9 Best Paintball Gloves of 2024 | Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

Paintball gloves not only protect your hands from injury, they also ensure much better handling of your marker and enhance your performance when playing. Even a rudimentary paintball glove will enhance your overall grip, but the best designs on the market will integrate synthetic sections at the palm and finger inlays to ensure an even better hold of your weapon.

Paintball gloves need to withstand regular and heavy-duty use. As such, material composition is a key thing to consider when shopping for new paintball gloves. While some gloves are fashioned from naturally robust materials like leather, most leading manufacturers will incorporate high-quality synthetic materials. Key areas to focus on when it comes to materials include the palm and back of the hand.

These large areas are more likely to sustain impacts from incoming paintball rounds, not to mention wear and tear from impact from the ground and surrounding environment while you make your way across the field of play. All that crawling and diving takes its toll on paintball gloves, so you won’t to ensure you’ve a pair that will hold up well to such high octane activity. Reinforced padding is therefore a must. Make sure you’ve picked out a pair where the padding is securely stitched into place and will hold up well for many games to come.

If you’re after higher levels of protection, you’ll want a pair that incorporates additional armour at the back of the hand. This usually comes in the form of rubberised elements or plastic, although foam padding is also common. Not only does such material help shield the skin beneath from the bulk of the blow, it also encourages bounce. Eager to learn more about protecting other crucial areas whilst paintballing? Check out our buyer’s guide and reviews on the best knee pads and elbow pads on the market today!

Grip elements are almost always made from rubber or a similar synthetic material. They may also include fine grooves to improve overall levels of grip. The best glove grips will perform well in all weathers, ensuring you maintain an effective hold of your marker in even the wettest of conditions.

Broadly speaking, there are four main types of paintball glove you’ll currently find on the market. Undoubtedly, fingerless gloves are the most commonly encountered and popular with paintball enthusiasts. This go-to paintball glove design offers ample protection for the palm and the back of your hand, while leaving those important digits free to provide unbridled control of paintball markers and handling of accessories.

The best fingerless paintball gloves will include premium protection for the back of the hand, usually in the form of durable plastic plating. Provided you’ve invested in a half decent piece of protective kit, should plastic armour should offer all the shock absorption you could possibly need. This approach to paintball glove design is a worthwhile choice for the amateur paintballer looking for all round protection and first-rate dexterity. Another reason why fingerless gloves are so beloved by beginners is that they’re relatively inexpensive when compared to other varieties.

However, even more experienced players choose to stick with fingerless gloves as their go-to option as they continue to play paintball. More lightweight and flexible options are easily found, with such fingerless gloves dispensing with bulky plastic plating in favour of layers of material padding. With such gloves, you’ll still find adequate levels of impact protection, only with the added benefit of higher levels of flexibility and freedom of movement.

If you’re particularly worried about your fingers suffering from paintball impacts and other scrapes and scuffs as you play, a full finger glove may be the way to go. Without doubt, these types of paintball gloves provide your digits and hands with the highest possible levels of protection. However, there’s a big trade-off that comes with this premium level of protection. A full finger glove can significantly restrict freedom of movement. Dexterity can be further hampered by the addition of armour elements at the back of the hand.

If you’ve never worn a full finger glove before, you’ll have to set aside plenty of time to settle into them, ensuring you can maintain adequate control over your marker and other essentials. If dexterity is something you’re not prepared to compromise, you needn’t discount full finger gloves entirely. Some designs opt for a more pared-back approach to full finger protection, swapping out armour plates for integrated padding. The tips of full finger gloves may also be exposed, providing you with a greater degree of control over your marker and gear.

The sleeve style of paintball glove is definitely the way to go for the paintballer who wants full freedom of movement. You only need to take one look at a sleeve glove to see how it differs from other paintball hand protection. With a sleeve glove, the fingers are left completely unprotected, yet this allows you to enjoy full dexterity for better marker handling. That’s not say sleeve gloves offer poor protection credentials.

This variety still delivers plenty in the way of palm protection,, while the back of the hand also enjoys a layer of protection against paintball impacts and other shocks. There’s no need to worry about sleeve gloves suffering from a poorer fit than other varieties, either. Sleeve gloves fit snugly onto the hand thanks to adjustable wrist straps and sturdy thumb holes, with fabric cropped as close to the knuckle as possible.

Looking for something that combines the protection of full finger gloves with the freedom of a sleeve style design? The two finger paintball glove should provide you with the perfect middle ground. This type of paintball glove came about as a response to the fact that many paintball enthusiasts often modify full finger gloves themselves. Specifically, we’re talking about the removal of fingertips and trigger finger material. If you’re looking for superior dexterity performance and need to ensure ready access for rapid fire in the field, the two finger glove is the way to go.

Now you know exactly what to look out for when purchasing protective gear, it’s time to delve deep into what’s currently available on the market. Below, you’ll find our pick of some of the best paintball gloves you’ll currently find available, with quality designs from top manufacturers and budget-friendly choices that won’t break the bank.

If you’re after a budget-friendly choice of paintball gloves, these armoured gloves from Tippmann deserve a closer look. In classic black for easy coordination with the rest of your protective gear, these fingerless gloves combine the best in freedom of movement with everyday protection. Thanks to their fingerless design, you’ll be able to enjoy maximum dexterity at all times, while the armoured element at the back of the hand provides protection from incoming fire.

What’s more, an adjustable wrist strap ensures these gloves will stay firmly in place at all times. A lightweight synthetic material has been used in the construction of these gloves, holding up well in most conditions, with a breathable mesh to ensure your hands enjoy another layer of comfort while playing. However, palm protection is on the minimal side.

These tactical half-finger gloves from Maddog are a good option for those seeking an impressive combination of freedom of movement and robust protection. Unlike gloves of the outright fingerless variety, these gloves provide a little extra protection for each digit, with sections of armour extending to the middle knuckle of each finger. A mesh fabric has been used in the construction of these gloves, ensuring high levels of breathability and comfort, with extra padding at the palm for plenty of protection.

The back of the hand is also well protected by these gloves, with low profile tactical shielding on hand to ensure paintball rounds won’t cause too much discomfort should they make contact with your hands while you play. You can count on an easy fit thanks to the elastic wrist strap, while an interlocking buckle keeps both gloves together when not in use. Definitely worth looking into if you’re after plenty of control and above-average protection when you paintball.

If you’re after complete levels of protection when you paintball, these full-finger Hardline Paintball Gloves from HK Army are the way to go. With a slick khaki green and black colourway, these are an eye-catching choice, but the real star of the show here is the protective credentials of these gloves. Neoprene padding keeps the hands protected from incoming paintball rounds, with the gloves remaining lightweight and comfortable enough for long paintballing sessions.

Aero-mesh ventilation is also on hand to ensure your palms and digits remain cool and comfortable, even at higher temperatures. A custom silicone palm grip is also on hand to improve performance and handling, while a low-profile wrist strap allows for ready adjustments and easy release when you’re done playing.

If you’re looking to improve your performance on the paintball field, these two finger gloves from HK Army may be worth considering. In terms of aesthetics, these HK Army Pro gloves have an instant appeal, with a classic black design accented with grey details and armour elements. However, it’s the protective capabilities of these gloves that really impress. You’ve reinforced padding at the palm, while the back of the hand is well protected by grooved armour sections that won’t compromise on flexibility.

When it comes to freedom of movement, these gloves also score highly. The index and the middle finger are left free and exposed for easy handling of your trigger, although protection up to the knuckle is still provided. With designer looks, premium protection and superior levels of durability, these are well worth investing a little more in.

These AXBCXC gloves are the way to go for full finger protection at a price that won’t break the bank. There’s a padded palm to absorb impacts and make for more comfortable handling of your marker, while grip is also enhanced thanks to synthetic elements. The overall construction of these gloves will ensure a longer operational life, with superb stitching ensuring everything holds in place where it should.

The ventilated microfibre material these gloves are made from allows for desirable levels of airflow, keeping your hands dry and comfortable in all weathers. What’s more, these gloves are an incredibly budget-friendly choice.

These tactical gloves are a great choice for those after high levels of protection and optimal handling of their marker in the field. These full finger gloves are an instant eye-catcher, with a range of stylish colourways to choose from. There’s plenty of protective elements on offer here, with heavy-duty rubberised sections at the knuckles for enhanced impact protection.

What’s more, the tip of the thumb and middle finger feature integrated synthetic material to increase touching function. A very affordable option, these full finger gloves deliver plenty in the way of cushioning performance, while superb stitching ensure long lasting use. What’s more, breathable materials ensure comfort, while an adjustable wrist strap gives you a great fit.

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Valken Full Finger Plastic Back Airsoft Gloves, Tan, X-Large

These Valken full finger gloves prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy top-tier protection. These gloves combine the superb levels of protection provided by a full finger variety with a surprisingly dexterous design. The palm itself is reinforced with an abrasion-resistant layer of padding, while the back of the hand is protected by a flexible plastic armour element. Materials are generally impressive throughout, with breathable mesh the standard to ensure optimal levels of comfort and performance.

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YOSUNPING Tactical Rubber Knuckle Full Finger Gloves Protection Guard for Motorcycle Cycling ATV Bike Motorbike Hunting Hiking Airsoft Paintball Riding Driving Work Outdoor Gear Black L

Improve your game with these tactical full finger gloves. These affordable gloves boast thermoplastic rubberised elements to deliver impressive levels of impact protection, while honeycomb non-slip coating gives you great levels of grip. A low profile approach means these gloves don’t feel too awkward when worn, something which can often impair full finger gloves. If you’re after a pair of full finger gloves that deliver reliable levels of protection, yet won’t limit your freedom of movement too much, these are definitely worth a second look.

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Bunkerkings Featherlite Fly Second Skin Multi-Sport Paintball Gloves with Smartphone Friendly Fingertips – Lime (LG/XL)

If you’re forever finding your full finger gloves too cumbersome, these Bunkerkings gloves should definitely appeal with their Second Skin Fly Fit. These gloves are discreet and low profile, pulling on with a strapless design to ensure minimal extra bulk. Despite their sleeker style, these gloves will hold up well to heavy-duty applications, with durable tear resistant material as standard. You can also look forward to superb grip performance, with silicone panels at the palm and fingers to ensure you maintain adequate handling of your marker at all times.

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