The Best Gloves for an Obstacle Race

After testing many gloves and been disappointed many times, I've found the 3 following gloves to be the best for obstacle racing, and mud run.

The best gloves you could wear at an obstacle race are the OCR Slit Grip Gloves by Fit Four, the Neoprene Gloves by NRS or the Mad Grip. They have the best grip and protection in different racing conditions. I trust all 3, and I use them in the following situation.

After reading the following guide, you will know exactly which gloves is the best for you.

Best gloves for an obstacle race

Spartan OCR Slit Grip Gloves by Fit Four

From my experience, this is the best gloves you could wear for an obstacle race. The OCR Slit Grip Gloves by Fit Four is the official gloves of Spartan Race for an apparent reason; you can trust them to get you through the obstacles.

A good pair of gloves for OCR has to have a wrist strap; otherwise, they will slip off your hands while you need them the most.

I have tested and slip out of many other gloves. During the Olympus Wall at a Spartan Race, my glove as fall inside the hole of the wall, leaving me bear hands to complete the obstacle. I didn't make it the bell. The same thing happens at the Monkey Bars or the Multi-Rig.

Since I bought the Fit Four gloves, I've been crushing Spartan races without failing those obstacles.

The other characteristic I appreciate about these gloves is the slit in the wrist strap, allowing me to wear my GPS smartwatch while wearing the gloves. Other wrist wrap gloves don't have this feature. Therefore, you have to wrap it over the watch or under, and whatever options you choose, it won't feel as comfortable as the Fit Four.

Highlights:

• Wrist wrap
• Slit for your GPS smartwatch
• Improve grip
• 6-month warranty
• Thumbless and open finger design
• Excellent ventilation

Considerations:

No extra cushion on the palm and no protection on the end of the fingers

If soaked in water or mud, the wrist wrap velcro tends to get loose

Suitable for:

• Extra grip on the obstacles
• Obstacle race (ex: Spartan Race, Savage Race, etc.)
• Warm and/or dry races

Features:

Grip: These gloves were made to improve your grip on obstacles such as the Monkey Bar, Multi-Rigs, and Rope Climb. The palm area as an anti-slip silicone texture to enhance adhesion. Even more importantly, the wrist wraps keep the gloves from slipping off your hands while hanging from the obstacle.

Material: Made from lycra and leather, with silicone dots on the palm of the glove.

Protection: The Fit Four gloves completely covers the palm area and parts of your fingers. Perfect for preventing calluses or burns on your hands. Also, your knuckles and wrists are protected from scratches and bruises.

Fit: The main advantages is the wrist wrap that can be adjusted precisely to what feels more comfortable to you.

Comfort: The wrist wraps keep the gloves in place on your hands. So you don't need to readjust them. Besides, I really appreciate the lightweight and minimalistic design of the glove.

Flexibility: The wraps are made of elastic materials, allowing your wrist to move naturally.

Breathability: The thumbless and open fingers design enable the air to circulate inside the gloves and prevent the excess of moisture from accumulating.

Durability: The gloves are robust; the materials are resistant to wear and tear. I've been using the same pair of Fit Four gloves for the last 3 years.

For all the details check the Spartan OCR Slit Grip Gloves on Amazon here.

Best gloves for a mud run

NRS Half-Finger Neoprene Gloves

The Neoprene Gloves from NRS is definitely the best gloves for a mud run or any obstacle races with water obstacles. Every time I expect rain or muddy obstacles, I wear my NRS gloves.

This glove is primarily intended for water activities such as kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding. During such activities, your hands will get wet, and still, you'll need a secure grip to manipulate the equipment. You can't afford to lose the paddle because it slips from your hand. You definitely need gloves with proper grip. Also, because of the open finger design, your dexterity won't be affected, and you can even tie a knot in a fishing line.

In my opinion, the NRS gloves are the best gloves to wear when you expect slippery obstacles.

Highlights:

• 1.5 mm neoprene
• Wet grip gloves
• Water resistant
• Wrist snaps
• Dry fast
• Lightweight
• Open finger design

Considerations:

Gloves are somewhat small, but the material is flexible.

Suitable for:

• Wet condition
• Mud run (ex: Tough Mudder)

Features:

Grip: Those gloves are built to maintain a secure grip even if everything is soaked in water.

Material: Built from 1.5-millimeter neoprene, the same material as a wetsuit, those gloves are made to operate in wet condition.

Protection: The padded palms offer enough protection against blisters and burns from the rugged obstacles.

Fit: This Neoprene gloves was designed to adjust to your hand firmly. Plus, the adjustable wrist strap secures the glove in place. Keeping your hand from slipping off inside the glove.

Comfort: The neoprene is the perfect materials to keep your hands warm, even in cold water. Also, the fit of the glove is designed to minimize hand fatigue. The gloves are so lightweight that you won't feel them after 5 minutes. Flexibility: The material is very flexible, letting your wrists and fingers to move freely inside the gloves.

Breathability: Designed to drain water out and dry fast.

Water resistance: This is THE glove for water activities. It won't hold the water inside, and the materials dry quickly.

Durability: The single needle thread seams make this gloves extra durable.

Size: Use the following chart to know which size is suitable for your hands. Measure the width of your hand, from the side of your index to the other side of your palm (just under the knuckles.)

• 3" = Extra-Small (XS)
• 3 1/4" = Small (S)
• 3 1/2" = Medium (M)
• 3 3/4" = Large (L)
• 4" = Extra-Large (XL)
• 4 1/2" = Double Extra-Large (XXL)

For all the details check the NRS neoprene gloves on Amazon here.

Best gloves for protection

Mad Grip F100 Pro Palm Knuckler Gloves

The Mad Grip Pro Palm Knuckler is the first proper gloves I bought for obstacle racing.

In the beginning, I realize that my hands were not robust enough to handle such beating, and therefore, I needed gloves for protection. While I was searching for the best gloves, many people recommend the Mad Grip.

Since then, I realize that Mad Grip are among the most popular gloves at Tough Mudder events, and I understand why. Those gloves totally improve my overall appreciation of the race, because finally, I was able to reach the finish line without rope burns or scratches on my hands.

Highlights:

• Impressive protection
• Flexible
• Durable
• Economic

Considerations:

Fit: In order to be fully effective, the gloves shouldn't be too loose, so consider ordering a size smaller.

Dexterity: Since the whole fingers are covered with rubber, you'll lose a bit of sensation and dexterity. They are perfect for the obstacles, but you'll have a hard time lacing your shoes while wearing those glove. Some people have solved this issue by cutting the tips off the gloves, right under the last joint.

Breathability: Because of the rubber layer on the palm and fingers, the ventilation is not as sufficient as the other gloves in this list. An issue that can also be resolved by cutting the tips off the gloves

Suitable for:

• Extra protection
• Tough Mudder
• First obstacle race

Features:

Grip: After wearing those gloves in different racing conditions, I understand why they are called the Mad Grip. The small grooves and texture in the rubber coat of the glove were meant to grip in slippery conditions.

Material: The palm and fingers are dipped in thermoplastic rubber. Which is perfect for grip and protection. Also, the entire glove is made of cotton, nylon, and spandex, which make the glove flexible enough and water resistant.

Protection: It's the perfect solution to keep your hands safe from injuries, because of the padded palm, knuckles, and fingers. The rubber is much more thinker than the other mud gloves, and they offer more protection again the rugged obstacles.

Water resistance: The glove is designed for adequate water drainage.

Price: These gloves are the most affordable of this list.

Durability: Definitely a durable glove. Even after the roughest obstacles and harsh conditions, my gloves are still in good shape.

For all the details check the Mad Grip Gloves on Amazon here.

OCR gloves buying guide

Here are the 10 essential factors to consider when buying a pair of gloves for your upcoming obstacle race or mud run.

1. I need gloves for which situation?

There are 3 main reasons why you'll need gloves during an obstacle race. Depending on the usage, you'll probably need a different pair of gloves. I've tried many different gloves, and there's no all-in-one solution.

First, improving your grip on an obstacle such as the Monkey Bars or the Rope Climbs is the most popular need for gloves. For such usage, you'll need a fit glove with extra grip on the inside of the palm. Also, those gloves might have the tip of the finger cut off to ensure proper ventilation inside the glove and to keep your hand dry.

Secondly, you probably want to protect your hands from the obstacles and muddy terrain. This type of glove cover your entire hand and have extra padding on the palm. This type of glove is probably thicker than the grip gloves, but it does a better job at protecting your hands from injuries.

Finally, the cold might be an issue, and protecting your hands from freezing is an excellent reason to wear gloves in an obstacle race. This type of glove will have a perfect balance between insulation and ventilation. The goal is to keep your hands warm and dry.

2. What materials are the best?

Depending on the race and the usage, you might want to consider the different types of materials.

For an obstacle race, you'll need a flexible glove that won't limit your movements, such as nylon and spandex. However, the grip is also essential and leather as the best grip ability.

During a mud run, such as Tough Mudder, you'll appreciate the extra protection from rubber.

On a rainy day, neoprene is the best materials, because it won't retain the water and will still have the ability to grip to the obstacle.

3. How much protection do I need?

Most people wear gloves during an obstacle race to protect their hands from injuries. During an obstacle race, your hands are exposed to cuts, splinters, bruises, and calluses. All of which can be avoided if you wear a good pair of gloves.

The best protection comes from a glove made with rubber palm. However, another great defense again injuries is the leather gloves with extra padding on the palm.

But, you must consider the extra layers of fabrics that will keep the moisture from going out of the gloves. The more protection, the less ventilation the gloves as to offer. All of which can become uncomfortable during a hot summer race.

4. What is the best fit?

When you're looking for obstacle racing gloves, the fit is the most critical feature. The perfect glove is not too tight or too loose. The fit of the gloves you wear will make all the difference as you go through the obstacles.

A loose glove is almost sure to slip from your hand as you are hanging from under the monkey bars or crossing the Olympus Wall during a Spartan Race. The gloves itself may have enough grip, but it's your hands who's slipping from inside the gloves.

The best way to ensure you get the right fit is to read the comments and customers reviews before buying. It will give you a good hint about the size you should order. Also, make sure the sellers as a solid return policy, in case you need to exchange for a different size.

5. Why flexibility is important?

During an obstacle race, you'll need full mobility of your hands. This means your fingers and your wrist must be able to move freely inside the gloves.

Some gloves have too much protection or made of very thick fabric. Which is the case with tactical gloves for paintball or the mechanic's gloves.

Stick with the sports gloves, specially made for obstacle racing, and you'll be fine.

6. How comfortable are the gloves?

The comfort is especially important during an obstacle race. If the gloves feel uncomfortable, you risk falling and maybe hurting yourself.

A good pair of gloves will provide you the comfort you need to reach the finish line pain-free.

The most critical aspect of comfortable gloves is the cushion on the palm. The cushioning will act a safeguard between your hand and the rugged obstacle.

The breathability of the gloves is another essential factor to consider . The gloves must drain the excess of water and keep your hand dry.

The race will be hard enough, and you don't need an extra obstacle attached to your arms.

7. You need a glove with enough ventilation

During an obstacle race, such as Spartan Race or Savage Race, you are bound to sweat a lot, and you're hand are no exception. Therefore, the breathability of your gloves is crucial to avoid the excess of moisture inside the gloves.

Beside from been uncomfortable, ultra-sweaty gloves might slip from your hands while you're trying to hold tight to an obstacle. Your hands must stay dry for a glove to be 100% effective on the course.

The best gloves will be designed for maximum breathability, keeping the integrity of your grip and protecting you for falling.

8. The glove must be water resistance

The most significant difference between Tough Mudder and Spartan Race is the excess of mud and water. During a mud run, you'll encounter water at almost every obstacle, and you are sure to get your hands wet.

The problem is getting your hands submerged in water while wearing your gloves. Once, they are soaked in water, they become heavy, and they lose their ability to grip firmly. In some situation, they will also become extra cold.

During a Spartan Race, I always take off my glove before going in the water or crawling in the mud. On the other hand, water and mud are inevitable during a Tough Mudder.

Therefore, when attending an obstacle race with many water obstacles, you should consider a pair of gloves made of neoprene materials. This type of gloves was made for water sport, such as kayaking or paddleboard. They can drain water and dry faster.

9. How much does a pair of glove cost?

Gloves are a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment. You can buy them on Amazon for under 40 dollars.

Therefore, you shouldn't select a pair of gloves for their lower price. I made this mistake, and end up buying multiple pair of gloves before finding the right one. At the end of the day, it cost me more than if I went for the best gloves.

10. Always keep in mind the durability of the gloves

Even if the gloves are not the most expensive equipment to buy, you should consider the durability of the materials. Gloves, especially design for a harsh obstacle race, are built with the highest quality materials.

The durability of the gloves is directly linked to the quality and thickness of the material. On the other hand, the thicker the gloves, the heavier they become when wet or covered with mud.

In some situation, you could choose a less durable glove that will be lighter and more breathable. However, if protection is more important to you, select the heavy-duty gloves, even if they might be less comfortable in warm weather.

Takeaway

If you follow the previous advises and carefully choose your gloves, you'll avoid throwing money out the window.

Before finding those gloves, I've tested many disappointing gloves. From gardening to gym gloves, they all have failed me on the obstacles.

Today, I wouldn't trust any other gloves than the OCR Slit Grip Gloves by Fit Four, the Neoprene Gloves by NRS or the Mad Grip. I always carry them with my race gear.

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