Experienced climbers know that the right equipment and clothing can make all the difference to the safety and success of a climb. One of the key pieces of gear is having the right gloves. After all, you want all your focus to be on the challenge ahead without having to worry about blisters, cuts, and other debilitating injuries to your hands. With a pair of the best belay gloves, you can maximize your climb while being assured that the vulnerable areas of your hands and fingers are safe.
The best belay gloves for your needs may vary depending on the conditions of your climb, the climate you plan to climb in, and the amount of belaying and repelling you plan to do. Possibly the main characteristics to consider when choosing these types of gloves is the overall hand dexterity and flexibility that they afford and the grip-ability in the palm. You’ll also want to think about whether you prefer full finger or open finger gloves, how much warmth is needed, and if you want the added precaution of knuckle protection. Below are the best belay gloves currently on the market, based on ratings and reviews of actual climbers.
Black Diamond Crag Half-Finger Climbing Gloves
You may already be familiar with the Black Diamond brand, as they’re well known globally for their top quality climbing gear of all types. So it’s no surprise that the Black Diamond Crag Half-Finger Climbing Gloves lead our list. These gloves are thoughtfully designed with all the features you’ll want in an open finger glove.
The palms and fingers are made of a soft synthetic leather that gives a great grip while preventing rope burning while belaying. The back of the glove made of a lightweight yet durable material that is breathable for and stretchable for a good secure fit.
The crotch between the forefinger and thumb is reinforced for extra strength in this highly used area. Also, the backs of the knuckles have some light padding that provides some added protection.
Colors: Black, Cobalt Blue
Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Black Diamond Crag Climbing Gloves – Full Finger
For those who prefer complete hand coverage, you’ll be interested to find that the Crag Climbing Gloves from Black Diamond that top our list also come in an extremely popular full finger version.
These full finger climbing gloves share the same array of useful features as the half finger ones reviewed above. This includes the breathable stretch mesh fabric on the back of the hand for superb comfort, integrated knuckle padding for extra protection, enhanced grip synthetic leather palm and fingers, and reinforced thumb and index finger crotch for greater durability.
The hook and loop cuff closure ensures a good adjustable fit at the wrist, and the cuff loop lets you easily clip them in for easy stowage, and also helps in pulling gloves on.
Colors: Black, Cobalt Blue
Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Outdoor Research Hand Break Gloves
If you prefer a genuine leather alternative, have a look at these Hand Break Gloves from Outdoor Research. Made especially to withstand the rigors of heavy belaying and rope work, these ultra durable gloves will aid in climbs season after season.
The clean looking design of these open finger gloves is based on a minimalist cow leather construction that allows superior dexterity. A suede leather overlay on the palm delivers added strength and grip to this vital area, with perforations in the palm for ventilation. Reinforced knuckles protect the back of the hand from scrapes and cuts, and the convenient carabineer hole in the cuff for convenient access.
Colors: Cafe/Earth
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Petzl Cordex Lightweight Gloves for Climbers
The Petzl Cordex is a high quality glove for climbers that offers full hand coverage in a durable yet lightweight package. Climbers love the ergonomic cut of these gloves that offer a great deal of dexterity allowing for restriction-free belaying and rappelling.
The palm side of the glove is made of real leather, with a double layer protecting the highest wear areas including the palm and the area between thumb and forefinger. The back of the hand is made of a stretchy nylon that is abrasion-resistant, flexible, and breathable for a snug, cool fit.
Adjust the cuff to ensure a slip free fit, and use the built in carabiner hole to keep your gloves securely attached to your harness when not in use.
Colors: Black, Tan
Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Black Diamond Stone Climbing Gloves
Black Diamond makes our list of best belay gloves again with their stone climbing gloves. They’re made of 100% goat leather, making them naturally flexible for full hand mobility and extremely soft for comfort. Users say that these gloves are extremely durable and can last through multiple seasons of climbing.
Reinforced knuckles and palms with kevlar stitching add durability to these wear areas that need it the most. As with other climbing gloves, these have a hook and loop closure for easy on and off adjustment, and a hole for conveniently attaching to your gear with a carabiner.
Colors: Natural
Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Camp Start Climbing Gloves
Get a better grip with the fingerless climbing gloves from Camp Start. These stylish black and gray gloves with yellow trim are constructed of a sturdy synthetic material that will provide the support and protection you need for belaying, rappelling, and via ferrata.
Extra durable abrasion resistant fabric inserts on the palms and through finger/thumb crotch provides superior grip action, while breathable material allows air to circulate and moisture to evaporate, keeping hands cool and dry even in super hot conditions.
Soft absorbent material on the thumbs is useful for wiping the sweat from your brows, and loops at the wrist help in pulling on and in attaching to your gear for ready access.
Colors: Black
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Metolius 3/4 Climbing Glove
No climbing gear list would be complete without at least one item from Metolius, that well known company that supplies all you need for climbing. They have a broad range of gloves for rock and mountain climbing, and for indoor and outdoor use. For our list, we’ve chosen their most versatile glove, the 3/4 finger climbing glove.
These open fingered gloves are a bit longer than half finger gloves, offering the added protection to the fingers’ second knuckles while still leaving finger tips exposed. Made of a high grade genuine cowhide leather with triple stitching, they’re constructed with a focus on quality and durability, and deliver comfortable hand dexterity.
The palm and thumb crotch high-stress areas are reinforced with an extra layer of split cowhide, which is naturally durable and offers an enhanced grip. These offer the traditional hook and look closure and a carabiner clip in hole at the wrist.
If you love the Metolius brand and prefer a full fingered glove, check out the Metolius Full Finger Belay Glove.
These gloves for belaying offer the same top quality feature set as the open finger climbing glove above, but with fully enclosed fingers.
Colors: Natural/Brown
Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Freetoo Hard Knuckle Military Gear Tactical Gloves
Although these hard knuckle tactical gloves from Freetoo weren’t specifically designed with climbing in mind, they have become a favorite among many camps of climbers. This is likely due to their ideal blend of precision and strength with a variety of useful characteristics that make them ideal as climbing gloves as well as for other tactical activities.
They sports gloves were originally designed with military operations in mind, providing extreme dexterity and an anatomically correct design for a good close fit. Lightweight yet durable, the stretch material is breathable and wicks your hand’s natural moisture away keeping you cool and dry when you need it most.
PC thickened knuckles give optimal protection against abrasion and impact, and palms are reinforced with an slip free technology that induces just the right amount of friction so that you can keep a secure grip.
These Freetoo military gear tactical gloves are available in a full finger version or in a fingerless glove, so that you can choose the one that best suits your climbing style and preferences.
Colors: Black, Tan, Army Green,
Sizes: Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large
So before you head out on your next climbing adventure, be sure to have a pair of best belay gloves in your gear kit. Being armed with any of the types of gloves reviewed above will help keep your hands safe from injury and working at 100% of your ability, so that you can take your skills to the next level.