Did you know that there are pickleball gloves?

No, we’re not talking about fashionable accessories! (Although they often double as just that!) Like golf gloves, pickleball gloves give players a better grip on their paddles. They’re perfect for cold weather and a great choice for players with chronically sweaty palms. However, like most things in pickleball, there are so many to choose from!

Don’t worry! Pickle Goddesses is here to help you choose gloves that match your style and needs.

Keep scrolling to learn more!

Why Use Pickleball Gloves?

It may seem silly to wear gloves when playing pickleball! However, these high-end sports accessories are for more than looks. They offer many of the benefits of grip tape or custom-machined paddle grips and two key advantages. Unlike grip tape, gloves are reusable. They also tend to be cheaper than customized paddle grips.

Economics aside, a good glove has palpable advantages on the pickleball court, too. Of the many reasons players cite for wearing gloves, the most common are:

• Comfort: Some players just love that feeling of compression around their hands. They may feel as if it improves their circulation or eases any discomfort from repetitive muscle movements. Whether real or perceived, these perks still positively impact your performance.
• Extra Protection: Pickleball gloves place another layer of protection between your skin and the paddle. This prevents discomfort and cuts back on the possibility of developing blisters and calluses.
• Increased Grip: We all know that pickleball player with chronically sweaty palms! A good pair of pickleball gloves keeps those hands dry and reduces the risk of accidentally flinging your paddle into the air!
• Warmth: While pickleball’s origins are closely tied to the sunny states of the South, many pickleballers aren’t so lucky! But poor weather doesn’t have to ruin your plans. Aside from their ability to give you an excellent grip, pickleball gloves keep your hands warm in cold weather.

What to Consider When Buying Pickleball Gloves

Does everyone need pickleball gloves? Not necessarily! Many players prefer direct contact between their hands and their paddles. Others would rather use high-end grip tape or wear a wristband.

However, if you’re interested in trying gloves, you’ll want to consider the following points:

• Breathability: A good pickleball glove will be breathable and reduce the moisture against your skin. Non-breathable gloves allow excessive moisture buildup, which can actually increase your risk for blisters and calluses. They’ll also be ideal for summer use when heat can cause additional discomfort for your skin.
• Material: The materials used to make a glove impact its durability and feel. Leather may be a popular high-end choice, but its thickness makes it an uncomfortable choice for many players. At the same time, someone seeking more padding and exceptional durability will prefer leather.
• Size: It may seem obvious, but it still bears mentioning. The size of your gloves will impact their performance. Loose gloves may help you land shots, but you’ll lack the fine control you need to perfect your precision. Overly tight gloves press sweat deep into your skin and can harm your hand.
• Style: Finally, consider what you’re looking for as you purchase those gloves. Do you want something for cold weather or unparalleled control? Do you want a light, mesh-like design or a thick, golf-like grip? Take a close look at the fingers, too! Some gloves cover your fingers, making them perfect for cold weather performance. Others are designed to add some extra comfort and padding to your palms.

Ultimately, the best gloves will fit your style and needs. You’ll want something that complements your style and conforms to the shape of your hand. Ideally, you want it to feel like a second skin!

Our Picks for the Best Gloves for Pickleball

So, what makes the perfect pickleball glove?

We can’t find your perfect pickleball gloves, but we can certainly help you search! Through a combination of testing and research, we’ve rounded up our top picks.

The Best Pickleball Glove Overall

Our favorite overall pick is the Franklin Sports® Performance Pickleball Glove. Sold as single gloves — for either the left or right hand — these gloves are $19.99. They’re available in extra-small to extra-large and feature premium leather padding on the palm. You’ll also find extra padding on the index finger and thumb.

We love the breathable build and comfortable fit of this timeless glove. It has plenty of grip for your paddle without creating a sticky, sweaty mess against your palms. It’s also designed with that timeless Franklin Sports® look, and the neutral color scheme guarantees it will pair well with any outfit.

The Best High-End Pickleball Gloves

At $45 for a single glove, the CUZINA® HexPro pickleball glove isn’t cheap! But that premium price tag buys you an amazing glove that fits like a second skin. The HexPro glove comes in multiple sizes, from XXS to XXL, and three colors. Every option is guaranteed to help you land those key shots and keep your hands warm and protected.

Don’t let the design fool you, either! The moisture-wicking tech behind these gloves prevents sweaty palms. At the same time, its coverage — which extends to cover your fingers — keeps your hands ready for cold weather play.

We love the flexible, breathable fabric of CUZINA’s® gloves, which affords an unprecedented and intimate playing experience. It’s like there’s nothing between your hand and the paddle!

The addition of a charcoal pouch is a nice touch, too. Every HexPro glove comes with a handy charcoal insert to keep the gloves odor-free when they’re not in use.

The Best Budget-Friendly Pickleball Gloves

Finally, we have a surprisingly budget-friendly entry that’s unbelievably flexible! At $16.99 per glove, the Gearbox® Movement glove leaves nothing to chance. It keeps your hands comfortable without adding additional stiffness.

Like the CUZINA® HexPro gloves, the Movement series covers your fingers. This gives players the ability to persevere through cold weather. As an added bonus, you get that slight bit of extra grip on your handle.

The Gearbox® Movement gloves are available in multiple sizes, running from XS to XXL. Buyers can opt for a left or right-hand glove at checkout. Either way, they’ll get a natural sheepskin glove that keeps your play tight and controlled.

We adore its unbelievable flexibility. However, we suggest wearing it around the house for a week or two before taking it to the pickleball court. The premium sheepskin that gives these Gearbox® gloves their unprecedented durability also makes it difficult to maneuver them straight out of the box. Like a nice pair of shoes, you’ll need some time to “break in” these gloves. You can also spend some time drilling and practicing to work out any difficult movements.

Learn More About Pickleball

Can’t get enough pickleball?

Pickle Goddesses covers more than pickleball gloves! We’re your one-stop shop for all things pickleball. We love pickleball and can’t wait to spread the joys of the sport to other women. So, whether you’re looking at copper-infused fabric or silicone webbing, you can count on us to tell you what’s what.

Browse the rest of our blog to learn more. Outside of our product recommendation posts, we have plenty of tutorials and guides for all skill levels. We also encourage you to share this post if it helped you find the perfect pickleball gloves!