Customer Reviews

Imak Smart Glove Medium (Pack of 2)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I use these IMAK smart gloves off and on at night only, not when working, when my wrists are painful. You can see when reading the other reviews that some people think these are the best things since apple pie and others think they are worthless and misleading. It depends on what you want. If you have serious carpal tunnel and want something that will NOT allow your wrist to bend, particularly if you plan to wear them while working, then this is not for you. You need something with a metal bar inside that doesn't bend. On the other hand, if you want something that allows for some movement but is NOT (as some reviewers incorrectly claim) zero resistance, but just moderate resistance, and is very comfortable to keep your wrists from bending too much especially when sleeping, then these are great. It is just incorrect to say that these smart gloves offer no resistance to bending. That is false. They do offer some, but not nearly as much as a metal bar. It all depends on what you want.

One other comment is that if you want something to wear while sleeping, as I do, then velcro straps are unpleasant. They pick up a lot of lint and make a lot of noise moving your arms around at night. These IMAK smart gloves don't use velcro, which is one more reason they are wonderful and comfortable for night use.

I'm now on my fourth pair of these. I wear them so much that they wear out after a couple years. They really help keep my carpal tunnel at bay. The bean bag cushion on the palms is a nice way to elevate your hands above the keyboard. The support on top of the hand is rigid enough to keep your wrist straight but flexible enough to allow natural movement.

!!! I was freaking the eff out when I started to develop carpal tunnel. I have had friends develop it before, and I should have given them more sympathy, because I hadn't realized that:
a) it makes your arms feel like they're on fire
b) that your fingers go so numb that you can't type anymore
c) that it affects your sleep.

I draw the line at c).

I went online to buy a wrist splint and almost ordered one that was specialized for women, since I have slim wrists...then I saw that other customers had bought these babies by imak, and that I could have two gloves for the price of one wrist splint. I rush ordered them, which I've never done before.

I was nervous that they would be too big for my delicate little manos, but they fit pretty well. If you've ever been obsessed with beanie babies then these gloves feel like an old old friend. i don't think i could have gotten through writing papers for my Stanford english lit papers without them. They poise my fingers over the keyboard at just the right height and give my hands enough movement so that I can wear them all day--I still take breaks and do exercises though!

I have RSI in both wrists/hands, and my physical therapist recommended this product to me. Overall, I'm fairly happy with it - it's comfortable, keeps your wrist from overextending, the splint/stay part is pretty flexible and foam-padded and NOT METAL, which is really important for me because metal stays make my wrist cold and aggravate pain. It also keeps my wrists warm without making me feel hot or sweaty, and is very well made for the price.

However, the stay being on the top is more of a problem than I expected. I have ganglion cysts on top of both of my wrists, and the right cyst is large enough that pressure of the stay above it causes me pain if I wear it for more than 15-20 minutes. The left cyst is not large at all, and doesn't seem to be bothered by the stay so anyone without large cysts should be perfectly fine.

I also wish the gloves had more side support - I am trying to limit ulnar deviation as well, and these gloves don't help me with that. However, unlike some reviewers, I find the microbead pouches very comfortable. They are especially helpful for me because when I rest my hands on my keyboard wrist rest, the bead pouches give my hands more height in comparison to my keyboard and my fingers fall at a much more natural angle. I do use a vertical mouse, however, so I'm sure that helps with not finding the beads annoying.

Overall, I gave four stars because they are very good quality for the price, well fitted, warm without being sweaty, and very helpful for someone with wrist problems, specifically those trying to avoid over-extension of the wrist.

I'm sure I was on the way to carpal tunnel problems eventually. My wrists would get very tired with all my keyboard time, in that unnatural bent up position. These gloves have been fantastic, and much better than the little ball beads and other things they have for in front of your mouse or keyboard. These are simple to use (slip them on) and work perfectly to remove stress from the wrist. I removed the rigid insert in the back which I found uncomfortable - the ball of beads in the front does the trick.

The Imak Smart Glove is meant to keep wrist in a ergonomically correct position, and increase comfort and circulation, but it doesn't come close to the promise (see Cons). Simple put, this a horrible product. Don't waste your money, returned in 24 hours of arriving.

PROS: Washable and Reversible.

CONS: Where to start?
1. The cheap plastic and foam splint, on only the top, leaves your wrist with a full range of movement. Not a good thing when movement is what you are trying to prevent. I found that my wrist was still in the "bad" positions even will wearing.

2. The "ErgoBeads" don't increase comfort, as it is like holding a beanbag in your hand the entire time. I had a terrible time typing, using my mouse, and basically every other activity that requires gripping. They also don't increase circulation, they just don't restrict it.

3. The overall manufacturing is poor. When I first put the Smart Glove on I could hear the stitching breaking. The thumb hole is to tight and during active use is painful. The fabric also doesn't breath, so your wrist will be hot and sweaty.

Other: If you need something for computer use buy a keyboard/mouse wrist support, as they work better and are cheaper.

I really like these gloves because they are washable and give me the support I need without hampering my muscles and tendons from doing what is organic to them. I have RSI in both hands/arms, and this is one of the most comfortable type of support products I have tried.

I am a programmer and have RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) in my fingers that manifests as [what seems like] a swelling in the finger joints that [effectively] prevents me from fully curling my fingers in addition to causing mild pain. (It must be pointed out that the majority of people who are diagnosed with Carpel Tunnel do not actually have Carpel Tunnel, but rather a different type of RSI more closely related to tendonitis.) So I bought this product.

The Imak Smart Glove actually does nothing to ensure proper wrist position. It leaves a full range of motion of the hand -- which is exactly that I was looking to restrict by ordering anti-RSI gloves. Yes, product is well-made and attractive, and the beads make it comfortable to rest the base of your palm, but the soft material and splint do nothing to force the hands into proper position. In fact, the "splint" is a joke because it bends freely without even providing resistance -- when it should not be flexible AT ALL.

I'm a software engineer and I've been using these for years. Finally wore them out so ordering another pair now. Don't even hesitate if you have any kind of RSI or just spend a lot of time at the computer.

No joke. I type all day every day and I LOVE these gloves. Good for pain in the heel of your hand more than wrist pain. I used to get pain from resting my hands on the keyboard or mouse pad, which would go up toward both my pinky and my elbow. Not anymore! Beads inside make the perfect cushion -- not too firm, not too smushy. Spandex fabric slides easily on your hands and on the keyboard. Insert or remove the splint according to how you feel per day. They can get a little hot sometimes. I'm on my 2nd pair: 1st pair, the inner fabric that holds the beads finally gave way after 6 years.