Sign in Pro
Best Weightlifting Gloves and Gym Gloves Reviewed
Your hands are your most important tool when lifting weights. Even if you have ample strength in your muscles, if your hands do not have a firm grip, you won’t be able to move the bar. If you are working out in a public gym, a good pair of gym gloves also fend off germs and bacteria.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite styles of weightlifting gloves to help you reach your weightlifting goals. You only get one pair of hands in this lifetime, so you better keep them in good shape!
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Materials
The materials used will determine the quality of your grip and stability.
There are quite a few different materials used in the production of these products, and some have their distinct benefits and disadvantages. These benefits often depend upon the types of lifting you are engaging in.
For example, if you are enrolled in a Crossfit class, bulky designs with a lot of extra padding may not be ideal for your needs. We have broken down the different materials used in some of the more popular gym gloves, and the reasons why they will be perfect or not great for your workouts.
Silicone gel: Whether you are lifting cans of soup or deadlifting 400 pounds- silicone gel is the way to go. We liked designs that peppered in small amounts of gel onto the palms of their gym gloves. A little silicone goes a long way! The reason we preferred striped or dotted silicone is that it will not cause the glove to bunch up when it is under tension.
There are really no instances where you wouldn’t opt for a gym glove without silicone gel. It’s lightweight so it won’t feel bulky on your hands, and it provides an excellent level of friction between the gym glove and the bar.
Leather: Leather is a great option if you are looking for something that is lightweight. The downside to leather is that is isn’t a naturally breathable material. This means that as your hands start to get sweaty, they may slip around inside of the glove.
To prevent this from happening, we made sure to select designs that offered a lot of vents where air can escape. These mesh vents are typically found around the thumb area, in the webs of the fingers, and on the top of your hand.
The benefits of leather are that it fits like a second skin. If you are reluctant to try a pair of gym gloves because you don’t like the idea of wearing something bulky on your hands, leather is the way to go!
Microfiber: What we liked about microfiber is that it has the same level of durability as leather, with just a little extra padding. Microfiber is incredibly lightweight and comfortable but can be pretty bulky. This material is ideal if you are working with very heavy weight and you need something substantial to protect your paws.
Style
When we talk about style, we are talking about the cut of the glove.
There are two basic styles of gym gloves out there on the market. Each style has a list of its own advantages and disadvantages, and they won’t work for everyone. Before you land upon a style, think about the things that are important to you whenever you hit the gym.
We have broken down the two basic styles out there on the market, and the reasons why they will help you the next time you work out.
Palm only gym gloves: This style may look a little peculiar at first, but they actually have a myriad of benefits. These styles offer full palm protection while leaving the back of your hand exposed. This style is held in place by a strong wrist strap and elastic bands that slip over the base of your fingers.
Why are these beneficial? They feel like you aren’t wearing anything at all. If you are reluctant to try gym gloves because you don’t like the idea of strapping even more protective gear to your hands- you will want to give these a try.
The biggest feature about the open design is that it provides a lot of air circulation. This means that your sweaty palms won’t slide around on the inside, and you will feel comfortable wearing them for longer periods of time. Plus, after a while, you might even forget that you are wearing them!
Closed gloves: The closed design doesn’t allow for air to travel through as easily, but they will stay in place better than palm only gloves. Some users like this design because it offers a much tighter and secure fit than the alternative.
Plus, you can select a design that doesn’t have any wrist support. Many workouts at the gym do not require stiff wrist support, so a closed glove may be more beneficial to your needs.
Size
Making sure that you get the right size for your hands is the key to success.
If they fit too tight, it will cut off the circulation to your hands. If they fit too loose, the fabric bunches up and you won’t have as secure of a grip. Sizes for gym gloves start with small and run all the way to extra large.
To make sure you get the right size for your hands, it is important that you take measurements and consult each brand’s sizing chart. To get accurate measurements, be sure that you measure the circumference of your palm just below your knuckle. Ideally, you want the gloves to fit perfect exactly where the bar lies when you are lifting.
If you really want to make sure the gym gloves that you select fits your hand perfectly and feels like a second skin, we suggest selecting a style that is made out of microfiber and mesh. While leather may look sharp and fit snugly on your hand, you have to make sure the size if perfect or you won’t be able to get it on and off.
The reason microfiber is a great idea if you are unsure about the size is because it stretches a great deal to fit your hand like a second skin. Plus, due to the fact that this material is incredibly lightweight, it means that even if it fits a little snug it won’t cut off circulation or hinder your range of motion.
Comfort
If any type of gear is uncomfortable, you will be less likely to wear it.
We have all been there before. You buy gym gloves that are designed to help improve your form or grip, but when you put it on you immediately hate it. After a while, it is cast to the gym accessory gear graveyard at the bottom of your closet.
The function is important, but not at the cost of comfort. That’s why we really wanted to make sure that each style that we selected on our list was something that felt comfortable and natural. There were a few key things that we considered to ensure that these gym gloves are something you want to wear.
We talk a lot about the outside of the gym glove that grips the bar, but we have talked a lot about the inside of the gloves. For leather options, they typically do not have a lining on the inside. This means that they have a tendency to get a little slippery when your hands start to sweat.
We liked designs that offered a comfortable fabric lining on the inside. Some designs opt for a very soft terry cloth-like lining to keep your palms comfortable as well as help wich away moisture for a surefire grip.
Stability
Wrist straps, or no wrist straps?
While it may seem practical to always keep your wrist protecting when lifting weights, a rigid wrist is not ideal for every scenario. The gym gloves that we selected for our list fell into two basic camps: those with bulky wrist support, and those without.
There are a few reasons why you want to opt for additional wrist support and the reason why you would want to skip it. It is important to consider the type of workout you engage in at the gym to find which style is right for you. Below, we have broken each style down into its advantages and disadvantages.
Wrist support: Gym gloves with additional wrist support are often a little bulky. They come with a long (sometimes measuring a foot long) piece of stiff fabric that is held in place with velcro. This style keeps your wrists from bending even a little.
Additional wrist support is ideal when doing dumbbell curls, hammer curls, bench presses (straight, incline, and decline), and any type of shoulder work such as military presses, and clean and presses. When undertaking these style of lifts, a stiff wrist is key to keep from cheating, prevent injury, and it can help perfect your form.
No wrist support: Those that elect to ditch wrist support often want improved grip without hindering their range of motion. These styles typically stop at the base of your palm, and some have a small piece of velcro to hold the gym glove in place.
Fast paced weight routines often benefit from styles without any wrist support. Exercises such as deadlifts, pull-ups, squats, push-ups, or dumbbell squats often benefit from a full range of motion in your hands.
Top-Rated Weightlifting Gloves
1. Trideer
We placed this pair of gym gloves from Trideer at the top of our list because they are made from high-quality materials that can handle a lot of weight. It sports a closed design that keeps them in place securely in place as you lift. The palms sport carefully placed grips to create a good deal of friction between you and the bar.
These gym gloves have open fingers that stop at the base of your second knuckle. There is a little bit of additional fabric on the index and middle finger where they get the most wear and tear. The palms are reinforced with additional padding in all of the places that see the most tension and weight.
Incredibly thick wrist straps provide novices and veterans a good deal of wrist support as well. When you are pushing heavier and heavier weights, wrist support is very important. The velcro design makes it so that you can elect for a very tight grip, or wear it lose if you prefer.
About 80 percent of users felt that this pair or weightlifting gloves fit them as expected. This is a great pair of gym gloves for newbies as well as seasoned pros that are looking to help improve their grip when pushing for more volume.
2. Mava Sports
Want to improve your grip and protect your hands but you hate the idea of wearing gym gloves? This design from Mava Sports is a great solution. Instead of fitting like your traditional fingerless glove, this design runs a piece of fabric from your wrist to the base of your fingers. This means that the entire top side of your hand remains exposed. Plus, we think they look pretty cool.
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to this design from Mava Sports. It is made from a blend of leather with the added benefit of silicone padding for a surefire grip. Elastic loops fit over your four fingers to keep it in place, which leaves your thumb free and unencumbered.
It also provides you with a good deal of worst support as well. It has a long adjustable velcro strap that you can wear super right for those heavy dumbbells, or you can wear it loosely to promote a fuller range of motion when needed.
If you are looking for a pair of weightlifting gloves that is a glove but doesn’t feel like a glove, this option from Mava Sports is a great choice. Plus, it comes from a trusted brand that knows a thing or two about what weightlifters need to push past their limits!
3. Nordic Lifting
Nordic Lifting is another brand that knows a thing or two about weightlifting gear. They were founded in 2013 and set out to craft well-designed gear that was innovative and functional for novices and veterans alike. What we liked about this pair of weightlifting gloves is that they aren’t as bulky as many of the other gyms gloves out there on the market.
At first glance, it doesn’t look like there is much to the structure of these gym gloves at all. They are made with a thin layer of leather that gives your hand natural movement. It also has a few vents that run along the top of your hand and thumb to promote airflow to keep your hands from overheating.
The quilted leather pattern on the inside of the palm is designed to really grip the bar. It doesn’t have additional padding on key pressure points like some of the other, but this design was intentional to keep your grip as natural as possible.
Think of wearing these weightlifting gloves as popping on a second skin over your hands to protect them from bacteria, germs, slippery grip, and bacteria. They are also offered in a wide range of sizes to ensure you get the perfect size for your paws.
4. ProFitness
These gym gloves from ProFitness is another great option for those that don’t want to wear weightlifting gloves at all. This minimalistic option keeps air circulating to your hands as if you are wearing nothing at all. However, the palm is designed in such a way to offer a superior grip.
What we liked most about these gym loves is that the grip is made from a thick and sturdy layer of microfiber material. This material is a little more breathable than traditional leather, and it has a good deal of friction so you really stick to the bar. The palm also provides additional padding in all of the key areas to ward off blisters.
The top of your hand is completely exposed to promote airflow and movement. The microfiber palm is held in place by thick wrist support and elastic bands at the base of the fingers. Users really liked the thickness of the finger bands and found they did not dig into their fingers when under tension.
If you are in the market for something light and airy that feels like you are wearing nothing at all, these gym gloves from ProFitness are one of your better choices. They are comfortable to wear, and they really help to create a firm grip when pushing higher volumes.
5. Godzilla Grip
What we love about Godzilla brand products is that they are designed by two Canada based weightlifting enthusiasts that simply made the workout gear they needed. You know that when you buy a Godzilla product that it was made by people that know a thing or two about lifting weights!
These gym gloves offer an open and airy design that leaves the top of your hand exposed. The palm is made from high-quality materials that stay in place while you work. The underside of the palm has a terry cloth texture that is incredibly comfortable and breathable. The topside of the palm is dotted with silicone grips in all the right places to lend a secure fit on any bar.
The finger bands fit on the base of your finger and are a little thicker than most. What users liked most about these weightlifting gloves is that the thumb hole fits inside of the grip, so there is no rubbing on the bar. Plus, this design has a very thick and comfortable wrist strap for superior support without being too tight and restricting.
If you are looking for something with an option design for a full range of motion, this is one of your better choices. It comes in a wide variety of sizes that are perfect for both men and women.
6. Glofit FREEDOM
These weightlifting gloves from Glofit FREEDOM fit on your hands like a second skin. Unlike 100 percent leather options, these offer just a little bit more padding for a comfortable and secure grip. Plus, they are incredibly lightweight and designed to fit most hands.
The exterior of these gyms gloves is composed of a very breathable mesh-like material. While they fit completely over your hand (and stop at the second knuckle), they are still quite breathable. The palm is punctuated by a series of silicone stripes that really grip the bar. They do not offer any additional padding, however, this means that you will feel the bar in your hands, which offers more control than padding (at the cost of comfort)
The only downside to these weightlifting gloves is that they do not offer any additional wrist support. However, some weightlifters do not like lifting with stiff wrists that limit their range of motion. This is an ideal choice for those that want an improved grip and nothing else.
If you are simply looking for a way to protect your hands from calluses and improve your grip, these workout gloves from Glofit will get you there. Just keep in mind that is is made to feel like a second skin, which means you won’t get any additional wrist support or padding.
7. Anmsports
These gym gloves from Anmsports are another great alternative for those that need help with their grip but don’t need the additional wrist support. They are made from a high-quality blend of materials that help you really grip the bar for bench presses or pull-ups, and they don’t feel like you are wearing something big a bulky.
What makes these gym gloves great is that they fit incredibly close to your hand like a second skin. This tight fit gives your hands a great range of motion that is perfect for more engaging exercises like CrossFit. The materials used make for a breathable design that keeps your hands from getting too sweaty. Detailed silicone grips are printed on a suede palm for a really great grip.
One downside to these weightlifting gloves is that they do not offer much in the form of wrist protection. However, if you need something that will provide a full range of motion without feeling restrictive, this is a great option. It does, however, offer a small brand that runs on the bottom of your wrist to ensure that they stay securely in place.
For those that like a full range of motion with their hands when lifting weights, this a great choice. It is made from high-quality materials that provide a secure grip, and you may even forget that you even have them on after a while.
8. RIMSports
Want something that forms fits just as well as your trusty workout leggings? These gym gloves from RIMSports are made to fit tight to stay firmly in place as you lift. Plus, they have colorful detailed accents along the seams and thumb to add a little bit of style to your workout gear.
What we liked most about these weightlifting gloves is that they are incredibly form fitting as well as breathable. They are composed of leather on the top of the hand and the palm. The thumb and webs of your fingers are made from a plastic mesh material to promote air circulation.
The tops of the finger also sport a series of holes to also keep your hands from getting too sweaty. One of the most important tools a lifter has is dry palms for a secure grip- even if you are wearing gym gloves! It doesn’t offer much in terms of wrist support, which is ideal for users that do not like to feel restricted.
If you want something that provides a superior grip without your hands feeling weighed down by additional padding, this is a great choice. Users love how it fits on their hands like a second skin. They are also built from high-quality materials that will hold up over time.
9. Steel Sweat
Need something with a little bit more padding? These gym gloves from Steel Sweat have you covered. This design provides the most amount of stability and protection on your hands over anything else that we have seen so far. Plus, they have a lot of padding to keep your hands protected even as you push heavy weight.
The very first thing that we noticed about this design is that it is made to give you the ultimate protection. The fingers rise a bit higher up the knuckle than some of the other gym gloves we have seen. This design also protects your finger from calluses. It also has a thick adjustable wrist strap to protect your wrists as well.
The entire glove sports thick double stitching which means that it is built to last. It is composed of high-quality leather with mesh pockets to promote circulation. The palm is also punctuated with dotted silicone to offer a superior grip to the bar.
For those that are looking for something that covers a lot more of your hand than other weightlifting gloves, you will want to check out this design from Steel Sweat. Users love that this model offers a lot of support as well as creating a very good grip to the bar or dumbells.
10. skott Evo 2
The Evo 2 is built like a tank. If you want a pair of gym gloves that ensure your hands will remain untouched at the end of your heavy lifting routine, this pair will get you there. They are made from high-quality materials that are built to take a beating. They also have a few smart design features that are worth a look.
One thing that users really loved about the Evo 2 gym gloves is that they are made from high-quality materials that hold up to no matter what you can throw at it. Double stitching along the seams means that it won’t break and snap on you in the middle of a tough set. Longer fingers and a high supportive wrist offer superior protection and stability.
What we liked most about these weightlifting gloves is in the grip. Instead of using traditional silicone, the Evo 2 uses their advanced grip gel that holds the bare securely in place. According to previous users, the position of the gel is in all of the right places.
If you are in the market for a pair of gym gloves to keep your hands and wrist protective as you push higher weights, this design from skott is one of your better choices. Plus, they come in a lot of sizes to ensure you get the right fit for your hands.
Sources