Craving your next CrossFit session? The CrossFit craze has taken the world by storm in the past decade, and it continues to grow in popularity. The ultimate rugged workout is demanding and challenging, which is why having tough CrossFit gloves that can handle your Workout of the Day (WOD), every day, is essential.

CrossFit gloves provide protection and support while you train, particularly the palm and wrist areas. Palms are protected by either padding with grips or a strip of leather, which improves grip while helping you avoid calluses. Wrist support is provided by a compressive wrap, usually in the form of a Velcro system. It’s fully adjustable to achieve a supportive and comfortable range of motion. As far as designs and styles go, there are an abundance to choose from.

Get ready for all kinds of gains in your next training session with CrossFit gloves. Here’s our buying guide to help you choose a pair that is prepared to protect and support you every minute.

CrossFit gloves have three main finger hole styles, so if you’re finicky about fit, this is the most challenging feature to compare.

All fingers: These styles cover all four fingers and sometimes the thumb. For the most part, you’ll only find these in neoprene. They’re ideal if you like the idea of protecting as much of your hand as possible, but unless they’re well-ventilated, you’ll end up with sweaty hands after a CrossFit session.

Two-hole and three-hole: These styles, most commonly seen in leather and suede CrossFit gloves, have finger loops or holes. They’re perfect for minimalists. Some consumers say these styles take getting used to, especially if you’ve previously worn all-finger style gloves.

Palm protection is where CrossFit gloves vary the most. Full-coverage styles resemble fingerless gloves, and they essentially cover your entire hand. Minimalist styles, on the other hand, offer palm protection in the form of a leather or suede strip that is approximately 2 to 4 inches wide. The outer edges, thumb, and top of the hand are exposed in these styles.

Grip detail is also found in the palm area of CrossFit gloves. Leather and suede provide grip naturally, given their textures. Neoprene gloves are covered with silicone grips in the form of dots or strips. They often feature padding in the wrist area to provide a customized, shock-absorbing fit.

The wrist band or wrist strap of CrossFit gloves provides support through compression and limited range of motion. They’re present in the form of Velcro or buckle systems and are fully adjustable.

These components prevent overextension of your wrist and encourage 180-degree alignment during exercises. They are not rigid or constrictive enough to prevent your wrist from bending, so you still have decent range of motion as you train.

Certain sports and activities that require gloves often have specific sizing, like golf — but that’s not the case with CrossFit gloves. Instead, each manufacturer creates their own size range, which is generally small through XL. Only certain companies offer XS or XXL sizes, so if you fall into this category, your options are somewhat limited.

Since you must refer to a size chart, you’ll need to measure your hands precisely to find your fit. For the most part, that is around or across your knuckles and sometimes from the tip of your index finger down to your wrist. It’s important to be as accurate as possible, as a quarter inch or half inch could throw off your size and put you in gloves that are too big or too small.

The most common color for neoprene CrossFit gloves is black, though there are newer styles that incorporate other colors. They’re mostly in the form of colored stitching or liner, so don’t expect highly fashionable colors with neoprene gloves. Leather and suede styles tend to come in larger color selections, and they sometimes feature engraved designs.

CrossFit gloves are made of neoprene, leather, and suede. These materials are each flexible and supportive in their own way. Neoprene offers great flexibility given its stretchy nature, but it could fall short in terms of protection and support. Leather and suede are a bit stiffer and somewhat more protective; these materials sometimes require breaking in before they’re comfortable.

Gear disinfectant spray: Clear Gear Disinfectant Spray
Keep your gear fresh and germ-free with disinfectant spray. We like this formula by Clear Gear, which is EPA-approved and fights over 100 germs and viruses. It’s safe on skin and doesn’t leave a residue, so it’s ideal to keep CrossFit gloves clean as well as any other fitness equipment you have.

Gym bag: Canway Sports Gym Bag with Wet Pocket and Shoes Compartment
You’ll need a bag to bring a change of clothes and your CrossFit gear to the studio. We are big fans of this duffel style by Canway, which has special compartments to fit your gloves as well as sneakers. If your gloves are wet from sweat or dusty, slip them into the wet compartment to keep them away from other items in the bag.

Gym chalk: Runtop Refillable Magnesium Carbonate Gym Chalk Ball
All CrossFit loyalists need gym chalk to coat their gloves. We like this 2.4-ounce ball from Runtop, which provides a mess-free way of applying chalk. It comes in a non-porous drawstring bag, so you won’t need to worry about chalk spreading inside your gym bag.

CrossFit gloves cost between $6 and $40. Price depends on the complexity of construction and level of support offered by the gloves.

Simple pairs with modest support cost between $6 and $15. These are often made of neoprene and feature silicone grips.

Mid-range CrossFit gloves cost between $15 and $25 and are made of neoprene as well as premium leather or suede. Gloves in this price range are highly focused on palm support.

For top-of-the-line CrossFit gloves, expect to spend closer to $40. These gloves are for those who are fully invested in CrossFit training and need the most durable gloves available.

• Check range of motion. Once your gloves are on, rotate your wrist and wiggle your fingers to determine whether you have enough range of motion to grip equipment. Too much range of motion means you should tighten the gloves, whereas too little is too restrictive and could inhibit your circulation.
• Have someone else measure your hands. It’s challenging to obtain an accurate measurement of your hand when you can only use one of them to hold the measuring tape. Ask someone to do it for you for a more precise measurement.
• Choose the right bandages. If you need to bandage your fingers or hands, choose ones that don’t inhibit the gloves or get worn off easily. Fabric bandages are often preferred, as they don’t come off easily and are soft enough to flex when you’re gripping equipment.

We are impressed with the Bear KompleX Leather Hand Grips for CrossFit. With durable quadruple stitching and premium leather, these gloves are built to last. The streamlined wrist guard is reinforced with wraparound Velcro to provide unparalleled support, especially for pull-ups and kettlebell swings.

For full-coverage support, check out the Godzilla Grip Fitness Gloves for Cross Training. They feature a two-step Velcro locking wrist support that is wider than others. The gloves are made of neoprene and silicone padding and feature micro silicone beads to improve grip. As a pair that strikes a balance between flexibility and support, you’ll be thrilled to learn they’re also a wallet-friendly purchase.

Q. How should I clean my CrossFit gloves?
A. It depends on the materials, and it’s a good idea to refer to the manufacturer’s care instructions. Some people recommend soaking the gloves in a diluted mixture of dish soap and water, though that’s not the best for gloves with suede or leather detail. Other people stick to spot cleaning to avoid immersing the gloves. These folks may choose to buy gear-safe disinfectant products or create their own simple solution of vinegar and water.
 

Q. I’m a petite woman. Will I be able to find CrossFit gloves that fit my small hands?
A. Yes, but not every brand will carry a small enough size. Certain manufacturers extend their sizing to XS and occasionally XXS. Size small in some brands may fit you, so measure your hand according to the manufacturer’s size chart.
 

Q. Can I wear CrossFit gloves for other activities?
A. You could wear them for regular weightlifting with traditional barbells. With that said, it’s a good idea to reserve your gloves for CrossFit only. This will help you avoid unnecessary wear and tear outside the studio. If anything, consider purchasing a different set of gloves for weightlifting or other fitness activities.