Blackflies on your hands.

[DownEaster]

Best answer: avoid being on the AT in New England in June. If I have to, I'll start taking afternoon siestas on next year's through-hike to delay getting into New England until mid-July. I've got plenty of public domain classics to read on my phone.

Second best answer: full coverage protection. Wear a mosquito net over your head, with a wide-brim sun hat underneath to prevent the mesh from dragging on your sweaty skin. A long-sleeve wicking T-shirt. And, finally getting to the topic, gloves. I use janitor's gloves because they're cheap, lightweight, and have snug wrist cuffs that make a seal over the shirt cuffs. Also they've got polyurethane palms to give you a firm grip on your trekking poles when you're dripping sweat.

JanitorGloves.jpg

[BuckeyeBill]

I have been using these from Outdoor Research for awhile now. I use them manly for blister prevention than bug protection. Never had a problem with creepy thing landing on my fingers as they are constantly in motion.

[Huli]

I have been using these from Outdoor Research for awhile now. I use them manly for blister prevention than bug protection. Never had a problem with creepy thing landing on my fingers as they are constantly in motion.

Those are the exact ones I am thinking are best! Have you tried to treat them with permethrin?

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[BuckeyeBill]

Those are the exact ones I am thinking are best! Have you tried to treat them with permethrin?

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No, as others have said you keep your hands moving with or without trekking poles. OR now has a new pair out that does not cover the wrist area. They weigh in at .9 oz. where as the original gloves are 1.2 oz. They choice is yours.

[chiefduffy]

Get a bug jacket. The sleeves have elastic, you can pull them down over your hands. If the blackflies are really bad, you will be glad to have it. Speaking from experience.