Customer Reviews

Imak Smart Glove Small (Pack of 2)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My first year of grad school, I developed some sort of repetitive stress problem from computer use. I got physical therapy, nerve conduction testing, full arm splints to sleep in, and plenty of admonishment that the problem was I spent too much time on the computer and I needed to stop. (HA! You can't stop using a computer in grad school. Real helpful...)

Nothing helped... until I found Smart Gloves. If I work without them for any length of time, my wrists ache and fingers tingle. If I wear them, I remain comfortable.

Now I'm on Amazon in a panic because, after 6.5 years of wearing my Smart Gloves pretty much every day, for up to 10 hours a day, the left glove got a hole and beads started falling out. (I would call that VERY durable.)

Working without the gloves = pain, so I need a replacement ASAP.

And then I saw the previous 1 star review and had to say something.

It takes a little bit of getting used to at first to have the beads beneath your wrist while working, but I never experienced them as uncomfortable---quite the opposite, I got very fast relief from pain.

If you use some kinds of keyboards (with buttons on the hand rests or something) you might find the bead-pads get in the way. Likewise, it can take a little while to get used to using a mouse with the gloves on (though if you have RSI issues, I also recommend a vertical mouse, which also happens to work better with the gloves).

Make sure you get the right size for your hands. I imagine if you get the wrong size the gloves will not work very well.

I don't see the size chart here, so the info is:

Measure the width of your palm across the widest part of the knuckles where your fingers connect to the hand bones.

X-Small = up to 2 3/4"
Small = up to 3 1/4"
Medium = up to 3 3/4"
Large = up to 4 1/4"
X-Large = 4 1/4" and over

So I bought one of these because my wrist and hand were often tired while typing. I'm not sure I have real carpal-tunnel syndrome, or if it's just my desk set-up at work (not exactly ergonomically correct to say the least). But anyway, it definitely helps. My hand/wrist don't feel nearly as fatigued, and I notice it right away if I don't have it on.

But my favorite part about this glove was the fact that it helped my mother so much. I decided to send her one because she was complaining about her hand/wrist. She has bad arthritis with swollen joints, carpal tunnel, and some kind of painful knot on her hand. This glove helps her tremendously, and she wears it for most all of her household chores as well as typing. She has thanked me for it many times.

I guess it might not work for everyone. And I do think it'd be better if the splint inside it were stiffer (I think I saw some complaints that that part wasn't stiff enough). However, it's certainly worth trying, and there's no reason you can't remove the splint and put something stiffer in there if you need more support. I find the beads very comfortable for resting my hand while typing. It was a very good purchase as far as I'm concerned, thanks. :-)

I've been a long time heavy computer user, and have never learned to touch type because there were no classes when I started typing, and it's annoying to take the productivity hit when I am working. As a result, I have had ulnar nerve issues, especially on my mousing hand, from about 17 years ago. These gloves have helped keep the pain at bay. I can still feel mild tingling and some hand pain, but my fingers no longer go numb and I don't have the shooting arm pains I had before I started using the gloves regularly. I have been using them for a few years now. I can still use a a computer without them for short periods of time, but for anything longer than a few hours, I pay for it that night and the next day.

Pros: Exceedingly durable, washable, don't stain easily, keep my wrists properly situated (especially when using a laptop), flexible enough to do many (not all) hand/arm stretches, good return on investment, very portable (fits in most laptop cases) and lightweight

Cons: Takes a while to get used to mousing, easy to forget you have them on (people look at you funny), do not cure the underlaying problem, easy to order the wrong size (sizes are not clearly marked), picks up a lot of lint if you toss them in the dryer or wear fuzzy sweaters

Did absolutley nothing and the 'beads' at the palm were uncomfortable. The Handeze Flex-Fit by Dome Industries is much better -- but often sold out.

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 use one at work and I use another at home. My occupation has had me working on computer keyboards for nearly 30 years. Before using this product, my right (mousing) hand would become quite uncomfortable early in the work day. After wearing this Imak Smart Glove, the carpel tunnel type discomfort is virtually gone. I've been using these for more than a year and the palm heel pad plus the top wrist bracing are just sufficient to eliminate nearly all of the pressure points.

I would have given it 5 stars if the design allowed me to remove just a portion of the palm heal padding (beads) which would allow more versatility with different mice and different wrist rests. Also, I've worn my smart glove so much that I wore a couple of small holes in the fabric (at the palm heal pad) - which I patched with moleskin!

I highly suggest you order it and try it - if you have had some success and get relief from a beaded wrist rest.

I have been experiencing pain in my wrist and decided to give this glove a try. It takes some time to get used to the glove expecially when you're typing on the keyboard. After some weeks using it, I haven't noticed too much improvement on my pain. I giving it three stars because it does help with the posture of your wrist and it feels comfortable when using the mouse.

They are pretty large and when you rollover at night or want to pull up the covers, it's a bit cumbersome to maneuver. However, it's better than supports with too much velcro...I used to have blankets or pillows stuck to my hands! But my hands haven't hurt in quite sometime, so I would say they do their job!

I love these gloves. They are great to use at night as they are not stiff and scratchy like the others. A lot cheaper at Amazon than at the grocery store.

These gloves really helped me. I am a transcriptionist and type up to 4 hours a day. These gloves really help and would recommend them. Very comfortable, yet help me not experience any wrist pain. Love them! Couldn't type without them!