The 10 Best Fishing Gloves
This wiki has been updated 25 times since it was first published in October of 2017. It’s happened to every angler — you’re holding your catch in your hand to grab that perfect photo, but it thrashes violently, slips out of your grasp, and lands back in the water. Get yourself a pair of these fishing gloves so you won't have to tell your friends the same old story about the one that got away. Depending on the model, they may also provide protection from the sun and sharp fins. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Lindy Handler
2. Palmyth Fingerless
3. Glacier Glove Islamorada
Editor's Notes
April 30, 2020:
Fishing gloves can make a day on the water a much more enjoyable experience. Whether you need a pair that makes it easier to grip slippery fish, to protect your hands from cuts and line abrasion, or simply to block harmful UV rays, you can find them here.
While many of the options on our list do double, or even triple duty, certain models are better suited to specific activities. For example, the Lindy Handler are cut and puncture resistant, so they are the ideal choice when you are filleting fish or for those times your hand is going to be near sharp teeth or fins when trying to remove a hook. The Berkley BTFG and Rapala Marine can give some basic protection against an errant hook or fin, but they aren't going to protect you against anything pointy that is going to have a bit of force behind it. Instead, they are best for helping you keep a secure grip on a fish, thanks to the rubberized palms. It is worth noting though, that due to their thick construction, all of the above will greatly interfere with dexterity.
The Goture Black Series also feature a high-friction palm, but unlike the previous three models they leave the bottom half of your thumb, index, and middle fingers uncovered, so they won't reduce your dexterity when tying knots. Additionally, they offer a reasonable level of cut and puncture resistance, making them a good all around pair.
For those interested mainly in sun protection, and who don't want to slather sunscreen on their hands, we recommend the Palmyth Fingerless, Glacier Glove Islamoradas, KastKing Sol Armis, and Fishing Tree Fingerless. All are thin and breathable enough that you won't mind wearing them for hours on a hot day, especially the Fishing Tree Fingerless. The downside to this last pair is that they offer almost no protection against line cuts. Conversely, the Palmyth Fingerless and Glacier Glove Islamoradas have some extra padding and more durable material in places known to be susceptible to line abrasion and cuts, giving you some basic protection while also blocking UV rays.
Special Honors
Patagonia Sun Gloves Ideal for warm weather use, the Patagonia Sun Gloves are crafted from a polyester and spandex blend that makes them lightweight and durable enough to stand up to plenty of use. To ensure they don't interfere with your rod feel or dexterity, they have a palm cutout and partial finger design. patagonia.com
Huk Mossy Oak The Huk Mossy Oak are an anti-microbial, stain-resistant option that should stay looking like new for a long time to come, and hopefully stay relatively stink free too. They offer a high level of sun protection and are breathable enough to make them comfortable for warm weather use. hukgear.com
4. KastKing Sol Armis
5. Berkley BTFG
6. Goture Black Series
7. Fishing Tree Fingerless
8. Glacier Glove Ice Bays
9. Rapala Marine
10. Mylivell LED
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.