Why Should You Wear Parkour Gloves?

Parkour is a very eventful sport that can put certain parts of your body under a considerable amount of pressure. Like your feet, your hands also endure a certain amount of tension which is why it is essential to take precaution where ever possible. A lot of focus when it comes to suitable clothing for parkour is directed in the way of footwear which means many people dismiss the need for parkour gloves. Your hands however, are your biggest protection and a vital tool in parkour sessions. You use your hands to climb, to travel over obstacles, to maintain a good balance and to protect yourself should you fall. Wearing specialized gloves during your activities can help protect your strong point and keep you enjoying your sport safely. It will also grant you the power to undergo longer stints more often thus helping you to continuously improve and push yourself.

Why Is It Important To Protect Your Hands?

The surfaces that you encounter during parkour sessions are not always kind to your skin. Parkour is a sport that is done through public areas where the surroundings continue to change. Concrete, wood, metal, are all common materials that you often come across when taking part in parkour and they are most definitely not the softest or cleanest. That doesn’t mean to say that you should be using safety mats and blow up objects inside of a sports hall. It just means you need to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions wherever you feel is possible. As important as it is to find suitable footwear to give you the control that you need as well as providing enough protection and support, finding the right gloves is equally as important.

Do They Have To Be Parkour Gloves?

Parkour gloves are designed in specific ways to enable you to stay in control. There are usually big differences between your everyday, average glove and a parkour glove. Wearing a glove that has not been designed for parkour may be a burden and obstruct your abilities making it more dangerous than helpful. Some of the gloves that meet the requirements for parkour are also suitable for other sports such as crossfit and weightlifting. For some people, you may not know what to look for in parkour gloves but throughout the duration of this article I will identify the best gloves on the market and I will highlight the different features you can expect to find.

Factors To Consider When Buying Parkour Gloves

There has and probably always will be a big debate in whether or not you should wear gloves for parkour, it is entirely up to you but it is recommended for you to try them out first, you could always borrow a pair to see if you like them before buying your own. Of course, not everybody likes wearing gloves when taking part in parkour because even though they protect you they still have some disadvantages. A bare hand feel is what you want, parkour is about understanding your surroundings and quick thinking which can be made difficult if your hands and feet are too cushioned.

1. Cons To Wearing Parkour Gloves

Your bare hands provide an extremely strong grip, gloves can also provide a very powerful grip but over time the grip will weaken because of friction against different surfaces. With this in mind, you will find that gloves will need to be replaced probably as often as your shoes, meaning that if you like wearing gloves for parkour then it will not be a onetime purchase. Similar to thick soled shoes preventing you from feeling the ground, gloves can also obstruct your ability to fully feel your surroundings, which can lessen your control. Another factor to consider when buying gloves for parkour is that you will want to find a pair that are as close fitting as possible.

Gloves that are slightly bigger for you can reduce your grip and as your body warms up your hands could slide around inside making you lose control. People who dislike wearing gloves for parkour have found that over time their hands have toughened up and the sensitivity in them have significantly reduced since they first started. Even if this is the case your hands can still be at risk of injuries although gloves will not be able to fully protect your hands they will be able to protect them enough if you are able to wear them during this sport.

2. Fingerless VS Full-Finger

Parkour gloves come in many shapes and sizes with multiple different specs but the two main types of parkour gloves that are available are full-finger and fingerless gloves. Traditionally fingerless gloves were created for weightlifting but in a lot of aspects these gloves are also ideal for parkour. You often need to pull up your entire body weight in order to get over an obstacle and like weightlifting, grip is extremely important. Many parkour glove wearers prefer fingerless gloves to full-finger gloves as they find that they have a lot more control with this type of glove. By exposing the fingers your hands are able to keep a fairly balanced temperature preventing your hands from getting sweaty and moving around inside the glove. Finger-less gloves are appealing for parkour as they can protect you whilst improving your control but only the right finger-less gloves can provide that. Some finger-less gloves are made with quite a lot of padding in the body of the glove which could be worse as the fingers will be extremely restricted which is definitely not ideal for climbing. Should finger-less gloves be for you then its recommended to choose a glove that is fairly thin to grant you complete flexibility.

3. Comfort Of The Glove

The climate in which you live in can also play a part in which type of glove you might want to purchase, in colder areas you may find that by wearing finger-less gloves the cold weather could end up numbing your fingers slowing you down and hindering you from improving. Although full-fingered gloves will provide slightly more protection some people do find finger-less gloves to be more comfortable when participating in parkour but again it all comes down to personal preference. Of course of your really into gloves you might want to purchase a pair of each.

Men And Women Parkour Gloves

Parkour gloves are available in many styles, shapes and sizes for both men and women. Aside from an array of colours separating men’s gloves from women’s gloves there are in fact a few other aspects between the two. You might find that the men and women gloves are not titled individually but when you look at the sizing they have sizes that are perfect for women too so don’t let the title “men’s parkour gloves” put you off ladies.

Size of the gloves

In a previous article, I underlined features in the highest rated parkour shoes on the market for both men and women. As with any shoes men’s sized shoes are a lot wider than women’s sized shoes and the same principle applies to parkour gloves. Not all women have narrow hands but there are gloves available for women with wider hands which will probably fit a lot better than men’s sized gloves.

Weight of the gloves

In Most cases men have a lot wider and thicker hands than women and not to be sexist in any way, they are usually stronger than women’s. Because of this, gloves created for men tend to consist of thicker material or more of it, so that they can last longer. This adds to the weight of men’s gloves compared to women’s gloves. The extra weight is unnecessary for women which is why even in the larger women’s sized gloves, the weight is kept light.

Comfort of the gloves

Comfort is not always the case with gloves however some brands have designed their female gloves to be softer on the hands and provide more warmth than the men’s models. There are several researched facts to suggest that women generally feel the cold a lot more than men do however it’s not been fully proven. Research suggests that women are able to focus more if they feel comfortable but again this added characteristic could just be because of the size difference between the two sexes.

Of course not all women’s parkour gloves contain all of these features but the main vital detail that is different between men and women’s gloves is the narrowness, the rest are added bonuses. Most gloves come with an adjustable Velcro strap so if the measurements are a little bigger the strap should secure the glove to your hand.

Now that you have an idea of what kind of gloves to buy, let me share with you my pick of the best parkour gloves in the market today. I’ve divided them into best fingerless gloves and best full-finger gloves. This way you can decide according to your preference.

Fingerless Parkour Gloves

1. Seibertron Assault Half Finger Gloves

The Seibertron assault gloves are suitable for many things including parkour. They come very highly recommended in sizes from XS to XXL with a full sizing guide found online to help you get the best fit. Originally these gloves were designed for the special forces which means the grip needed to be superior as did the flexibility and support. The high standard of these factors is what makes them perfect for parkour. Along with these half finger gloves Seibertron also make a full finger glove with specs that are very similar to this model. There is a sturdy loop built into the wrist of these gloves to allow you to easily pull them on and off, a simple feature that can make a lot of difference. Also on the wrist, is very strong dual Velcro straps to make sure the gloves are as secure as possible.

Durability And Flexibility 

The majority of the material used to make these gloves is skid-proof, making the whole hand adaptable to its surroundings. Across the main bones on the back of the hand there are gel padding which will also absorb any shock. Because the padding is gel it doesn’t restrict you in any way granting you complete freedom. The material in between the Velcro straps and across the knuckles are elastic to make sure that you are not restricted in any way. All of the material used on these gloves is very durable and from the reviews that people have left they are exactly that.

Grip

The palm of the hand contains a specific grip that is flat instead of raised. This is very important to the durability of the glove as raised grip can tear off easily. In most cases parkour gloves have an additional pad that is stitched onto the glove for the grip. With these gloves the grip is included in the material that is already being used for the glove which could be a bonus for parkour enthusiasts, as there is no risk of the pad tearing off. When using fingerless gloves for parkour grip is not as important as it is for full fingered gloves as most of your fingers are exposed but it is still a feature that you would want to be of high standard. The Seibertron half-finger gloves are made with extensive detail, one being that the grip on the palm travels up the half finger sections. Another detailed feature is the two slits in the palm of the gloves this makes it even easier to flex your hand and continue to move your hands as you do when you’re not wearing gloves.

What Do People Say About Seibertron Half Finger Gloves?

Reviews are extremely high for this product with people using them for all kinds of purposes. On Amazon they hold a rating of 4.4 out of 5 and have over 100 reviews. A lot of people have praised the gloves on the secure fit and the adjustability of them, the strong grip has proven effective in many areas. A satisfying attribute that many people seem to enjoy is the sweat wipe cloth built into the side of the thumb great for fast paced activities. Overall these gloves have proven themselves to be one of the best gloves on the market today, filling the needs of many at an affordable price.

Pros:

• Extreme Grip
• Gel Padding
• Sweat Wipe Cloth On The Thumb

Cons:

• Sizes Can Run Small
• Thumb Section Can Be Slightly Bigger Than It Needs To Be

2. Harbinger Power Fingerless Gloves

Primarily created and used for weightlifting these gloves have an incredible amount of grip and can withstand a huge amount of abrasion before showing any signs of wear. They are very light and breathable yet provide just enough padding to ensure safety when wearing them. Many parkour lovers use these gloves time and time again and continuously praise them for how well they protect whilst they perform. Being light-weight and breathable makes them ideal for parkour especially in the hotter months of the year.

Grip

The palm is covered in double layered leather which provides an extreme amount of grip. It travels up the finger sections to ensure that you remain in control and that your grip isn’t compromised in any part of the glove. The heavy duty leather is extremely strong and can withstand a huge amount of abrasion before tearing or showing any signs of wear. The material used on the back of the glove is a very breathable and stretchy material. Unlike the Seibertron gloves, the Harbingers do not contain any form of padding over the knuckles or the back of the hand. This will allow the glove to be light-weight and provide an exceptional fit due to the elasticity of the rest of the material used.

Protection

Underneath the leather material used for grip on the palm of the hand, is a layer of foam that protects the hand from bone bruises and provides slight padding. Because these gloves were originally designed for weightlifters, the designers have paid special attention to the thumb. The Harbinger gloves have an extra leather cushion that wraps around the inside of the thumb giving you extra security and granting you the ability to hold onto things longer than you would be able to without them. Like weightlifting, it is also very easy to damage your thumb in parkour so this feature makes a big difference.

What Do They Say About The Harbinger Power Gloves?

The Harbinger power gloves are extremely popular with well over a thousand reviews on Amazon and a rating of 4.1 out of 5. They are fastened by a strong Velcro strap across the wrist and are available in sizes S to XXL. The good thing about purchasing these gloves from Amazon is that they provide pictures on how to measure your hand to ensure you get the best fit possible. Like the Seibertron gloves, the Harbingers attract attention from people in all areas of interest from weightlifters to free runners. Because of the materials used in these gloves they are very breathable but they don’t really hold any heat which isn’t necessarily a bad thing when using them for parkour. Most of the reviews are positive and mention how reliable these gloves are. Some people have mentioned how they could be improved by adding more padding but for parkour it seems these gloves are just right.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Extra thumb protection
• Breathable material

Cons:

• The dye in the gloves can sometimes transfer to your hands
• No protection on the back of the hand
• The leather dye has a strong smell

3. Boodun Workout Gloves

Like the other two highly rated fingerless parkour gloves, the Boodun workout gloves are widely used in many different areas. Though these particular gloves aren’t as established as the other two, they still hold an impressive rating and come highly recommended by those who have experienced them. They have a significantly lower amount of reviews than the Seibertron and the Harbinger gloves but so far they have received little to none negative reviews. As its reputation grows it has found itself in the top 3 best parkour gloves.

Grip

Like the Harbinger gloves the Booduns also include a pad on the palm and underside of the fingers for a strong grip, however the pad on these gloves are not made from leather. Instead, the pad on these gloves is an advanced durability cortex pad which is designed to maintain its grip for a lot longer than most other gloves. Usually the grip is what wears the glove out and indicates that it’s time to buy new ones, but with the unique grip pad fitted into the Boodun gloves they should in theory, be one of the most durable gloves out there.

Design

The Boodun workout gloves have a very distinctive yet beneficial design. Elastic and leather are used for the back of the hand, the leather for protection and the elastic for breathability and a snug fit. The leather used on the back of the hand is set in sections so it doesn’t cover the entire hand. It travels across the knuckles and up the fingers with gaps between where the elastic material sits. There are also two strips of leather coming down from the fingers towards the wrist, again with the elastic material in between it. On the thicker leather strip, there is breathe holes to further maximize breathability. The reason it is designed like this is not just to make it look attractive but it’s to protect your hand as well as providing as much breathability as possible. The leather protection is incorporated into strips because this allows you to have freedom and flexibility of the hand. On the inside of the thumb there is extra leather to further increase your grip. On the palm of the hand there is even more leather underneath the cortex pad to add more security. The cortex pad itself is double stitched along with any other material on the palm of the hand, it also has double stitch lines curving into the centre of the glove to follow the prominent lines on your palm. This will again give you freedom of movement and prevent anything from jeopardising the flexibility in your hands.

What Do They Say About The Boodun Workout Gloves?

Available from around $15 people are amazed at the quality and performance of these gloves. With a detailed sizing chart provided, the Boodun workout gloves are able to fit the majority of men and women. Almost all of the reviews indicate that once people purchase them they continue to do so repeatedly because of how resistant and reliable they are. With all the positivity, the Boodun workout gloves are receiving they could very well steal the number one spot in no time.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Impressive flexibility
• Excellent breathability
• Advanced cortex grip pad

Cons:

• Can be stiff at the beginning
• Padding on the palm is quite thin

Full Finger Parkour Gloves

1. Under Armour UA Batting Full Finger Gloves

Top of the list on our full finger parkour gloves is the Under Armour batting gloves. These are one of the most vibrant coloured gloves out there and with the design and the various colours available they look like something a superhero would wear. Under Armour is a very popular brand and they have the resources to be able to create some of the best gear for all kinds of sports. They have versions of these gloves available for men, women and children in many sizes and colours that would suit anyone who seeks them.

Grip

Many of the fingerless gloves are targeted towards weightlifters whereas these full fingered gloves are designed to suit the needs of baseball players. Preventing blisters and maintaining a strong grip are two important factors for baseball players and that’s what these gloves aim to do and more, making them one of the best choices for parkour gloves. Goatskin leather is used on the palm side including the fingers and is supple yet supplies a staggering amount of grip. With the goatskin being soft it grants you the full flexibility of your hands and includes ventilation holes in the fingers to increase breathability.

Comfort 

Under Armour is renowned for making good quality, comfortable sportswear and this product is nothing less. The backside of the hand contains a formation that Under Armour calls heatgear, it can immediately absorb any moisture and is able to then dry very quickly. Your hands will stay warm within these gloves at the same time they should get enough ventilation to prevent sweating, but if your hands do start to sweat the intelligent heatgear will be able to solve your problem keeping your hands comfortable.

What Do People Say About The Under Armour UA Batting Glove?

Over one hundred reviews and a score of 4.5 out of 5 on amazon these gloves have been tried, tested and loved. Like all the other gloves mentioned here these have been used for many different tasks and seem to deliver in all. The Velcro strap wraps around the wrist to ensure they are secure. People continuously mention how comfortable they are and how much movement they authorize. Almost everybody who has reviewed them has said they would definitely purchase them again and has said they would highly recommend them to everybody.

Pros:

• Heatgear to remove moisture
• Comfortable
• Many colours to choose from

Cons:

• Sizes run a bit small
• Can be slightly more expensive than others

2. Mad Grip F100 Pro Palm Glove

The Mad Grip F100 gloves are undoubtedly one of the most quirky looking gloves you’ve probably ever seen. In saying that they are very well designed and built to last. Though there isn’t much padding on the back of the hands the grip is outstanding and since you are able to wear these glove come rain or shine there truly won’t be anything stopping you getting as much practice in as possible.

Grip

A rubber casing covers the entire palm and curves around the fingertips and in between the fingers to ensure it doesn’t tear off. The rubber palm has indentations to establish ease of movement and to give you a natural feel. Continuing up the fingers, right to the very tip there are raised patterns to further improve your grip. These gloves are perfect for scaling and swinging and because of the palms being made from rubber, they won’t take in any water. Still providing a powerful grip on wet surfaces the Mad Grip F100 are perfect in any weather condition, there is literally no stopping the rubber palms grip.

Comfort

Made from 50% polyester and 50% rubber they have been known to be one of the most comfortable glove around. The gloves are completely seamless so there shouldn’t be anything irritating the skin inside the glove. Polyester covers the backs of the hands and is very breathable which is ideal as the rubber won’t let any air pass through. The polyester is very flexible and light and allows a good oxygen flow to feed through the glove which should help maintain a comfortable temperature.

Durability

From the reviews I have read all over the internet, these gloves have a very good reputation of being a hard wearing pair of gloves. Many people have said they have lasted a very long time for them and that they use them regularly for parkour and other demanding sports. Rubber is a hard-wearing material as it is but the design of these gloves also hold a part in the durability. You will find with a lot of gloves the grip on the palm of the hand is an extra piece of material that is stitched on. It usually lasts for so long then ends up coming apart but the grip on these gloves cover the entire palm and curve around the edges avoiding that problem completely.

What Do People Say About The Mad Grip F100?

As I have mentioned above people are raving about these gloves. Because of the unusual design I have seen it can sometimes take a while to get used to the gloves, but when you do you will probably be lost without them. From looking at the picture some people are a bit weary that the one-piece rubber palm will restrict your movement, but from all the reviews, I can see that is certainly not the case. From the comments left after purchasing these gloves, the thing people seem to like the most is that you’re not just restricted to using them on dry surfaces, in fact many people have said that since they started wearing these gloves their potential has increased and they have seen massive improvements in their performances.

Pros:

• Seamless
• Strong grip even on wet surfaces
• Great durability

Cons:

• No wrist straps
• No padding on the back of the hands

3. Outdoor Research Ironsight Gloves

Although they don’t look like it from the picture these gloves are in fact very lightweight. Reviews mention how free your hands feel when wearing them and how they do not restrict you from doing anything. Unlike the Mad Grip F100s their performance will drop in wet conditions and they will take in water however they do dry exceptionally quick, so you won’t be wet for long.

Grip

Anti-slip silicone pads spread across the palm of the hand and up the fingers which gives you a fantastic grip on many different materials. The silicone pads on these Ironsight gloves are quite thin which is ideal for the palm of the hand because you are still able to have a good feel of your surroundings as well as having good grip. The pads also continue on the inside of the thumb which many brands forget about. It makes a big difference especially when you are holding onto something. For tactical purposes, Outdoor Research have also included grip pads on the tops of the middle, pinkie and the ring fingers and when your using gloves in parkour you never know when features like that can come in handy.

Design

Like the Seibertron Assault Gloves mentioned at the top these gloves also include a handy loop on the wrist. This allows you to pull them on or off easily. The back side of the hand consists of breathable mesh material and leather for protection and durability. A fairly large Velcro strap is situated on the wrist of each glove to allow you adjustability and slightly raised particles cover the main bones on the back of the hand.

What Do They Say About The Outdoor Research Ironsight Gloves?

Rating 4 out of 5 on Amazon people are impressed with the fulfilment of these gloves. They allow you to adapt quickly to your surroundings and never fail to provide that grip you need. They fit most people perfectly and are comfortable for all. Because of how light they are, you can wear them for hours on end and still feel free and aware. The leather protection on the back of the hand and underneath the silicone grip pads is double stitched all the way around. This makes it certain that the gloves can withstand a lot of wear and tear.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Quick drying
• Loop for easy removal
• Breathable

Cons:

• Not as durable as others
• Not very waterproof

To Glove Or Not To Glove

We have already established above that the naked hand provides one of the best grip you can get. However if you’re in an awkward position, you may find that you struggle to hold on for too long. This is where gloves have a big advantage. As long as they have sufficient grip to them you will find that you can hold easier and longer because there is nothing rubbing on your bare skin. If you have a passion for parkour, wearing gloves will enable you to keep training and further push yourself. You will protect your hands and continue to thrive in the sport you love.

What Happens If You Don’t Wear Gloves For Parkour

If you choose not to wear gloves, over time your hands will strengthen and adapt to your lifestyle. They will still be unprotected but the skin on your palms will harden and could cause calluses. Calluses will protect the soft skin underneath it from things like blisters and splinters. But do you really want to be carrying ugly calluses around with you? Calluses can actually be a pain, they are common but they definitely won’t be your saviour in parkour. They can get very chunky and end up tearing of your skin which is incredibly painful. So if you do get them and want to keep them you could file them down. This will prevent them from ripping.

Still Unsure About Wearing Gloves?

With the many articles online saying different thing it can be a bit overwhelming. The best thing I can suggest is to have a pair on standby. You don’t have to wear them all the time. But when your hands start to get sore you could wear them so that you are still able to continue. Gloves are always a good idea if you’re working on improving your upper arm strength. How many pull ups could you do without gloves compared to how many you can do with gloves? Either way if you have a pair ready and waiting, should you feel the need, you always have the choice.

The Top 6 Gloves

All of the gloves listed in this article would be ideal for parkour. Some have features that others don’t so it will mainly come down to personal preference. The quality in which they are made, is high and is one of the reasons they have become so popular. They all have that desired grip just in different forms. Choosing any of these gloves you will know that your hands are well protected. Some of the brands are very popular and already have a good reputation for themselves. Looking at the product reviews I can easily see that you won’t be disappointed by any of these parkour gloves.