Written by Steve Theunissen | ISSA: CPT & Fitness Nutrition
Fact checked by Tyler DiGiovanni, BSBM
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Whether or not to wear weight lifting gloves is quite a divisive issue in gym circles. Some people think that they detract from the naturalness and feel of a movement while others vouch for their ability to enhance the grip, protect the hands and make for an overall better training experience. If you are in this latter group, then you've probably noticed that the choice of workout gloves on the market is pretty overwhelming.
For this article, we've waded into the workout glove market and sorted out the top performers from the others. We've ended up with the 6 best weight lifting gloves on the market, which are presented by category to make it easy to find the ideal glove for your situation.
SFS Pick
Trideer
Budget Pick
iHuan
3rd Pick
RIMSports
6 Best Weight Lifting Gloves
- Best Overall: Trideer Gloves
- Budget Pick: ihuan Gloves
- Leather Gloves: RIMSports Gloves
- Full Finger: Bionic Beastmode Gloves
- Minimalist Gloves: Black Bear Grip Gloves
- Wrist Wrap Gloves: Grip Power Pad Gloves
1. Best Overall Weight Lifting Gloves: Trideer Gloves
Trideer weight lifting gloves are the standout among the current crop of workout gloves. They feature an 18-inch wrist support that is built into each glove. This provides the extra wrist support you need when doing your heavy pulling and rowing back exercises. These fingerless gloves offer full palm protection with a thickening pad that gets the right balance between comfort and grip ability.
The Trideer weight lifting glove has a lot of mesh to provide maximum breathability and prevent sweat buildup. The padding includes hexagonal silica gel anti-skid material for greater comfort. They've even included pull buckles on the finger tabs to make it easier to take your gloves off.
I love using these gloves so much that I've recommended them to some of my clients that were looking to buy some. These gloves have improved my workouts because they're easy to get on/off and my hands don't sweat so much when I use them.
Trideer weight lifting gloves are available in a range of sizes and come with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Anti-slip palm surface good for lifting heavy weights
- 18-inch wrist strap
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Some users complain that the straps and velcro do not meet up properly
Workout gloves with full palm protection and thickening PAD will buffer the impact of sport apparatus. The Wrist Strap, as a Stress reliever, contribute to improve your power and...
2. Best Budget Weight Lifting Gloves: Ihuan Gloves
Ihuan Ventilated Weight Lifting Gloves have recently been upgraded to ensure that the palm pads provide the ideal balance between protective padding and grip ability. As a result, these gloves have achieved that sweet spot, making them our best grip weight lifting glove.
Ihuan ventilated weight lifting gloves feature built-in wrist wraps. Once more, the manufacturer has done a good job of providing a wrap that is neither too long nor too short to do the job effectively. A foam pad built into the palm of this glove provides gripping comfort while still allowing you to get a secure hold on the bar.
Ihuan Ventilated Weight Lifting Gloves are made from durable silicon printed neoprene that is chemical, oil, water sweat, and age resistant. The ultralight microfiber material on the back of the glove keeps it airy and breathable. These gloves are designed to be used by men and women.
Pros
- Excellent grip ability
- Super strong silicon-printed neoprene material
- Built-in wrist wrap
- Microfiber backing to enhance breathability
Cons
- Some may find the wrist wraps to be too flexible
The Ihuan Workout Gloves are more breathable. The back of hands are made of Ultralight Microfiber which is a light and breathable fabric...
3. Best Leather Weight Lifting Gloves: RIMSports Gloves
RIMSports Premium Leather weight lifting gloves represent an excellent mix of value and quality. Beginners who aren't used to wearing gloves on their hands will appreciate the lightweight, 100% leather and spandex material, while experts will appreciate the material's breathability, which minimizes perspiration.
The gloves also offer excellent wrist padding that keeps your wrists firmly in place, as well as superb cushioning on the palm side that gives you the confidence to grip so you can perform your workouts correctly and complete more repetitions.
RIMSports Premium Leather weight lifting gloves are available in five sizes and nine colors. According to reviewers, these offer reliable wrist support and stability for all of their weight lifting requirements.
RIMSports offer a no questions asked, 12-month warranty on these weight lifting gloves.
Pros
- Budget-priced
- Leather and spandex
- 5 sizes and 9 colors
Cons
- Can't be machine washed
The leather reinforcement in our weight lifting gloves provides sufficient protection and a stronger grip when holding the bar. Our fitness gloves are...
4. Best Full Finger Weight Lifting Gloves: Bionic Beastmode Gloves
Due to the type of exercises they perform, such as heavy shrugs and deadlifts, which might cause their fingertips to hurt from the etching on the bars, some people choose full-finger weight lifting gloves.
Bionic Beastmode Fitness Gloves are our favorite full-finger gloves, featuring genuine leather palm and an innovative anatomical pad relief system. This provides comfort pads to balance out your hands' surfaces and displace pressure.
The terry cloth cushioning inside the Beastmode Full Finger Fitness Gloves regulate perspiration, and the Cool-OnTM material on the back of the glove offers optimal breathability to prevent your hands from overheating. Additionally, the Lycra® in the flexion zones and between the fingers provides a ton of flexibility throughout your workout.
A pad at the base of the thumb provides enhanced comfort when gripping a dumbbell. This is a cool addition as this area is notorious for calluses when doing dumbbell curls, even when wearing most glove brands.
Pros
- Leather
- Terry cloth cushioning
- Optimal breathability
Cons
- Some reviewers mention that the wrists are uncomfortably tight
The Bionic Glove pre-rotated finger design adapts to your hand’s natural curving motion. This patented design gives you a more effortless...
5. Best Minimalist Weight Lifting Gloves: Black Bear Grip Gloves
Black Bear Grip Gloves feature an innovative design to make it easier to bail out of your lift. Rather than having to wrap a strap around the bar, with these minimalist grip gloves, you simply release your grip to disengage. These grips keep your fingers and the back of your hands completely open, to promote maximum breathability.
These grip gloves are super durable, with quad stitching, extra strong closures, neoprene plush and padded wrists. Bear Grips are made from vegan leather making them suitable for vegan lifters.
The innovative bar closure system makes them suitable for both pulling and pushing exercises. A number of reviewers have mentioned that their lifts have improved as a result of using Black Bear Grip Gloves. This grip glove is also a favorite of quite a few pro athletes.
Pros
- Unique enclosure system
- Quick release
- Open design for max breathability
Cons
- Quite expensive
With BLACK BEAR GRIPS you can leave the pad in your palm for grip for pushing movements like a bench press. Where Black Bear Grips really shine in on pulling movements...
6. Best Wrist Wrap Weight Lifting Gloves: Grip Power Pad Gloves
Elite Leather Gym Gloves from Grip Power Pads are made from cowhide leather. They combine a padded workout glove with an extra-long built-in wrist wraps to meet the needs of bodybuilders, powerlifters, and general gymgoers alike. At 25 inches, these gloves provide the longest straps we have seen on a weight lifting glove.
Many workout gloves are difficult to remove. That's why Elite gloves have two built-in adaptations to make the job easier.
Blue two-tone rubber padding on the palms of the glove add insulation, prevent abrasions and blisters and enhance grip strength.
These gloves are available in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes. As well as a 60-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, you also get a 12-month mail-in and replacement warranty.
Pros
- 25-inch straps built-in
- Easy to get off
- Rubber palm padding
Cons
- Not vegan friendly
Unlike other lifting gloves, Grip Power Pads gloves are easy to remove and offer two different removal options. Blue two tone rubber padding adds extra insulation and enhances grip strength...
What are weight lifting gloves?
Weight lifting gloves are gloves that are designed to enhance your grip and protect your hands during workouts. Most gloves are fingerless so that you can still get a good grip and feel on the weight you are holding. Extra padding through the palm area is designed to prevent calluses and discomfort.
Benefits of Weight lifting Gloves:
While workout gloves do have their detractors, there is no denying that they will make your workout more comfortable and your grip more secure. Here are four proven benefits of wearing workout gloves.
1. Protects Your Fingers and wrists
Your fingers can take a battering when you are working out. When you wear gloves, provide padding to prevent scrapes and scratches. Full-finger gloves provide even more protection.
The type and brand of exercise gloves you buy will determine how much wrist support you get from them. A common occupational risk for gymgoers is wrist pain. This is particularly true if your WOD calls for pronation of the hand during dynamic barbell movements. You are compelled to bring your hand back into an awkward position because of this positioning.
Workout gloves with additional wrist strapping will help to lessen the wrist pain that many CrossFitters endure.
2. Helps Reduce Calluses
Your hands will be shielded from wounds and calluses when you wear gloves. While some may view calluses as a badge of honor, in reality they are an unpleasant distraction that can ruin your exercise.
It's only natural for people to be more motivated to perform tasks that would involve the least amount of discomfort. Why add more tension with ripped-up hands when you already have to deal with achy muscles and a racing heart? Exercise gloves will make your workouts more tolerable.
3. Cleaner than chalk
An alternative to gloves in order to prevent your hands from slipping on a bar is to cover them with a chalky powder. This is a messy process that you don't have to go through when you wear workout gloves.
4. Better Grip
Workout gloves can aid in strengthening your grip. Your workout will make you perspire, which will make your hands rather slippery. Due to this, it might be difficult to maintain a tight grip on the barbell when performing exercises that need a strong bar grip, including deadlifts and pull-ups.
Additionally, the leather or synthetic cushioning on the palm will aid in improving your grip and reducing side-to-side movement.
What to look for when buying weight lifting gloves:
There is a wide range of styles, fabrics, and designs of workout gloves. Here are five considerations to take into account when making your selection.
1. Materials
The majority of weight lifting gloves are made from one or more of the following materials:
- Leather, natural or synthetic
- Neoprene
- Polyester
- Mesh ( on the back of the hand)
- Silicon padding
If you want to get the best grip enhancement from your glove, you should choose a product that is made from leather. The downside of leather is that they can get very hot and sweaty. For a more breathable, airy glove we recommend going with a neoprene or polyester fabric. The more mesh covering the back of the glove, the more breathable it will also be.
2. Build Quality
Quality workout gloves will be double-stitched to enhance durability. When it comes to the amount of padding, you want a balance between comfort and usability. A glove that is too thickly padded through the plan will make it difficult to get a sure grip on the bar.
3. Form
There is a range of weight lifting glove designs on the market. You can find gloves that are fingerless, full-fingered, and those that come with wrist wraps. You can also buy grips that cover the palm, leaving the fingers free. Choose your glove type to fit your workout and your personal preference.
For heavy pulling movements like deadlifting and bent-over barbell rows, we recommend using a full-fingered glove that includes plenty of wrist support. If you're going to be doing long, endurance-type workouts, including CrossFit WODs, you should go with fingerless gloves that have mesh backing to promote breathability.
4. Price
There is a wide range when it comes to the price of workout gloves. You can pick up a budget pair for less than $10 or splurge for a premium glove at around a hundred bucks. The average price for a quality pair of weight-lifting gloves is around $30.
5. Reviews
By reading reviews from verified purchasers of weight lifting gloves, you are able to get feedback from actual wearers after a period of use. This will provide valuable feedback about the functionality, fit, comfort, and durability of the glove.
Weight Lifting Gloves FAQs
Are gloves good for weight lifting?
The issue of wearing weightlifting gloves is a hotly debated topic. Advocates of gloves swear by their ability to enhance grip, promote comfort and prevent sweat slippage and other lateral movements. However, naysayers claim that wearing gloves will make you too reliant on artificial devices and will prevent you from strengthening your grip and worst power. At the end of the day, it comes down to a matter of personal preference.
Are weight lifting gloves good for calluses?
Weight lifting gloves may help to prevent calluses on the palm provided that they have a sufficient amount of padding. However, you do not want too much padding in the palm, as it will make it difficult to get a firm grip on the bar.
When should I start using weight lifting gloves?
We recommend not wearing gloves during your first month of starting a resistance exercise program. If, after that month, you are not experiencing any problems with your grip or with hand comfort, you should continue training gloveless. However, if you feel that gloves would benefit your workouts, purchase a pair and start wearing them from your second month of training.
Do weight lifting gloves affect strength?
Weight lifting gloves may affect your grip strength. Because they place a greater distance between your fingers and the bar, they make it slightly more difficult to achieve a firm grip. On the other hand, by preventing sweat slippage, you can firm up your grip. In the end analysis, however weight lifting gloves will not make an appreciable difference to your strength, either positive or negative.
Summary
Weight lifting gloves can make your workout more comfortable and more productive. The best workout gloves on today's market are Trideer weight lifting gloves, featuring 18-inch wrist brace straps, breathable mesh on the back, and lifetime customer support.
Workout gloves with full palm protection and thickening PAD will buffer the impact of sport apparatus. The Wrist Strap, as a Stress reliever, contribute to improve your power and...
If you're looking for more weight lifting accessories then you should head over to our post that covers the Best Lifting Straps on the market.
Steve Theunissen
Author