Masterline ProLock Water Ski Gloves

The dowel is just at the end of your fingertips. It works because the strap is attached at the fingertips and the wrist. The strap is slightly shorter than the length of your hand so when the gloves is under pressure the strap pulls your fingers closed around the handle. That alone doesn't do everything so the dowel is there to add as a slight hook.

So when will your line of competition tubing gloves come out Pete?

Check ballofspray.com. Lots of very good course skiers use them including a few pro's. Most prefer the Clinchers or the Radar Vice gloves to the Masterline Pro locks because they hold up better and/or are more comfortable. Even Goode has a set of these gloves attached to their Powervest system ($590) but I don't think they sell the gloves separately.

Bottom line... Yes they work by transferring some of the load to your wrists, yes you can let go when you want to, and yes they can help with grip fatigue. Grip strength and endurance are two completely different things. My grip is really good but after 3-4 passes through the course, I can tell that my grip is getting tired. I personally don't use them because they feel funky to me but I haven't written them off yet. If the gloves allow you to ski longer and harder, I wouldn't call them a crutch. Calling those gloves a crutch is like calling someone who runs a marathon with a knee brace a wuss IMO.

I do agree with bkhallpass to a point though. A beginner skier or wakeboarder should not need these.

Worth it for what? What are you tryng to achieve?

For a serious water skiier, no. You need to improve your grip.

For me, after back surgery, when I could barely hold on to a rope, much less pull my big butt out of the water, they were great. For a woman I know who has a crippling condition in her hands, she could not ski without them. For those who have let themselves put on enough lbs that they can no longer hold onto the rope coming out of the water, they work great.

But for folks that are fairly healthy, I think they are a crutch, build bad habits, and don't help you to build your own natural strength.

My $.02. Your mileage may vary.

BKH

They seem to get good reviews on Waterskis.com.

I assume they'd let you let go of the rope quickly when needed?

Curious about them as well.