Best Rowing Exercise Gloves: Pain-Free Sturdy Grips
Rowing can be one of the best full-body workouts available to humans. Be it outside on a river or inside on the increasingly impressive rowing machines, rowing can really get the job done for those looking to get some activity in. However, rowing can also be hard on the body. Because the act of rowing requires the hands, those hands being comfortable is pretty mandatory for the continuation of said rowing.
The biggest danger facing these hands are blisters and loose sweaty grips that can come from repeated rowing and poorly designed handles. Rowing gloves are how one can negate this risk. However, if you were to look up “Rowing gloves” on the internet, you would be swarmed with all sorts of options and would be basically taking a shot in the dark on which would be best.
That’s where we come in. We have sorted through many of the options for these gloves and have come up with our list of the best rowing gloves. We have done this by looking at a variety of factors that we shall go over at the end of the article. Then we will look at and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about rowing gloves and rowing in general. Now with all of that out of the way, let’s take a look at our list of the best rowing gloves! Also, for additional comfort, you may want to consider a good pair of rowing exercise shoes.
Editor’s Best Indoor Rowing Gloves Choice!
We have already picked the best gloves for rowing at home, and compared and reviewed them in detail down below. This part is where I often search the market and update to make sure you are buying the latest and the best rowing exercise gloves for your needs.
For this month, I picked the Home and Row gloves for the rowing machine at home. They are affordable, breathable, and extremely lightweight but more importantly, they have a silicone pattern across the palms that promotes positive grip when needed, even when your hands are sweaty and wet.
They are field-tested rowing gloves custom designed by rowers for elite national and international competitions. So, you can rest assured the quality and design are top-of-the-line. If you think there are better gloves for rowing exercises that should be featured in the best indoor rowing glove reviews, please leave your comment with the recommended model below.
Top Home Rowing Workout Gloves Compared:
| NAME | MATERIALS | GENDER | BREATHABLE | SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home & Row Rowing Exercise Gloves | Silicone | Men & Women | Yes | Multiple-Size |
| Hornet Watersports Mens Workout Gloves | 50% SBR, 35% polyester, 10% nylon and 5% spandex | Men | Yes | Multiple-Size |
| Hornet Watersports Womens Workout Gloves | 50% SBR, 35% polyester, 10% nylon and 5% spandex | Women | Yes | Multiple-Size |
| Glofit FREEDOM Workout Gloves | N/A | Men & Women | Yes | Multiple-Size |
| RIMSports Rowing Gym Gloves | Leather and spandex | Men & Women | Yes | Multiple-Size |
| SpacePower Light Breathable Gloves | Silicone, mesh fabric, and elastic fabric | Men & Women | Yes | Multiple-Size |
| Viomir Ultralight Workout Gloves | Foam, microfiber, mesh material and Lycra | Men & Women | Yes | Multiple-Size |
| Contraband Weight Lifting Gloves | Amara leather with a mesh top | Women | Yes | Multiple-Size |
| Yaayan Pink Indoor Rowing Gloves | Silicone, microfiber, a Lycra fiber mesh, and Terry Cloth | Women | Yes | One Size |
| Palmyth Stubby UV Fishing Gloves | Partial synthetic leather and silicone dots | Men & Women | Yes | Multiple-Size |
Quick Overview of Best Rowing Gloves:
- Home and Row Rowing Exercise Gloves
- Hornet Watersports Men Rowing Gloves
- Hornet Watersports Women Rowing Gloves
- Glofit FREEDOM Workout Gloves
- RIMSports Rowing Gym Gloves
- SpacePower Light Breathable Gloves
- Viomir Ultralight Workout Gloves
- Contraband Weight Lifting Gloves
- Yaayan Pink Indoor Rowing Gloves
- Palmyth Stubby UV Exercise Gloves
Top 10 Roving Glove Picks:
1. Home and Row and Rowing Gloves
Coming in first on our list are the Sculling and Rowing gloves from Sculling Gear. These gloves are designed specifically for rowing and it shows. They fit snugly on just about any sized hand and will allow for a firm grip on both rowing machine handles and outdoor paddles.
This is due to the velcro closure that allows for the adjustment of the fit. The open back and lower finger wrap allows for cooling air flow and freedom of movement. Possibly the most important thing that these rowing machine gloves do is allow for calluses on the hands to develop without actively opening and tearing.
Thus, your hands will become hardened to the action and movement of rowing without actually suffering from it. To keep them strong for a long time one should wash in hot, soapy water after use and hang dry. For a price of $40, some might consider these a tad expensive, but you get absolute quality on account of it.
Additional Information:
The glove is made of 80% polyester and 20% polyurethane. The actual grip is made of 100% silicone, while the thumb and trim are 100% nylon. They come in sizes ranging from double extra small to double extra large.
The Pros:
- Quality rowing gloves made for rowers.
- Every single aspect of these is meant to enhance the rowing experience, be it inside or out.
The Cons:
- The price might be the only real concern for these indoor rowing workout gloves.
2. Hornet Watersports Men Rowing Gloves
Hornet Watersports Rowing Gloves are the second pair of gloves on our list. Similar to the Sculling gloves, these were made to protect the hands against any sorts of injuries or blisters that might form while rowing on both indoor machines and outdoor ones.
They have rather advanced silicone printing on the palm of the gloves, allowing for a firm grip on just about anything you decide to grab. The gloves are unisex, so both men and women will find that they fit comfortably over the hands.
One of the best parts about these rowing gloves for men and women is that while they were designed for rowing, their design allows them to be used for just about any athletic activity.
Gym training is a perfectly viable task for these gloves, which is a rather convenient feature. The only maintenance that they need is the occasional wash, which can be done in a standard washing machine. There will be not stinging from these Hornets.
Additional Information:
These gloves are made of a combination of 50% SBR (a type of synthetic rubber), 35% polyester, 10% nylon and 5% spandex. They come in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large. It is recommended that if your hand is in-between sizes, to take the smaller one.
The Pros:
- Their material allows for a firm grip on just about everything, and they can be used for a variety of different activities beyond rowing.
- Really grippy on the rowing machine handlebars and can be used with other exercises.
The Cons:
- They aren’t quite as durable as some other gloves, which is unfortunate and a little expensive.
3. Hornet Watersports Womens Rowing Gloves
Up next are the Hornet Breathable Workout Gloves. These gloves were primarily designed for rowing workouts but you can also use them in gyms or for weightlifting. They act brilliantly as Concept 2 rowing gloves and other rowing machine models.
These gloves come in a ton of different sizes, allowing for all different users to wear them. It has a silica gel palm, giving an extremely firm grip when using the rower’s handle. It comes with a Velcro strap around the wrist in order to give an even more adjustable and stable fit.
As the name indicates, they are also quite breathable thanks to their design. Finally, these are cheap gloves. They can range from as little as $10 to about $20. Either way, a really good deal for a solid pair.
Additional Information:
There is not a ton of information about their material, but we know about silicone rubber and cowhide leather both being involved. They come in sizes ranging from small to double extra-large. There is a 30-day return policy.
The Pros:
- Durable workout gloves that can give a solid grip on the handle of any rower out there.
The Cons:
- Could have been a little more breathable with mesh backsides and a little less expensive.
4. Glofit FREEDOM Workout Gloves
Those who want a bit of style in their rowing gloves might want to take a peek at the Glofit FREEDOM Workout Gloves. These gloves come in a variety of colors like aqua, gray, pink, and yellow in addition to the basic black.
In terms of their capabilities for rowing, they certainly do their job. Acting more like a second layer of skin than anything, they will provide a solid buffer between the hands and the rowing machine. They are made with a cushioned pad with silica anti-slip points in order to increase friction and provide stability.
They are also breathable thanks to its mesh-like design. Meanwhile, in terms of the durability of the gloves, they have a double-layer palm design with foam and micro in order to decrease friction and increase durability.
These rowing gloves for home use will last. Another of the cheaper pairs on this list, the FREEDOM gloves come in at around $17. While not specifically designed for rowers, they will most certainly work for them.
Additional Information:
We were unable to find exactly what the materials of these gloves are. They come in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large, and it is generally recommended to go up a size in case of being in-between. These gloves also come with a 24-month warranty which can be changed to a lifetime warranty if one follows Glofit on social media.
The Pros:
- A cheap pair of gloves that offer many of the same benefits as our top two.
- They have an excellent grip and allow for the hands to breath.
- They also have some fun colours to boot.
The Cons:
- They aren’t the most durable of gloves, though this can be countered with the warranty.
- People also seem to have some trouble with the sizing, but that should be fixed by ordering a size up.
5. RIMSports Rowing Gym Gloves
Another pair of gloves that contain a collection of colours, (though they are less prominent than on some of the others) the RIMSports Gym gloves provide another excellent rowing experience for anyone willing to try them.
RIMSports’ gym gloves are made from lycra, spandex, and real premium leather in the thumbs. This allows for really firm grips regardless of who is using them. They are also produced from fabric that is breathable, so less perspiration accumulates and your hands move freely as you row.
The RIMSports gloves for indoor rowing workout are also able to be used for multiple different functions. Regardless of sport, they can give some serious backup to that endeavor. In terms of price, it does appear that they can range from $20-$30. For $20, they are most certainly a valid choice for any rower. However, at $30 they provide more questionable value for the money, as they don’t quite do anything that makes it worth ten more dollars.
Additional Information:
These gloves are made of leather and spandex, though the exact percentages are not given. The sizes range from extra small to extra large, and it is suggested going down a size if the initial measurements do not match. RIMSports does offer a generous return policy that simply requires one to email them if dissatisfied with the gloves and they will send a new pair.
The Pros:
- Solid gloves that will provide a comfortable rowing experience for anyone.
- They are breathable and durable, with additional colors to augment the gloves and generous return policy.
The Cons:
- They can be a bit overpriced at $30, though lower prices provide good value.
- There also seem to be cases where frequent use can cause some durability issues.
6. SpacePower Light Breathable Workout Gloves
SpacePower Lightweight Breathable Workout Gloves sound like something out of a sci-fi movie. Fortunately, they are real and excellent options for rowers. They come with a mesh fabric and hollow back design which improve ventilation and sweat absorption.
Meanwhile, their silicone palm pads serve as a way to increase the grip and durability of the gloves. Because of the elastic design, they are by far some of the most breathable gloves on the market. This can really come in handy after longer workouts where the whole body is encased in sweat and that handle might start to slip from the hands.
These gloves also come in a variety of colours as well. So if you are looking to row in some bright pink gloves, you have that option. They can also be used for multiple types of workouts alongside rowing, which is a bonus for some. Another cheap pair, these gloves are about $13. For that price, these are solid gloves. Admittedly, their durability isn’t as great as some other pairs on this list.
Additional Information:
These gloves are made of silicone, mesh fabric, and elastic fabric. It comes in sizes ranging from small to extra large. If between sizes, it is recommended going a size up. We were unable to find any information on a warranty.
The Pros:
- Extremely cheap.
- The breathability and grip of the gloves must also be praised.
The Cons:
- They aren’t the most durable out there.
- Certainly won’t last forever and there is no warranty to be found.
7. Viomir Ultralight Workout Gloves
Another pair of multi-purpose workout gloves, the Viomir Ultralight Workout Gloves are here to make sure some solid exercise can be done. They come with an ergonomic design in order to provide comfort to the wearer.
The honeycomb structure printed silica gel foam pad is used to protect the hand from any calluses or bruising. Meanwhile, mesh fabric is used on the back of the gloves in order to keep the hands warm while you row.
The Viomir gloves are also quite flexible in their nature, having Velcro straps for the wrists allow for a finer fit. Unfortunately, these Velcro bands do seem susceptible to breaking. Even the best gloves might have some trouble coming off due to the tight fit that is required for maximum performance.
Fortunately, these gloves have pull buckles on the fingertips, making it easy to take them off. Those looking for color will only find pink, black and gray here. In terms of price, they are around $13-$15. Quite cheap and quite a good deal.
Additional Information:
These gloves are made from foam, microfiber, mesh material and Lycra. The sizes range from extra small to extra large, and those between sizes should choose the larger one. We were unable to find a specific warranty, though Viomir does claim that they can be contacted for any problem with the gloves.
The Pros:
- These gloves are most certainly cheap.
- They are designed in such a way as to make them both comfortable and breathable.
The Cons:
- While breathable and comfortable, these gloves do seem vulnerable to breaking.
- The Velcro bands especially.
- They have a small selection of colors as well.
8. Contraband Women’s Lifting Gloves
The Contraband Pink Label 5537 Womens Micro Weight Lifting Gloves might have contraband in the name, but they are most certainly not illegal. These are smaller rowing gloves for women than many others on this list, sometimes being referred to as “minimalist” gloves.
These allow for the benefits of gloves on the rowing handle, while allowing for much of the hand to still be free and breath. The medium padding that comes with these gloves is great for rowing, as it isn’t too heavy to interfere with the grip on the handle and also not too light to not protect the hands from blisters.
Meanwhile the silicone rubber beads on the glove palm provides a high traction surface that grips better than traditional leather. Again, this allows for more protection from blisters. Similar to the Viomir gloves, these also have tabs in order to assist in their removal after a long workout.
Colours are available, though they are limited to black, gray, pink and purple. Perhaps the only downside of these gloves is the price. At $22, they do a fine job, but for that much provide not much more than the basic functions of gloves.
Additional Information:
These Contraband Pink Label gloves are made from premium Amara leather/silicone, with a mesh top, interior polyester and goat leather on the fingers. They come in sizes ranging from extra small to large. They leave the choice up to you whether you buy up or down a size depending on how tight of a fit is desired. They come with a 1-year warranty and full-price refund in the first 30-days.
The Pros:
- These gloves are comfortable and offer an interesting take on how gloves should work.
- They allow the fingers to be free while also providing protection to the palm.
- A pretty good warranty comes with them.
The Cons:
- They are a bit expensive for not delivering much outside the basic functions of gloves.
- Due to their minimalist design, they also have a tendency to deteriorate somewhat more quickly.
9. Yaayan Pink Indoor Rowing Gloves
These Yaayan Pink Rowing Gloves are somewhat unique on this list as they are primarily designed for women. They have an elastic bandage to make these gloves tight enough but not so tight as to restrict blood circulation to your hands.
They have a material called Terry Cloth on the thumbs in order to wipe sweat off while you row. Admittedly, this sounds better in practice than it actually works, since rowing requires gripping the handle with the entire hand.
The fabric that the Yaayan gloves for rowing at home are made of is Elastic Lycra, making them ventilated and reducing the amount of sweat. In terms of protection from blisters, they have a silica gel bit on the palm portion of the gloves that do a good job of forming calluses while avoiding pain.
As the name suggests, these gloves are pink. That is it. They are extremely cheap, coming in at a price of $11. The biggest negative is that this glove isn’t the most durable. The gloves tend to come undone due to the stationary and tight wristband that is used.
Additional Information:
The gloves are made from silicone, microfiber, a Lycra fiber mesh, and Terry Cloth. We were unable to find a full size chart for these gloves, which is strange. They at least come in large and medium. We were also unable to find any sort of
The Pros:
- These are good gloves for any women looking to get into rowing and want some protection from blisters.
- They are cheap and fairly comfortable for whoever is wearing them.
The Cons:
- They are not the most durable.
- The questionable sizing charts and lack of warranty are also concerns for anyone looking at them.
10. Palmyth Stubby UV Fishing Gloves
Rounding out our list of the best rowing gloves are the Palmyth Stubby UV Fishing Gloves. Now you might say, “Are you mad? Fishing gloves?” That’s what we thought too, but it turns out that these gloves work just as well on the long ride as they do for catching carp.
They are made with partial synthetic leather and silicone dots that reinforce the palms of the wearer. This allows for a better grip on the handles of any rowing machine out there. It is claimed that the fabric used in these gloves keeps your hands cooler and drier than wearing no gloves at all.
We’re not quite sure about that level of coolness, but they do keep them both cool and dry. These are another pair with pull tabs in order to make them easier to remove. In terms of style, these are most certainly fishing gloves. They come in three separate styles of camouflage: black, blue and green. Finally, they cost around $17. Not the cheapest, but certainly not the most expensive.
Additional Information:
These gloves are made from partial synthetic leather and silicone dots. Otherwise, the fabric is unnamed and referred to as “mesh.” They come in sizes ranging from small to double extra-large. We were unable to find a specific warranty for these gloves.
The Pros:
- They are well designed for outdoor activities of all sorts, and work very well for rowing.
- Their material is comfortable and breathable.
- The price also isn’t too expensive for the features.
The Cons:
- They aren’t exactly designed with rowing in mind.
- Their durability with regular rowing usage is questionable.
- Their camouflage-style might also turn some people away.
Buyer’s Guide to Help You Find the Best Rowing Machine Gloves
That’s the end of our list. Now we’re going to look at some of the aspects that helped us make the decisions on where these gloves ranked. Keep these factors in mind while hunting for your own pair of gloves.
The price. Obviously this is a big one. If you are hunting for some gloves simply to try them out, you probably don’t want to drop more than $20 on them.
The durability. Depending on how often you intend on using these gloves for rowing workouts, durability can be quite important. That’s why gloves like the Sculling gloves are so good, because they practically last forever.
The material. The material can really determine a lot about the quality of the gloves. How breathable they are, how comfortable are they, do they provide enough padding and protection against blisters, do they fit well and how adjustable they are can all be determined by what sort of materials make up the gloves.
The intention for the gloves. Are these gloves specially made for rowing? If they are, they tend to be of somewhat higher quality than those made for more general workouts. Admittedly, if you intend to use the gloves for more workouts that just rowing, then you might want to look at those more. Additionally, for more comfortable and longer rowing sessions, you may also want to consider investing in a rowing machine seat cover.
FAQs When Buying Rowing Exercise Gloves
Why are gloves needed for rowing?
The more rowing that one does, be it outside or indoors on a machine, the more calluses tend to form on the hands. These calluses can tend to burst and turn into painful blisters without any form of protection. The gloves act as this protection, allowing the calluses to form from the frequent exercise without the pain of the blisters.
Should I wear gloves while rowing?
That depends on whether or not you wish to protect yourself against blisters. Blisters can be quite painful, so to avoid those you most certainly should. Considering the gloves also usually offer a better grip on the handles of the rowers. Just like indoor rowing shoes, they are a good investment for those who are serious about their rowing exercise.
Can gloves improve my rowing?
They most certainly can. With a firmer grip and sweat resistance in the hands, gloves for rowing can make the difference. Especially at the higher levels of rowing, a slip or mistake could take that goal that you have been striving for just out of reach. With the right pair of gloves, it could instead be just another challenge that you have beaten.
What is the best type of rowing machine for home?
Water rowers are the best type of rowing machine for home use if you don’t mind the extra maintenance (changing water). But if you have a smaller home and prefer the quietest indoor rowing experience, I believe the magnetic resistance rowers are the best for home use.
Sayed Hamed Hosseiny
Hi, my name is Sayed Hamed Hosseiny. I am a professional health and fitness trainer with nearly 20 years of experience using ellipticals, rowing machines, and spin bikes. I also have my own EU-based Rock Fitness Pro fitness brand where I design, import and sell exercise equipment such as rowing machines and spin bikes. I and writers on my team also often receive fitness equipment to review and evaluate their functionalities and performance from tens of different exercise machines manufacturers. Fitness equipment tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on this website are my opinion (and opinions of my fitness expert colleagues) based on tens of criteria. I never accept payment to write reviews of products or say positive things about fitness equipment products. If brands are interested to have me review their rowers, ellipticals, or spin bikes, they can get in touch with me via email provided on the contact page and send a sample of their product.
