The Best Weightlifting Gloves for the Gym – 2020 Guide & Reviews

Throughout the long history of weightlifting, people have always found a way to keep their hands’ skin protected from the constant exposure to heavy loads. One of the best ways to do that in 2020 is by getting a pair of the best weightlifting gloves for yourself. Not only they will protect your skin and fingers against blisters and calluses but they will also improve your grip and provide a great amount of support for your wrists.

Below, we will take a look at some of the top models that I’ve picked for this year. They are ranked in categories in order to make picking one for you easier. Further down, we will dive into the features that you need to look for in any workout or weightlifting glove in order to be sure that you’re picking the right model for your needs and budget. Now, let’s jump into this!

Best Overall – SIMARI Workout Gloves

Our Rating: (5/5)

The Simari Workout gloves offer a lot of features and decent durability for a killer price, making them one of the most famous workout gloves on the market. They are grippy, prevent excessive sweating, and come in a variety of sizes and colors.

In terms of the materials, the gloves are made out of a microfiber polymer that wraps around the whole glove. The palm is thickened with specific grip patterns that further improve your grip even if the weights are sweaty and moist. These bumps and patterns on the palm are also full of foam to further improve grip and reduce strain on the skin. The back of the glove is thinner and far more breathable to keep your hand’s temperature in check and to evacuate most of the sweating. Another interesting feature here is the loop that the fingers have. These loops allow for a secure fit and an easy take off. The thumb is also covered with a cloth-like material on top of it to help you easily wipe the sweat away from your face.

The wrist support is decent and not too thick but the velcro straps tend to get loose after a while. Size-wise, the gloves come in 5 sizes ranging from S all the way to XXL based on your hand circumference. This is yet another feature that some other similarly priced models don’t have as most commonly the maximum glove size is XL, leaving people with big hands empty-handed quite literally. If you are willing to put up with the questionable long-term durability, these gloves are an excellent bang for the buck!

Best Wrist Support – Harbinger Pro Wristwrap Weightlifting Gloves

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

One of the oldest and most famous brands for fitness equipment out there is Harbinger. Their quality is often unmatched but most of their items are a bit expensive when compared to regular competition. The Harbinger Pro Wristwrap weightlifting gloves come in 5 different sizes, all meant to fit both men and women, and are the perfect addition to anyone’s fitness shopping list.

The materials in these gloves are quite durable since everything is mostly made out of natural leather. Leather is known for its long-term durability and the palm of the gloves actually features an open-cell foam layer on top of the leather to keep your hands cool and dry. The inside of the thumb also benefits from a reinforced leather structure for added durability when lifting weights. The wrist wrap is made out of a poly blend and cotton and is quite thin, making the glove’s profile thin. The fit is adjustable and it grips quite well compared to some other cheaper straps that can get loose over time. All the materials and parts of the gloves are double-stitched which continues the theme of good craftsmanship and durability Harbinger is known for.

There are 5 available sizes from S to XL but no color options apart from the standard black that the brand is known for. While the gloves are a bit expensive, they do come with a 90-day warranty for any potential issues they might exhibit in these first 3 months.

Best Grip – Fit Active Sports Ventilated Weightlifting Gloves

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

With the large variety of fitness gloves out there, some companies really have to dig deep in order to innovate and present something truly different to the customer. Fit Active Sports have come up with a second version of their unique ventilated weightlifting gloves that feature a “naked” minimalistic design that still manages to keep the wrist wrap and most of the support regular gloves have.

The glove lacks a back portion giving more freedom to your knuckles and the backside of your hand, ultimately reducing the strain from wearing the gloves and reducing sweatiness during intense workouts. This also makes the glove significantly lighter. On the palm, there is a thicker layer of silicone mixed with neoprene for a good combination between grip and moisture-wicking properties. The palm itself is water-resistant and is very durable in the long-run. The wrist wraps also do a good job of keeping your hands in place but they aren’t the sturdiest I’ve ever seen.

The gloves come in five sizes as most other models out there but they lack the XXL size, which is vital for a big part of weightlifters. They do, however, include a much smaller XS size, obviously gearing themselves more towards women and younger people.

Most Breathable – Ihuan ventilated Weightlifting Workout Gloves

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

The Ihuan ventilated weightlifting gloves are a solid option for people looking for a good mixture of grip and breathability. They are also budget-friendly and are on-par with the rest of their competitors, at least price-wise.

On their palms, they have a special foam pad which does two things – if softens the impact from metal bars and other weights and it allows you to grip different surfaces easily. Thanks to its neoprene and silicon mix, the glove works well in a variety of conditions, even in extremely wet ones. This means that no matter if the bar is wet or your hands are sweaty, the gloves will negate those factors thanks to that exact material combination.

One of the most impressive features of these gloves is their wrist wrap system. Not only it is a longer-than-normal wrap but it is also very elastic, allowing it to be easily wrapped around your hands. That provides a ton of additional support that isn’t as restrictive as it is on some other gloves. Moreover, the wraps are tied with a Velcro strap which also very durable and doesn’t damage the fabric even if you take them on and off often. Another cool thing about this company is that their support team is stellar and they will assist you with any issues you have with the gloves, including returning them.

The gloves come in only 4 sizes which is a pitty for people looking for an XS or XXL version, commonly looked for by women and larger males.

Best for Men – Skott Evo 2 Weightlifting Gloves

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

The Scott Evo 2 weightlifting gloves are among one of the best selling gloves for men, even though they are a bit more expensive on average than other weightlifting gloves. Still, despite being men’s gloves, the Evo 2s feature a 3D unisex fitment system that gives them a snug fit no matter who puts them on.

Building on the legacy of the Evo 1s, the second generation keeps mot of the good features here such as the material and build quality. Everything here is gym-rated and comfortable, maintaining a steady degree of breathability. The palm has Scott’s latest technology – the Advanced grip gel pad which really helps with weights and is strategically placed around the area that gets the highest load during workouts. The finger sleeves have additional protection and anti-slip zones that are also full of a special gel. The lower portion of the palm is made out of a high-density foam covered with the composite material that wraps around the whole glove. As I mentioned, durability here is stellar and these are some of the longest-lasting fitness gloves out there. The wrist support here is another impressive feature, as it is quite long and can be tightened up quite a bit, giving your wrists a ton of support.

The Evo 2s come in 5 sizes from Small to XXL, making them suitable for men of all ages and sizes. They also come in 2 color combinations – black and grey, and there is also a full-finger version that shares a lot of the features of the half-fingered gloves but is fully covered and slightly more expensive. As a whole, these are very sturdy gloves that cost a bit extra but are worth every penny.

Best Budget – Trideer Workout Gloves

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Trideer is a well-known brand in the fitness world for their decent quality and excellent prices. The Trideer workout gloves make no exception to these two rules – they are durable, well-made, and most importantly very cheap compared to other gloves of similar quality. These gloves are an ideal budget solution for people looking for an all-in-one pair of gloves that are good for general exercising, pull-ups, rowing, weightlifting, and more.

The materials here are quite good and make a slip-proof breathable pair of gloves that is going to be good for both indoor and outdoor training. The back of the gloves is made out of a microfiber mesh polymer that makes the gloves breathable, lightweight, and easy on your hands. On the palm side of things, there are pads with silica gel that are strategically placed to avoid slip-ups during your workout. The padding is also thicker than usual at 5mm. Thanks to a pull-buckle and the elastic materials on both sides of the gloves, they are very easy to put on and take off at any time.

The wrist straps here are also fairly long with 18 inches of length. This is a bit more than some other budget models on the market and is good for people looking to have thicker and sturdier support at their wrists. Still, despite being long, it is hard to adjust properly and it often doesn’t offer the support you’d want. Lastly, the gloves come in the typical 5 sizes offered for most other glove models, ranging from Small to XXL. When ordering a size, it is a good idea to order a size up from yours since these are known to be too small and to not fit as expected. There are no color options but that is to be expected at this price point.

Best Leather – RIMSports Weightlifting Gloves

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

The RIMSports weightlifting gloves are a good choice for anyone looking to have that vintage leather feel embedded into their workout gloves. While not superbly good, they are decent for their price and the leather combined with other materials does a good job at giving you a good grip and keeping your hands dry throughout your workout.

The materials here are quite mixed and there are different layers going on all around the glove. At the back, there is an elastic layer that covers the whole back of the hand. It is fairly breathable and does a good job of keeping the glove firmly on the hand. On the palm, you have the leather wrapped around your fingers and thumb combined with an additional cushioning layer on top of it. Still, despite all the proper leather used in these gloves, their stitching isn’t stellar and their long-term durability is quite questionable. Still, for the money, these are perhaps your best option if you’re looking for leather weightlifting gloves. As a whole, the lycra, spandex, and leather mix does work well here but it could’ve been much better if more leather was used. Some users complain about black staining on their hands and poor long-term durability after heavy usage.

The fact that these gloves aren’t made for intense weightlifting workouts and that there is an XS size gears them more towards the female audience. There are also 10 colorful options to choose from if you’re buying them for a woman.

Best Full-Finger Gloves – RDX Weightlifting Full Finger Gym Gloves

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Full-finger gym gloves have been in the center of a decade-long dispute whether they are actually better for your performance or not. True or false, some people prefer them over the half-finger options and claim that they are much more comfortable with all of their hands being covered when working out. And what brand to rely on when looking for workout gloves than RDX? This brand has pioneered the budget class with their high-quality training products and are quickly becoming one of the leaders in the industry.

The gloves themselves are made out of two materials – Lycra and leather. The lycra layer goes all around the glove and provides elastic protection and insulation for your hands, allowing you to train with them both inside and outside. The leather layer is stitched on top of the Lycra one on the palms of the gloves. That gives a ton of extra protection for your palms when dealing with weightlifting and also prevents slippage. Other brands rely on silicone, gels, and other synthetic foams for their grip surfaces but, according to the old school gym-goers, leather remains the true king when it comes to proper grip. One other good feature leather has is that it is much more durable and all the new synthetic materials and will outlast them all. Unfortunately, it is also more expensive, and you can see that in the price tag of these RDX weightlifting full-finger gloves.

There is a wrist strap here but it has two issues – it isn’t very long and more importantly, it isn’t very wide. So, while it will hold the gloves in place and provide a decent amount of protection for your wrists it is nowhere near as good as some other cheaper weightlifting gloves on this list. There are 5 sizes here ranging from Small to XXL combined with 2 color options – Red and Blue.

Best for Women – Achieve Fit Weightlifting Gloves

Our Rating: (4/5)

Women often get left out when it comes to training gear and with fitness gloves there often aren’t sizes small enough to fit some women and, while it may not be as important, there often aren’t any interesting color options that would intrigue a woman. The Achieve Fit weightlifting gloves check most of the boxes when it comes to a fitness glove worthy of a woman. They come in black and pink, they have a small size and they are very cheap.

The padding on these gloves isn’t overwhelmingly big, as it isn’t expected for the gloves to go through very heavy weights. This is a huge advantage as it increases the dexterity of your hands and improves grips over smaller and thinner bars. The wrist strap is quite wide and elastic and is very easy to set up to your desired pressure. Additionally, the lightweight profile of the gloves leaves a lot of room for breathability, making them a good choice for people with sweaty hands.

There are 5 grip sizes available and the gloves are also unisex and come in a grey/black combination. That, combined with their extremely cheap price tag, makes them a good choice for any beginner. It isn’t all pink, though, as the gloves are a bit less durable in the long run compared to some models that are double or triple the price.

Weightlifting Gloves Buyer’s Guide

Knowing how to pick your new weightlifting gloves can get a bit tricky. This is why I made this guide section in which we will discuss various aspects of these gloves such as their materials, the design, size, comfort, grip, and other features that will help make it the perfect fit for your fitness needs and goals.

Modern weightlifting gloves can be categorized based on two factors – whether they fully cover your fingers or based on the material they are made of. Based on the coverage, we can separate them into full-finger gloves and traditional gloves with their fingers cut. Based on materials, the variety of choices is vast ranging from leather through neoprene all the way to cotton mesh, spandex, and silicone. We will discuss materials more in-depth in the next chapter, where we will also talk about all the features that are important in a good fitness glove.

How to Choose Your Weightlifting Gloves

Fitness gloves and weightlifting gloves, in particular, aren’t as simple as they seem at first. There are a lot of aspects that separate a good model from a bad one

Materials

There are a few materials that we have to go through. Those are – leather, rubber, neoprene, spandex, silicone, cotton, and a combination of either of those. The most common fitness gloves, without a doubt, are the leather ones. They are quite durable and will last you a long time if you treat them properly. Leather is also great for grip and keeps the skin safe even when you’re lifting heavy weights.

Neoprene isn’t the best material for fitness gloves but it has a few distinct advantages – it is great at heat and water isolation, hence making it good for people with sweaty hands. Most commonly, companies put a neoprene base layer on their gloves. Rubber has similar properties and is often used on the outside of gloves thanks to its good grip and relative sturdiness. Silicone is very similar to both rubber and neoprene and is often used in blends with neoprene to provide an even superior grip with good moisture-wicking properties.

Cotton is the most comfortable material for your hands and is quite breathable. The general downside, though, is that it isn’t as durable in the long run and it is prone to tearing when used frequently. It is also the hardest material to maintain and it can often accumulate odors.

Last on the list is Spandex which is completely synthetic and it is often a blend of various materials resulting in a polymer-like structure that can have varying properties. Gloves made out of spandex are lightweight, fairly durable, and good at keeping your hands dry. These weightlifting gloves will also be more elastic than cotton and rubber and also easier to maintain and keep fresh.

Sizing

In general, fitness gloves are sized just like clothing – with sizes from S to XL. Some gloves that have wrist support will have tables that will help you pick the right size for you easily. Still, you can use any pair of biking or winter gloves as a base point. If you wear Medium-sized clothes, chances are that M-sized fitness gloves will be a good fit.

There is another important part of sizing and it is connected to the total area covered by the gloves. Based on that, there are two types of gloves – full-finger ones and half-fingered fitness gloves. With full-finger gloves you will have your whole hand covered, leaving no parts exposed to the gym equipment or the elements (if you’re training outdoors). As a whole, they are a better choice for beginners but can cost a little bit more.

Half-fingered gloves are the classic weightlifting gloves and provide a better response from your hands allowing you to do fine control and grip some weights and bars better. Half-finger gloves also have one big advantage which is that they are far more breathable than the full-finger weightlifting gloves.

Wrist support

Wrist support is one of the most important aspects of most fitness gloves, especially if you’re really into weightlifting. The most basic form of wrist support is a glove that extends further to the arm. Still, most new gloves have a boxing-glove-styled wrap that you can tighten around your wrist as much as you want. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the strap is the better. The main benefit of having wrist support on your gloves is that this will protect you from sprains and twists.

Breathability

The breathability of the glove is mainly determined by the material used. As we already discussed, some of the most breathable materials for fitness gloves are cotton and silicone. Natural leather is also fairly breathable but manufacturers typically mix it with other material layers in order to improve the moisture-wicking properties of the glove. If you are having a particular issue with sweat, you should look for gloves with perforated palms.

Grip

The grip of a fitness glove is mainly determined by its palm surface and the materials used there. Leather palms have the best grip, although lately, materials such as neoprene and rubber have gained popularity since they are quite grippy too, especially when wet.

Comfort

The comfort of your gloves is also something you should have in mind, especially if you plan on wearing them a lot in the gym. The comfort of a fitness glove is determined by most of the features we talked about thus far – the grip, breathability, materials used, and more.

Price

Price-wise, most good weightlifting gloves will set you back around 30 dollars with the cheaper models revolving around 20 bucks. The good thing here is that the step from a mediocre model to a very good one isn’t a huge number and you can easily put aside a little more and get twice the quality.

Advantages of Wearing Weight Lifting Gloves

There are numerous pros of wearing gloves during your visits to the gym. Some of the most important ones are:

Of course, there are a few disadvantages as well. One of the worst ones is that gloves are often a piece of your gear that picks up and builds up scents a lot faster than you’d like them to. Going to the gym without your gloves is also going to feel very unnatural and bad once you get used to them, so make sure you never forget them!

If you want to further protect your hands and body from potential injuries, make sure you visit my article on how to properly warm-up for various workouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to wear weightlifting gloves when dealing with weights in the gym?

For beginners, yes. This will prevent your hands from getting sore and you won’t have to deal with calluses and other issues. It will also make bars easier to lift and handle. For experts, having a better feel for the weight with your natural grip strength is often recommended which is why you can see some pros avoid using gloves for certain exercises.

How should you wash your weightlifting gloves?

Washing your gloves should be done according to the materials they are made of. Typically, lukewarm water combined with a normal dishwashing soap is good enough. Try to avoid machine-washing and machine-drying them as that can damage their fabrics and rip some of their stitching.

How do you keep your gloves from developing bad scents?

One of the best methods that I personally use after most of my workouts that get quite sweaty is putting my gloves in a ziplock. Inside that bag, I have baking soda that absorbs most of the moisture from the gloves. The lack of moisture prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi which are the primary sources of bad smells. Washing your gloves after every workout also works but you have to make sure they get completely dry by the time of the next gym session.

Click here to read more on some of the best fat-burning exercises!

Final Words

Finding the best weightlifting gloves for you won’t be easy especially with the abundance of models out there. Still, if you know which features to look for exactly, you can easily narrow down your top picks. Look at the material quality, grip thickness, breathability and cushioning features, and most importantly – wrist support. If you want to use your gloves for other sports too, I suggest looking at some full-finger models as well. While leather gloves will last longer, in general, they tend to perform worse when it comes to moisture-wicking, so have that in mind.