8 Best Weightlifting Gloves in 2024

Weightlifting requires constant gripping of workout equipment, which can cause hand fatigue and lead to various injuries.

Using a pair of gloves provides a layer of protection and hand support that prevents these issues and improves your grip, making exercising more comfortable.

Here are the top 8 best weightlifting gloves.

The top list contains a mix of half finger and full finger workout gloves, as well as hand grips, and explains the benefits of each in detail, helping you make the best choice for your fitness needs.

The list goes in reverse order, starting off with the best overall choice, then going into products with more specific specs, such as best on a budget, the best alternative, best for female athletes, etc.

Without further ado, here’s our top pick for the best workout gloves for weightlifting.

Top 8 Best Weightlifting Gloves Reviewed

1. MECHANIX ORIGINAL GLOVES – Top Pick
2. RIMSports Workout Gloves for Men and Women – Runner-Up
3. DMOOSE Weight Lifting Gloves – Budget Pick
4. MECHANIX ORIGINAL WOMEN’S GLOVES – Best For Women
5. BEAR KOMPLEX 3 HOLE HAND GRIPS – Best Alternative (Grips)
6. Bear Grips Weight Lifting Gloves for Men & Women
7. Harbinger Pro Wristwrap Weightlifting Gloves
8. ATERCEL Workout Gloves for Men and Women

Product	Total	Design	Comfort	Stitching	Durability	Protection	Price/Quality
MECHANIX	59	9	10	10	10	10	10
RIMSports	58	10	10	9	9	10	10
DMOOSE	57	9	10	10	9	9	10
MECHANIX WOMEN	56	9	10	10	9	9	9
BEAR KOMPLEX	55	9	9	10	9.5	9	8.5
Bear Grips	54	9	9	9	9	9	9
Harbinger	53	9	8	9	9	9	9
ATERCEL	52	9	9	8	8	8	10

The Mechanix Original gloves are my top choice and are the overall best mens weight lifting gloves. Mechanix is a brand with over 25 years of experience, with a strong reputation in various industries that use protective handwear.

The Original series has withstood the test of time thanks to its build quality and simple design. These gloves are excellent for weightlifting, but they’re highly effective as an all-purpose exercise glove as well.

The gloves are designed to fit snugly and securely around the hand, with an adjustable wrist closure to ensure a comfortable and personalized fit.

The palm is made from smooth and flexible synthetic leather that wraps around nicely.

This material also allows the user to use touchscreen devices, so you won’t have to take your gloves off to answer phone calls, set up fitness apps, or use your smartwatch.

The top is made from a patented combination of synthetic fibers called TrekDry®, which is lightweight, flexible, and easily adjusts to hand movement. TrekDry is used in high-performance gloves in various industries, including military, law enforcement, firefighting, and similar.

It has excellent airflow, keeping your hands cool for prolonged periods of time without having to take them off. The thumb and index finger are reinforced from the inside and the majority of the glove stitching is not exposed, preventing wear and tear from use.

The RIMSports Workout Gloves are well-rounded lifting gloves at a noticeably lower price compared to similar products. These half-finger gloves come in various sizes that fit both male and female athletes.

They also offer 13 different choices, including the unique Camo Gray/Pink/Purple, so you have lots of options to customize your look.

The top part of the gloves is made from a large and flexible lycra mesh, that allows for plenty of airflow and keeps the hands from heating up inside.

Instead of the usual large wrist straps that restrict movement, these gloves fit just above the wrist using an elastic band and diagonal velcro, which leaves plenty of room to wear a fitness band or smartwatch.

Extra ventilation pockets are sewn into the middle, ring, and pinkie finger, which helps with air circulation and adds comfort to the knuckle area.

The thumb area is isolated with a solid leather piece that offers extra protection and dexterity.

Maintenance of these gloves is also very easy since they’re machine-washable thanks to durable materials.

If you’re shopping on a budget and looking for a pair of gloves specifically for weight lifting, DMoose would be my recommendation.

These gloves are lightweight and thin, providing a natural feeling grip while still protecting your palm skin from cuts and abrasions caused by things like barbell knurling.

The gloves are available in two versions, one with a snug fit just above the wrist, and the other with a thick hook & loop wrist support strap. With five different sizes, including an extra small (XS), these should fit well on both male and female athletes of various sizes.

The top of the gloves is made from breathable lycra that stretches in four directions, making the gloves follow your hand shape perfectly for a snug fit. The palm features an anti-slip textured surface for increased grip, along with silicone padding for added comfort.

The padding is somewhat thin, which allows for a firm grip around the barbell. However, it’s not as good at protecting your hands from calluses during workouts that involve gripping for extended periods of time, such as rowing.

The glove material has sweat-resistant properties that will prevent the barbell from sliding around in your hands. Two pull tabs are located in the middle and ring finger, for quick and easy removal once you’re done exercising.

If you’re a female athlete and worry that gloves advertised as unisex may not fit your hands as well, treat yourself with a pair of Mechanix Original Women’s Gloves.

These full finger workout gloves are essentially the same as our top pick, with slight adjustments in shape and size to better fit smaller palms.

The build quality of these gloves is the same as the Original Mechanix gloves, with a few new design adjustments.

The main construction also consists of the smooth synthetic leather palm and the form-fitting breathable TrekDry top.

The seamless palm and inside stitching greatly prevent wear and tear from everyday use.

The gloves have a small support strap that wraps around the wrist for a full 360 degrees.

The closure system is made from an adjustable Thermoplastic rubber (TPR) with an industrial-strength hook and loop adjustment.

These gloves also have an easy on/off pull tab, which won’t rip as easily as the fiber on/off strap of the Original Mechanix gloves.

The Mechanix gloves can be used to protect your hands even for daily activities outside the gym, and are also easy to maintain since they’re fully machine washable.

Getting hand grips is a good alternative to weightlifting gloves for athletes who want a more natural grip feel.

This is the three-hole version, but it’s worth mentioning the Bear Komplex hand grips are available in the two-hole version as well, which may be better suited for athletes with smaller hands.

While lifting gloves offer rounded protection for your entire hand, they can also limit hand movement.

Hand grips provide a safety layer between your palm and the gripped surface, preventing calluses and blisters from forming, but their open-ended design allows for maximal hand dexterity.

Due to this open design, hand grips also leave the hand fully exposed to natural airflow, which severely reduces heating up and sweating during exercise.

Once you have them on, your palm will rest on a smooth but firm genuine leather surface that won’t graze or itch your skin the same way cheaper hand grips tend to do.

The gripping surface has a small hole texture across that firmly grips onto the surface, especially fine knurling found on barbells or pull-up bars.

Each pair features triple stitching, greatly increasing build quality and prolonging the life cycle of the product.

The Bear Grips Weight Lifting gloves are excellent for athletes who are into heavy lifting.

They’re designed both for men and women and come in six different size choices, easily fitting a large variety of different hand shapes and proportions.

These gloves are available in both full-finger and half-finger designs.

The full-glove design features breathable holes along the fingers that let air in and out.

The tips of the index finger and thumb are covered in a synthetic leather material that works well on touch screens.

This is an excellent perk, as it allows you to use any smart device or workout machine touchscreen panel without having to take your gloves on and off.

The palm is made from durable faux leather and has gel-padded pockets with a sticky texture for improved grip.

The smooth top is made from breathable lycra material, although it doesn’t have other ventilation features such as air holes or openings, which can lead to some heat and sweating inside the glove.

Overall, the gloves fit snugly over the hand and are tight around the wrist, with a pull tab for easy taking on and off.

The Harbinger brand makes all kinds of fitness accessories including belts, wrist straps, training mats, gloves, and more.

The Pro half-finger weightlifting gloves easily rise to the task of all athlete levels, including heavy lifters.

That said, they do come at a noticeably higher price compared to other weightlifting gloves.

The palm cover is made from genuine leather and cushioned with breathable open-cell foam for added comfort.

It also features two rows of vent holes that release air during workouts, allowing air flow to keep the hands cool and strengthening your grip.

The thumb area is wrapped around with a second thick layer of leather for added protection against abrasions during weightlifting.

The gloves have plenty of extra stitching which increases their durability, including double-stitched seams and crosswise stitching on the palm area.

The wrist strap is made from soft cotton that secures and stabilizes the wrist joints during heavy lifts.

The long Hook & Loop velcro closure tightly fits around the hand and can be adjusted for many wrist sizes.

Keep in mind though that these gloves should be hand-washed and air-dried only, as the black dye can bleed out.

Last but not least I want to mention the ATERCEL workout gloves.

They come in six different sizes and are designed for both men and women.

Along with a very low price compared to the average, these gloves make for a safe and easy purchase.

One thing you immediately notice when you put these gloves on is how soft they are inside thanks to the mesh material.

The top is made from a lightweight, breathable lycra that stretches nicely around the hand shape, making a snug fit.

The palms feature thick soft foam padding for extra hand comfort and are covered with a non-slip silicone gel texture for added grip.

They also have air vents that allow for better airflow, cooling down the hand and also tightening the grip by releasing pressure inside the glove.

The wrist closure system is a large velcro strap that holds well and can be adjusted to fit different hand sizes.

All of these features make wearing the gloves comfortable even for prolonged periods of time.

These gloves also have one unique feature in the towel material back panel along the thumb and index finger.

This sweat-absorbing material allows you to quickly wipe the sweat off yourself or the workout tool you’re gripping.

What Are the Benefits Of Using Weightlifting Gloves?

✅ Gloves Provide Comfort

For most people, the main purpose of getting workout gloves for lifting weights is to make their exercise more comfortable.

Most gloves have some form of thick comfort padding that eases pressure on the palms, reducing hand fatigue and prolonging your ability to exercise.

✅ Gloves Protect Your Palms From Injury

Arguably the most important purpose of wearing weightlifting gloves for men and women is to provide a protective surface between the palm and gripped object, preventing injuries.

For example, gripping onto barbells for extended periods of time can form thick patches of skin on your palms, called calluses. Experienced athletes are familiar with them.

By themselves they’re not concerning, although they can cause discomfort if you ignore them and continue to exercise. However, repeated pressure on already existing calluses can cause blisters to form underneath, which can be problematic. Blisters are sacs of fluid that form in response to pressure on the skin.

If left unchecked, they can be quite painful and require more serious treatment or even a doctor’s visit. If they pop, they can cause bleeding and expose the skin underneath, potentially causing infections.

✅ Gloves Provide Wrist Support

Many weightlifting gloves also provide wrist support by using wraps. Wraps keep the wrist tighly in place and reduce the risk of sprains or strains, which can be very beneficial during heavy lifting exercises such as deadlifts and bench presses.

Wrist wraps are especially useful for athletes who have weaker joints that are prone to injury, or chronic pain caused by issues such as carpal tunnel.

✅ Using Gloves Is Hygienic

Workout equipment is full of dirt and sweat which can accumulate all kinds of germs and bacteria. If you have any form of micro cuts or skin tears, which can occur from gripping onto bar knurling, this can cause infections.

A report by Men’s Health highlighted that dumbbells can carry as much as 300 more germs than a toilet seat. This point is especially important if you’re using a public gym, where equipment sharing is common.

When Do You Need Weightlifting Gloves?

Using weightlifting gloves can be a great way to improve your grip, protect your hands, and provide additional support during weightlifting workouts.

The textured surface on the palms of weightlifting gloves helps you have a better grip on the barbell or dumbbell, reducing the risk of the weight slipping out of your hands and causing injury or damaging equipment.

The palms and fingers of weightlifting gloves feature comfort padding that reduces friction and absorbs shock from heavy lifting, which reduces the likelihood of blisters, calluses, and other hand injuries from occurring.

Many weightlifting gloves also provide necessary wrist support by using tightly fitting straps that keep the joint in place, lowering the chance of sprains and reducing overall wrist strain.

It's important to choose a pair of weightlifting gloves that fit properly and provide the necessary amount of padding and support for your hand shape and size. Gloves that are too loose or too tight can be uncomfortable and won’t provide adequate protection or support.

Studies have shown that ill-fitting gloves can result in loss of performance in the hands, which makes exercising harder and increases the risk of dropping equipment, which can cause injuries or damage to your surroundings.

Using gloves also provides hygienic benefits by serving as a protective barrier for your skin. This is especially important if you use public gyms where equipment is shared between lots of people.

Remember to wash your hand gloves regularly to remove sweat stains and prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Investing in a pair of high-quality weightlifting gloves can improve your workout experience regardless of your athletic level.

What to Look For in the Best Weightlifting Gloves?

1. Design

While visual design is subjective and mostly comes down to the number of color choices, functional design choices are very important.

I like products where it’s obvious the manufacturer made a conscious functional design choice based on different athletes’ experiences.

For example, the Original Mechanix gloves seamless design protects the stitching from regular wear and tear, which prolongs their lifecycle, meaning you get more value for the money spent.

Unique design choices that set the product apart always get extra points, such as the ATERCEL towel panel, Bear Grips touch screen fingertips, etc.

2. Comfort

The phrase “fit like a glove” exists for a reason. Gloves for weight training must be comfortable and fit snugly around the hand, otherwise, they can end up feeling inconvenient and hindering your performance. The main use of training gloves is to create a comfortable protective surface for gripping with your palms.

Gripping with exposed skin can cause cuts, calluses, blisters, and other skin damage, especially if the gripped surface has a patterned texture such as knurling.

Different brands experiment with various comfort features such as breathable mesh, stretching materials, air vents, soft pads of various shapes and sizes, etc. There is not a single ideal solution and the best choice for you will depend on your preferences.

3. Stitching

Stitching on gloves for lifting weights has to withstand pressure, or else the gloves will break easily, forcing you to waste money on infinite numbers of replacements. Some gloves feature a seamless design, such as the Original Mechanix, but most will have at least some stitching exposed.

Gloves that have extra stitching will get more points, but the placement of the stitching is equally important. Most stitching gives away between the thumb and index finger, which is why many manufacturers reinforce that part with extra layers.

4. Durability

How durable a pair of gym gloves for men and women will be will depend on the materials used in construction, the quality of the stitching, but also the frequency of use. All gloves on the list proved durable when tested in average workout conditions, so they’re sufficient for most athlete levels.

That said, more advanced athletes that perform heavy lifting should pay more attention to the durability rating, and consider item specs as well as the pros and cons before making a purchase.

5. Protection

Lifting gloves serve to provide a safety layer between the palms and the barbell or dumbbell. The protective layer itself already makes exercises safer by preventing cuts and scratches.

Protective padding is there primarily for comfort, but it also lowers the pressure and friction on the palms. This reduces the risk of calluses, blisters, and other potential skin injuries. Some gloves have extra wrist support using a tight strap.

These straps can prevent injuries such as sprains or strains that occur during heavy lifting, however, they can also restrict hand movement for some exercises.

6. Price/Quality

The products with the most value for money usually sit at the top of the list. That said, both budget picks and premium lifting gloves can have a high price/quality rating if they outperform products in a similar price range.

Getting a poor-quality pair of lifting gloves can be frustrating, as having to buy replacements can rack up the cost over time. My advice would be not to try to save on cost, as the price differences between these products are minimal.

FAQ

Is It Better to Wear Gloves When Lifting Weights?

As discussed throughout the article, wearing gloves when lifting has various benefits and almost no drawbacks. Gloves create a protective surface between your hands and the equipment, which prevents common palm injuries, such as cuts, calluses, and blisters.

Most gloves also have comfort features such as padding and grip texture, that reduce grip fatigue and make your lifting more enjoyable.

Are Lifting Gloves Better Than Straps?

Lifting gloves and lifting straps serve the same purpose, and both have their benefits. The choice will mostly come down to personal preference. Gloves have many comfort and safety features that protect the palms, which the average athlete will find helpful.

On the other hand, straps provide a more natural feel that may be preferred by highly advanced athletes whose hands are used to lifting.

Do Lifting Gloves Weaken Grip?

If the gloves fit correctly, you won’t notice a difference in grip strength in most exercises, especially weight lifting.

In fact, studies have shown that exercising with gloves can increase maximal grip at the cost of a negligible amount of muscle force.

Conclusion

Wearing gloves for weightlifting can increase workout comfort and significantly reduce hand fatigue, improving your grip. Exercise gloves also prevent common skin injuries that occur from tight gripping, most notably calluses.

Overall, the Original Mechanix Gloves proved to be the best weightlifting gloves due to their excellent construction, use of quality materials, and fair price.

Do you use gloves when working out? Have they improved your workout comfort? Let me know in the comment section and make sure to follow my social media pages for similar fitness content.

Also read:

• Best Weight Lifting Gloves With Wrist Support
• Best Deadlift Gloves
• Best Pullup Gloves
• Best Workout Gloves for Women
• Best Functional Fitness Gloves
• Best Mens Weightlifting Shoes

References:

1. The Effects of Gloves on Grip Strength and Muscle Activity //Sage Pub: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1518/107118188786762603
2. 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
3. A Dumbbell Has 362 Times More Germs Than a Toilet Seat // Men's Health: https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19518382/gym-germs/
4. The Effects of Gloves on Grip Strength and Muscle Activity // Sage Journal: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1518/107118188786762603
5. Workout glove having a wrist wrap // Patents: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9067123B1/en