Rope, rock and a hard fall can take the skin off your hands. A climbing glove protects your palm when you belay or rappel, and it keeps the rope from burning you.
Most climbers do not wear gloves on the wall. REI calls rappel gloves a non-essential item that many climbers still carry, especially when they plan multiple rappels.[1] This guide covers what to look for and six gloves for belaying, rappelling and general climbing use.
Climbing gloves at a glance
- REI says rappel gloves are non-essential, but many climbers take them, especially for multiple rappels.[1]
- The Black Diamond Crag is a light synthetic leather glove for belaying and via ferrata, rated EN 388 2221A.[2]
- The Black Diamond Transition is a goat leather and stretch nylon glove for via ferrata and belaying, rated EN 388 2242A.[3]
- The Caiman and Metolius are rope work gloves, and the Black Diamond Punisher is a lined cold-weather glove.
- The Carhartt is a knit work glove and not a rope glove.
Bare Hands or Gloves
Climbing without gloves gives you the best feel of the rock, and it is how most climbers climb. Gloves matter when the rope runs through your hand, when you belay for a long time or when you rappel several times in a row.
Gloves cost you some feel, but they protect your skin from abrasion and heat from the rope, and they keep your hands clean. A thin glove keeps most of your dexterity.
Choosing Climbing Gloves
- Use – Belay and rappel gloves are for rope work. They are different from cold-weather gloves, which add insulation.
- Grip – The palm should hold the rope and your gear without slipping.
- Protection – Look for a reinforced palm and fingers, and padding on the knuckles if you work around rock.
- Fit – A snug fit with an adjustable wrist keeps the glove on your hand and keeps your fingers working.
- Quality – Check the stitching and the material, since rope work is hard on gloves.
Features of a Good Climbing Glove
- Materials – Leather such as goatskin, cowhide or pigskin lasts longest, and synthetic leather and nylon are lighter. Stretch fabric on the back of the hand helps your fingers move.
- Stitching – Double and triple stitching holds the high-wear areas together.
- Closure – A cuff with hook and loop, or a webbing loop, keeps the glove on your wrist.
- Finger Design – Full-finger gloves cover more, and open or three-quarter fingers give more feel.
- Sizing – Sizes vary by brand, so check the size chart, and note that some gloves run small or have long fingers.
How We Chose These Climbing Gloves
These picks come from research. This is desk research. We compared the manufacturer specifications and product descriptions for each pick. We did not test the gloves ourselves, and we did not check stock this time.
We looked at these factors:
- Use – Belay, rappel, cold weather or work.
- Palm – Material and reinforcement.
- Fit – Closure, sizes and finger design.
- Protection – Knuckle padding and stitching.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Climbing Gloves
- Do climbers wear gloves?
Not usually on the wall. REI calls rappel gloves a non-essential item that many climbers take, especially for multiple rappels.[1] - Are these gloves warm?
The Black Diamond Punisher is lined and has a waterproof insert, so it is the warm one. The belay gloves are thin. - Can I use a work glove for climbing?
The Carhartt knit work glove works for yard work and general jobs, but it is not made for rope handling. - How do I find my size?
Measure from the crease at the base of your wrist to the tip of your middle finger and compare it with the maker’s size chart.
Our Picks: Climbing Gloves
Here are 6 climbing gloves for belaying, rappelling and general use.
We hope you love the climbing gloves we recommend!
So that you know, we may earn a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Caiman® Unisex Rappelling Glove Rappelling and Climbing Gloves
The Caiman is a goatskin glove for rappelling and rope work, with pigskin in the high-wear areas, sold in men’s and women’s sizes.
- A reflective Hi-Viz back makes the glove easy to see, and air mesh on the back keeps the hand ventilated.
- Internal padding adds comfort and shock resistance, and the knuckles are durable, flexible neoprene.
- An adjustable cuff gives a snug fit.
2
Black Diamond® Unisex Punisher Waterproof Cold-Weather Gloves
The Black Diamond Punisher is a lined, waterproof glove with a nylon shell and a goatskin palm.
- The woven nylon shell resists abrasion and has four-way stretch, and the goatskin palm gives grip.
- A fixed polyester lining holds a waterproof dry insert, and a hook-and-loop closure holds the wrist.
- It is made for cold weather, so it is warmer and bulkier than a belay glove.
3
Carhartt® Unisex C-Grip Knit Tar-Coated Knit Work Gloves
The Carhartt is a knit work glove with a rubber C-Grip coating on the palm.
- The knit is a blend of cotton, nylon and spandex, and the molded coating gives grip and cushioning.
- It pulls on with no closure, and it comes in several sizes and colors.
- It is a general work glove, not a rope glove.
4
Black Diamond® Unisex Crag Lightweight Climbing and Belay Gloves
The Black Diamond Crag is a light, breathable glove for belaying and via ferrata.
- The palm and fingers are synthetic leather with a reinforced index finger and thumb crotch, and the back is breathable stretch mesh with knuckle padding.[2]
- A hook-and-loop cuff has a pull-on and clip-in loop, and Black Diamond gives it an EN 388 rating of 2221A and a weight of 93 grams.
- Reviewers on Black Diamond’s page say the fingers run long for some.
5
Metolius® Unisex Three-Quarter Finger Cowhide Climbing Gloves
The Metolius is a cowhide glove with open fingers.
- The cowhide is triple-stitched, and a split cowhide patch reinforces the palm.
- High-wear areas are reinforced, and the fingers are double stitched.
- A bar-tacked webbing loop clips the glove to your harness.
6
Black Diamond® Unisex Transition Leather Belay and Via Ferrata Gloves
The Black Diamond Transition is a full-finger glove of goat leather and stretch nylon.
- The shell is goat leather and abrasion-resistant woven nylon with four-way stretch, with leather patches on the knuckles and palm.[3]
- A hook-and-loop cuff closes the wrist, and Black Diamond gives it an EN 388 rating of 2242A.
- Black Diamond designed it for via ferrata and belaying, and some reviewers say it runs small.
Index Table: Top Rated Climbing Gloves
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caiman Unisex Rappelling Glove - Rappelling and Climbing Gloves |  |
| Caiman | - |
| 2 | Black Diamond Unisex Punisher - Waterproof Cold-Weather Gloves |  |
| Black Diamond | - |
| 3 | Carhartt Unisex C-Grip Knit - Tar-Coated Knit Work Gloves |  |
| Carhartt | - |
| 4 | Black Diamond Unisex Crag - Lightweight Climbing and Belay Gloves |  |
| Black Diamond | - |
| 5 | Metolius Unisex Three-Quarter Finger - Cowhide Climbing Gloves |  |
| Metolius | - |
| 6 | Black Diamond Unisex Transition - Leather Belay and Via Ferrata Gloves |  |
| Black Diamond | - |
Sources
- REI. How to Rappel. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Black Diamond. Crag Gloves. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Black Diamond. Transition Gloves. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around REI rappelling guidance and the Black Diamond Crag and Transition pages, removed filler wording and the old score tables, corrected glove details, rewrote all product notes and added Sources
- Apr 2020: Published
