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10 Best Gloves For Fishing – Reviews and Complete Buying Guide

best gloves for fishing

In the past, I never thought wearing gloves while fishing was appealing. I would laugh at the old yellow gloves my uncle wore before heading into the deep waters for a fishing expedition. See, when you only hunt tilapia for your table and fish a few times every year, you may never understand why you need a glove.

Some fish species are more rugged than others with razor-sharp gill plates that could leave you with ripped up palms. If you are fishing bass, for instance, the best fishing gloves are a necessity. You also need gloves for a good grip. Today, reels are smaller, and the fish very slippery. With your bare hands, maintaining a good grip on your reels is a must, or the fish might leave you feeling fatigued. It is also important to have gloves when you are playing catch and release; gloves help you keep the fish alive and comfortable before release.

One more reason to get gloves is to protect your hands from the sun or cold. The sun sometimes feels good on your skin, but it damages your skin after a long period of exposure. For ice fishing, gloves are a must-have to keep off cold.

I selected the best gloves for fishing based on their type (full finger, fingerless or convertible), their material of construction and durability, grip, waterproofing, thickness, and use. Read on to learn more.

  Quick View: What Are The Best Fishing Gloves?

  • Berkley Fishing Gloves

  • KastKing Armis Fingerless Sun Fishing Gloves

  • DEX FIT Cut Resistant Gloves

  • Palmyth UV Protection Fishing Gloves

  • The Fishing Tree Fingerless Fishing Gloves

  • Glacier Glove Ice Bay Fishing Glove

  • Glacier Glove Islamorada Sin Fishing Gloves

  • Rapala Marine Fisherman Glove

  • Lindy Fish Handling Gloves

  • Stomr Typhoon Unisex Fishing Gloves

How to Choose A Glove For Fishing - Buying Guide

There is so much more to consider when shopping for the best fishing gloves besides snug fitting and color. The best glove should match the conditions of the area you will fish and keep you comfortable all season long. Before we look at pre-purchase considerations, let us look at the types of gloves first.

Types of Fishing Gloves

Fishing gloves are in either of three designs – fingerless, full-fingered, and convertible designs.

Full-Finger Gloves

These gloves cover your entire hand, including all fingers. They are the best gloves for fishing when you need full protection from the cold. However, these gloves can limit your manual dexterity, especially if they are thick. They are not easy to use when tying knots and baiting hooks.

Fingerless Gloves

Fingerless gloves are the most common fishing gloves design. The best fingerless fishing gloves will protect you from the harmful UV rays from the sun to keep off sunburn and lesions. They also allow great dexterity when you are baiting hooks and tying knots. However, these gloves will not offer full protection against the cold.

Convertible gloves

Additionally, these gloves offer the best features of fingerless and full-finger gloves. With these gloves, you keep your fingers covered during cold weather and you can uncover them when the sun comes out. This way, you have protection from the sun and cold, and you still maintain great manual dexterity.

Gloves Construction Material

Common glove construction materials include neoprene, wool, fleece, spandex, cotton, polyester, and synthetic leather.

  • Synthetic leather comes as an additional material to enhance the grip and ruggedness of the gloves, and you will not see a glove made entirely of leather.
  • Neoprene and spandex materials offer excellent insulation even when your gloves are wet. Most manufacturers vary the thickness of the neoprene material to provide more or less insulation.
  • Wool and fleece as glove materials are less popular today than they were many years ago. They are common in ice fishing gloves as they offer great insulation. The only challenge with these gloves is that wool is weak in water.
  • Cotton and polyester make lightweight gloves. The gloves might have a layer of coating to make them waterproof.

Pre-Purchase Considerations

  • Enhanced Grip: The best gloves for fishing should offer a superior grip as you will be handling slippery fish and equipment. A textured grip and synthetic leather enhanced grip is better than a coated surface – coated surfaces wear off after a few washes.
  • Waterproofing: Although this feature is not necessary, it keeps your hands dry and comfortable. Look for a waterproof material when shopping.
  • Breathability: A breathable glove keeps your hands dry and comfortable. This helps you reduce the buildup of heat or sweat inside the glove.
  • Insulation: Insulation is essential when you are choosing a glove for ice fishing. While most gloves have perfect insulation, some have very thick padding that might affect your manual dexterity. For cold weather, pick a pair that is about 3mm thick – anything more will make the glove feel bulky and challenging to use.
  • Size: The best fishing gloves should feel comfortable, lightweight, and should fit snugly. As such, you need to find one that matches the size of your hands. Most gloves come with a sizing chart to help you pick the perfect size. If possible, choose a material that stretches as it offers a snug fit irrespective of your hands’ size.

Fishing Gloves Compared

10 Best Fishing Gloves Review

Features

  • Full finger gloves
  • Coated surface
  • Textured grip

 

The Berkley fishing gloves might pass as the best sun gloves for fishing, thanks to their full finger coverage and the coating material that keeps off the harmful UV rays from the sun. However, that is not all they do as they sport a heavy-duty construction to protect your hands from the sharp spines from fighting fish.

On the palm surface of the gloves is a textured grip with which you can hold a slimy fish regardless of its size. This comes in handy when you need to hold the fish appropriately for later release into the water. I love the flexibility of the gloves as they do not affect hand dexterity when I am fishing. The coated surface of the gloves protects you from harsh weather elements at sea. It also makes the gloves fast-drying and easy to wash.

Pros

  • Offers string grip
  • Flexible and feels comfortable
  • Does not interfere with hand dexterity
  • Washable and fast drying
  • Full finger construction for protection from elements

Cons

  • Feels hot on sunny days
  • The coating wears off fast

Features

  • UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) 50
  • SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 50
  • Fingerless construction
  • Poly spandex fabric

 

KastKing is one of the biggest names in fishing – which explains the popularity of this pair of fishing gloves. The company designed Armis Fingerless gloves to protect you from the harmful sun rays and give you a good grip when handling the reel and the fish. Although not as better as a full finger and thicker gloves, it also protects you from cold weather.

The SPF-50 and UPF-50 rated gloves offer enough protection against harmful UV rays from the sun to keep your hands in top shape even after years of fishing. Better yet, they sport a breathable poly-spandex fabric construction to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable. At the palms, the gloves feature microfiber reinforcement to lengthen the life of your gloves and offer extra padding.

Pros

  • Padded palm feels comfortable
  • Breathable construction to keep you cool and dry
  • Protects from the harshest sun rays
  • Lightweight construction
  • Allows great dexterity

Cons

  • Not ideal for use in cold weather
  • The material fades with time

Features

  • Cut-proof
  • Full-finger construction
  • Nonslip build

 

These DEX FIT gloves are ideal when you need a versatile pair of gloves when you go out fishing, when in your garage handling your boat, or for any other purpose. They sport a rugged construction and will not puncture from the sharpest spiny scales. The gloves offer a snug fit into all fingers, whether you have small or large hands. The three-dimensional stretchy fit keeps the gloves on regardless of how much you fight the bass.

Despite their ruggedness, the gloves feel soft to touch. You can still use your smartphone when you have them on. Better yet, their nonslip construction ensures that the fish do not ever slip from your hands. The elastic knit wrist cuff makes it easy to put on the gloves and remove them.

Pros

  • Rugged construction to last long
  • Lets you use your smartphone
  • Nonslip to handle slippery fish
  • 3-dimensional stretch for a snug fit
  • Feels soft and comfortable

Cons

  • Feels hot during sunny days
  • Less protection during icy-cold weather

Features

  • UPF 50 and SPF 50 rating
  • Wrist-pull and fingertip-pull design
  • Fingerless – 3/4 length
  • Stretchy construction

 

The Palmyth Fishing gloves might pass as the best fishing gloves for fishing in sunny weather. Even in their fingerless construction, they are still heavy to keep off cold. With UPF 50+ and SPF 50 protection, you can use the gloves in the harsh sun to keep off sunburns, skin aging, lesions, and melanomas. Its long cuffs protect your hands past the wrist.

These gloves feel padded for better protection against elements, but they are highly breathable to keep your hands fresh. On the palm, the gloves feature synthetic leather on the index and middle fingers for a better grip. Each pair offers a snug fit, thanks to the stretchy construction. Their lightweight construction and the unique three-quarter length means you may not even realize you are wearing the gloves.

Pros

  • Machine washable
  • East to put on and remove
  • Breathable to keep your hands cool
  • Excellent grip for slippery fish
  • • Lightweight construction

Cons

  • Not ideal for ice fishing
  • Seams construction is weak

Features

  • Fingerless construction
  • Spandex material construction
  • Breathable surface
  • UPF 50+ rating

 

The Fishing Tree is another big name in fishing. Its fingerless fishing gloves have a design that considers the needs of the fisher. The pair of gloves comes with sun and UV protection that does not wear off regardless of how much you use the gloves. This keeps your hands protected from sunburn, aging, and lesions. At the palms is faux leather that adds grip and an added layer of robustness to protect you from blisters and calluses.

You can wash the gloves in a washing machine, and they dry fast, so you can use them again the same day, thanks to the quick-drying spandex material. At the wrist is an adjustable Velcro strap for a snug fit. The lightweight gloves are unisex and might be the ideal women fishing gloves.

Pros

  • Velcro strap for a snug fit
  • Easy to wash and quick-drying
  • Lightweight construction for comfort
  • Highly breathable to keep you cool
  • Sun protection does not wear off

Cons

  • Seam construction weak
  • Sizing runs small

Features

  • Neoprene material with fleece lining
  • Sharkskin texture for enhance grip
  • Full finger construction
  • Glued seams

 

The Glacier Glove Ice Bay Fishing Gloves are ideal for ice fishing. Their full-finger construction and the neoprene material keep the gloves waterproof and highly protective. Better yet, they sport an inner fleece lining that further enhances the warmth of the gloves. On the palms, the gloves have Sharkskin texture for unmatched gripping power.

Even with their full-finger design, the gloves still allow excellent finger dexterity. Although the gloves are thick for adequate protection against the cold, they still feel light and do not interfere with how you use the reels or hold the fish. They also feel very soft, thanks to the glue at the seams, the neoprene material, and the hidden stitching. Each pair comes with more extended cuffs to offer protection where your shirt sleeves won’t reach.

Pros

  • Long cuffs for added protection
  • Excellent grip to hold slippery fish
  • Very warm in icy weather
  • Soft feel
  • Durable construction

Cons

  • Feels a little bulky
  • Relatively less breathable

Features

  • Lycra and synthetic leather construction
  • UPF 50+ protection
  • Fingerless design
  • Breathable

 

If you need lightweight fingerless gloves, these might be the right choice. They feature 85 percent Lycra and 15 percent synthetic leather for premium performance. The Lycra makes the gloves soft and highly breathable for use in very hot weather. On the other hand, the synthetic leather on the palm enhances the grip so you can hold the reel and slippery fish with ease.

These are form-fitted gloves with an extended cuff to protect you past the wrist where your shirt won’t reach. They are easy to put on and remove, thanks to the cuff pull design. The gloves are machine-washable and quick drying. You can choose from a choice of four colors.

Pros

  • Four color options
  • Comfortable construction
  • Form-fitted for a snug fit
  • Synthetic leather material for a great grip

Cons

  • Interferes a little with hand dexterity, especially when you need to tie a knot
  • The colors fade after a while

Features

  • Cotton, polyester and rubber construction
  • Nonslip palm
  • Full-finger design
  • Latex coating

 

The Rapala Marine Fisherman Glove is ideal for use in saltwater and freshwater alike. The design of the glove protects you from the sun and cold weather when you are out fishing. Its cotton and polyester construction gives the glove a soft and comfortable feel. The manufacturer adds a latex coating on the glove to improve grip and make it water-resistant.

Although this pair of gloves is not stretchy, it offers a snug fit that keeps it on even when you handle a fighting bass. Still on fighting the bass, if you are removing the gloves and they slip off and fall in the water, they float so you can retrieve them with ease. They are machine washable and quick-drying.

Pros

  • Nonslip constriction for comfort
  • Machine washable and quick-drying
  • Comfortable materials protects from the sun and from cold
  • Floats on water
  • Excellent grip to hold slippery fish

Cons

  • Size runs small, and the gloves do not stretch
  • Not waterproof

Features

  • Full-finger design
  • Velcro strap at wrist
  • Textured grip

 

The Lindy Fish Handling Gloves might be the best gloves for fishing if you need a pair you can use during sunny and cold fishing seasons. They are rugged enough to protect you from cuts and puncture that may result from gill plate’s spiny scales, fish teeth, and fishing hooks. Each pair sports a super fabric material that feels comfortable and protects you from weather elements. This material is breathable enough to keep you warm and dry all fishing season.

The Lindy gloves are waterproof, which adds to their comfort when fishing. They also sport a textured grip so you can hold slippery fish and fishing equipment without fatigue. Unlike many other gloves, this pair does not absorb fish odors regardless of how many fishing seasons you use them.

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Does not absorb odors
  • Textured grip to reduce fatigue
  • Cut resistant construction
  • Ideal for sunny and cold seasons
  • You can use them in freshwater and saltwater

Cons

  • Feels a little bulky
  • Feels a little rigid during use

Features

  • Neoprene construction
  • Water-resistant design
  • Full-finger design
  • Optional KEVLAR gloves

 

If you need water-resistant gloves to keep your hands dry throughout the fishing season, this pair might be the best gloves for fishing for you. The pair features glued seams with blinded stitching to keep them comfortable at all times. Unless you submerge them in water, they remain waterproof.

You can choose a Kevlar material — uses Kevlar material on thumb and index fingers to increase dexterity. The Kevlar material makes it easy to use a braided line and when you need to tie a knot. The red glove lacks a Kevlar option. With or without the Kevlar fingers, the gloves feel comfortable and will last you many fishing seasons.

You can use the Stomr Typhoon Unisex Fishing Gloves to keep off harmful UV rays as well as protect your hands from the cold. They feature an extended cuff that protects the hands beyond the wrist. On the palm is a textured grip to hold slippery fish and slippery fishing equipment. Each pair feels a little stretchy for a snug fit regardless of the size of your hands.

Pros

  • Snug fit feels comfortable
  • Ideal for sun and cold protection
  • Extended cuff protects the hands further
  • Kevlar fingers for enhanced dexterity
  • Waterproof construction

Cons

  • Inner seam doesn’t feel soft
  • The glued seams might come off after a few seasons of use

FAQs

Why do I need fishing gloves?

Fishing gloves serve three primary purposes. They protect you from the spines and teeth of fish and the roughness of the hook and other equipment, offer an excellent grip to hold slippery fish and equipment, and protect you from the sun and cold.

How do I clean fishing gloves?

Most fishing gloves absorb the smell of fish after one fishing trip. Luckily, most gloves are machine-washable, and all you have to do is push a button and leave. If the pair you have is not machine washable, wash it in a bowl with mild soap and light rubbing.

How do I get rid of the fish smell on my gloves?

You only need warm water to remove the smell. Soak the gloves in warm water for a few minutes and then remove and rinse in cold water. You can also wash your gloves with perfumed soap to mask the smell.

What do UPF and SPF mean?

UPF is short for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and SPF Sun Protection Factor. They are an indication of how much the gloves protect you from the sun. A glove with a rating of at least 50 is ideal for sun protection. 

More specifically, UPF measures the ability of the sun to penetrate the material and it measures both UVA and UVB. UPF applies only to clothing. 

Conclusion

You need two or three fishing gloves if you fish in different seasons. Because most fishing seasons are sunny, the Berkley Fishing Gloves might be the most ideal for you. They are flexible, lightweight, durable, and protect you from the harshest rays from the sun. Half of your fingers are out with this pair, so you have superior manual ability.

I recommend the Glacier Glove Ice Bay Fishing Glove for ice fishing. These full-fingered heavy gloves protect you from the cold while still not interfering with your hand’s dexterity. Both gloves have a perfect grip to reduce hand fatigue and allow you to hold slippery fish and equipment.

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