Yoga gloves are a fantastic solution for providing extra grip and traction right when you need it, so you have stability in your hands and can truly relax into poses. Wearing yoga gloves helps free you from needing a “sticky” mat, which can be hard to manage.
A good pair of yoga gloves gives you grip in your hands, and lets the rest of your body flow naturally from pose to pose. A bad pair of yoga gloves makes your hands sweaty and uncomfortable, so today we are looking at some of the best yoga gloves to sort the good from the bad.
Quick Answer:
For a quick recommendation of our top picks, here are our favorite yoga gloves:
1. The Workout Gloves and Weight Lifting Gloves by Dopobo
These gloves by Dopobo have a combination of stretchy, breathable fabric on the back, and thick foam padding on the palms to absorb shock. The silicone points add grip for secure traction, and these gloves don’t restrict your freedom of movement.
2. The YogaPaws Yoga Gloves and Socks
This set gives a better-than-barefoot experience, and can even take the place of a travel yoga mat, for ultimate portability. The breathable mesh fabric releases heat and moisture, while the natural rubber bottoms provide secure grip and flexibility, and the microfiber lining absorbs moisture. Slender elastic bands create a fit that is secure without restriction, and premium materials provide durability.
3. The Mato & Hash Yoga Pilates Fingerless Exercise Grip Gloves
These are lightweight and comfortable, and fit without binding or bunching. They keep hands cool and dry, and the silicone dot pattern focuses on the palms and fingers for extra stability. These yoga gloves can also be bought in a pack of three, so you can always have a fresh pair ready to go.
Editor’s Pick Best Yoga Gloves
Yoga Gloves Buying Guide
Not all yoga gloves have been made equally. But the problem is that there are so many brands and models available that it can become difficult to decide which are worth your time and money. Here are a few of the most important features you should look out for when deciding on which yoga gloves you would like to purchase.
Fit
Finding the right fit is absolutely essential when it comes to yoga gloves. If your gloves are too tight, it can cause a buildup of pressure between your fingers, and that can be very uncomfortable. If your yoga gloves are too loose, they will not provide you with the secure grip that you need in your gloves. In fact, the whole reason you are wearing the gloves it to make your experience with every yoga pose a stress-free, slip-free one.
When looking for yoga gloves, try on different sizes so that you can get an idea of what feels comfortable and what does not. You should not strain to get your hand into the glove, but there should be a bit of resistance. This resistance is what will provide the support for your hands. At the end of the day, you should look for gloves that fit… well… like a glove.
Breathability
When doing your yoga routine, your heart rate increases and you are bound to sweat, especially if you are doing hot yoga. The last thing you want is for all the sweat to collect in your gloves, making your hands hot, slippery, and sweaty.
Look for breathable fabrics that don’t build up heat and moisture against your hands. This excessive moisture inside your gloves will make your hands slip and move within the glove, even when they have a grippy texture outside. This could result in your slipping or falling during a pose. This is not only embarrassing, but it could mean that you get injured or you strain a muscle.
Breathability is vital when it comes to yoga gloves. Look for breathable elastic, mesh, or cotton materials as these are best for repelling and absorbing sweat and moisture.
Non-slip texture
Most yoga gloves have a non-slip texture which allows you to safely perform the various poses without skidding or slipping. Yoga is meant to be calming and stress-free, so worrying about falling or slipping is not ideal. Luckily, most yoga glove manufacturers have come up with non-slip texture solutions that let you get the perfect grip.
Some gloves have small rubber dots on the palms that give you a non-slip, steady surface that lets you perform at your peak. However, over time these dots can break off or become blunt, and you end up with no non-slip texture on your gloves. A full rubber surface is the other option, and although it is somewhat less breathable and they also crack over time, they do tend to remain non-slip for longer.
Freedom of movement
When considering different yoga gloves, you will find that there are different features that allow for different ranges of movement. The two main options are a fingerless design and a full cover design. Luckily you can choose exactly what you want thanks to the various models each brand offers, so you can find a pair of gloves that is perfect for your comfort, movement, and general preferences.
Some people enjoy the fingerless gloves as they give you more flexibility in your movement, making your yoga routine feel more natural. However, some like the full cover design as it offers better support while ensuring optimal grip on just about any surface.
6 Best Yoga Gloves Review
1. Workout Gloves, Weight Lifting Gloves
These Workout Gloves and Weight Lifting Gloves by Dopobo are fingerless for a full range of motion in the hands, wrists, and fingers. They have a breathable elastic fabric on the back to dissipate heat and moisture, reducing sweat and slipping. The palms are lined with thick foam padding to absorb shock and prevent calluses and blistering, with silicone points to give great grip and stability during yoga. The Velcro wrist closure is adjustable and comfortable. They come in two color choices, and with or without added wrist support. The unisex design comes in five sizes for a perfect fit.
PROS:
- Adjustable closure and five sizes for perfect fit
- Breathable fabric reduces heat and prolongs comfort
- Foam padding provides comfort and shock absorption
- Silicon points provide grip and stability
CONS:
- Not very durable
Best For:
While these gloves may seem to be optimized for weight lifting, the foam padding in these yoga gloves make them a great choice for people who need extra protection for their hands and wrists during some yoga poses
2. YogaPaws Travel Yoga Mat (SkinThin - Full Set) Yoga Gloves and Socks
With the YogaPaws Yoga Gloves and Socks Set, you have a complete, lightweight alternative to a yoga mat. These gloves and socks provide all the padding, comfort, and stability you need for a yoga, Pilates, or barre workout, with nothing more to carry. They have a stretchy, breathable mesh fabric on the outside to dissipate heat and moisture and keep you comfortable.
The bottoms are made of natural rubber, for grip, padding, and stability without silicon. The bottoms are lined with absorbent microfiber to provide a light layer of padding, and absorb moisture. The slender elastic supports ensures a comfortable, stable fit that never impedes your range of motion or irritates your interdigital folds.
The foam-free materials give a “better than barefoot” feeling of breathable, stable comfort with full connection in every pose. YogaPaws are not only made of premium materials, but they are stitched with comfortable, durable zig-zag seams that prevent skin gouging. They can be used alone for a yoga workout on a carpet or surface that may bunch or wrinkle a travel yoga mat, or used in addition to a yoga mat for superb grip and stability.
With YogaPaws, you can also have the freedom to escape the four corners of your yoga mat, for a bigger range of motion and more free-flowing movement during your practice. They come in four rich, jewel tones and four sizes for an excellent fit.
PROS:
- Latex, silicon, and foam free
- Ultra-light and ultra-portable, can be used with or without a yoga mat
- Fit is secure but non-binding, for the full range of motion in hands and feet
- Natural rubber for grip and stability
- Dissipates heat and absorbs moisture for comfort during long or hot workouts
- Durable construction and high-quality materials
- Provides free-flowing full range of motion on any surface
- Comes in four unisex colors and four sizes for everybody
CONS:
- The rubber bottoms aren't as grippy as silicone
Best For:
These yoga gloves and socks are extremely minimal, making them a great choice for people who want a truly natural, free-flowing, un-restricted yoga practice.
3. Mato & Hash Yoga Pilates Fingerless Exercise Grip Gloves
The Mato & Hash Yoga Pilates Fingerless Exercise Grip Gloves are a fingerless knit glove, for an easy flexible fit without the binding or adjustments of Velcro closures. They keep hands cool and dry, with a silicone dot pattern that focuses on palm and finger traction to prevent slipping on or off of a yoga mat. The fabric absorbs perspiration without constricting movement, and without bunching or twisting. They come in six colors, and also come in packs of three so you can rotate pairs for improved durability.
PROS:
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Full range of motion with improved grip
- Absorbs moisture for slip resistance
CONS:
- Only come in one size
- Don't dissipate heat well
Best For:
These gloves are a very easy, versatile design that makes them a great choice for people who do yoga in addition to other workouts.
4. Yoga Socks And Gloves Set
This Yoga Socks And Gloves Set from DOUDOU Shop are made of soft, stretchy cotton for comfort and moisture absorbance. They have PVC stippling on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands for stability without slipping. They come in a choice of five attractive colors, and the socks can be ordered with or without toe coverings.
The socks without toes are great for freedom of movement and a barefoot feel, while yoga socks with toes add grip for the entire bottom of the feet, and can help to create more warmth and body heat without restricting the natural movement of the foot. They are machine washable, and the stretchy fabric allows one size to fit a wide range of hands and feet.
PROS:
- Comfortable and flexible
- Socks come with or without separated toes
- Machine washable
- PVC dots add stability and grip
CONS:
- Fabric dye may run in the wash
- Only come in one size
Best For:
They are a great choice for people who need additional warmth in their extremities during a yoga workout.
5. Wrist Assured Gloves Pro Style-Gel Padded Gloves
The Wrist Assured Gloves Pro Style-Gel Padded Gloves from WAGs Pro have an innovative gel pad that supports and protects the wrist, along with a stable, non-slip palm for superior grip. The patented, contoured, resilient gel pad design relieves wrist pain and provides extra protection, without inhibiting your range of movement.
The ultra-grip palm provides non-slip security and stability. The inner palm lining absorbs moisture to keep you comfortable. They have a breathable design that dissipates heat. They come in four sizes, and are machine washable. They are also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
PROS:
- Provide excellent support for the wrists and base of the palm
- Have non-slip grip for great stability
- Give a comfortable, complete range of motion
- Come with a guarantee
CONS:
- Can pull or bunch up between the fingers during some poses
Best For:
These yoga gloves are an excellent choice for those with carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tendonitis, or thumb pain, but also a great choice for anyone with delicate wrists or discomfort.
6. Stargoods Yoga Gloves
The Stargoods Yoga Gloves are made of premium-quality cotton that is breathable and moisture-absorbing, for lasting comfort. They have a non-slip grippy dot design that provides traction and security without constricting your range of movement.
They provide a secure grip during yoga or barre workouts, so you can concentrate on your pose. The gloves are machine washable, and this set comes with four pairs in a range of colors for every mood. The set also includes a free yoga strap, to enhance your yoga practice and improve flexibility.
PROS:
- Comes in a complete set of four gloves, so you can choose different colors for different moods or use fresh pairs until laundry day
- Comes with a yoga strap to help increase flexibility
- Breathable fabric dissipates heat and moisture
- Grippy dots provide good traction and stability
- Machine washable
CONS:
- Not very durable
- Only come in one size
- Can be hot
- Can pull or bunch between the fingers during some poses
Best For:
The Stargoods Yoga Gloves come in a set of four, making them a great choice for people with tough workouts who need backup pairs of gloves, or people who work out every day and need additional pairs.
FAQs:
Q: Can you really use yoga gloves in place of a yoga mat?
The short answer is yes; you can streamline your yoga supplies by simply using yoga gloves instead of a yoga mat. Yoga gloves are a fantastic alternative to a travel yoga mat, for several reasons.
Yoga mats can be cumbersome to pack and travel with, while yoga gloves are tiny and take up no space at all.
You don’t always know what kind of floors (carpet, tile, etc.) you will have available to you at your destination, but yoga gloves provide traction and stability on any surface
You can always use yoga gloves along with a yoga mat, if you are visiting a friend or yoga studio and a mat is available to you, so they aren’t exclusive.
In addition, there are many yoga practices and workouts that benefit from being “freed,” if you will, from the small space of the mat. With yoga gloves, you not only have the full range of motion for your body, but for the space around you as well.
The longer answer, however, is that skipping the yoga mat needs to be the right choice for your whole body, not just your hands. Does your yoga mat also provide good grip and traction for your feet? Does it provide supportive cushioning for your knees, or back, or top of the head in headstands? Skipping the mat may be a good idea for some bodies at some times, but may not be right for everyone.
Q: How do I find the right size yoga gloves?
Fit is critical in yoga gloves. If the manufacturer has a sizing guide, be sure to use it and measure your hand accurately. If the manufacturer doesn’t give a sizing guide, here is how to find your standard glove size:
Using a tape measure, measure the complete circumference of your dominant hand at its widest part (usually just below the knuckles). Exclude your thumb.
- For adult women, if the circumference of your hand is less than 7 inches, you wear size small or extra small
- If the circumference of your hand is 7-7.5 inches, then you wear a size medium
- If the circumference of your hand is 8 inches or more, you wear a size large or extra-large
- Generally speaking, men’s and unisex gloves are sized about an inch larger than women’s sizes
Q: How to care for yoga gloves
Most yoga gloves are machine washable. Turn them inside out, so the grippy texture is on the inside. Wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle, and air dry.
However, if you are concerned about over-stressing the fabric and want to get the longest life out of your yoga gloves, it’s best to hand wash them with a very gentle soap.
The makers of YogaPaws recommend turning the gloves inside out to expose the microfiber towel lining, putting them back on your hands, and wash your hand while wearing the gloves. They recommend using super gentle Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap, which is effective enough to clean and deodorize the microfiber lining without damaging the rubber or elastics in the rest of the glove.
Conclusion
Our overall top pick for best yoga gloves is the Workout Gloves Weight Lifting Gloves by Dopobo. We love the shock-absorbing insole that provides great protection and security during a yoga practice. For a lighter, minimalistic yoga glove that just provides light traction when you need it, try the YogaPaws Yoga Gloves and Socks set.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
