Regardless of whether you train daily or only lift a few days a week, the right workout gloves can have a major impact on both your comfort level and progress. Pulling on a pair of workout gloves before breaking a sweat not only prevents the development of painful blisters and calluses, but it can significantly improve your grip as well. If you’re a die-hard gym rat, workout gloves can also save you from touching bacteria-ridden equipment.
Finger length, padding, breathability and construction materials can vary, so it helps to know what you’re looking for before you shop. If you’re after the best workout gloves money can buy, Grip Power Pads Elite Leather Gym Gloves are the only way to go. These workout gloves outclass their peers with a unique curved finger design that delivers an improved fit, rubberized pads for a reliable grip and heavy-duty wrist straps for extra stability.
What to know before you buy workout gloves
Fingerless vs. full-finger workout gloves
Workout gloves, or weightlifting gloves, come in both fingerless and full-finger forms. While most find the former to be more comfortable, each have their own unique set of benefits to offer.
Fingerless workout gloves offer superior breathability and flexibility. These workout gloves are available in three finger lengths: short (completely fingerless), 1/2 finger and 3/4 finger. If you prefer a barely there feel, short fingerless gloves are the way to go. Keep in mind, though, that short fingerless workout gloves leave some areas vulnerable to blisters and calluses. For extra protection, consider a 1/2 or 3/4 model instead. While everyone is different, most find that 1/2 finger gloves deliver the best balance of comfort and protection.
Full-finger workout gloves deliver complete coverage to protect every part of the hand. If you live in an area with a colder climate or like to work out outdoors even in winter, full-finger workout gloves can help keep your hands warm as well. However, it’s worth noting that full-finger gloves aren’t as breathable as fingerless models and may cause your hands to become uncomfortably hot and sweaty.
Padding
Padding protects your hands, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have too much of a good thing. An excessive amount of padding can make it more difficult for weightlifters to feel the bar and may interfere with grip as well. Even if you choose heavily padded gloves with extra grippy palms and fingers, too much padding can still end up impeding grip strength in the long run. However, if you’re more concerned about protecting your hands than maintaining or increasing your grip strength, gloves with a generous amount of padding may be worth considering.
Grip
Some workout gloves have more grip than others. When it comes to grip materials, leather, silicone and rubber tend to work best. However, coverage and placement are also important. After all, one or two grip pads are unlikely to provide much security. Inspect any prospective models to make sure they’re capable of providing a good grip.
Wrist support
Workout gloves can come with or without wrist supports. While wrist support may not be essential for cross-training or body-weight workouts, it can be extremely beneficial for weightlifters, whose wrists can be particularly prone to injury. This is due to the fact that lifting heavy weights can force joints beyond their natural range of motion, often resulting in nasty strains and sprains.
Size
When it comes to size, aim for a fit that’s reasonably snug without being uncomfortably tight. To find the best fit for your hands, use a tape measure and wrap it around your dominant hand at the base of your fingers where the knuckles meet your palm, leaving your thumb out of the equation. Be sure to measure your dominant hand as it’s usually larger than the other. Compare your measurements to the manufacturer’s sizing chart to find the most appropriate glove size for you.
Workout glove features
Materials
Workout gloves are most commonly made out of leather, neoprene, mesh, polyester, synthetic leather and silicone. When it comes to durability and even grip, for that matter, genuine leather is a hands-down winner. With that in mind, breathability is also an important factor and synthetic materials, such as polyester, mesh and neoprene often trump leather in this department.
Ventilation and cooling features
To keep your hands from becoming uncomfortably slick and sweaty, look for workout gloves that come with ventilation holes, patches of breathable mesh-like fabrics or cooling coatings that draw heat away from the skin.
Finger tabs
Pulling well-fitted workout gloves off sweaty hands can be more difficult than you’d think. The best workout gloves feature tabs or loops at the end of the fingers to help make removal easier.
Workout gloves cost
Workout gloves can cost anywhere from around $5 all the way up to $90, depending on the type, materials and feature set. Thinner gloves made from synthetic materials tend to be the most affordable, though durability can be a serious issue with cheaper models. In terms of comfort, durability and overall quality, the $20-$50 price bracket generally yields the best selection of workout gloves.
Workout gloves FAQ
Which type of workout gloves is best for cross-training and gymnastics?
A. Because cross-training demands extra hand mobility, thinner gloves that don’t cover the thumb generally work best. When it comes to gymnastics, grips are usually worn instead of workout gloves. Gymnast grips typically consist of a sturdy piece of fabric that covers the center of the palm with two or three finger holes and a heavy-duty wrist strap.
How should I clean my workout gloves?
A. Workout gloves are bound to get sweaty and can get pretty stinky after just a few uses. To keep your workout gloves fresh and hygienic, regular cleaning is essential. While many workout gloves can be hand-washed with a mild detergent in lukewarm water, different materials often require different cleaning methods. To avoid damaging your gloves, always read and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.
Which workout gloves should I get?
Best of the best workout gloves
Grip Power Pads Elite Leather Gym Gloves: available at Amazon
Our take: Superb quality combined with an innovative curved-finger design and excellent flexibility make these workout gloves a top choice for both weightlifting and a variety of other exercises.
What we like: High-quality leather construction holds up well to heavy use. Features a unique curved-finger design for an improved fit. Well-padded yet surprisingly flexible. Rubber-lined for superior grip. Extra-long wrist straps deliver excellent stability. Features both finger loops and side tabs for easy removal.
What we dislike: More expensive than competitors, though the quality, versatility and functionality are simply unbeatable.
Best bang for your buck workout gloves
Trideer Padded Weightlifting Workout Gloves: available at Amazon
Our take: These versatile workout gloves are suitable for everything from weightlifting to cross-training and boast all the features found in more expensive models at a budget-friendly price.
What we like: Delivers enough padding to prevent blisters and calluses without affecting grip. A generous wrist strap provides excellent joint stability for heavy lifting. Features thoughtfully placed nonslip grips and breathable mesh strips. Finger loops allow for effortless removal.
What we dislike: May not be the best fit for smaller hands. Some reviewers felt the grip pads weren’t quite grippy enough for heavier weights.
Honorable mention workout gloves
MAVA Workout Gloves: available at Amazon
Our take: These minimalist, all-in-one workout gloves offer extra mobility without sacrificing protection, making them ideal for both cross-training and weightlifting.
What we like: Protects against blisters and calluses without limiting mobility. Silicone palm pads deliver reliable grip. Wrist straps improve stability and reduce the risk of injury. Open design allows for superior breathability. Tough and durable with double-stitched construction. Beats most other workout gloves in terms of versatility.
What we dislike: Lack of thumb protection can be an issue for serious weightlifters. Some reviewers complained that the sizes run small. Erica van Blommestein is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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