Pup Paws & Mitts: A Buyer's Guide
Pup paws and mitts cover your hands to deepen pup headspace and, in some cases, to take your hands out of action entirely. The open paw glove keeps some grip and lets you move around. The lockable mitt removes use of your fingers and commits you to the headspace. Choose by how much control you want to give up.
What are pup paws and mitts?
Hand gear for pup play. At the light end, a padded paw glove that looks the part and softens your grip. At the firmer end, a lockable mitt that balls the hand and removes fine motor use, which sits closer to bondage than dress-up.
Paw gloves or lockable mitts?
Paw gloves if you want mobility and the look without losing function. Lockable mitts if the point is to surrender the use of your hands. Restraint gloves sit between the two.
| Paw gloves | Lockable mitts | Restraint gloves | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand use retained | Most | None | Limited |
| Mood | Playful, mobile | Bondage, committed | In between |
| Quick to remove | Yes | No, by design | Varies |
| Beginner friendly | Yes | Later | Yes |
See the range in Pup Paws.
Can you use your hands in pup mitts?
In paw gloves, mostly yes, with reduced grip. In lockable mitts, no, and that is the entire point. Before you lock anything, think through what you will need your hands for and how you will manage without them. That feeds straight into safety.
How do I use restraint mitts safely?
Never alone, and never without a way out. If a mitt locks, someone present needs access to the release, and you need an agreed signal for stop. Full guidance is in staying safe in pup play.
What are pup paws and mitts made of?
Usually a padded outer with a soft lining, often neoprene or a leather-look material over foam. The padding is what makes a balled fist comfortable to hold for any length of time, so do not skimp on it if you are buying mitts you intend to wear for a while. Thin, unpadded mitts cramp the hand fast.
How long does it take to get used to wearing paws?
Less time than you would expect for paw gloves, more for lockable mitts. Open paws you adjust to in minutes, since you keep most of your function. Mitts that ball the hand take a few sessions before the loss of your fingers stops feeling strange and starts feeling like part of the headspace. Wear them around the house first, doing nothing in particular, before you use them in a session.
Should I start with paws or mitts?
Paws. They give you the look and the headspace cue while you keep your hands, which makes them the obvious first buy. Move to lockable mitts once you understand what surrendering your hands actually means in practice and you have someone to play with safely. Going straight to locked mitts solo is the classic beginner mistake, and it is the one that matters most for safety.
What do people get wrong with paws and mitts?
Buying unpadded mitts and finding them painful, and underestimating how much locking your hands changes a session. Plan for what you cannot do with your hands before you lose the use of them. New to gear generally? Start with your first pup kit.
FAQ
What is the difference between paw gloves and lockable mitts?
Paw gloves keep most hand function and come off easily. Lockable mitts remove finger use and are meant to stay on, which makes them restraint gear.
Can you do anything with your hands in pup paws?
In open paw gloves, yes, with less grip. In lockable mitts, no.
Are lockable mitts safe to use alone?
No. Anything that locks needs another person present with access to the release and an agreed stop signal.