It helps to have small hands when dealing with delicate sensibilities.

THIS IS MEANT TO BE FUNNY!!!:p

[mark440]

Oh dear me...
Who is my concious that is admonishing people? I have big hands, big feelings and a HUGE sense of humor. I found it in the least bit offensive, I'm glad someone got a kick out of my smart-elekness. So Andigirl, did you remove your post or did the Webgods? I'll allow anyone to pick on me, just as long as they don't throw discrimination or harassment back my way when they get what they give... :D

No worries ladies!

*Mark

[captstanm1]

Try contacting Larry Hansen at this address, Ask about small Fireguard Protectors... I think he may be able to help you. That is his email address...Not sure of the Website Information...

hansenent@aol.com

[AnneThomas]

Thanks for all who answered and for all the great humor. I got a great suggestion for this problem off the boards. Somone suggested I have a tailor take in the cuffs. I did that today and it's made all the difference. The tailor was so thrilled to help out a female firefighter that she didn't even charge me. She said she could take in the palms too but I wanted to make sure first that I wouldn't compromise the fire rating of the gloves before doing it. I wouldn't want the thread to melt and the gloves fall apart so I'm going to check with the manufacturer. Thanks again - Anne

[mark440]

Glad that you benifieted from us all!

*Mark

[AnneThomas]

Thanks Mark - I did want to ask Kristen about that link she put of for women's sized gloves. I had tried it but couldn't find any structural gloves made by that company. Now I notice her post has disappeared. Very strange. I figured it was her that told andigirl to pull her post teasing Mark, but why is Kristen's post gone now too? Very strange. Kristen - are you out there?

[captstanm1]

Anne T....I think you may havge made a mistake in removing the cuffs. It may fit better, but you have (I believe) voided the compliance with NFPA Standards. The cuffs are there for a reason...added protection. They are tested an approved with the cuff in place and without them I do not think they comply.

This only becomes an issue if your department "requires" the use of "Compliant" equipment. If you receive a hand injury, I would wager that the Workman's Comp claim may be denied once they determine that your gloves had been altered. Additionally altering the gloves that way would immediately void the warranty from the manufacturer.

I suggest you re-think this and refer you to the link in my previous post. or www.safeguardamerica.com Get information on the "Fireguard Protector"..Style 70027 or the "Commander"...Style 90027 They both start in sizes XS.. I have worn both these gloves and no of some departments that have put their women firefighters in them.

Good luck!

[AnneThomas]

I didn't actually have the cuffs removed, I just had them resewn to narrow their width on the upper portion of the wrist (which is underneath the cuff of my coat sleeve). I already checked and this doesn't void their NFPA warranty. Still waiting on a manufacturer reply about narrowing the gloves through the palm though.

Thanks for the link. I will probably be ordering gloves from them, but I'm still worried that I'll end up with gloves that fit great through the palms and wrist, but have too short fingers.

[captstanm1]

hmmm...interesting that altering them does not void the compliance... My experience with those gloves I recommended is that the fingers in the smaller gloves are proportionally smaller.... The "Protector" is best in my opinion.

[LOCOGAL]

Wow! What an interesting and exciting thread. Who would have thought that gloves could stir all sorts of humor up?
I have to question the altering of the glove and still having it compliant. Actually, I KNOW that it isn't compliant according to the manufactor. But it probably did perform better!
I wanted to ask if any of you use gauntlet glove instead of the cuff glove? I think they fit better. The elk skin gloves do lossen up after getting wet, but cow also works well. The combo is excellent. ( Just not the mad cow variety )

I am thinking you found your answers to this glove situation, but if you have the need for other links fire away!

Capt Sassy:rolleyes: