Last updated on January 22nd, 2024.
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Gloves can be a great option to protect your hands from the cold or the sun when out fishing.
From hooks to teeth, rods to lures, nets to traps, and spears to flies, it is inevitable that you would eventually need a decent pair of fishing gloves to protect your hands on your fishing adventures.
While it may take a while to get used to wearing this protective gear, you will eventually realize the importance of it the more you’re out on the water. If you have ever reeled in a huge fish and grabbed it barehanded, then you most likely know how much damage it poses to your skin. Given that this particular hobby involves sharp hooks, fins, and frisky fish, there are not enough reasons not to wear fishing gloves, especially when you are a regular angler.
In this buyer’s guide I want to give you an overview of the types of fishing gloves out there and tell you why they come in handy in many fishing situations. We’ll be looking at gloves to protect you from the sun’s rays, winter gloves to protect you from the cold (fingerless gloves are a good compromise here to still be able to cast a fly line for example), gloves that will protect your hands when landing and handling species with sharp teeth such as pike and finally some fishing gloves for filleting your catch.
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Table of Contents:
Why You Should Wear Fishing Gloves
Best Fishing Gloves Quick Answer List
Features To Consider When Buying Fishing Gloves
Why Should You Wear Fishing Gloves?
Anglers don’t just wear protective gear for no reason other than to look cool, these accessories are also vital in ensuring that you have the best fishing experience every time you go out on the water. Fishing requires a lot of handwork, and your success is linked with how efficient you are with your hands.
They offer safety: While it is a given thing that gloves offer safety and protection, this reason must still not be overlooked. Whether you are a new or a veteran angler, there is always the possibility of some unexpected things happening, such as flying hooks and slippery rods, among many other things.
They provide protection from harmful UV rays: Just like fishing glasses will protect your eyes from sun rays, your gloves will also help you ward off sunburn and the potential formation of skin cancer. Angling with a sunburned hand is extremely uncomfortable and will only cause irritation if you were to keep fishing in the long run. Also, I’ve heard from many experienced anglers that they wear fishing gloves for long-term prophylactic reasons.
They protect you from blisters: Blisters can be caused by too much friction, and this can happen in long fishing trips where you fish hard all day long. There is always a lot of gripping going around when fishing, so it’s best to have the right set of gloves that will keep you from abusing your skin and triggering discomfort.
They protect you from the cold: A lot of fishermen keep fishing when the temperatures drop and that’s when insulated fishing gloves come into play. Fingerless gloves can be a great option for some winter sea trout fishing with a fly rod for example, where you still need direct contact to your fly line (but the rest of the hand will stay warm). When it gets really cold, gloves that cover your entire hand are the way to go.
They protect you from cuts: The last reason to wear gloves when out fishing from my experience are cuts to your skin. One example for a dangerous situation is landing predators such as pike that have razor sharp teeth. A glove will prevent injuries when handling these fish. And last but not least, when you want to fillet your catch, gloves can protect you from the sharp blades of a knive.
Best Fishing Gloves: Quick Answer List
Best Budget: Berkley Coated Fishing Gloves
Best UV Protection: Palmyth Fingerless Gloves
Best for Saltwater: Pelagic Battle Gloves
Best Professional: Simms SolarFlex Guide Glove
Best Fingerless Fall and Spring: Guideline FIR-SKIN CGX
Best for Filleting Glove: NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves
Best for Cold Weather: Simms Gore-Tex Infinium Flex Glove
Best Fingerless Winter: FishMonkey Wool
Best for Women: DSG Outerwear Women’s UPF 50+
Best Waterproof: StrikerICE Stealth Glove
Features To Consider When Buying Fishing Gloves
With those reasons established, you must be able to choose the most suitable fishing gloves for all your sportfishing needs. Investing in protective equipment including this one will truly benefit you in the long run, especially if you find yourself wanting to fish a lot more frequently. Here are some of the most important features to consider when buying your fishing gloves:
Durability
Your pair of gloves must be durable enough to withstand any kind of weather conditions, and they should last you a long time. You would not want to spend good money for a pair that will only rip after only a couple of journeys, so it’s ideal that you should be wary of the kind of materials used when choosing one:
Neoprene is good for thermal resistance.
Polyester and cotton are great as backing for coated gloves.
Rubber is great for rip resistance.
Style
There are two kinds of gloves that you can choose from: full gloves or fingerless gloves. Both have their own pros and cons, so it is essential that you assess what you want or need first before buying the first thing you see.
Full gloves are ideal for usage under freezing weather conditions, and the best ice fishing gloves must always ensure full coverage and protection for your hands. One disadvantage is that full gloves somehow limit your sense of touch to some degree, which can take a while to get used to.
Fingerless gloves are a lot more breathable and lightweight than full gloves, and they allow you full movement and nimbleness because your fingers are free. They are best used in warmer climates although nowadays there a number of solid cold weather options made from wool or neoprene. However, they do provide less protection from the sun rays, and won’t completely protect you from abrasions.
Thermal properties
If you frequently go or want to experience ice fishing, then it’s important to wear gloves that have the suitable thermal protection that you will need under cold and wet conditions. You may want to learn more about neoprene if you want one that is appropriate for winter or ice fishing.
Size and Fit
Last but not the least, your gloves must fit your hands comfortably and you must ensure that they give you the dexterity you prefer. Different brands have different sizing standards so expect this when you go out to buy your preferred pair of gloves. Buying online is more convenient, but for first-time buyers, physical store shopping is recommended, especially when you do not have an initial idea of what your size is. Do also take note of the closure systems, such as Velcro straps. While stretchable one-size-fits-all can be quite tempting to buy, you must also consider that their elastic properties do wear off after multiple uses.
Review of the Top Fishing Gloves on the Market in 2024
Now that you have an idea of the things to consider when choosing the best pair of fishing gloves, here are some of the best ones on the market that are specifically tailored for different uses. Find which one best suits your needs with this selection!
Best Budget: Berkley Coated Fishing Gloves
I want to start this big review of gloves with the most common type of fishing glove: an allrounder. If you do not want to spend much just to get your hands protected, then the Berkley Coated Fishing Gloves are just the right choice for you. At a cost of only about six dollars, you already get to have a heavy-duty pair with a textured grip that is sure to give you a decent angling experience, even when gripping slippery fish!
The Berkley is also washable and flexible, so you don’t need to worry about grease and dirt build-up with these budget fishing gloves. Plus, I also use them for filleting fish. They don’t offer the ultimate protection from cuts when handling a knife but will add a layer of protection if you only want to bring one pair of gloves and still be protected.
Best UV Protection: Palmyth Fingerless Gloves
Breathable and protective — the Palmyth Fingerless Gloves provide certified and organic UPF 50+ and SPF UV protection, even when it’s wet. They have an ergonomic design that features a good grip and durability, as well as better control with your fingers.
I like the combination of partial synthetic leader and fabric which provides good grip and is breathable at the same time. These are a solid pair of gloves for other outdoor activities such as hiking or kayaking as well. Another nice feature of the Palmyth is its wrist and finger-tip pull, even when it’s damp. It’s a great choice for those who want a lightweight pair, all while still giving you the protection you need against the sun’s harmful rays.
Best for Saltwater: Pelagic Battle
If you tend to fish on saltwater, then these Pelagic Battle Gloves are a must-have on your overall gear when heading out to fish. With these gloves, you will have an advantage over tackling monster fish with its heavy-duty “Sure-Grip” feature. This pair is ideal for giving you protection when fishing heavy mono, spectra, or wire lines. But I’ve used them for fly fishing as well as – since they’re fingerless – they offer good grip on a fly line when casting streamer for species such as striped bass or false albacore.
This particular model is also fingerless, which provides you maximum dexterity and maneuverability without giving much exposure to your skin. It increases your endurance and is versatile enough for any offshore purposes.
Best Professional: Simms SolarFlex Sun Glove
If you are a highly experienced angler and would like to upgrade your hand gear, then consider the Simms SolarFlex Guide Glove. It has a plush stretch fabric and cuffs that provide full coverage, accompanied by UPF 50 protection. It is made with water-resistant goat leather palms, with material bolsters to protect the index and middle fingers. This glove is clearly aimed at fly fishermen.
Its closure system is pairing snaps, which ensures that the gloves stay on no matter what you are doing. The Simms SolarFlex Guide Glove is also lightweight and quick-drying, just the perfect one to bring every fishing adventure. Another aspect I like about the Simms is their slightly longer cut around the wrists which protects these as well (if you wear them in combination with a sun protection shirt).
Best Fingerless Fall and Spring: Guideline FIR-SKIN CGX
Here’s a great pair of straightforward fingerless gloves for the colder months of fall and spring (I have even used them extensively for winter sea trout fishing) from Scandinavian brand Guideline. These guys know what it means to fish throughout winter in the Baltic sea for sea trout. The CGX feature a fleece lining on the inside for a cosy feel and good insulation. What’s best about these fingerless gloves in my eyes, is the fact that they are not very bulky and hence great for casting a fly rod. Another plus on these is their quick drying capacity. Since they have a snug fit I recommend double-checking your sizing. I like wearing them tight since that helps to keep my hands warm.
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Best for Filleting Glove: NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves
Filleting with bare hands is risky and dangerous, so you will need a strong and highly durable pair that will protect your skin to about four times stronger than leather-made ones. The NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves are made with EN388 level 5 cut resistance, which is the highest level of cut resistant material available on the market.
This pair is also perfect for shucking oysters, dicing vegetables, or anything that involves knives. It also has a great grip, which ensures you premium protection against accidental cuts and blisters. Not only is it great for fishing, but it also can be used in woodworking, carving, and other activities that require a lot of handwork.
Best for Spring and Fall: Simms Gore-Tex Infinium Flex Glove
The Simms Gore-Tex Infinium Flex Glove is one of the best gloves for colder months in fall and spring. It features a stretch fleece with a single seam construction. The glove has openings for your index and middle finger (if you’ve fished in the cold before you know what you still need to tie a knot every once in a while and that’s impossible when wearing a glove).
Another feature that I like it the touch function of the index finger which allows you to operate your smartphone without taking your gloves off. Two things that didn’t fully satisfy me were the limited insulation and the waterproofness. For a winter fishing gloves it does not provide enough warmth in my eyes and although it features a Gore-Tex fabric, my hands didn’t stay dry for too long. I think both of these features could be improved.
Best Fingerless Winter: Fish Monkey Wool
If you travel the Baltic coast in winter and see sea trout fishermen standing in the cold water, chances are high they’ll be wearing half finger wool gloves. Models such as the FishMonkey have prooven so successful over the years that despite advancements in technology, wool gloves are still one of the top choices. The Fishmonkey have become a constant companion for me when heading out to fish in the winter time.
On the palm of your hand they feature a very grippy synthetic leather and the rest of the glove is made from wool. I am always surprised how this material still keeps the hands warm even when it gest wet after dozens of casts. A fantastic winter fishing glove that is also available as a full finger glove.
Best Fishing Gloves for Women: DSG Outerwear Women’s UPF 50+ Kristina
This new DSG Outerwear Women’s UPF 50+ is not only lightweight and protective, but it is also fashionable as well. This is perfect for women who want to go fishing in style. It’s easy to wear and get off with its cuff tabs and flexible finger loops that are made with a stretch performance fabric with synthetic suede. Of course, as a woman, you can also get a men’s fishing glove pair. The only tricky part from my experience is getting the sizing right as men’s models tend to be a bit wider in general.
The DSG Outerwear Women’s UPF 50+ also provides UPF 50+ protection against the sun rays, and its length also ensures that your wrists are protected as well.
Best Waterproof: StrikerICE Stealth Fishing Gloves Waterproof
Ice fishing can be quite challenging and the StrikerICE Stealth Glove will definitely help you be prepared for the hand-to-fish combats you may have along the way. It offers optimum waterproof protection. One downside of waterproof gloves from my experience is that they tend to be a little bulkier. Hence if you want some flexibility to be able to tie a knot I recommend going for a pair such as the FishMonkey Wool. If however you’re ultimate focus is on keeping your hands warm at all cost, the StrikerIce do just that. Waterproof gloves such as these of course have the advantage that you can reach into the water, for example when ice fishing, without having to worry about getting your hands wet.
Conclusion on the Best Fishing Gloves
Gloves aren’t only used for aesthetic purposes, they are also essential for making your fishing trip a safe and fun experience. Even if you are just starting out or you are already a veteran angler, you must never underestimate the protection that a good pair of fishing gloves hold. Now with this selection of the best gloves on the market, which one do you think is the right one for you?
Best Fishing Gloves: FAQs
Why should I use fishing gloves?
Fishing gloves serve multiple purposes, including protection from sun exposure, preventing blisters and cuts, and offering insulation in cold weather. They also provide enhanced grip when handling fish and fishing gear.
What features should I look for in the best fishing gloves for sun protection?
Opt for gloves with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) to shield your hands from harmful UV rays. Look for lightweight, breathable materials that offer sun protection without causing discomfort in warmer weather.
Can fishing gloves be used in both freshwater and saltwater environments?
Yes, many fishing gloves are designed to withstand both freshwater and saltwater conditions. Look for gloves with corrosion-resistant materials, especially if you plan to fish in saltwater.
Are there fishing gloves suitable for cold weather?
Absolutely. Cold-weather fishing gloves often feature insulation to keep your hands warm in chilly conditions. Look for gloves with thermal properties and water-resistant or waterproof materials for added protection.
Do fishing gloves affect my ability to handle fishing gear or tie knots?
The best fishing gloves are designed to maintain dexterity and flexibility, allowing you to handle fishing gear, tie knots, and perform other tasks without hindrance. Look for gloves with pre-curved fingers for better mobility.
How do I choose the right size for fishing gloves?
Measure your hand circumference and refer to the sizing chart provided by the glove manufacturer. Ensure a snug fit without being too tight to maintain comfort and dexterity.
Can I use touchscreen devices with fishing gloves on?
Some fishing gloves come with touchscreen-compatible fingertips, allowing you to use smartphones or other touchscreen devices without removing the gloves. Check for this feature if you frequently use electronic devices while fishing.
What materials are best for durability and grip in fishing gloves?
Look for gloves made from durable materials like synthetic leather or neoprene. Additionally, gloves with textured palms or silicone grips enhance grip, making them ideal for handling slippery fish and fishing equipment.
Notice: We take part in the Amazon Associates Program and earn a small commission at no extra cost for you if you end up making a purchase. We only recommend products we are convinced of and use ourselves. All photos courtesy of amazon.
