If you are someone that suffers from sweaty hands on-court, or someone who suffers from blisters after excessive play, then pickleball gloves are likely a great option for you. Pickleball gloves give you a better grip of the pickleball paddle, help to absorb sweat, and create a barrier between the friction of the paddle and your hands. As such, many of the best players out there wear pickleball gloves to increase comfort and improve their game.
Here at PickyPickleball.com, we compare all of the latest pickleball equipment, including the best pickleball gloves. Here we outline our top 10 best pickleball gloves, which are suitable for both pickleball and racquetball. Like pickleball, racquetball is another sport that can wear heavy on your hands, that’s why if you play racquetball, these racquetball gloves will also work great for you.
As well as outlining the best pickleball gloves on the market, we have also developed a buyer’s guide to purchasing pickleball and racquetball gloves. Here we talk you through everything you need to know before making your next purchase.
Top 10 Pickleball Gloves
Check out our list of the best pickleball gloves out there. Suitable for racquetball and pickleball, these gloves will help you improve your game by making life more comfortable on-court. As with every top list on PickyPickleball.com, we constantly evolve with the market. If you’re looking for your next pickleball equipment purchase, always check back with us.
1. Optima Max Grip Cabretta Leather Racquetball Gloves
The top glove on our best pickleball gloves list is the Optima Max Grip Cabretta Leather Racquetball glove. This is a single glove designed to be worn on your stronger playing side.
The Optima Racquetball glove is a great option for anyone with sweaty hands, that is looking to gain more control over the pickleball paddle on-court. The grip on the glove is naturally tacky, giving you complete control of the paddle, while the ultra-thin Cabretta sheepskin upper is both breathable, and flexible.
The Optima gloves have a double layer reinforced palm made from stay-soft leather. This ensures that you maintain touch in your paddle, rather than having to sacrifice feel and control on-court.
Standout Features
- Naturally Tacky Grip
- Ultra-Thin Cabretta Sheep-Skin
- Double Layered Reinforced Palm
2. Head Leather Racquetball Gloves – Breathable Mesh
The Head Leather Racquetball Glove with breathable mesh is another brilliant pickleball glove. Built with protection spots all over the glove the Head Leather Racquetball Glove will give you the ultimate protection.
The Head Leather Racquetball Glove is made from a tough synthetic leather which is both dynamically flexible, and lightweight. Across the palm, there is a webbed silicone grip that both protects your palm and thumb, will giving you a sticky grip that maintains total control of the pickleball paddle.
On top of the glove is a cool tech Spandex that circulates heat and makes the glove breathable. This ensures your hands stay cool out on-court, even after extensive gameplay. Finally, there is built-in knuckle protection to protect against dive shots and tumbles.
Standout Features
- Synthetic Leather is dynamic, flexible and lightweight
- Silicone grip protects thumb and palm while improving grip
- Built-in Head knuckle protection and breathable upper
3. Bionic Racquetball Gloves
Next on our best pickleball gloves list are the Bionic Racquetball gloves. Built by an orthopedic hand surgeon, the gloves are built to absorb moisture and provide excellent protection and durability.
If you are looking for a glove that is a bit more rugged and durable, the Bionic Racquetball glove is a perfect option. The Bionic glove is made from washable goatskin leather that is naturally protective, flexible, and durable. The knuckles include padding that helps further protect your hands when sliding or diving for the ball on hard surfaces.
Inside the glove is an anatomical pad system that helps even out the grip for better control of the racquet or pickleball paddle. What’s more, the eleven terry cloth mini-towels inside the glove easily absorb moisture and draw sweat away from your palms – helping to keep your hands dry and cool the form-fitting wrist band also maintains fit and acts as secondary wrist support – helpful if you are suffering from wrist pain or tennis elbow.
If you are looking for a substantial pickleball glove that has been designed by an orthopedic hand surgeon then the Bionic glove is worth the investment.
Standout Features
- Designed by an orthopedic hand surgeon
- Goatskin leather is durable, flexible and hard-wearing
- Anatomical pad system creates even grip for better paddle control
4. Head Airflow Tour Racquetball Gloves
Another great Head racquetball glove is the Head Airflow Tour Racquetball Glove. The Airflow Tour glove is very similar to the breathable Head glove but comes with a bit more protection built-in.
The Head Airflow Tour Racquetball Gloves feature a Premium Perforated Cabretta Leather in the palm that is built for airflow. The small holes within the leather allow your palm to breathe, ensuring a dry and cool fit without sacrificing grip quality or protection.
Around the knuckles is another layer of Airprene which is designed to pad out the knuckle area and protect against contact during miss-hits, dives, and stumbles. Finally, the upper part of the glove is made from a nylon mesh lycra that also draws air into the glove, drawing moisture from your hand.
Standout Features
- Premium Perforated Cabretta Leather promotes airflow to create cool, dry palms
- Airprene protection around the knuckles
- Nylon mesh lycra upper further promotes airflow
5. Python Vintage Synthetic Racquetball Gloves
Next on our top pickleball gloves is the Python Vintage Synthetic Racquetball Gloves. One of the lightest options on our list, the Python Vintage gloves are a firm favorite of many pickleball and racquetball players.
The Python Vintage Synthetic Racquetball Gloves are built to be lightweight and grip like a python. The elasticized network on the back of the glove maintains a super snug fit while keeping the hand cool. While the durable synthetic leather on the palm and fingers creates an epic grip over the pickleball paddle. The glove is designed with lock stitching for durability and long-use, while the 1″ wide wrist elastic rides up the wrist to create even greater control.
If you are looking for lightweight gloves with a strong grip, purchase Python Vintage Synthetic Racquetball gloves.
Standout Features
- Python-like grip with lightweight construction
- 1″ wide elastic gives greater control at the wrist
- Durable gloves that can survive long-use
6. Wilson Clutch Racquetball Gloves
The Wilson Clutch Racquetball Glove is one of the most colorful and bright options on our pickleball gloves list. The stand-out feature of the Wilson Clutch glove is the “no-stress” thumb design that ensures there is zero-bunching where you need control.
The Wilson Clutch Racquetball Glove is a bright glove that packs a punch. Designed with Sticky Skin technology that was uniquely brought to market by Wilson, the grip on these pickleball gloves is super-strong and provides a lock-tight grip over the paddle. On top of this, premium microfiber suede leather is used to protect your hands, while dive pads have been included around key areas of the glove for extra protection.
The ultimate goal behind the design of the Wilson Clutch glove is to provide a super-lightweight design, that does not bunch and provides a super-sticky grip – when you wear the Wilson Clutch Glove, you will quickly understand how well they have done with this design.
Standout Features
- Sticky Skin Technology creates lock-tight grip
- No-Stress thumb design ensures thump material does not bunch
- Premium Microfiber Suede Leather is protective and lightweight
7. Franklin Sports Pickleball-X Performance Gloves
It doesn’t take a lot of searching to see that Franklin Sports is one of the premium glove designers in American sport. Franklin supply gloves for tons of racquet sports, as well as baseball, basketball and other heavyweight sports.
The Franklin Sports Pickleball-X Performance glove features a secure wrist strap that keeps the glove firmly in position for extra control during gameplay. The palm is covered in premium leather that provides a strong grip, as well as a breathable material that draws moisture and sweat away from your palm.
Finally, the thumb and index fingers include extra padding to prevent blisters and discomfort. The great thing about the Franklin Pickleball-X Performance Glove is that it has cut away fingers, which also helps keep your hand feeling cool and dry.
Standout Features
- Cut-away fingers maintain cool, dry hands
- Premium leather palm design, with extra padding at thumb and fingers, provides epic grip
- Secure wrist strap keeps the glove in position
8. Selkirk Attaktix Pickleball Gloves
Next on our best pickleball gloves list is the Selkirk Attaktix Pickleball Glove. Built especially for pickleball, the Selkirk Attaktix Pickleball Glove is built from FLEXX-Fit technology that is breathable and acts as a second skin.
If you are looking for a dedicated pickleball glove that has been designed specifically for the sport, check out the Selkirk Attaktix glove. Designed with FLEXX-FIT technology, the Selkirk Attaktix glove creates compression in the glove which gives you exceptional fit for better control of the paddle – giving you a feeling of the glove acting as a second-skin.
Unlike many other gloves, the Selkirk Attaktix glove instantly fits the contours of your hand and is constructed from premium leather that is both protective and breathable – ensuring your hands stay cool, while your grip remains unbreakable.
If you want a dedicated pickleball glove designed by one of the best paddle builders in the business, the Selkirk Attaktix glove is for you.
Standout Features
- FLEXX-FIT technology creates instant-fit and feeling of second skin
- Premium leather creates breathability while ensuring you have an epic grip over the paddle
- Designed by one of the top paddle builders out there – Selkirk Sports
9. ProKennex Pure One Pickleball Gloves
The next glove on our best pickleball gloves list has been designed by another industry heavyweight – ProKennex. The ProKennex Pure 1 Pickleball Glove is a hard-wearing, durable glove made from quality materials.
The ProKennex Pure One Pickleball Glove features a premium Pittard’s Quartz Cabretta leather that provides great grip, protection, and ‘feel’ over the pickleball paddle. What’s more, the glove is made from engineered boxed sheepskin leather with micro-channel lycra that customizes the fit to your hand – ensuring the glove acts as a second skin and does not distract you from your game.
Finally, there are Neoprene knuckle pads built into the glove which are both comfortable and protective – helping protect your hands while diving and sliding.
Standout Features
- Pittard’s Quartz Cabretta Leather provides excellent feel and control
- Engineered boxed sheepskin creates a customized fit
- Neoprene knuckle pads provide support and protection
10. Tourna Hot Glove Mitt for Pickleball
Completing our best pickleball gloves list is the Tourna Hot Glove Mitt for pickleball. These hot mitts are suitable for any racquet sport and are not your traditional pickleball gloves. Instead, they are dry, hot mitts that you can slip your hands into to directly hold the pickleball handle while remaining protected from cold conditions.
The Tourna Hot Glove Mitt offers a great way of maintaining complete control of the pickleball paddle while keeping your hand warm and dry. Simply slip your hands through the Tourna mitt to hold the pickleball paddle, while benefitting from the 100% breathable fleece material that keeps your hands warm on cold days.
The Tourna mitts are perfect for gentle matches, warming up or practice sessions. If you suffer from cold hands playing pickleball, then invest in some Tourna Hot Mitts to solve your problem.
Standout Features
- Keeps your hands warm on cold days
- 100% breathable fleece that is comfortable and does not get in the way
- Directly hold the pickleball, sacrificing zero control – perfect for practice, warm-ups and gentle matches
Pickleball Gloves Buying Guide 2020
Now that we have completed our review of the best pickleball and racquetball gloves on the market, let’s turn our attention to our 2020 Pickleball Gloves Buying Guide. The purpose of this guide is to give you answers to all of the most important questions you need to ask when buying a new pickleball glove. Let’s get into it.
What are the benefits of Pickleball Gloves?
Protection
There are several benefits to wearing pickleball gloves. Firstly, pickleball gloves offer your hand protection while you play. If you are an aggressive player who lunges and dives for the pickleball, it’s inevitable that you will take some tumbles. Wearing pickleball gloves helps protect your hands against hard court surfaces. Not only that, but pickleball gloves also protect your palms and fingers from blisters and general friction/wear-and-tear that some people suffer when holding a pickleball paddle for long periods.
Grip
Another great thing about pickleball gloves is they help improve your grip. Most pickleball gloves feature tacky or sticky leather across the palm and fingers. This stickiness helps you gain control over the pickleball paddle so that you have better grip, control, and security over the paddle while you play.
Moisture Control
Next up its moisture control. Many people suffer from sweaty palms when they play racquet sports – and pickleball is no different. Pickleball gloves help to tack sweat away from the palm and work to absorb moisture without impacting your grip. This is the very reason that many of the best pickleball players out there wear pickleball gloves. In a game where you need to play fast, your grip is everything and that’s why pickleball gloves offer you an excellent option to help solve this problem.
Warmth
Another big advantage of pickleball gloves is they help to create additional warmth if you are playing in cold conditions. There are specialized options for you here, with gloves like the Tourna Warm Mitts. However, all gloves provide an element of warmth that will place your mind away from your cold hands and back on your game.
Style
Finally, some players just love the look and style that a pickleball glove offers. Some of the best gloves out there like the Head Clutch offer you a stylish accessory when you play pickleball. If you like the look of a pickleball glove, why not wear one next time you play?
What are Pickleball Gloves made from?
Pickleball gloves are made from various different types of stretchy material (like neoprene and lycra) while the palm of the glove is constructed using specially designed material, or leather (like sheepskin, goatskin or other premium options). When choosing your pickleball glove, opt for high-quality materials that will stand up to the test of time, if you decide to go for a cheaper option you will restrict your access to the benefits of the best pickleball gloves.
What is the difference between Pickleball and Racquetball Gloves?
There really is very little difference between pickleball and racquetball gloves. Players from both sports purchase the same gloves to help protect their hands and strengthen their grip. Don’t be put off if you are interested in purchasing racquetball gloves, they will be just as effective for you in improving your pickleball game.
