Author: Ihor Shymechko (26 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience)
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (Olympian with 21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
If your workout routine features exercises that require tight gripping onto equipment, you should get pull-up gloves. These specialized gloves are designed to provide protection, support, and improved grip, and reduce fatigue and pressure on the palms, preventing calluses and blisters.
The article will explain the difference between various glove types including full gloves, half-finger gloves, and hand grips, to help you find the best choice for your needs.
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These gloves take the #1 spot for being the most well-rounded product that does an excellent job for the average athlete.
Top 8 Best Pullup Gloves Reviewed
- ROGUE MECHANIX GLOVES V2 – Top Pick
- Harbinger Pro Wristwrap Weightlifting Gloves – Runner-Up
- LYFT-RX Carbon Fiber Hand Grips - Best Hand Grips
- Mava Sports Cross Training Gloves with Wrist Support for Fitness
- Bear Grips Weight Lifting Gloves for Men & Women
- Contraband Pink Label 5137 Women's Lifting and Rowing Gloves - Best For Women
- WOD Nation Barbell Gymnastics Grips
- RIMSports Workout Gloves
1. ROGUE MECHANIX GLOVES V2 – Top Pick
We start the list of best gloves for pull ups with the Rogue Mechanix Gloves V2. Rogue Fitness is a trusted brand well-known for making high-quality equipment at competitive prices.
These gloves take the #1 spot for being the most well-rounded product that does an excellent job for the average athlete.
- Type: Closed full-finger gloves
- Sizing: S, M, L, XL, 2XL
- Material: Perforated synthetic leather, mesh
- Color palette: Black & Olive, Black & Red, Black & Gray
- Closure type: Hook & Loop velcro strap
Rogue took what they learned from the first rendition of their pull-up gloves to create the new and improved Rogue Mechanix Gloves V2.
These fully-fingered gloves are excellent for pull-ups, weightlifting, and fitness, but also for activities such as indoor climbing.
The palm of the gloves is made from soft synthetic leather with small perforations that release air upon gripping, for better heat circulation inside.
Photo by @dsct17
Positives:
Reinforced stitching between the thumb and index finger and around the pinkie finger, where most rips occur
Durable double-layer synthetic leather palm
Breathable mesh top
The small perforations on the palm material release air upon squeezing, lowering the heat and tightening the grip
Could be better:
The finger slots are somewhat short, so you have to be careful with choosing your size
2. Harbinger Pro Wristwrap Weightlifting Gloves – Runner-Up
- Type: Half-finger gloves
- Sizing: L
- Material: Leather, Cotton, Polyester, Elastane
- Color palette: Black with red details
- Closure type: Hook & Loop velcro strap
- Weight: 0.22 lbs
The palm of the gloves is made from genuine leather, cushioned with open-cell foam for extra comfort.
It also has two sets of vents that help release air during workouts, tightening your grip and improving air flow to keep the hands cool.
The area around the fingers is doubly stitched for extra durability.
Pgoto by @bonjournorah
The wrist strap is made of soft cotton that tightly fits around the hand using a long velcro, which has a lot of length adjustability, so it can be adjusted to fit all wrist sizes.
At the moment, the gloves are only available in L, which severely limits who can use them
Positives:
Genuine leather palm
Open-cell foam cushioning
Doubly stitched seams
Long velcro closure can be adjusted to fit many wrist sizes
Could be better:
Currently only available in large sizes
The black dye can release color in the first few uses, may need washing to get out
3. LYFT-RX Carbon Fiber Hand Grips - Best Hand Grips
Similar to pull-up gloves, hand grips are also a popular way to protect your palms during gripped exercises.
The best hand grips currently available for our money are made by LIFT-RX.
Made from a thick single-piece carbon fiber, they’ll create a strong protective layer for your grip and prevent slipping or injury.
- Type: Hand Grips
- Sizing: S, M, L, XL
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Color palette: Dark green, pink, white
- Closure type: Hook & Loop velcro strap
- Weight: 0.22 lbs
The grips are designed to be ambidextrous, so you can use both of them on either hand and they’ll fit.
The velcro strap goes around in a full 360 degrees, allowing for plenty of adjustments depending on your wrist size.
They can quickly be transitioned in and out of use by rotating them around the wrist or simply pulling them back, so you don’t have to take them on and off as you need them.
The no-hole design lets you place your fingers on it in any way you want without restricting your grip width.
Photo by @lyftrx
Since they’re designed without finger holes, even getting a larger size than you need, won’t cause problems for your workout.
That said, the width of the hand grips can leave your thumb and pinkie finger exposed during wider grip exercises.
Positives:
Durable single-piece carbon fiber
The grips can be rotated around your wrist or pulled backward, so you don’t have to take them on and off between use
The 360-degree velcro lets you easily adjust them to your wrist size
They’re designed to be ambidextrous so you can use them on either hand
Could be better:
If you try to do winder-grip exercises, the thumb and pinkie finger can exposed, defeating the purpose of hand protection
The Mava Sports gloves for pull ups feature a unique blend between workout gloves and hand grips that combine the best of both.
In fact, the company is so certain of the product, that they’ve actually patented it (patent number US9067123B1).
The unique design is excellent both for beginners and seasoned athletes and good for all kinds of exercises - including pull-ups, weightlifting, rope climbing, rowing, and more.
- Type: Patented training gloves
- Sizing: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Material: Leather, silicone, neoprene
- Color palette: Black, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Pink, Red
- Closure type: Hook & Loop velcro strap
- Weight: Around 0.19 lbs
The palm protective cover is made out of leather and has a silicone pattern that improves your grip on objects.
Each finger slips into a separate hole for increased dexterity and extra protection against blisters and calluses.
The 18-inch long adjustable velcro provides excellent wrist support, although it’s quite large and can catch into your sports clothing during some exercises, such as common weight lifts.
Photo by @_sandy_land_
Unlike enclosed gloves, the Mava Sports training gloves feature an open-hand design that allows for air circulation and prevents overheating.
Positives:
The unique patented design (US9067123B1) means it’s a one-of-a-kind product
Open-hand design for better air circulation
The detailed silicone pattern improves the grip
Could be better:
The large wrist strap can accidentally catch into workout clothing in exercises that move the wrist along your body, such as basic lifts.
The Bear Grips gloves are primarily designed for heavy lifting, although they can be used in various exercise types.
They’re designed to be unisex and come in six different sizes, which is the most choices on this list
The gloves are available in full-finger or half-finger designs.
- Type: Fully or half-fingered gloves
- Sizing: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Material: Faux leather, lycra
- Color palette: Black & Gray
- Closure type: None
The full-glove design features breathable holes along the fingers, as well as touch screen compatible material on the fingertips.
The palm is made from durable faux leather and features a gel padded texture for improved grip.
Photo by @philhibbard
The top is made from breathable lycra, although neither it nor the palm feature any air holes, which can lead to more sweating inside the glove.
The gloves don’t feature a closure system such as a velcro strap, however, they have a snug fit at the wrist with a pull tab for easily pulling them on and off.
Positives:
Touch screen fingertips
Unique gel-padded grip texture
Snug wrist fit with easy on-and-off pull tab
Could be better:
Neither the palm nor top feature air holes, making these gloves less breathable
6. Contraband Pink Label 5137 Women's Lifting and Rowing Gloves - Best For Women
Contraband Pink Label is a fitness brand focused on supplying equipment sized for female athletes.
The focus on smaller sizes and fewer gender-neutral color patterns and designs also allows them to price their products lower than average.
- Type: Half-finger gloves
- Sizing: XS, S, M, L
- Material: Vegan leather, polyester, mesh
- Color palette: Black, Gray, Pink, Purple
- Closure type: Velcro strap
- Weight: 0.15 lbs
The gloves are made from vegan leather that’s easy to maintain and machine washable.
The top of the hand is made from a lightweight breathable lycra with plenty of small holes that allow for air circulation, reducing heat in the hands and lowering sweating.
Silicone rubber beads are found all across the palm, which allows for better sticking onto gripped objects.
Photo by @this_girl_never_gives_up
Positives:
Palm made from Amara leather (vegan)
Strong velcro closure strap
Silicone rubber beads provide excellent grip
Could be better:
The design features a lot of stitching that can come undone in heavier exercises
The WOD Nation Hand Grips feature the classic design that many athletes have seen before.
They’re made from a single piece of leather triple stitched to the thick nylon velcro and are easy to just wipe clean after use.
Even though these don’t offer anything unique in terms of design, sometimes going back to basics is the best choice.
- Type: Hand grips
- Sizing: S, M, L
- Material: Leather, nylon
- Color palette: Black
- Closure type: Velcro strap
- Weight: 0.009 pounds
These hand grips don’t have any comfort features such as padding or soft materials.
However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as this provides a more natural feeling grip while still adding a protective layer for your palm.
This design will be appreciated by experienced athletes that already have a strong grip and developed palms from working out.
Photo by @teamwodnation
Positives:
Tripply stitched nylon velcro
Single leather piece design leaves very little room for wear and tear
The thin protective layer leaves a naturally tight grip feel
Could be better:
If your fingers don’t fit, the finger holes can feel uncomfortable and restrict finger movement
Finally, we have the RIMSports Workout Gloves.
These half-finger leather padded gloves provide a well-rounded product at a noticeably lower price.
- Type: Half-finger gloves
- Sizing: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Material: Leather, Spandex
- Color palette: Black, Blue, Dark Gray, Gray, Neon Green, Peach, Pink, Purple, Red, Turquoise, Camo Gray, Camo Pink, Camo Purple
- Closure type: Velcro strap
- Weight: 0.15 lbs
The fingerless gloves come in various sizes that fit both male and female athletes.
The product comes in the largest amount of color variations on the list, with 13 different choices, including the unique Camo Gray/Pink/Purple.
Maintenance of the gloves is also easy since these are machine-washable.
Positives:
Made in the U.S.A.
Most color choices among our picks
Machine-washable
Could be better:
The velcro is quite small and can rip and lose shape rather easily under heavy pressure, better suited for beginners
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What Are The Benefits Of Using Pullup Gloves?
Pull-up Gloves Improve Your Grip
Pull-up gloves provide additional traction between your palms and the gripped object, which helps prevent your hands from slipping off the equipment.
They also help distribute pressure more evenly across the hand, reducing fatigue and improving grip strength.
Studies have shown that exercising with gloves increases maximal grip at the cost of a negligible amount of muscle force.
Pull-up Gloves Protect Your Palms From Injury
Using hand protection for pull ups such as gloves can help athletes perform their exercises more comfortably and efficiently, while also minimizing the risk of injury.
It’s not uncommon to see or feel thick patches of skin called calluses after doing an exercise that requires a tight grip. By themselves, calluses are not a serious injury and can be home-treated with household items, although they can cause slight discomfort if you continue to exercise.
However, repeated pressure on already existing calluses can cause blisters to form underneath, which can be problematic.
Blisters are fluid-filled sacs that form in response to friction and pressure on the skin, and they can be quite painful and require more serious treatment or even a doctor’s visit. If blisters pop, they can expose the skin, which can lead to all kinds of infections.
Pull-up Gloves Retain Sweat
It’s not uncommon for an athlete to lose grip simply due to the surface becoming too slippery, such as due to sweating, as opposed to actually losing strength. Experienced athletes know that sweaty hands are a common reason for your grip failing during an exercise and the dangers that come with it.
Slipping off during pull-ups may not seem dangerous on its own, however, your body being unprepared for the quick dismount can lead to leg injuries, such as a sprained ankle. That said, more serious injury can occur, if for example, your barbell, kettlebell, or other weighted object falls from your hand.
When Do You Need Pull Up Gloves?
Athletes who perform exercises that involve hanging from or gripping onto exercise equipment can greatly benefit from using pull-up gloves.
The design of pull-up gloves is intended to provide hand protection, improve grip, and increase comfort during exercises that involve hanging or gripping onto equipment.
It’s very important to select the right size of workout gloves, as studies have shown that getting the incorrect size can result in loss of performance in the hands.
Tips From the Champ
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
What To Look For In Best Pull Up Gloves?
Design
Pull-up gloves are typically made of durable and flexible materials such as neoprene, leather, or silicone. The primary designs you’ll see are hand grips and gloves with or without fingers (half-finger).
Hand grips provide a protective layer between the hands and the equipment used during exercises. When using hand grips, the palm is fully exposed, which provides better dexterity and airflow.
Half-finger gloves provide excellent protection on the palms and still allow for a fair amount of dexterity, although they leave the fingers exposed to pressure. Full gloves can limit the amount of movement to material flexibility and have reduced airflow, but they provide the most protection.
Comfort
Stitching
The exercises in which pull-up gloves are primarily used often put a lot of friction on the stitching. This can result in tears and subsequent need for replacement.
Not all workout gloves are created for all purposes, and so they won’t have the same quality, number, and details of stitches.
Durability
Durability will mostly come down to the material the pull-up gloves are made of and the quality of the stitching, but also the frequency of use.
It's also important to take into account what the intended type of workout for each glove set is, as mismatching the two can lead to higher wear and tear and may force you to replace the gloves sooner.
Protection
Pull-up gloves give protection during exercises that involve hanging or gripping onto equipment by providing a protective layer for the palms and reducing friction.
Even the most basic pull-up gloves without extra comfort features reduce hand fatigue and lower the chance of your grip failing during an exercise, which is a layer of protection in itself. However, if the gloves have additional comfort and safety features, this will reflect in the overall protection rating.
FAQ
Is It Better To Do Pull-ups With Gloves?
It’s highly recommended to use gloves when doing pull-ups, especially for beginners. Hand protection for pull ups is important for injury protection, such as preventing calluses and blisters from forming on your palms. Over time your palm skin will become stronger and your grip tighter, so you may not need gloves anymore. But even then it’s better to just switch to a thinner pair to still protect the skin from direct friction and the bar from getting sweaty.
Is Chalk Or Gloves Better For Pull-ups?
Overall, pull up bar gloves have more benefits for pull-ups than chalk. Gloves come in various shapes and sizes with different protective features such as extra padding, wrist straps, moisture-absorbing material, and more.
Not every glove is the best for every type of exercise, but if you get the right pair, your workout quality will improve. Chalk will improve your grip by preventing moisture from accumulating on your palms and creating a slight protective layer for your palms. However, it still leaves your palms exposed to potential skin damage. Also, using chalk can leave behind a mess, so many public gyms don’t allow people to use it.
Are Pull-up Gloves Worth It?
Pull up bar gloves are worth getting for anyone who does exercises that require a strong hand grip on the equipment, such as pull-ups, dead hangs, farmer walks, rope climbing, etc.
They will protect your palms and improve your grip, making many exercises easier and safer.
Conclusion
- Case study on the effects of fit and material of sports gloves on hand performance // Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003687018303739
- Corns and calluses // MAYO Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/corns-and-calluses/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355951
- What Is Barbell Whip? // GymCrafter: https://gymcrafter.com/barbell-whip
- The Effects of Gloves on Grip Strength and Muscle Activity // Sage Journal: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1518/107118188786762603
- Workout glove having a wrist wrap // Patents: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9067123B1/en
Why Trust Us?
- Author
- Reviewer
Experience: 26 years
Best Results: Snatch - 208 kg,
C&J - 240 kg
My name is Ihor and I have been a professional weightlifter since 1996. With over 20 years of competition experience, my resume includes European Champion in 2009 and the silver medalist at 2011's Senior World Championships – 105kg division.
I competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After hanging up my own competitive lifting shoes, I decided to share my huge background as a coach. I am currently coaching multiple athletes who are competing at national and international competitions.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
Experience: 21 years
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J - 240 kg
My name is Oleksiy Torokhtiy. I am a professional athlete with 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. I have won multiple European, and World titles and have taken part in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012).
After finishing my career, I have committed myself to coach, and as of 2022, I’ve hosted 200+ weightlifting seminars all over the globe. I’m the founder of an international sportswear and accessories brand, Warm Body Cold Mind (my motto), author, and creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
This article was written by our qualified author and proofread by an expert with proven experience. When writing the article we've used our expertise and data from authoritative, scientific, and evidence-based sources. The list of references is provided at the end of the article.
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