The Best Weight Lifting Gloves

What to Look For

To bring you a well-curated list of top weightlifting gloves, we looked at the following criteria: material, durability, and flexibility (both in terms of movement and how many exercises it can be used for). For instance, a super rigid option that’s mostly for bar lifting would be the RIMSports weightlifting straps. They use metal hooks to hold the bar, limiting wrist movement and injury, even for those with light injuries. If you want something a bit looser and more adaptable to different exercises, the full palm protection gloves from Atercel make a great choice. They’re rubbery and tough on the palms while being open and light on the back. Below we’ll go into further depth on each pair of weightlifting gloves.

Rip Toned Professional Grade Wrist Wraps with Thumb Loops

Ready for serious gains

Keep your muscles pumped and your wrists safe with these helpful weight-lifting wraps.

Best Overall

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When you’re lifting heavy weights, you want to work the arm muscles, not your wrists. While it is good to strengthen your wrists, movements meant for arm muscles can cause too much strain. They come in stiff and flexible models, which can be used for different weight training. For example, if you’re used to heavier weights, then you’ll probably want the stiffer version. This keeps your wrists stable even under intense loads. The flexible gloves are great for more casual weight lifting and cardio work.

Pros:

• These can also be used for high-intensity interval-training exercises such as burpees and pushups.
• The gloves are elastic, so they’re accommodating to most hand sizes. Plus, the fabric is quite breathable.

Cons:

• The stiff gloves can take some getting used to, though they’ll gradually get broken in after a while.

Fit Active Sports Ventilated Weight Lifting Workout Gloves

Get a grip

These make it easy to hold on to gym equipment but have an open back to keep your hands cool.

Runner Up

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When working out, sweaty palms are a nuisance at best and dangerous at worst. These helpful weight training gloves let you keep a sturdy grip on whatever you’re lifting, no matter how hard you sweat. These are more breathable than full-coverage gloves. Since the back of the palms are open and the main material breathable, your hands won’t feel uncomfortably warm. When you’re done with a hard workout, you can just toss these in a washing machine to keep them clean.

Pros:

• The wrist straps offer good support without sacrificing mobility.
• They don’t feel bulky but still have great padding and support.
• These are great for pull-ups.

Cons:

• If you wear a watch, it might get in the way a bit, so you may have to slide it down your arm a bit.

Atercel Full Palm Protection Weight Lifting Gloves

Hold on tight

Whether for working out or biking or just warmth, these gloves are up to the task with grippy palms and breathable fabric on the back.

Best For Men

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If you’re looking for less stiff, intense weight training gloves, you’ve come to the right place. These are perfect for keeping your palms protected and improving circulation. But they don’t make it impossible to move your wrist around, so it’s great for more than just lifting dumbells or bench press bars. If you’re a cyclist and want a better grip and less strain on your hands, these are perfect for those long rides.

Pros:

• These are machine-washable, so it’s easy to keep them fresh.
• The fabric on the back portion is super breathable and lightweight.
• The tabs on the middle and ring fingers let you easily slide these gloves off.

Cons:

• If you get into heavy lifting, these might not offer enough padding or support, although they’ll likely still help.

Grip Power Pads Leather Gym Gloves with Wrist Wraps

An intense build for intense workouts

These thick leather gloves are great for protecting your palms while lifting weights.

Best Durability

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Heavy weights require more grip. These leather gloves are the perfect solution for long-lasting weightlifting gloves. Because they’re made of thick leather, they’re more durable than other types of gloves. They fit snugly, but you’ll still have enough mobility to grab different types of weights. Your fingertips are exposed, so you can still use your phone to change songs or text in the middle of a workout. These might be a bit pricier than other weightlifting gloves, but they’re worth it for the high-quality craftsmanship.

Pros:

• The fabric vents are cleverly placed to provide adequate cooling. Even though these are leather gloves, they don’t feel oppressively hot.
• They have a bit of stretch, so they can fit most hands (as long as you choose the appropriate size)

Cons:

• These are primarily good for lifting and might not work well for certain exercises that require more mobility.

RIMSports Weight Lifting Straps with Power Grip for Deadlifts

The heavyweight lifter's choice

These weight training grips keep pressure off your wrists so that only your arms and fingers do all the lifting.

Best For Deadlifting

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If you’re trying to push your lifting limits, these straps complement your training routine nicely. They’re perfect for lifting heavy barbells and similar equipment. And if you have weaker wrists, these are a godsend because they relieve pressure and let you focus on using your arm strength. For those trainers looking to push themselves, this is a great way to give yourself a little extra boost and save your palms from hard callouses.

Pros:

• These will work in either direction, depending on what kind of lift you’re doing.
• You can use these to lift without as much fear of dropping the bar due to a weakened grip.

Cons:

• The dye might rub off a little on your palms, which is easy enough to wash away but slightly bothersome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should weightlifting gloves have wrist support? 

Gloves for weight training can be used with or without wrist support. If you find your wrists sore after lifting, you might want to invest in weightlifting gloves with wrist straps. Or, you can also look into more rigid gloves.

How do I choose a size for weightlifting gloves?

Some product pages might have a sizing chart, so follow that if available. Usually, you’ll want to measure around the knuckles of your hand for the circumference to get your size. If you’re unsure, go with what you might typically use — if you tend to wear small regular gloves, go with a small pair of weightlifting gloves.

About the Author

Dave is a proud self-proclaimed computer geek and enjoys modding video game consoles. When he's not voiding warranties, he plays piano and video games on stream. In fact, he built his own home studio, so his expertise spans a wide range of areas. If you're looking for a tech-head for advice, Dave is your guy.

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