The 10 Best Diving Gloves
This wiki has been updated 28 times since it was first published in October of 2016. From sharp objects and spiny marine creatures to jagged coral and rocks, there's no telling what you might encounter during your underwater explorations. That's why a good pair of diving gloves is an essential part of any scuba or snorkel enthusiast's gear. They're good both for protecting your hands from any potentially harmful surfaces, as well as keeping them warm in cold waters. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Cressi Tropical
2. Seavenger Abyss
3. Scubapro EverFlex
Editor's Notes
July 03, 2020:
Finding the right dive gloves isn't just about getting a pair that fits well and looks cool. Just like with a wetsuit, it is vital that you choose a pair well-suited to the waters you will exploring. For example, if you pick a 2-millimeter thick pair for a cold- or temperate-water dive, you digits will probably wind up being pretty chilly the whole time. Conversely, if you were to choose a 5-millimeter thick pair for a tropical dive, you would needlessly hinder your dexterity for warmth that isn't needed. Also, people who plan on bug hunting and reaching into rock crevices will often need tougher gloves those who simply plan on observing the marine life. With these various uses in mind, we made sure to include some options to suit every need.
For those who have warm-water dives planned, we recommend the Cressi Tropical, Seavenger Abyss, AquaLung Admiral III, Mares Pure Instinct Amara, Akona All ArmorTex, and Cressi Ultraspan. All of these range from 1.5- to 2-millimeters thick. Lobster divers will probably be best served by the Akona All ArmorTex and Cressi Ultraspan. The former are crafted with a cut-resistant fabric, while the latter have extended cuffs that can help protect the wrists when reaching into holes. That being said, the others do all have some palm reinforcement, generally with a genuine or synthetic leather material, that does offer a reasonable level of protection from sharp objects. The AquaLung Admiral III are the most stylish of the warm-water options, though if you prefer very bright colors, you may be drawn to the Seavenger Abyss.
While a few of the gloves on our list come in 3- and 5-millimeter options, the Cressi High-Stretch come in three thicknesses, so if you like how they feel on your hands, you could get a thin pair for warm-water use, and thicker pair for cold-water use.
When it comes to more temperate dives, we recommend the Scubapro EverFlex, NeoSport Premium SG30V, and Kona Premium Double-Lined, in addition to the 5-millimeter Cressi High-Stretch. We like that the Cressi High-Stretch are fully covered with a non-slip finish, rather than just the fingers and/or the palms like on most others. That being said, they aren't the most durable and some may not like the lack of a wrist closure. If you know you'll be subjecting your temperate-water gloves to a lot of abuse, we recommend you look at the Kona Premium Double-Lined and NeoSport Premium SG30V instead, both of which have reinforced seams and a hard-wearing construction.
Special Honors
Henderson Thermoprene Gloves The Henderson Thermoprene Gloves are available in three- and five-millimeter models, both of which are nice and flexible for gripping objects while underwater. They are equipped with Gator elastic closures on the cuffs that should create a secure, yet streamlined, seal against wetsuits. hendersonusa.com
4. AquaLung Admiral III
5. NeoSport Premium SG30V
6. Kona Premium Double-Lined
7. Cressi High-Stretch
8. Mares Pure Instinct Amara
9. All ArmorTex
10. Cressi Ultraspan
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.