It's been a strange and strenuous year for all of us, but one of the many ways people have learned to deal with it is with a newfound love of the gym, or specifically, weightlifting. It’s a brilliant way to blow off some steam, give yourself a focus, and get that beach bod, of course. However, lifting weights comes with a few risks, and some discomfort if you're not kitted out properly.
To combat this, you can pick yourself up a set of weightlifting gloves which will aid your grip and provide wrist support. However, it can be difficult identifying which are best for you, particularly if you're new to the sport. To help you out, we’ve compiled a straightforward buying guide as well as a list of our favourites for men and women from Amazon, eBay and Argos.
Quick List - Top Weightlifting Gloves
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Table of Contents
In this section, we’ll look at the most important factors you should be considering when it comes to picking out a set of weightlifting gloves. From materials to ventilation, no stone will go unturned.
The first thing you will want to consider is the material of the gloves. In this section, we’re looking more at the back panel (we’ll be looking at the palm or grip material separately). The back panel needs to be durable and robust, but more importantly, it needs to be breathable as it’s going to get sweaty in there.
The best materials are generally neoprene and microfibre, as they offer both of these qualities. Leather and lycra are also solid options because they are both durable. However, they’re not as breathable as the other materials, so you could end up with some smelly gloves that need constant washing.
You'll also want to consider the inner or palm panel. This is where the grip will be and is the part of the glove that will keep your hands the most protected from calluses and blisters, as well as taking pressure away from certain parts of your hands, which in turn will reduce pain.
The best materials for this job will be either rubbers, such as silicone or gels, or suedes and leathers. They're all good options that will work effectively, although the non-synthetic products will likely last longer. That said, this may not be an option for some people due to their ethical beliefs.
Next, the ventilation on the gloves. We know one way to determine this is by the choice of materials, but another means is by looking at how open the design itself is.
Though full-fingered gloves are the most protective, open-backed designs will offer you much more breathability when you’re working out. They tend to keep the palm side of the glove and the wrist closure/support but forego the back panel, thus offering protection to the palm and support to the wrist.
A modern alternative is a four-finger glove which slides over the knuckles. This leaves the back completely open and the majority of the palm open too, only covering the inside knuckles where calluses and blisters are most prominent.
Though they certainly provide the most ventilation, they don’t provide any wrist support so they may not be too good if you’re lifting big weights.
Finally, the closure mechanism of the gloves. The majority of weightlifting gloves use Velcro, although smaller styles can use elasticated systems. Velcro is a solid choice as it allows flexibility, which aids in comfort when strapping up.
Another factor to look for when it comes to the closure is whether there is any additional wrist support, such as built-in wrist wraps. These thick straps are certainly worth looking for if you are, or you're planning on, lifting heavier weights as they will offer greater protection, helping to avoid wrist pain or injuries.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bear Grip Open Workout Gloves | ![]() | Combining the All Best Qualities of Some of the Other Products | |
2 | Bear Grip Weightlifting Grips | ![]() | Proof That Good Things Come in Small Packages | |
3 | Fit Active Sports Ventilated Weightlifting Gloves | ![]() | Brilliant Gloves With a Unique Palm Panel Pattern | |
4 | Adidas Women's Performance Gloves | ![]() | Great for Female or Younger Lifters | |
5 | RDX Weightlifting Full Finger Gym Gloves | ![]() | Protect Every Inch of Your Hand | |
6 | Grebarley Gym Gloves | ![]() | An Adaptable Pair of Gloves for the Gym or the Road | |
7 | Skott Evo 2 Weightlifting Gloves | ![]() | A Solid Investment for Your Health | |
8 | Nano-Hertz Weightlifting Fitness Gloves | ![]() | For Crossfitters and Powerlifters Who Prioritise Ventilation | |
9 | Freetoo Gym Gloves | ![]() | A Unique Design Crafted From Durable Neoprene | |
10 | Opti Weightlifting Gloves | ![]() | A Great Place to Start for Beginners |
It was a tough call, but we've opted for these Bear Grip gloves as our number one as they offer the best qualities of some of the previous products in the list all in one glove. Namely, they have a fantastically airy, open-back design and quality silicone palm panel, as well as a secure and protective wrist wrapping.
The choice of materials is sound too, using a combination of neoprene and silicone, so you should feel safe that these are going to get through a fair few workouts without falling apart. Hopefully, like you! And finally, they're a very competitive price for such a good quality product.
If you want the most freedom and manoeuvrability as well as plenty of ventilation, look no further than these weightlifting grips from Bear Grip. These easily-transported gloves can slide into your pocket when you're not using weights but are just as easy to access when you do need them.
They have a three-finger loop design, and have just the right amount of thickness so that you're protected, but don't have to worry about concentrating on holding the dumbbell or barbell. Plus, the palms are made of leather, so you know they're going to be as tough as old boots.
Complete with full palm protection as well as an open back design that allows you to remain dry, these gloves from Fit Active Sports are right up there with the best weightlifting gloves available to buy online today.
The gloves have a unique silicone printed design on the palm panel providing a sturdier grip when using equipment and machines such as dumbbells, pull up bars, muscle up rings, kettlebells, barbells and practically anything else you can think of!
All the products in our ranking come in a range of sizes, but these are the only ones that are female-specific. These gloves are fashioned from polyester and utilise Adidas' Aeroready technology to keep your hands cool and dry.
Additionally, the palm panel has silicone webbing, which will enhance grip and comfort as well as lessening the chance of injury. One factor we thought was particularly intuitive is the elasticated and Velcro strip closure, which will allow you to keep on wearing them even if the Velcro wears down.
The fact of the matter is, some people just feel more comfortable when everything is covered. Who knows, maybe it's because you're a hand model! If you want to make sure that everything is wrapped up and protected, then you'll surely want to opt for the RDX Full Finger Gloves.
They come with a suede palm padding for a secure grip and are crafted from sweat-wicking lycra, so although it won't stop the sweat, it will absorb it. Plus, they're double-stitched for added endurance.
If you're a multi-disciplinary and you like to spend time out on the road with your bike as well as lifting heavy things, these gloves could be right up your street as they're designed with both activities in mind. Made from microfibre, they're rigorous and durable as well as maintaining a good amount of flexibility.
The thick gaskets on the gloves protect against rubbing and wear, plus they're water-resistant too. Just be sure to check the size guide as some reviewers have found that the gloves come in a little smaller than you might expect.
Skott has designed some gloves to give professionals and amateurs alike the best possible fitness training experience. The microfibre back panel and suede and gel palm are both excellent material choices, but we also loved that the gloves are double-stitched to provide that extra bit of resilience and toughness.
Furthermore, the gloves come with industrial-strength Velcro wrist wraps for maximum support on the joint. They're the most expensive product on the list, but if you're looking to take this seriously then they'll be a solid investment in your long-term health.
If ventilation is key to your comfort when working out, then you'd be hard-pressed to find any 'gloves' that offer more breathability than these from Nano-Hanz. The silicone beads on the palm provide adequate traction for an improved grip, too.
Within this compact product, the designers have still managed to find space for a convenient 'pull-off tape' which makes it easier for users to take the gloves off after a heavy workout. We just wish they'd covered the thumb section as well, as this is still used when gripping bars and other equipment.
These gloves offer a full palm and thumb covering, so you never have to worry about torn hands or blisters while you've got these babies on. The material is neoprene, perfect for wicking sweat and completely durable.
Additionally, the palm panel is crafted with a silicone print to ensure that you have extra grip. However, some people may find the design slightly odd and it could take some getting used to! Also, the Velcro has been known to become less effective over time.
Getting us underway are these classic fingerless gloves from Opti. They guarantee to provide comfort and control, and thanks to their synthetic leather palm panel, a better grip for whatever type of weight training you are doing.
However, we do have some qualms. Firstly, the gloves are one size fits all, which may not suit those with particularly small or large hands. Also, the material of the back panel is not listed. Still, if you're just starting up and looking for a cheap option, these could be a good bet.
The benefits of weightlifting gloves are as diverse as they are useful. Probably the greatest advantage is that the user will have a better grip on the equipment they’re using. During exercise, we become sweaty, which can be dangerous when it comes to weightlifting because a 25 kg dumbbell landing on your chest is going to hurt.
In addition to this, they also offer protection to the skin on your hands, so you’ll have less of a chance of developing calluses or blisters.
Another advantage – though admittedly one that is not found in all gloves – is wrist support. Human wrists are a relatively weak joint, and too much pressure can lead to pain and injury. A good set of gloves can prevent, or significantly help against, any issues in this area.
Whether you prefer to work out at home, in the gym, or in your local park, the recent lockdown has taught us that we can still stay healthy and active – we just have to get a little creative sometimes. Below are three of our recent fitness-related articles which will help you do just that!
This concludes our guide to finding the best weightlifting gloves. We hope you found the information informative, and it has helped you identify exactly what you want from your purchase. All that's left now is to get to the gym – those weights aren't going to lift themselves!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Bear Grip|Open Workout Gloves
No. 2: Bear Grip |Weightlifting Grips
No. 3: Fit Active Sports|Ventilated Weightlifting Gloves
No. 4: Adidas|Women's Performance Gloves
No. 5: RDX|Weightlifting Full Finger Gym Gloves
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