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As a certified fitness trainer, I’m always surprised to see how many people do CrossFit workouts without gloves to protect their hands.
But a good pair of CrossFit gloves could do so much more than help you avoid blisters and calluses.
When you gain more grip, you’ll be amazed at how much more effective each of the exercises might be.
But before you just pick up a pair of leather workout gloves, let me show you our extensive testing results into which of the best CrossFit gloves on this list offer the best results.
Our Top Crossfit Gloves (September 2023)
1 - Skott Evo 2 Weightlifting Gloves (Editor's Choice)
The Skott Evo 2 made the top of our list of best CrossFit gloves because of the right combination of palm protection and effective wrist straps.
Our clients who wear gloves on a regular basis also commented that their hands seemed to stay cooler with less sweat building up inside the gloves.
It has a non-slip gel on the palms padded with high density foam to support your grip and prevent injuries in the process.
My clients and I prefer the half-finger design, but they also offer a full-finger one with the same features.
Material:
- Synthetic
- The wrist support should help you avoid common injuries
- Includes non-slip palm surface to maximize grip
- Hands seem to stay cool thanks to half-finger design
- This pair is machine washable for easier cleaning
- Make sure you wash them regularly to avoid smells
The only downside is that you might want to throw these into the washing machine with the rest of your gym gear as a sweaty smell might linger.
2 - Atercel Workout Gloves
What we liked about these workout gloves is the tabs on the finger holes. It might sound trivial, but when you’re dripping in sweat after a tough CrossFit session, these finger tabs may make it a whole lot easier to get the gloves off.
Inside this pair of CrossFit gloves, you will find a soft mesh layer to keep your palms comfortable during workouts. Similar to Skott Evo 2, it has a slip-resistant silicone gel on the palms to help secure your grip and prevent slippage.
There are also a lot of positive comments about a good reduction in friction and pressure points. Most users particularly love the towel panel on the back of the glove to wipe away sweat in an instant.
Material:
- Synthetic
- The back of the gloves has toweling fabric to better wipe away sweat
- Positive reports about the good reduction in friction and pressure points
- Loops on the finger holes make taking them off sweaty hands easier
- The wrist support may not be strong enough for heavy lifting
The only thing I’d say is that the wrist wrap might not be ideal for very heavy lifting.
3 - Bear Komplex Leather Hand Grips
This pair of CrossFit gloves may look too simple, but the leather palm protection seems to work very well.
Many athletes don’t like the fully enclosed feeling of gloves, which makes these CrossFit gloves a good choice.
Some folks also like that the Bear Komplex gloves may be easier to take on and off in between different sets. Users find it very comfortable that it doesn't interfere with other exercises like push ups.
What we love about this pair of CrossFit gloves is the leather material and quadruple stitching to ensure durability. The last thing you want to worry about is too much sweating, and the breathable design of these gloves does the job of keeping your hands dry.
Material:
- Leather
- Simple full palm protection design for people who don’t like to wear gloves
- Designed to provide better grip on the bar and other exercise equipment
- They seem to be much easier to put on and take off even with sweaty hands
- These wouldn’t be suitable for heavy lifting exercises
Just keep in mind that you might want to invest in wrist wraps if you plan to work on heavy bars.
4 - Fit Active Ventilated Weight Lifting Gloves
Compared to other CrossFit gloves, these ones seem to have gotten the breathability right. We saw a lot of comments that people didn’t end up with very sweaty palms, which could cause some unwanted rubbing.
The attached wrist straps are also comfortable and may help you avoid some common repetitive sprain injuries [1].
Since the material is neoprene, you're sure that it would last long because it's resistant to heat, harmful chemicals, and oils.
We particularly love the open hand design which improves breathability and helps with overheating issues during high-intensity training.
Material:
- Neoprene
- Users have noticed less pressure and friction during high-intensity workouts
- The breathable mesh seems to do a good job at adding ventilation
- These gloves come with adjustable wrist straps to better protect from injuries
- The palm cushion might not be strong enough for powerlifting
We just thought that the padding on the palms could have been a bit thicker to better support a heavy bar.
5 - Mava Sports Ventilated Workout Gloves
- This pair of CrossFit gloves from Mava Sports focuses on combining higher levels of care for your palms with increased ventilation from an open-back design.
We also found that the integrated wrist straps are high-quality, and even under more regular use, they don’t seem to show signs of wear and tear.
With a full palm protection, you can worry less about cuts, calluses, and blisters during CrossFit training and lifting weights. The fingerless design may also help provide comfort and flexibility which you would definitely need for WODs.
Material:
- Synthetic
- Protects full palm with an open back for maximum cooling effect
- Many positive comments about the Velcro wrist strap providing good support
- The silicone padding may increase your grip strength without increasing bar diameter
- The sizing guide seems to be off a bit, and you may need to size down
Some online reviews commented that the size they ordered seemed a bit large, so you might want to order a slightly smaller size.
6 - JerkFit Hand Grips
These Jerkfit Wodies CrossFit grips for athletes who don’t wear gloves because they tend to make their hands too sweaty.
With the open design, they may be a lot cooler while still aiming to fully protect your palms. The material also helps reduce friction and prevent calluses on your hand during WODs.
Oh, and they come in a nice selection of color choices.
Material:
- Synthetic
- Positive reviews that they may provide maximum wrist area support
- They seem to work well for powerlifting to avoid rubbing
- Machine washable so just throw them in with your gym gear
- Some people have found that leather material is more suitable for these types of gloves
The only thing we noticed in online comments is that leather may be a longer-lasting option for these types of grips.
7 - ProFitness Cross Training Gloves
This pair of CrossFit gloves feature one of the more comfortable wrist straps made from soft and flexible nylon.
Along with less sweating from the ventilation, you may also notice a good grip even when you pile on some heavier weights.
And the 60-day money-back guarantee sweetens the deal a bit as well.
Most users commented on how nice the padding in the palm area was, and this significantly improved their grips and lifts.
Material:
- Nylon and leather
- Wrist straps seemed comfortable with no pressure points
- Positive reviews about cooler hands and less sweating
- Comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind
- The sizing seems to run a little big
I would just suggest ordering a smaller size than you measure as they seem to run a little bit on the large side.
8 - Fit Four Weightlifting Gloves
The Fit Four gloves offer a simple solution that may help you avoid tears, blisters, and calluses.
We also saw several clients prefer these for chin-ups and deadlifts where you might not need a bulky glove for the entire hand.
They also seem a lot easier to pull on and off, which may be a pain when you wear gloves.
Some users mention that even if they wear gloves, they don't even notice it because it's really seamless and minimalist.
Material:
- Microfiber
- Simple design to stop calluses
- These gloves seem to work well for pull-ups
- Easy to pull on and off when you don’t need to wear gloves for certain exercises
- Don’t buy these for lifting heavy bars and dumbbells
Just don’t plan to use these for powerlifting as they wouldn’t provide the same protective features as finger gloves.
9 - Under Armour ClutchFit Renegade Training Gloves
If you do a lot of cross-training with other sports and disciplines, then you may need more than a good grip.
These Under Armour CrossFit gloves have a full-hand design that may protect the back and palm side all the way to your fingernails.
And they come in some cool color options to match up with your other training gear.
We noticed that you may need a size larger than you would normally wear since they tend to run a bit small.
Material:
- Synthetic and leather
- Full-finger gym gloves to protect all joints and fingernails
- The leather palm surface seems to be hard-wearing
- Positive online comments about the position of the padding offering increased protection
- The only thing missing is a wrist strap for a full wrist support
Just remember that they’re not strictly weight lifting gloves as they don’t have a wrist strap to help avoid injuries.
10 - Grip Power Pads Nova Gloves
If you feel like you need higher levels of protection for weightlifting, then these Grip Power Pads might be your answer.
We found a few reviews online that they seem to be the best gloves for thumb and wrist support, where quite a few people tend to get injuries.
The open finger design of this pair of CrossFit gloves gives extra flexibility and comfort. The loop between two fingers also allows for easy removal which most users really love.
Material:
- Synthetic
- Heavy duty gloves may be suitable for extreme powerlifting
- People like that they are easy to get off after a CrossFit training
- There seems to be plenty of padding to avoid calluses, tears, and blisters
- They don’t seem to have the best ventilation
While they do offer good protection, this does mean that they tend to be less ventilated than other gloves.
Buyer’s Guide - How to Pick the Best CrossFit Gloves?
Before we tested the products for this buying guide, we sat down and listed out six areas that we would focus on to find the best CrossFit gloves.
You can also check out our top picks for home CrossFit equipment.
1. Ventilation Holes
If you’re doing CrossFit right, then you’re going to sweat a lot.
My clients would generally not be allowed to leave if there was a dry patch on their shirt.
But if sweat builds up inside the workout gloves, then you could still end up with small amounts of friction [2].
That’s why I always tell my clients to check for maximum ventilation when buying CrossFit gloves, unless it’s completely unavoidable.
“Hands help regulate body temperature. With their relatively large surface area and extensive supply of blood vessels, they dissipate heat when core temperature rises.”
- Berkeley Wellness
Here’s what I mean.
If you do some extreme powerlifting, then you might want to sacrifice some breathability and wear the best CrossFit gloves that add more protection.
But for most folks, that’s not going to be a problem.
2. Sweat And Smell Resistance
Your CrossFit gloves should ideally do two things from a materials perspective.
Firstly, they should reduce sweating (see above) and wick the sweat away from your skin. Any build-up of sweat may become quite uncomfortable, and your hands could start to slip inside the gloves.
Secondly, having some anti-bacterial features may go a long way towards preventing smells from building up [3].
You’ll still want to wash the gloves regularly, but smelly CrossFit gloves are not the most flattering bit of gear in your bag. Worse, you might end up getting fungal infections and other skin ailments, especially if you have sensitive skin.
3. Maximum Grip
You need to look at the palm area to assess how much grip the CrossFit gloves will have.
There are a few different materials that may improve grip. But one we seem to have had the best results with is some form of gel padding.
The gel silicone grip may help to better mold your hand to the surface that you’re gripping onto, which may improve how much strength you can apply.
Whether it’s for a rope climb, barbell exercises, or kettlebell swings, any lack of grip may reduce your performance and could even pose some injury risks. When the latter happens, you'll derail your fitness goals for a long time.
4. Protection from Injuries
If you’ve had any hand injuries or wrist sprains, then those might become a weak spot that you need to better protect.
While you may want to pull back on the intensity of a workout routine, you might actually be better able to avoid damage with the right amount of support.
Personally, I would recommend choosing CrossFit gloves that include wrist wraps. They tend to slip less often and feel a good bit more comfortable than separate wrist straps.
The unfortunate reality is that a simple wrist sprain could stop your exercise routine for several weeks.
It’s not a chance worth taking.
5. Preferred Materials
You generally have three options for the materials:
- Leather
- Synthetic
- Mix of both
Full leather CrossFit gloves tend to be hard-wearing, but they also seem to be less breathable, and you might get quite sweaty in them.
Synthetic ones often have better breathability, but if you do a lot of powerlifting, then they might not last that long.
That’s why combinations of the two might be a good choice to balance hand protection, comfort, and long-lasting features.
6. Glove Sizes
One mistake you have to avoid is ordering and then wearing CrossFit gloves even if they don’t fit well.
The worst thing that might happen is that they are too loose, and this may result in some rubbing inside the glove [4].
I don’t think anything is more annoying than getting blisters despite wearing gloves.
But gloves that are too tight might restrict how much you can move your fingers, which might reduce the amount of grip you can place on a bar.
I can’t stress this enough, but your CrossFit gloves have to be a perfect fit. Don't risk using one that's too loose or too tight.
CrossFit Gloves vs. Wrist Wraps vs. Grips
I’ve had a few clients that were a bit confused about the different forms of hand protective gear in the fitness world.
There are three categories to be aware of, and knowing what each of them does is important to make your final decision on the recommendations above.
1. CrossFit Gloves
CrossFit gloves will have a design that protects the full palm as well as the fingers and thumbs up to the first joint.
Some go a bit further and cover the full fiber all the way to the tips.
Generally speaking, these gloves offer everything you need to keep your hands safe for a variety of different workout moves.
And if you choose a pair with a wrist wrap integrated, then you could be onto a winner.
- Good all-round protective features
- They tend to slip less
- Possibly the best callus protection
- Your hands will feel warmer
“Rips of the skin and calluses on the hands are an annoying and painful part of any physical exercise that uses the hands intensively.“
- CrossFit.com
2. CrossFit Wraps
CrossFit wrist wraps are usually straps that are two to three inches wide. As the name suggests, they would wrap around your wrist joints and stay in place with an adjustable Velcro closure.
The goal is to maximize wrist support during high-intensity workouts and lifting heavy barbells or dumbbells.
I generally advise people to get used to wearing these from an early stage but keep in mind that they’ll do very little for your palms or fingers.
- Might be the best way to avoid wrist sprains
- You should be able to target higher weights
- No grip support
- Doesn’t work as a callus guard
3. CrossFit Grips
A CrossFit grip looks like you’re just attaching a slim piece of leather from your wrists up to your fingers.
Their goal is to protect your palms from the severe effects that the knurl on a bar might have in certain movements.
But that’s about as much as they do, which might not be enough for a lot of CrossFit workouts.
- You won’t find anything that feels cooler
- Tend to work well with chalk to reduce slippage
- They generally don’t have cushioning
- Very little support for thumbs
FAQs
Are Gloves Allowed in Crossfit?
Yes, gloves are allowed in CrossFit. They are highly recommended, especially once you start working out at higher intensity levels. Also, if you have soft hands and are just starting, a pair of CrossFit gloves will make a big difference.
How Tight Should Crossfit Gloves Be?
CrossFit gloves should be tight enough to avoid friction between the skin and the glove. Any tighter might restrict your hand movements and grip, while gloves that are too loose may increase your chances of getting nasty blisters.
Do Crossfit Gloves Prevent Calluses?
Yes, CrossFit gloves may prevent calluses. The right type and amount of padding on the palms of the gloves may reduce the pressure points on the skin. While you should allow some skin thickening, too much can become uncomfortable.
Do Crossfit Gloves Prevent Germs?
Yes, CrossFit gloves may prevent germs from spreading at the gym. But you must avoid taking them on and off during a workout and wash them immediately after a CrossFit session.
What Is The Best CrossFit Gloves?
After our extensive testing, we told a group of our clients to choose the best CrossFit gloves based on their personal preference and experience.
They overwhelmingly picked the Skott Evo 2 based on a combination of good ventilation and protective features.
We found them to be comfortable and suitable for heavy fitness training as well.
Order yours today and let us know how they worked out for you.
Our #1 Recommendation
Skott Evo 2 Weightlifting Gloves
- The wrist support should help you avoid common injuries
- Includes non-slip palm surface to maximize grip
- Hands seem to stay cool thanks to half-finger design
- This pair is machine washable for easier cleaning
- Make sure you wash them regularly to avoid smells
About The Author
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Been using a pair from this list for months now, really dig how durable they are. Bonus: they have excellent thumb support, which definitely helps me while lifting.