Typing in cold weather and air conditioning can be challenging for Raynaud’s sufferers, so we were excited to discover The Writer’s Glove®!
The Writer’s Glove®
Description
Cold weather and in-door air conditioning in warmer months can be very challenging for Raynaud’s sufferers, and many Frosties have asked us about full-finger gloves to use for office work or other indoor tasks. Options to date have either been fingerless gloves (which do help some, but not all sufferers), or heated glove liners that offer improved dexterity compared to their thick glove counterparts, but don’t cut it for typing. So we were really excited to discover The Writer’s Glove®!
The Writer’s Glove® (come in pairs, but the name is singular) was invented by Ben Sobieck, an author, editor and publishing executive who spends a lot of time at his keyboard in Minnesota where the winter temps can be challenging even for those who don’t experience Raynaud’s attacks. Ben tried several creative solutions to find warmth, including lighting candles near his keyboard, but found he lost a lot of productivity from slowed typing and constant candle refreshes, so he started tinkering with materials and manufacturing partners and after a few prototypes The Writer’s Glove® was born!
The Writer’s Glove design is a thin, stretchy combination of polyester and spandex, with a hint of copper (known to help regulate blood flow and boost circulation). The gloves offer some great features:
- Patent-Pending Fingertip Design – lets you “feel” the keys as you type. No seams to get in the way.
- Warmth Balanced with Close-Fitting Fit – A double layer of fabric on the back of the hand provides extra warmth without sacrificing dexterity. The result is warm comfort with improved productivity.
- Touchscreen Compatibility – While designed for indoor use, Frosties might wear them outdoors on milder days to keep frosted paws protected when sending or receiving messages and calls helping to avoid painful attacks. The touchscreen feature also prevents the need to remove the gloves in use indoors when our mobile devices seek our attention.
Initial Test
Initial tests were of a previous version of the gloves, and we found that typing with them started out a bit awkward with some early typos, but once engaged in what I was typing or browsing, I forgot they were on, and it became quite natural wearing them. My conclusion on the test was that the slight initial awkwardness and stop/start over (after a pause in usage) required in acclimating to the gloves was a minor trade-off against their benefit.
One of the first impressions I had was that they were similar in style to some of the heated glove liners I’d tested and wanted to compare the two options for their typing ability. There was no comparison: I can use the heated liners to browse, but not easily to type – these gloves were definitely an improvement.
As for the issue of warmth, although my fingers didn’t start out feeling cold during the spring test, my hands did get a bit sweaty while using them. And while not marketed as a liner, I suspect they would do a great job of adding a layer of increased warmth under your favorite gloves or mittens for outdoor use.
Version 3 Upgraded Design
Since we initially tested the gloves, they’ve gone through a redesign that now incorporates a thin slice of graphene which is a form of graphite so thin it’s measured in atoms. Graphene is being incorporated into apparel and equipment used by professional athletes for its improved performance, comfort and durability. It’s also known for its thermal properties as an excellent source for retaining body heat and keeping hands warm.
The original version offered great dexterity, but we were totally blown away by the newly designed ones! The instant my hands and fingers were inside the gloves it felt like I’d covered them with a second skin. The new gloves mold to the shape of your hands and you feel like they really become a part of you, I don’t know any other way to describe it, as I’ve never experienced this effect in another glove.
I could sit and type on my laptop or phone immediately with no adjustment period as required on the earlier version of the gloves, they are so lightweight and stretchy, you’re just not conscious of wearing anything at all on your hands.
Some additional improvements in the newer version of the gloves:
- Better conductivity in the fingertips for using touchscreens.
- Addition of silicone grips for holding objects like a pen, computer mouse or coffee cup.
- More comfortable wrists (although this was never an issue for us on the original gloves).
In sum, the latest version (Version 3) of The Writer’s Glove far exceeded our expectations. But Ben tells us to stay tuned for future editions, as he’s constantly working to improve the design, materials and performance of the product. So if you try them and have some ideas on how they might get even better, please share your feedback with us or Ben, as he’s really listening!
Special Offer for Raynaud’s Members
Members Receive a 10% Discount
Use Coupon Code: RAY10
The Writer’s Glove® currently comes in Black in a range of sizes from Small to XLarge for $35.00. As a proud sponsor of the Raynaud’s Association, the manufacturer is offering our members a 10% discount. To qualify, simply enter the coupon code RAY10 at checkout.
We think you’ll find the product offers a comfortable solution for those seeking productive computer time without sacrificing warmth on chilly days without sacrificing dexterity.
The Writer’s Glove®
19005 Zane Street NW
Elk River, MN 55330
