Best Climbing Gloves of 2025

"I found these gloves to be perfect for my trip to Cumberland Caverns. After climbing around in the caves for over three hours, they performed excellently. They cleaned up well after getting clay on them and remained durable without being too bulky in the palm."

"I bought these gloves primarily for bear crawls on rocky surfaces, and they did not disappoint. They feature a gap for the climbing rope, which is a great touch. While they shift a bit on my hands, they feel secure overall. I would definitely recommend them for any tough hand protection needs."

"As someone who works at an outdoor ropes course, I prefer full finger gloves, and these fit the bill. The mesh back offers flexibility, while the black leather palm provides good strength. However, I noticed they can leave a black dye stain on my hands, but I'm hoping that fades with time."

"I just returned from the Ouray Via Ferrata, and these gloves were perfect. I wouldn't recommend fingerless gloves for this activity. My hands did get a little sweaty inside, but they provided no slippage on the outside, which was great for those steely cables and ladders."

"I bought these gloves for rock climbing but found I couldn't feel the holes and cracks while wearing them. However, they don't hinder my finger dexterity, so I decided to keep them for skydiving instead."

"I used these gloves while belaying outdoors, and they definitely helped with rope burn. After about three trips, they are showing signs of wear. They might not last long, but if you’re looking for an introductory pair, this could be a decent choice."

"I purchased these for my autistic grandson for indoor rock climbing, and they worked great, providing lightweight and durable hand protection."

"I bought these gloves for hiking, and while I found them a bit larger than expected, they still fit well and offered rugged palm protection for scrambling through rocks."

"During my hike on the Appalachian Trail in Maine, these gloves performed admirably, though they did get a bit wet inside, making my hands a little cold. Still, they were great for climbing and handling rocks."

"I've been on a quest for a solid replacement for my old leather fingerless gloves, and these Metolius gloves are perfect! The quality of the leather and stitching is outstanding, far superior to the thin, flimsy options I've tried before. As someone who spends a lot of time in a wheelchair, I've had my share of poorly made gloves. I've purchased two pairs of these, one for each chair, to avoid the hassle of forgetting them at home. They offer excellent coverage on the thumb, preventing sores, and the thick padding on the palm keeps my hands protected while braking. I've even removed the Velcro tab since it gets in my way, but that's just a personal preference. If you're in a similar situation as me, I highly recommend these gloves!"

"I use these gloves for everything from bicycling to landscaping and even carpentry. I can't stand losing fingertip sensitivity, so I always choose these unless it's really cold. They are a bit longer than typical fingerless gloves, and while they feel stiff at first, they become absolutely perfect once broken in. I had to replace my first pair because they fell out of my pocket and got ruined by a lawn mower, but I always keep two pairs—one for messier work and one for everyday use. There's even a reinforced hole at the wrist for carabiner attachment when I'm not wearing them!"

"These gloves are incredibly well-made, and I was excited to use them. Unfortunately, they didn't fit me because I need a larger size, which they don't offer. I really think glove manufacturers should consider providing larger sizes to accommodate everyone. If you have smaller hands, these are definitely worth a try!"

"I bought these gloves about a year ago, and they are still in great shape and very comfortable for climbing. I've tried many gloves before, but these have held up after multiple uses in various conditions. They are my all-time favorites!"

"I wanted a new pair for scrambling while hiking in the mountains. These synthetic gloves perform well when wet, and the padding on the palms really protects my hands from sharp rocks. However, I found the little loops for hanging them to be unnecessary and silly—I just cut them off!"

"I got these gloves as I had good results with the first pair. I use them for weight lifting, and they protect my hands well—no broken nails or calluses. They are very durable, and I'm planning to buy another pair soon!"

“I bought four sets for a family vacation, and everyone enjoyed them. The gloves were comfortable and performed as expected.”

“These gloves are fantastic for mountain climbing. I’ve gone through about two pairs in two years. It would be nice to see them in brighter colors.”

“I’m in my mid-60s and I go hiking with my granddaughter at Waterfall Glen. These gloves are amazing!”

“I bought these for the gym and for a forearm strengthening device, and they work great. They really grip the plastic rods and protect my hands well. Great gloves!”

“This is my second time buying these gloves and I’m very happy with my purchase.”

“I love these gloves! After breaking them in, they became wonderful for workouts and even for yard work. My only wish is for better grip on the fingertips, but they are durable enough that it’s not a major issue.”

"I've found these gloves to be incredibly comfortable and I've even forgotten I'm wearing them at times. I recommend putting them on at the belay before you need them, as it can be tricky if you're not careful with your teeth."

"Having switched from the lite version to the pro version, I can say these feel much sturdier and offer better coverage. They fit well and perform beautifully for crack jamming, so I'm quite pleased with my decision."

"I've used standard ocun crag gloves before, but these are fantastic. They might not fit into smaller cracks as well as the older ones, but I love the added thumb protection and the convenience of not having to thread the strap through a hole."

"I've had these gloves for a while, and they’ve held up well. They've saved me a lot of tape, and I find them great for gym cracks, which can be rough on my hands. The covered velcro strap is a real plus; it stays secure and doesn’t wear out quickly."

"These are the best crack gloves I’ve tried. Far better than the flimsy OR ones. However, they are pretty thick, making it hard to climb in narrower cracks. I recommend bringing some tape for those situations."

"I love these gloves! After having a pair stolen, I reordered. I measured my hand and chose a small, but they’re super tight, and the velcro barely fits around my wrist. They still work amazingly, and I expect they’ll stretch out. I might have been a medium originally."

"I was thrilled with these gloves! They fit perfectly after a slight initial snugness, and provide excellent grip and warmth. I wear them for everything and would definitely buy again!"

"I bought these gloves as a casual option. They were comfortable and lightweight, but after a couple of weeks, one seam tore. I’d say they’re great for occasional use, but maybe not for heavy-duty tasks."

"As a photographer, I needed gloves that would keep my hands warm and offer support. These gloves are just what I was looking for! They work perfectly for operating my camera and hiking."