Metolius  Half Finger Climbing Gloves

Great gloves, solid stitching and leather is tough but supple. Sizing is a little weird. My hand's circumference measured 8" (around hand across palm at crook of thumb, not including the thumb). However, when trying them on, the Small (7-7.75) fit much better than the Medium (7.75-8.5). The Medium felt too loose and although the Small started out a little snug, as they break in they will stretch about 1/4 of an inch in all the right places. I prefer a snugger fit since I'm belaying in them and sensitivity and not getting in the way is very important.

Very well made. The all leather (minus the Velcro closing) construction holds up very well. I’ve now bought two pair. One for climbing and one for working in the garage and around the house. My first pair were bought in 2013 and they are holding up great. I’m glad REI started carrying them again.

Normally I wear through gloves in two to six months. I've had these gloves for almost a year and while they are nicely worn in they still have a ton of life left in them. V impressed.

I used these for the first time at a 24 hour climbing comp where my partner broke out a fresh rope. These saved my hands belaying and I probably climbed somewhere around 50 routes in them, saving my hands from certain destruction. They’re definitely broken in, but still lots of life left in them.

Couldn’t be any better. I Go through gloves every two or three months while lifting in the gym. These gloves are perfect, it took almost 9 months before I needed a new pair. Weather climbing or lifting you will not find abetter glove.

Really stiff at flex points, seams on inside of fingers hard edges making rub sores. Sizing runs a bit large for measurements given. Would take a lot of breaking in to be able to belay with these.

I have to admit that at first I was a bit disappointed with these gloves. It was an online purchase. I was looking for some comfortable and durable half fingers/fingerless gloves. I wanted tough comfortable gloves that I could use in a via ferrera trip that I had coming up. I received them the day that I was packing and getting ready to leave. By mistake I didn’t pack another pair of gloves. So the first time I opened the packages and try the gloves on was right when I needed them. When I first put them on they were a big disappointment. I got upset. I looked for other gloves but those were the only ones I had, and it was way too early to go buy some other ones. And it was a good thing because I had to really stick to them. At the end of the day after going through a few via ferrata routes, rappels and messing around with others stuff. They got broken in and became really comfortable. I have to say. If I saw them at the store, try them on and stuff, I would have passed on them. But because of my mistakes I was forced to use them. Now I use them for just about anything one can use gloves for. Hmm, actually I have to take that back because I do not use them for cycling. But other than that yeah I use them. Oh there is one thing though. It is not a glove to get wet. See, I bought and extra pair to take canyoneering on wet canyons. They were ok during that trip. However, that actually changed and now I don’t like how they fit and feel. But the ones that never got wet are just great. I don’t know if that is something for you to keep in mind or not. But I wish I knew that. I’m giving it 4 stars because it is a glove you have to break in and I never had a glove that I had to do that and it is also a glove that can’t get wet. But I do recommend it.

It took me 20 years to go through my first pair. On to the second. I use them for weight lifting only. They provide the prefect protection and prevent calluses.

I’m a woman who bought these gloves in size small a few months ago. Originally, I thought they were too small and tight, but after a few via ferrata routes, I’m so happy with them. The leather stretched just right and they have really held up well!

I tried on the XS gloves and they're huge. Not thrilled with the fact that belay gloves aren't made for women (or those with small hands)