Climbing Gloves?

My partner has an issue with circulation in their hands (Raynaud's Syndrome) and sometimes has substantial difficulty with keeping their hands warm enough to climb. I know that gloves are inevitably going to reduce one's ability to grip rock, but they aren't a particularly hard climber (yet!) and I'd like to get them something to avoid the frustration of hands getting so cold even in 50-60 degree weather that they can't climb without a lot of pain.

Does anybody have any ideas or suggestions for gloves that might protect the fingers from cold while not completely nuking the ability to grip? I understand there's not going to be a perfect or maybe even good solution, but I'd like to have some options, because it sucks to watch them get upset over their hands being cold and painful like this. Thanks

heat packets in the pocket to keep hands warm.  Nothing works better IMO.

There are so many different types of hand warmer that you can easily find at Amazon I won't mention them all. Some do double duty as a phone charger.
​Hand Warmer​​​

Can't believe I hadn't thought of that! Thanks!

Don’t forget, when you’re climbing your hand are over your head most of the time. Hot Packs in the chalk bag can work wonders!
Mal

Tricks I use on a regular basis:

• Kinesio tape around palm, back of hand, and wrist.
• A thicker hand cream - more on the waxy side.
• Arm warmers - $5 dollar sweatshirt from walmart and cut the sleeves off to use as arm warmers.
• High dexterity gloves to use when not climbing.

I have a friend with Raynaud's.  She does heat packs.  She'll go with old friends to the crag, but has pretty much given up climbing.

Tape heat packs at the wrists or tuck them under sweat bands.  Try climbing in crack gloves all the time to hold heat in the back of the hand.  Heat packs or electric chalk bag.  Shake them out at every rest.  Good luck!  Hopefully you find a solution that keeps climbing fun and enjoyable.

Or there's that black diamond heated chalk bag

My wife climbs with fingerless gloves all the time (no reynauds). She often just uses her biking gloves, so the finger portion of glove just goes to first independant knuckle (PIP joint).  Makes belaying easier on the hands too.  Maybe an issue on tougher crack climbs but on face/slab climbing it never bugs her on moderates - she actually prefers it. Could stick a heat pack in back of gloves.

My partner has Reynauds.  Best thing she does is to avoid getting sweaty on the approach. Cotton is an absolute No-No for her.   Damp + cooling-off of the body is what seems to trigger hers more than the actual temp. of the air or the rock. I've seen it triggered when the air temp was well into the 80's, and I've seen her OK hiking at 10-20F.  (Although ice climbing is a "no-no" for her).

Maybe try keeping the body dry & warm.

Really appreciating all the ideas here y'all. I think we'll probably try fingerless gloves + some heating pads first! I'll post back here eventually with what we find works or doesn't. Thanks so much! :)

Raynaud's is tough because the circulation in you hands shuts down when no one thinks it's even very chilly out.  No one even thinks to ask if you're OK.

Yeah it's been very frustrating for both them and myself- it hurts to see someone being shut down by something so far beyond their control! Hopefully with gloves and thoughtful scheduling we'll be fine- I might be climbing in the sunshine and heat a lot more than I would prefer but it's a small price to pay to get outside!

All good advice above.  Depending on the stiffness of the climb, temp, etc, a few full glove (But light) options are the OR Mixalot glove (reasonable up to maybe 5.9-5.10ish) or BD Transition (thicker, more slippery) or even I’ve used leather batting gloves for a bit more warmth in lieu of a bare hand on a frosty morning in Tetons or RMNP.  I like them cuz they are snug and easy to manipulate gear/ropes with and barely even notice the climbing impact on an alpine 5.7 or below.

Have her build confidence in the gym with whatever she chooses (or with a variety of options).   Keeps the gym from gettin old and she’ll be amazed how hard she can still climb with gloves on.

Don't forget the option of a heated chalkbag from Black Diamond.
​BD Hot Forge Chalk Bag​​​