West County Gloves
May 26, 2009 by Doug
Filed under Product Review
OK – in the interests of disclosure, let me tell you that West County sent me two pairs of gloves to try out. I gave the ladies pair to the Princess and I got the men’s pair. I thought that was the first appropriate decision.
They’re red.
They’re also made of recycled plastic bottles and I think that’s very cool
They’re red.
They’re designed to be one of those close-fitting, ergonomically designed, easy-on-the-hands kinds of gloves. This is a lonnnnnggg way from my old leather and cloth work gloves from my nursery days. It’s like comparing an old beat-up truck to a Ferrari and looking at my red-covered hands, I just knew I was going to be working a lot faster.
Oh, did I mention they’re red. Do guys wear “red!” in the garden? Red hands? Guys wear leather gloves, tattered tan-coloured bits of cloth that always have holes in the thumb and power fingers.
But I digress…
I took the gloves for a spin around the working area and broke them in “gently” by wearing them to start hauling the fallen tree limbs off the property this spring. A so-called gentle workout had some of the threads on the right hand index finger hanging all over the place after an hour of slugging branches. I thought that was the end of these citified gloves (red ones at that)
The broken threads wore off during the days work and I was left with the remaining threads hanging quite tight and comfortable. I’ve been wearing them for a full month now and there are no holes in the fingers yet (they don’t look at all like guy-gloves without holes) I’ve worked them – from branches to cement blocks to 6×6 beams building raised beds to shovels to fill those beds. I’ve put them through their paces and actually worn down the plastic finger protectors and would have been through 2 pair of regular gloves in the same time. I get ‘em dirty and think that they’re finally going to look like guy gloves and then I work in the rain or get them soaked and the darn dirt comes out of them. What’s with this? Washable gloves. Guys don’t wear no washable gloves? How do you know I’m a guy if I have clean gloves. And they stay red!
While they started quite tight in the fit, they’ve stretched out a bit (I have large hands) and now are comfortably snug. I can tie my shoelaces with them on (not that real guys ever have to retie their shoelaces) and I can pick up small stuff when somebody else drops it (real guys don’t usually drop stuff) The gripping ability of the plastic-bottles on my fingers is pretty amazing. Haven’t dropped a beer bottle yet although I’m looking forward to hot summer weather and putting them to a real test on that front.
So here’s the deal. I like the darn things. I was fully prepared to dislilke a citified gardening glove but I like ‘em. So much so that my other pair (the yellow cloth with the elasticized backs) have been relegated to being left in the garage. If you have a chance, I’m telling you to go and get yourself a pair.
But now I have to face two outcomes. The first is a good thing – the Princess likes my smooth hands. (that’s a very good thing I’m learning) Number two is I’ll likely be kicked out of the guy-club (or suspended at the very least) for wearing red gloves.
I’m going with number 1.
But who’d ever be caught wearing red?
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Very cool, but do they come in red?
Jenny Bs last blog post..Armchair Review
I need new gardening gloves and recycled is a plus, and guys can wear red if they are man enough.
Bob Ewings last blog post..Two Vegetable Recipes: Add Zest to Your Sidedish
@Bob Ewing -
Well, I had my red shirt and tie on to go with my gloves so …
@Jenny B -
Hey wait a minute… I’m supposed to be cracking the jokes around here.
Checked out their website and I think the red gloves are actually called “Brick”. Feel better? Just trying to help.
@JoAnn -
Oh yeah, now my hands have to be compared to bricks. Way to go JoAnn
Tee, hee. I just thought “Brick” sounded more masculine than plain ole “red”.
@JoAnn -
Red is fine, very unisex. Now, if they fade to pink…
Oh, I forgot to answer your question, “How do you know I’m a guy if I have clean gloves?”
I just notice your hairline (tee hee).
Jan
@prairiepetunia -
You guys are killin’ me.
I am a little late commenting on the ‘Red’ gloves, but hey if they work and ‘the princess’ likes em. Buy another pair.
Your map only shows U.S. of A. So, can I buy these West County Gloves in Canada?? I live in Waterloo ,Ontario
Thanks, Anne
@Anne -
1) Not my map – it’s the company map. 2) I was given mine to try but next year I intend to order them from either the company or a US mail order service if no Canadian source exists. You’ll have to source them yourself – sorry, I just trial and report – not sell.
I LOVE THESE GLOVES!!! I buy a pair every time I find them in a store and use them for various tasks so they get dirty at different times and I can then alternate them. They are machine wash and dry, although I hang mine out to dry as I feel the dryer may cause the elastic in the wrist to stretch out. They have a velcro wrist closure which is wonderful to keep out dirt and stuff. They come in many colors and I buy them all, even blue. I wear them every day, all day long, and have worn through the right hand index finger-I keep the left glove-never know when you might need one.
These are the BEST GLOVES I have ever used, all the others sit in drawers, some with tags still attached. Buy West County Gloves-You’ll be hooked!
@Diane S -
How long do you get from a pair – how do they wear for you?
we sell west county gloves in Warkworth,Ontario ..at ’stonehouse gardens’ (shameless plug for my place of employment)
we love our gloves..(and i usually garden without..being damn proud of freckles and calluses)
and they come in PURPLE..never mind ‘brickish’ red…:)
@Cheryl -
I know, I know, my fashion sense is in my feet and not to be trusted. What ever happened to good old-leather-look? 
I’m good with the red but the purple was one step beyond even my fashion sense.
@Doug – Ontario gardeners can order the West County gloves from Rittenhouse in St. Catherine’s
@Virginia Glover -
Thanks Virginia – good find. They do ship all over the place
West County Gloves: I am curious to know if you tried the Work Glove or the Landscape Glove?
@Ken
Didn’t know there was a difference – they’re red. They’re West County and I wear them everywhere in the garden. They’re standing up better than any pair I’ve ever had. I am – I even hesitate to say – getting used to red hands.