If you’re a beginner wanting to get into strength training or bodybuilding, but are worried about your hands against the rough knurling of an Olympic barbell, it might be time to start looking at weightlifting gloves. The best weightlifting gloves can keep your hands protected, help prevent calluses and tears, and even improve your grip during strenuous workouts. Some even have built-in wrist wraps for added support.
There are lots of training gloves available on the market, though, so it’s difficult to know which one is right for you. Luckily, our team of fitness experts has done some thorough research and product testing to bring you our list of the top workout gloves for lifting weights.
Our team at Garage Gym Reviews is made up of certified personal trainers, lifting coaches, and professional athletes, so we know what to look for in testing gym equipment and accessories—it’s a bit of a passion for us. For the best weightlifting gloves, we took each pair of gloves through several workouts involving barbells, dumbbells, and other free weights to grade them in the following categories:
- Materials
- Size and fit
- Durability
- Grip and workout performance
- Overall value
Read on to see which type of workout glove is right for your next resistance training workout.
The 7 Best Weightlifting Gloves
- Best Overall: Ihuan Breathable Fingerless Lifting Gloves
- Best Weightlifting Gloves for CrossFit: Rogue Mechanix Gloves V2
- Best Heavy-Duty Weightlifting Gloves: Grip Power Pads Elite Leather Gym Gloves
- Best Full-Finger Weightlifting Gloves: Bionic Full-Finger Fitness Gloves
- Best Gloves with Wrist Support: Harbinger Pro Weightlifting Gloves
- Best Budget Gloves: SIMARI Workout Gloves
- Best Grip: Trideer Workout Gloves
Best Overall: Ihuan Breathable Fingerless Lifting Gloves
Good for: Anyone wanting a durable and breathable lifting glove at a low price
Best Overall
Ihuan Breathable Fingerless Workout Gloves
Product Highlights
- 0.23”-thick palm padding, designed to cushion the hand without losing any grip
- Microfiber covered with anti-slip silicone points
- Soft mesh fabric back
- Provides wrist support with straps
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cushioned palm
- Great grip
- Wrist support
- Inexpensive
- Runs true to size
Cons
- Some reviews complain about wrist straps being uncomfortable
- Users have experienced stitching ripping early
Bottom Line
The ihuan Breathable Fingerless Workout Gloves provide great support and grip without sacrificing comfort and breathability. The palm is padded with a 0.23-inch-thick cushion, designed to help protect the palm without sacrificing grip strength. The microfiber material is covered with anti-slip silicone points, used to further strengthen your grip. At under $20, these gloves are great gloves at a very low price point.
Our favorite weightlifting glove that we tried out took our top spot on this list: the Ihuan Breathable Fingerless Lifting Gloves. Our tester Rosy, a client of certified personal trainer and GGR head of content Kate Meier, liked these fingerless gloves as they were priced well, durable, and fit her great.
These lifting gloves have 0.23-inch grip padding at the palm to provide a thick, full-palm protection at the hand without being overly thick. The gloves are made of a microfiber mesh covered in anti-slip silicone points to provide a strong grip, even at heavy weights. There’s even a wrist strap that can be tightened for extra support.
Rosy says of her experience with the gloves, “The padding on the glove is comfortable, even at multiple reps. I also love the wrist support—it feels safe and stable. I have small wrists so it’s hard to find something that fits my wrist and hands. The grip feels great, too; it feels like the barbell and dumbbells stay put.” She gives the grip and performance a 5 out of 5.
With an open back, these gloves are light and breathable during weight training. If you’ve never used lifting gloves before, these might take some getting used to, but for $10 to $15 on Amazon (depending on the size and color), these are a great value and can help protect your hands while improving your grip strength.
| Price | $9.99 |
| Sizes | XS-XL |
| Material | Microfiber and silicone grip |
| Fingerless? | Yes |
| Colors | Black, Green, Pink |
Best Weightlifting Gloves for CrossFit: Rogue Mechanix Gloves V2
Good for: CrossFitters wanting a light and flexible glove for high-repetition workouts
Best for CrossFit
Rogue Mechanix Gloves V2
Product Highlights
- Full-fingered glove for weightlifting, climbing, Strongman, etc.
- Synthetic leather palm with small perforations for breathability
- Lightweight mesh on top of hand
- Reinforced stitching
- 3 colors available
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Good moisture absorption
- Sleek design
- Multiple color options
Cons
- No padding in the palm
- Some reviews claim durability issues
Bottom Line
Rogue makes a pretty nice-looking product with their Mechanix Gloves V2. Made with a synthetic leather palm and a lightweight mesh on top, the Mechanix Gloves are comfortable and breathable; the palm has small perforations for increased breathability, even. While there is no padding in the palm, these gloves can be great if you are looking for a minimal glove to use in your training.
If you like to perform daily metcons, it’s pretty easy to get calluses and blisters from reps on the pull-up bar. To protect your hands, here’s our pick for the best weightlifting gloves for CrossFit: the Rogue Mechanix Gloves.
The V2 of the Rogue Mechanix Gloves provides hand protection without too much of an added grip. Our tester, GGR head of content Kate Meier, CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, remarks, “These gloves would be good for people who want full-fingered protection while lifting, or maybe people who need their hands to move around a bar during something like bar muscle ups—you don’t want a super sticky grip for those.”
The gloves are made of synthetic leather on the palm with small perforations, making the gloves very breathable; Kate used them in the dead of summer and still felt pretty comfortable—even in a full-finger glove. The top of the hand is a lightweight mesh to add ventilation.
Kate rates the value a 4 out of 5, as the $27.95 price tag is a bit higher than most gloves we tested. However, the gloves are very durable from our testing and according to other customer reviews. Additionally, Rogue offers their “3 Ships Free” deal to the lower 48 states of the USA, making this a fairly affordable pair of gloves if you have another couple of items to purchase.
If you want grip pads on your full-finger workout gloves, these aren’t the gloves for you. But if you’re looking for hand protection in a myriad of exercises—kettlebells, dumbbells, and pull-up bars—these are an excellent choice.
| Price | $27.95 |
| Sizes | S-2XL |
| Material | Synthetic leather, mesh fabric |
| Fingerless? | No |
| Colors | Black/Gray, Black/Olive, Black/Red/Gray |
Best Heavy-Duty Weightlifting Gloves: Grip Power Pad Elite Leather Gym Gloves
Good for: Lifters wanting a sturdy and durable glove for barbell exercises
Best Heavy-Duty
Grip Power Pads Elite Leather Gym Gloves
Product Highlights
- Available fingerless or full-fingered
- 25”-long leather wrist wraps for additional wrist support
- Loops and tabs designed for easy removal
- Rubber padding for insulation and extra grip
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Wide range of sizes
- Three different colors
- 60-day money-back satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
- Users say sizing can be small
- Some reviewers experienced premature wear and tear
Bottom Line
Although a tad pricey for lifting gloves, the Grip Power Pads Elite Leather Gym Gloves are solidly built. Available in fingerless and full-fingered styles, these gloves are primarily made with durable leather, and include 25-inch-long wrist wraps as well. The palms are lined with additional rubber padding for more protection to the palm and better grip. Loops and tabs are added to these gloves to help with easy removal, too.
If you need your hands protected—like, really protected—then the Grip Power Pad Elite Leather Gym Gloves are a great option. These gloves are built differently than the other gloves on this list, providing extra grip and support and lots of it. Kate Meier, GGR head of content, CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, tried these gloves and remarks, “Holy sturdy gloves, Batman! If you want a glove you could handle heavy machinery with, then this is a good option.”
Joking aside, these gloves are thicker and provide more padding and protection than most other gloves. Available in full-finger and half-finger gloves, Grip Power Pad gloves are made of leather and have a long wrist wrap that secures with velcro. Kate gives the durability a 5 out of 5, saying, “I’m not even sure a chainsaw could cut through these.”
She does take a point off the grip and performance, however. The gloves receive a 4 out of 5 here, as Kate explains, “I’m taking a point away because I don’t think they give you enough dexterity because they are so thick—but some people won’t mind that.” She adds, “I did heavy farmer’s carries in these, and that dumbbell wasn’t going anywhere.”
Due to its extra support and thickness, this may not be the most versatile glove for cross-training. Also, at nearly $55, it’s an expensive pair of workout gloves. However, if you’re looking for something to last and provide a lot of support, then this is your glove.
| Price | $54.95 |
| Sizes | XS-3XL |
| Material | Leather |
| Fingerless? | Fingerless and full-finger available |
| Colors | Blue, Black, Yellow |
Best Full-Finger Weightlifting Gloves: Bionic Full-Finger Gloves
Good for: Those who want protection from germs and rips across their entire hands
Best Full-Finger
Bionic Full-Finger Fitness Gloves
Product Highlights
- Full-finger gloves for variety of workouts
- Neoprene wrist wrap adds wrist support
- Cool-On material provides breathability and ventilation during workouts
- Relief pads placed to help displace pressure during workout
- Genuine leather palm
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Breathable
- Durable, genuine leather
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Limited sizing on Amazon
- Reviews have said the fingers are a little long
Bottom Line
With a special Cool-On material on the backs of these gloves, the Bionic Full-Finger Fitness Gloves can provide breathability and comfort during strenuous workouts. Made with genuine leather, the palms of these gloves are durable, and also have relief pads strategically placed to help displace pressure during workouts. These gloves also have a neoprene wrist wrap for added wrist support. At right around $15, these gloves provide great value for almost any fitness enthusiast.
For gym-goers, gloves aren’t always about protecting from blisters and rips. Instead, gloves can provide a literal layer of protection from germs when you’re sharing barbells and machines with other gym users, at a commercial or home gym. For that kind of protection, you probably want a solid full-finger glove, like Bionic Full-Finger Gloves.
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Made with spandex and leather, Bionic gloves provide grip pads along the hand to allow for improved grip strength in all your powerlifting or weightlifting movements. Additionally, terry cloth pads inside of the gloves help manage perspiration to keep your hands dry through your workouts.
The main thing of concern is the size. Head of content and certified personal trainer Kate Meier has tested these gloves, and warns users, “These run small; order a size up! I had ordered a large pair of gloves after reading reviews. They fit my hands, but I have small hands!” She gives the size and fit of these gloves a 3 out of 5.
Sizes are available from small to extra-large, and come in some different colors, although you may have to do some digging on Amazon to find all the available options. At around $15 for a pair of gloves, they provide decent grip and full-on protection for your hand…as long as you get the right size.
| Price | $15.02 |
| Sizes | S-XL |
| Material | Spandex, leather |
| Fingerless? | No |
| Colors | Purple/Gray |
Best Gloves with Wrist Support: Harbinger Pro Weightlifting Gloves
Good for: Gym enthusiasts looking for a bit of grip and wrist support in their exercises
Best with Wrist Support
Harbinger Pro Wristwrap Weightlifting Gloves
Product Highlights
- 4-way stretch fabric
- Perforated 2-piece palm for enhanced breathability
- Finger pull tabs for easy removal
- Adjustable hook and loop fastener
- 35% polyester, 21% cotton, 19% leather, 15% nylon, 10% spandex
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Good compression
- Strong wrist support
- Pretty durable
Cons
- Sizes seem to run small
- Hard to get off after sweating
- Only one color
Bottom Line
Providing great support through a sturdy wrist wrap and good compression, the Harbinger Pro Wristwrap Weightlifting Gloves are a durable, sturdy pair of gloves. Even with its sturdiness, these gloves have a perforated two-piece palm for added breathability. There are finger pull tabs for easy removal, although we had a little bit of difficulty removing them in our testing, especially after a workout. With a solid build and durability, these Harbinger gloves are a solid pair to consider.
People who deal with wrist problems may want to wear gloves with added wrist support. In that case, our pick for the best weightlifting gloves with wrist support is the Harbinger Pro Wristwrap Weightlifting Gloves. These gloves are thick and sturdy, although they don’t get in the way of your workout, according to our product tester Donna. Along with a pair of sturdy gloves, the Harbinger gloves have a wrist strap for extra support.
Donna adds about the gloves’ support, “I have issues with numbness in my hands, but these offer a nice compression. I also really like the wrist support. I never noticed them getting in the way during my workout.” She mentions that the compression of the gloves makes them tough to take off, but the gloves do have two finger tabs to help with removal.
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These gloves aren’t available in a size small, although in our testing we learned they can also run small in the sizing. The gloves receive a 3.5 out of 5 for the size and fit, as other customer reviews say that the sizing seems small.
Donna also warns that these aren’t the most breathable gloves: “They might get hot in the summer.” Also, after sweating in them a bit, they can be a bit more difficult to take off. However, if you’re looking for good wrist and overall support, these gloves from Harbinger are a solid option.
| Price | $27.73 |
| Sizes | M-XXL |
| Material | 35% Polyester, 21% Cotton, 19% Leather, 15% Nylon, 10% Spandex |
| Fingerless? | Yes |
| Colors | Black |
Best Budget Weightlifting Gloves: SIMARI Workout Gloves
Good for: People looking for a good quality lifting glove for a low price
Best Budget Gloves
SIMARI Workout Gloves
Product Highlights
- Elasticized fabric and durable microfiber
- Thickening palm and anti-slip
- Breathable mesh
- Comes in varying colors and styles
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable
- Good grip
- Inexpensive
- Comfortable
Cons
- A little flimsy
- Not as long-lasting as other brands
Bottom Line
Able to be used across many modes of exercise, the SIMARI Workout Gloves provide both a good grip and lightweight comfort. The palm has thickening pads as well as anti-slip material to secure a solid grip no matter what exercise you are performing. The elastic fabric also has a breathable mesh on top to keep your hands cool and comfortable during workouts as well. While not the most durable glove on the market, these gloves will get the job done and are good quality at a low price.
If you’re looking for the best budget home gym equipment and accessories, you can go with our budget option for weightlifting gloves—the SIMARI Workout Gloves. These fingerless gloves typically run around $15 and are available in four different colors and options. The gloves also provide a decent support and grip, all for a budget-friendly price.
Our tester, Rosy, liked the performance of the workout gloves, particularly the grippiness: “The grip on these was great; it almost felt more secure than just my bare hands alone. Plus, these are great in hot weather because they are very breathable.”
The gloves are designed to be breathable, as the material is mostly lightweight elastic fabrics, and the open back design keeps your hands cool. The grip comes from an anti-slip silica gel padding on the palm of the gloves, providing some extra protection on the hands while also helping with your grip.
These gloves only score a 3.5 out of 5 on their durability, however. Rosy explains, “These are a little more flimsy than the pictures on Amazon lead you to believe. They will last through workouts, for sure, but I wouldn’t consider these to be extremely durable.” Still, for an inexpensive pair of workout gloves, the SIMARI gloves are a great choice.
| Price | $16.98 |
| Sizes | XS-XL |
| Material | Elasticized fabric, durable microfiber |
| Fingerless? | Yes |
| Colors | Pink, Anthracite, Iron Black, Licorice, Teaberry |
Best Grip: Trideer Workout Gloves
Good for: Lifters looking for a grippy weightlifting glove for barbell and dumbbell work
Best Grip
Trideer Padded Workout Gloves
Product Highlights
- Thickening pad for palm protection
- 18” wrist brace wraps
- Breathable microfiber mesh
- Sizes from small to extra-large
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Durable palm protection
Cons
- Back of glove is flimsy
- Sizes can run a little big
Bottom Line
With 18 inches of wrist wrap added and a thickening pad to protect the palm, the Trideer Padded Workout Gloves provide good support and protection, while also remaining breathable. With a microfiber mesh for comfort and breathability, this glove is great in warmer weather. Additionally, these gloves have anti-slip material on the palm to increase grip, making them a lifting glove that provides good value at a low price.
If you’re looking for a bit of extra grip in your workouts, to keep a grip on a pull-up bar or a barbell, you can use Trideer Padded Workout Gloves. These gloves have a padded full-palm protection covered with a non-slip surface, providing both hand protection and improved grip. You also can get the glove with an optional wrist strap for extra support.
Mary, a client of GGR head of content and certified personal trainer Kate Meier, has tried these out and is a believer in them and their grip. She says, “I really like them; the grip is fantastic. They’re comfortable, too, and I now wear them for every session.”
She rates the durability a 4 out of 5 as well, saying that the palm padding is very durable. “The mesh on the back is a little flimsy,” she adds, “but unless you are really tearing up the back of your hands—and when would you do that?—then I don’t think it should be an issue.”
One thing to note is that in our testing, these gloves run on the larger side. They were a little big for Mary to start off with, but they felt better as they broke in. She rates the size and fit a 3.5 out of 5, and just warns to consider ordering a size down. At about $20 and with a durable and sturdy grip, these are a great choice for someone wanting a grippy feel.
| Price | $19.99 |
| Sizes | S-XL |
| Material | Silicone |
| Fingerless? | Yes |
| Colors | Black |
Other Weightlifting Gloves We Researched
Not every lifting glove is made the same. After strenuous research and thorough testing, we had to leave a couple gloves off our best-of list.
- Ihuan Partial Workout Gloves: These gloves cover just the palm of the hand, and didn’t feel too great for weightlifting; they just got in the way. We could see these being great for gymnastics movements, though—pull-ups, ring movements, and more.
- DMoose Weight Lifting Gloves: With reinforced wrist support and a four-way strength lycra fabric, these silicone and neoprene lifting gloves seem pretty durable, while still being flexible. However, we have yet to test this weightlifting glove.
How We Picked and Tested
For our list of the best weightlifting gloves, we took the gloves through several workouts. In particular, Garage Gym Review’s head of content Kate Meier, CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, tested a few of the gloves and also had some of her personal training clients try them out through workouts involving dumbbells, Olympic barbells, and other free weights.
Each pair of fitness gloves was then rated in each category:
- Purchasing and delivery: How easy were the gloves to purchase, and were there any hiccups in the shipping and delivery process?
- Materials: The materials used in workout gloves varies, but ideally you want support and durability, while still providing a breathable glove. Most materials were breathable meshes and lightweight elastic fabrics, with durable leather or silicone around the grip of the glove.
- Size and fit: What sizes are available, and do they run true to size?
- Durability: Did these gloves last through multiple workouts, and do they seem durable enough to last through more? Ideally, gloves shouldn’t need to be replaced every few months.
- Grip and workout performance: During workouts, you want to feel connected to the barbell or weight with your grip. Did these gloves help with that grip, or were they too bulky to provide any real help?
- Customer reviews: We pulled the average customer review rating on Amazon or the manufacturer’s website, out of 5 stars.
- Value: Overall, does the price make sense for the product you’re getting? If it appears overpriced, is there some factor that can make the gloves worth the cost for the right person?
After scoring each of these aspects of the training gloves, we narrowed it down to our top list of weightlifting gloves that you see now.
Benefits of Weightlifting Gloves
Do you need weightlifting gloves if you want to work out and train? No, not really. However, there are a few benefits that may make you consider using them in your next training session.
Increases Grip
The best workout gloves are built with padding on the palm of the glove, usually with an anti-slip material, all to provide you with a better grip. The right weightlifting glove can keep you connected to a barbell during rows, deadlifts, and more.
Provides Support
Many workout gloves provide support, not only for the hand, but also for the wrist. Lots of gloves have a velcro strap to secure around the wrist, providing extra support and compression in that area. Some gloves go further, with a built-in 18-inch wrist wrap on the glove—sometimes longer.
Protects Your Hands
Direct contact with a barbell can cause your hands’ skin to rub raw, causing calluses, blisters, and tears. If you’re looking to avoid that, workout gloves can help provide protection from irritating the skin.
Additionally, workout gloves can also help keep germs off of your hands that may be on the barbell from a previous user. This is mostly a concern if you train at a commercial gym, but it could still be helpful in your home gym.
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What to Look for in Weightlifting Gloves
Ready to invest in a pair of weightlifting gloves? Here are a few things to consider before making that final purchase at checkout.
Fit
One of the most important aspects of a workout glove is going to be how it fits. Some gloves can run small or big, so it’s important to check any size charts to find what will fit best. Fingerless gloves will also be a little easier to find the proper sizing for, as you won’t need to worry about the full-finger length either.
Comfort
How do the gloves feel while in use? Ideally, you want a glove that is flexible and breathable, but that also remains durable, or else your gloves won’t last more than a few sessions. Most gloves keep the majority of material on the palm for grip and padding so that the rest of the glove remains lightweight and breathable.
Support
Just like a weightlifting belt, the sturdiness of a weightlifting glove can help provide support during your workout—particularly wrist support. For anyone who experiences wrist pain, workout gloves can have wraps along the wrist of the glove for compression and added support.
Some will provide more support than others, being ideal for heavy presses or testing one-rep maxes, while others will remain more elastic, allowing for mobility in a range of motion. Try to choose a glove with the level of support you need.
Padding
For that extra grip against a barbell or dumbbell, consider the amount and type of padding the glove provides. The level of padding can range from none, allowing for more connection to the bar but limiting hand protection, to too much, which can get in the way of gripping a bar.
Most people will want a happy medium between the two, providing some protection while still staying gripped to the barbell. Additionally, find a glove with an anti-slip grip to maintain an even better grip.
Best Weightlifting Gloves: FAQs
What are some of the best weightlifting gloves?
The best weightlifting gloves provide an improved grip and protection for your hands, yet they have a proper thickness that keeps them from getting in the way of gripping bars and gym equipment. Here are our top picks for the best weightlifting gloves:
Best Overall: Ihuan Breathable Fingerless Lifting Gloves
Best Weightlifting Gloves for CrossFit: Rogue Mechanix Gloves V2
Best Heavy-Duty Weightlifting Gloves: Grip Power Pads Elite Leather Gym Gloves
Best Full-FingerWeightlifting Gloves: Bionic Full-Finger Fitness Gloves
Best Gloves with Wrist Support: Harbinger Pro Weightlifting Gloves
Best Budget Gloves: SIMARI Workout Gloves
Best Grip: Trideer Workout Gloves
Are weightlifting gloves or straps better?
Neither piece of equipment is better, but gloves and lifting straps have slightly different uses. The best lifting straps are primarily used for pulling exercises like deadlifts or Olympic lifts to maintain grip and connection with a barbell. Weightlifting gloves, on the other hand, stay on the hands and provide protection and grip during any exercise. They can also provide some protection from germs if you’re sharing equipment at a commercial gym.
What are the benefits of wearing weightlifting gloves?
Weightlifting gloves can improve your grip when holding barbells, dumbbells, or other gym equipment. In addition, they can help protect your hands from calluses, blisters, and tears.
