We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why trust us?
Whether you're hoping for a better grip or the ultimate wrist support, these top-rated grips have you covered.
Workout gloves may be the solution you've been searching for when it comes to skin irritation within your daily gym routine. Most fitness aficionados swear by a good pair of gloves designed primarily to assist weightlifters for their ability to prevent painful calluses and blisters that can easily develop. These specially designed workout gloves can relieve pressure on your hands while you life a wide assortment of weights, and also provide good traction for weightlifting that can stem any accidents or injuries when handling heavier objects. Plus, during a time when everyone is more germ-cognizant than ever, gloves provide a mentally soothing barrier between your hands and shared weights (although they aren't a replacement for thorough hand washing pre- and post workout!).
The best weightlifting gloves pack in all of these benefits and more, including special designs that include under-reach abilities and full-fingered coverage for those who need it. We've evaluated the best-selling weightlifting gloves using related criteria established by the Good Housekeeping Institute, taking stock of numerous different styles and designs to account for materials used in construction, added weights or wrist support, as well as maintenance for keeping gloves as clean as possible while retaining its form. Below, we're sharing our selections for the best weightlifting gloves for strength training enthusiasts and gym newcomers alike.
This pair of weightlifting-friendly gloves pack in the best features from multiple other products on this list — there's added grip padding, a comprehensive design for comfort and built-in wrist support. For those who are experiencing calluses, the neoprene-encased foam padding on the gloves' palms and fingers should help alleviate pressure, even on heaviest lifts (the silicone grip pad helps, too!). It also incorporates solid, comprehensive wrist support that makes deadlifting that much easier.
A versatile design that lends itself to many different kinds of workouts and weight-focused training, Atercel's gloves are budget-friendly without sacrificing quality entirely. While there isn't as comprehensive of wrist support as we've seen on other options, the velcro closure should help to secure the fit firmly, which helps with improving grip. A plush sponge-like grip is embedded in the gloves' polyurethane and leather blended casing, which also helps with any blisters or shock blowback when using equipment or hauling barbells.
Nike's specially tailored workout gloves come in four different sizes, but largely answer the call for a smaller option for women who may find unisex products entirely misfitting. Designed to be easily removed after a hard workout, the breathable polyester-based mesh padding can indeed help users' get a better grip on weights. The nylon construction on the rest of the gloves ensures a snug fit that won't cause slippery or painful grips later on in your workout.
The best option for anyone who finds full-fingered or even other structured fingerless gloves too cumbersome to use, especially where sweat-soaked hands are concerned. Available in five different sizes for a proper fit, these fingerless, backless gloves are engineered to prevent surface calluses and other surface irritation when heavy lifting. Plus, the wrist wrap adds effective join support using a neoprene base that reviewers say is durable and long-lasting.
Whether you're weightlifting or working towards bodybuilding goals, these gloves can work great as they provide maximum support to your wrist. Designed with a microfiber build, which is a bit different from the category, reviews commonly conferred that this glove is exceptionally built for use with heavier items and has a long-lasting structure. The 18" wrist Velcro straps are adjustable for a truly custom fit on the wrist and can be as tight or snug as you please while working out.
While full-finger gloves tend to feel more restricting than fingerless or backless options, the polyester-blended fabric on these gloves keeps things airier than most. The design of the glove remains comprehensive to provide a better grip as they make use of sticky silicone dots through its fingers. Plus, there are grips embedded into the palm as well.
If you're pressing heavy weights daily, these leather-bound gloves can help reduce the brunt of the traction on your palms while improving your grip. There are rubber-based pads embedded into the palm, which reviewers say aren't too cumbersome in construction and do indeed make lifting or pressing easier. There's also inherent wrist support with a 25in leather straps that can be adjusted for any wrist. Plus, reviewers loved that glove removal is easy thanks to built-in finger loops that make pulling off sweaty leather gloves that much easier.
This is an open-back halfway solution between total coverage and training your hands to develop a better grip naturally on their own. Much more breathable than most options on this list, the Cobra Grips may be the most easily removed or adjusted amidst your workout. The leather grip is best suited for lifting and pulling weights and can work to reduce risk of skin irritation overall.
Experts within the Good Housekeeping Institute have a long history of evaluating products within the fitness industry, including workout apparel, exercise equipment and related appliances, as well as fitness accessories used in gym settings. While editors and analysts did not expressly test each product on this list within our labs, we evaluated manufacturing details on each of the products selected to better understand their design effectiveness. Our picks are also among the top-selling options available online and maintain a minimum 4.5-star review status based on thousands of verified reviews from previous shoppers. Additional consideration was paid to product price ranges. Whether you've been lifting for years or are just now adjusting to blisters as a weightlifting newcomer, our picks for the best weightlifting gloves will supercharge your weightlifting efforts for ease and comfort.
In determining which pair of gloves are best for your workout needs, weigh your chosen pair against the following considerations before purchasing:
It's a highly debated topic among fitness experts, but for the most part, weightlifting gloves are seen by medical professionals as a solution only for those dealing with skin conditions that affect their hands. Anyone dealing with eczema, for example, should be careful to avoid exposing at-risk skin to further bacteria — which is a common concern with shared gym equipment that may not be sufficiently sanitized between uses. Gloves can be a necessary solution for anyone who finds their skin sensitive to highly-trafficked surfaces, keeping issues ranging from warts and hives to prophylactic allergies in mind.
Gloves may better support ligaments and muscles in your wrist, and may prevent some discomfort while boosting your grip if properly fitted — but you should remember that calluses are your skin's natural reaction to weightlifting. Believe it or not, wearing gloves is barred by fitness authorities like the U.S. All-Around Weightlifting Association as those who lift weights are expected to work on their grip naturally over time. While calluses and blisters can be uncomfortable, you shouldn't worry entirely if they occur; keep from picking them and your body should naturally resolve them over time. Gloves come in handy when related conditions (which you may discuss with a healthcare provider!) may trigger chronic calluses or blisters.
In his role as Health Editor, Zee Krstic works hand in hand with analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute to highlight consumer-facing input from leading health experts; he interweaves doctors' and healthcare providers' expertise into shopping guides to better educate readers. He also independently reviews new products in the wellness and fitness space for Good Housekeeping, having done so previously for Martha Stewart Living and Cooking Light, where he first fostered a strong background in nutrition and holistic fitness.