13 Best Gloves For Rowing Machines That Prevent Blisters
Prevent the blisters caused due to fitness machines with the help of these gloves.
Chandel StallworthNCPT, CPT, CES 
Chandel is a Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer, Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, and the owner of Curls & Pilates, a fitness company. She has 4 years of experience and trains some of the t... more
shreya vishwanathanMSc Experience: 4 yearsShreya is a commerce writer who is passionate about reviewing products related to fitness, health, and home. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenar... more
medha debIntegrated MA Experience: 5 yearsMedha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in ... more
aditi naskarMA (English Literature), Diploma In Health & Wellness Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is ... more
Image: Shutterstock
Rowing machines are one of the incredibly affordable workout machines, and they are excellent for people of all ages. They are great for toning your entire body, losing weight, improving your core strength, and keeping your health in control, promoting personal transformation. However, for beginner rowers, this simple machine might be intimidating. For example, you may experience rowing blisters or damaged wrists if you do not discover the ideal grip right away. Yikes!
To guarantee a secure and safe return from a workout session, we have put up a list of rowing gloves for women that comfortably fit to prevent mishaps and are perfect for beginners. Here is our list of the 13 best rowing machine gloves that will keep you safe while increasing the effectiveness of your workout. Keep scrolling.
In This Article
13 Best Gloves For Rowing Machines With A Good Grip
1. Best With Thick Padding:RIMSports Workout Gloves For Women
Are you looking for a pair of the best gloves for rowing machines? You should consider this pair. These non-slip gloves have leather padding and can be used for weightlifting, fitness training, and rowing machines. It comes with a quality grip, Velcro straps, and a breathable mesh. The gloves are light, durable, and work flawlessly even after washing. They are suitable for both men and women and offer a snug fit. You can also find it in vibrant colors to match your gym outfits as well. Check out this video is an honest review of these gloves given by a youtuber.
Key Features
- Material: Lycra, spandex, with real premium leather for the thumbs
- Size: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
- Available in different colors
- Suitable for both men and women
- Multipurpose gloves
- Thick padding
- Lightweight
- Features Velcro straps
- The size chart provided may not be accurate.
- Some may find the Velcro straps too long.
Quick Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 5,363 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
2. Best Sweat-Absorbent:Trideer Breathable Workout Gloves
Having a steady grip on the rowing machine is crucial as it increases your workout efficiency and prevents sprains or rowing blisters. Trideer gloves meet these requirements as they come with a set of silica gel on the palms. Many reviewers agree that the gel helps you improve your grip and helps prevent calluses and blisters. You will find high-quality microfiber and a breathable mesh on the back that ensures your hands are dry. The ventilation further eliminates foul smells. A pull-buckle on the fingertip provides additional comfort and ease in removing the gloves, making them one of the best gloves for rowing machines.
Key Features
- Material: High-quality ultralight microfiber with breathable mesh
- Size: Small, Medium, Large
- Silica gel helps improve grip and prevents blisters
- Breathable mesh
- Sweat-absorbent
- Adjustable wrist-strap
- It may not provide adequate support for the wrists.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 5,593 reviews claiming its efficacy.
3. Best Flexible:Contraband Pink Label Half Gloves
The Contraband Pink Label Half Gloves are custom-designed to allow your hands to get a feel of the gym equipment, including the rowing machine. It provides partial coverage, targeting the palm area while freeing the rest of the hand. The silicone rubber beaded onto the premium Amara leather provides high-surface traction, making it ideal for weightlifting. Amara leather is a synthetic material that is known for flexibility. You can use the Contraband Pink Label half gloves for rowing, cycling, and other activities. According to reviews, the grip-lock rubber beads on the gloves provide a high level of traction and stability during movement.
Key Features
- Material: Premium Amara Leather with silicone-padded palm and breathable mesh top, polyester interior
- Size: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large
- Covers target areas
- Flexible
- Suitable for various activities
- Grip-lock padding
- The grips may not be up to the mark.
RIMSports Workout Gloves For Women Best With Thick Padding | Trideer Breathable Workout Gloves Best Sweat-Absorbent | Contraband Pink Label Half Gloves Best Flexible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Black | Pink | Purple |
| Material | Leather | Microfibre | Polyester, Nylon, Silicone, Leather, Rubber |
| Weight | 0.2 Pounds | 0.13 Pounds | 0.04 Pounds |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 5,363 | 5,593 | 1,435 |
| Price | $14.99 | $13.99 | $22.99 |
4. Best Quick-Drying:Palmyth Stubby UV Fishing Gloves
Though we’re placing a fishing glove on our list, the Palmyth Stubby gloves are excellent for rowing machines as well. These rowing gloves with reinforced palms have partial synthetic leather with silicone in the palm. It allows you to grip the rowing machine better and prevent blisters. It offers a tight yet comfortable fit, while the breathable fabric provides superior ventilation. If you are prone to sweaty palms after strenuous workouts, you can throw the gloves in the wash. They come with quick-drying properties, which means that you’ll have a clean pair ready for the next day’s gym session.
Key Features
- Material: Partial synthetic leather with silicone
- Size: Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL
- Quick-drying
- UPF 50+ and SPF UV Protection
- Suitable for fishing and rowing
- Machine-washable
- Finger-pull tabs
- Some may feel like the fingers are too short.
Trivia5. Best Patented-Design:Fit Four Neo Grip Glove
Gone are the days of wrapping your fingers with bulky tapes because Fit Four brings to you neo-grip gloves that provide an attractive substitute to taping. These hand-made gloves comprise neoprene and silicone and provide an anti-slip grip — an essential for rowing. The interior also consists of a thin layer of rubber to keep the four-fingered glove from sliding down or wrinkling. These are durable rowing gloves and can handle an intense amount of rowing for over a year. Several reviewers on Amazon love the cushioned pad on the gloves which helps to add some extra comfort and absorbs impact.
Key Features
- Material: 90% neoprene, 10% silicone
- Size: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
- Anti-slip silicone
- Durable
- High-density neoprene
- Patented-design
- Available in black only
6. Best Anti-Slip Grip:Hornet Rowing Gloves
To prevent any sort of workout mishap, you can get a pair of gloves that guarantee a super grip, and the Hornet Rowing Gloves precisely serve the purpose. With the Hornet gloves, you will find durable silicone that protects the arm, and at the same time, prevents calluses. These gloves are versatile, and you can use them for various other sports. According to reviews, they are incredibly lightweight and can be tossed in the washing machine for a quick cleaning session.
Key Features
- Material: 50% SBR, 35% polyester, 10% nylon, 5% spandex
- Size: Small (7″-7.5″), Medium (7.5″-8″), Large (8″-8.5″), X-Large (8.5″-9.5″)
- Lightweight yet durable
- Anti-slip grip
- Machine-washable
- Multipurpose
- The color may fade away.
7. Best Lightweight:The Crew Stop Rowing Gloves
Lightweight gloves that fit snug onto your hands are like soft butter to bread. They increase the efficiency of your workout without causing calluses. The Crew Stop Rowing Gloves aids an unhindered performance and has garnered approval from professional athletes. It features a silicone pattern across the palms that provides a tight grip. To ensure durability, wash these gloves in hot soapy water and let it air dry. Reviews on Amazon indicate that these gloves offer a great anti-skid grip and remain breathable and lightweight at the same time.
Key Features
- Material: 80% polyester, 20% polyurethane, grip: 100% silicone, thumb and trim: 100% nylon, Velcro closure
- Size: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
- Eliminates the risk of infections
- Thumb protection
- Some may find it hard to take off when wet.
8. Best Breathable Mesh Design:Pink Rowing Gloves
Pink Rowing Gloves bring style to fitness and are suitable for various activities. They are made from ultralight microfiber with a breathable mesh that provides a sweat-free workout. A pair of elastic bandages on both the gloves provide a tight wrap around the arm but still allows unhindered blood circulation. These gloves have silica gel on the palm that ensures a tight grip on the row handles. There are additional terry cloth pieces on the thumb designed to wipe sweat. However, be cautious while cleaning them. We advise you to handwash the gloves in cold water.
Key Features
- Material: Ultralight microfiber, breathable mesh
- Size: N/A
- Breathable mesh
- Fingerless gloves
- Made of elastic lycra
- Loops on the fingers
- Prone to damage if not washed with caution.
9. Best Adjustable Design:Kansoon Breathable Gloves
These gloves come with full-palm protection and a sturdy grip ideal for row machines. It ensures an anti-slip experience with enhanced grips for your everyday workout. While the design lends a sporty look to the gloves, the double layer palm feature and anti-friction construction provide added comfort and longevity. These rowing gloves with adjustable straps are made of microfiber and have Lycra fabric at the back of the hands for additional breathability during your workout sessions.
Key Features
- Material: Lycra, adjustable Velcro, microfiber
- Size: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
- Unisex design
- Honeycomb pattern silica
- Backless design
- Adjustable Velcro straps
- The grips might not be long-lasting.
10. Best Double-Stitching: Pro Fitness Gloves
Take your rowing skills to a whole new level with these ProFitness Gloves. Get a sturdy grip on your row pedals and improve your muscle growth while protecting your arms from blisters and calluses. Made of premium materials with heavy-duty stitching and neoprene padding, these gloves feature adjustable Velcro straps that support and protect your wrists. It is also equipped with quick-removal finger tabs for easy removal of the gloves.
Key Features
- Material: premium materials with heavy-duty stitching of thick neoprene padding
- Size: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large
- Sweat-resistant
- Lightweight
- Form-fitting
- Double-stitching
- Mesh fabric
- It may not offer a good fit for those with slender wrists.
11. Best Open-Design:Nano Hertz Gloves
Nano Hertz Gloves flaunt ergonomic rowing gloves designs that help athletes perform heavy-duty weight exercises. The silicone rubber on the palms provides a firm grip to prevent blisters and calluses. The finger loops ensure that the glove doesn’t wrinkle up. With these gloves, you can also avoid the sweaty smell that most rowers would get after an intense workout. The porous fabric allows air to circulate inside the gloves, decreasing sweat and slippage. This product has received positive reviews on Amazon as it’s ergonomically designed for high-impact activities.
Key Features
- Material: Porous fabric, cushioned padding, silicone rubber
- Size: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large,
- Breathable material
- Innovative open-design
- Cushioned padding on the palm area
- Superior ventilation
- Highly elastic strap
- The sizing may run small.
12. Best Silicone Padding:Kangbuke Workout Gloves
Looking to make your workout sessions more comfortable? Try the Kangbuke Workout Gloves. These gloves are made of lightweight microfiber and are equipped with Velcro straps that allow you to adjust the fit. The silicone gel padding with a shock-absorption ability provides comprehensive protection and prevention from injuries. Additionally, these gloves have a double-channel sewing operation. With silicone gel-infused on the palms, it offers a strong and stable grip.
Key Features
- Material: Porous fabric, cushioned padding, silicone rubber
- Size: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
- Silicone padding
- Shock-absorbing
- Double-channel sewing
- Adjustable Velcro strap
- It may cause discomfort in the palms while performing back exercises.
13. Best Unisex:Drasry Fingerless Gloves
Rowing machines provide an ideal workout for both men and women. But, when it comes to rowing gloves that ensure maximum protection and utmost comfort, most come in shades and sizes appropriate only for men. Drasry Fingerless Gloves are different. They are designed with special consideration to female rowers and boast of a sleek design in 4 color variants. The glove consists of partial synthetic leather with silicone dots that ensure durability and an uncompromised grip. On the back of the thumb is a sweat-absorbent terry cloth you can wipe your face with. It is a versatile glove and is suitable for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, hiking, running, and cycling.
Key Features
- Material: Partial synthetic leather and silicone dots, sweat-absorbent terry cloth
- Size: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
- 3/4th finger coverage
- Sweat-absorbent terry cloth
- Partial leather ensures the durability of the gloves.
- UPF 50+ and SPF UV Protection
- The finger pull tabs aren’t as efficient as one would expect it to be.
There are various types of rowing gloves with varying features. Each has unique specifications that are useful for a particular style of rowing and you must invest in suitable rowing gloves for improved performance. All these products are selected after careful consideration of their unbiased online reviews. While some provide a full-hand coverage, others are more specific and protect just the targeted areas. Take a look at the buying guide below where we have curated some insider tips that will help you select the right rowing gloves.
How To Choose The Best Gloves For Rowing Machines
- Material
Gloves are the most basic yet versatile gym wear. While buying a pair of gloves, ensure that they suit your needs. It is advisable to buy gloves made from breathable materials. Mesh gloves are moisture-wicking gloves that eliminate sweat from your hands and prevent the insides from smelling bad. A leather or padded silicone base is tried and tested to further help avoid blisters and calluses.
- Pads
Pads provide an alternative to people who don’t prefer gloves with full-hand coverage. They cover the palm to prevent blisters and have wrist support to avoid injuries. However, it is advisable to use pads with caution as they are not stable and are likely to affect your training sessions. Hence, make sure to test finger mobility before using them.
- Grips
Rowing grips possess hybrid features of both gloves and pads. They only protect your hands from blisters. However, though minimal, the fabric in the gloves allows your hands to breathe.
- Hybrid
Hybrids comprise features of all aforementioned hand-wear. It protects the entire hand and prevents blistering or soaring while rowing. Furthermore, they are multipurpose and multi-usage gloves that come in fingerless and full-finger rowing gloves designs, and depending on the fabric, suitable throughout the year. You can also look for rowing gloves with reflective accents if you are an experienced rower and work in low-light conditions.
How To Pick The Best Rowing Gloves
Rowing gloves should fit snugly into your hands and be comfortable. Consider the following features before buying rowing gloves.
Prevents blisters and calluses
The use of a rowing machine without proper gloves can lead to blisters and calluses. To avoid these skin irritations, ensure that your rowing gloves provide adequate protection. Buy rowing gloves with a good silicone padding in the palm area. Chandel Stallworth, Strength Training Expert, says, “I only buy gloves with slight padding across the bottom of the fingers. Not only will you be able to use them for rowing, but also for lifting weights. No one likes calluses!”
Breathable fabric
A good-quality porous mesh is a breathable fabric ideal for row machine workouts. It allows airflow for drying out the dampness and preventing sweaty hands.
Good grip
An injury is the last thing you would want while working out. Dotted silicone or rubber grips can help you maintain your arm position to prevent muscle injuries due to wrong posture.
How to Measure Your Hand for Rowing Gloves?
To find out your correct glove size, measure the base of your hand to the tip of your middle finger. Also, measure the width of your palm.
General Size References For Rowing Gloves:
- XX-Small: 15-17 cm hand circumference
- Small: 17-18.5 cm hand circumference
- Medium: 18.5-21 cm hand circumference
- Large: 21-23 cm hand circumference
- X-Large: 23-25 cm hand circumference
- Anything above is XX-large size
Infographic: Things To Keep In Mind When Buying Rowing Gloves
Rowing gloves are protective gear that help you workout comfortably. Just because they are called rowing gloves, it doesn’t mean that you can wear them only for that purpose. You can wear these and lift weights and engage in fitness training. Check out the infographic below to learn what factors to consider when buying good rowing gloves and get ready to take your workout sessions up a notch.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
There are many gloves available in the market that are best for rowing machines. If you are looking forward to exercising with rowing machines as a part of your workout routine, you should purchase the right gloves in order to avoid blisters, aches, or strains. The RIMSports Workout Gloves For Women is a custom-tailored design that fits female hands, while the Trideer Breathable Workout Gloves prevent excess sweating with their breathable design. Those seeking finger dexterity can try the Contraband Pink Label Half Gloves. The best rowing gloves come with a good quality grip and velcro straps for a comfortable fit. These gloves have thick padding that can prevent calluses and improve your grip, as reported by reviewers. However, while choosing the best gloves online, you should stay away from the ones that don’t provide adequate support to the wrists. Therefore, read customer reviews to understand the users’ insights on using the gloves before making a purchase.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shreya Vishwanathan, is a fitness and health enthusiast. Here, she brings you the list of best gloves for rowing machines that prevent blisters. It is important to follow precautionary measures to avoid gym equipment injuries. Shreya has compared and reviewed various products to compile this list of protective gloves. She has explained the useful features, advantages, and drawbacks of each product to help you make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are gloves needed for rowing?
Rowing gloves are essential for rowing because they protect your hands from injuries and avoid blisters and calluses.
Should I wear gloves while rowing?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you wear gloves.
Can gloves improve my rowing?
Gloves do not necessarily improve rowing, but they avoid blisters and injuries and allow you to focus on your strength and technique.
How can I avoid getting blisters when rowing?
You can avoid blisters by buying a pair of gloves that fit you snugly. Also, ensure that your gloves have silicone or pads to prevent blistering.
Do rowing gloves work?
Rowing gloves of good quality and the perfect fit usually meet their intended requirements.
Are these gloves available in multiple sizes?
Yes, most gloves are available in different sizes ranging from extra small to double extra large.
Do rowing gloves improve efficiency and make time to row longer?
Yes, by helping prevent injuries and blistering, rowing gloves can improve efficiency and increase row time.
Are gloves reusable?
Yes, most gloves are reusable and washable. However, gloves with touchscreen compatibility and other advanced features may not be machine washable.
