Best Gloves for Spartan Races Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Spartan races are some of the toughest and most challenging races out there because they test both your physical and mental stamina. They can be as short as 3 miles in length or as long as a marathon—so you can pick your poison if you really want a challenge! Since these races have a ton of mud, obstacles, and water that you need to work through, it is important that you use a pair of the best gloves for spartan races. These gloves will ensure you have a good grip at all times so you can focus on the obstacle at hand.
If you need a reliable pair of gloves for your next spartan race, then check out our list of the best gloves for spartan races below!
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Durability
Although the different brands of this product are not exceedingly expensive, buying a durable glove would be of great significance to you, as it would help make life much cheaper for you. The best pair is the ones designed with high-quality materials that you know about. The best quality designs will last for years even with the strenuous conditions they are subjected to over the years.
Some of the things that make a good obstacle course racing glove long-lasting are the quality of the materials and construction, a design that takes into account the activities that the user will ask of the product, and the thickness of the padding. As with all gear, there are always trade-offs to be made. A pair that is really long lasting is going to be heavier and less breathable than other options, and full-finger designs give you the most possible protection but will be heavier and less breathable than half and 3/4 finger options. As always we recommend thinking about what's most important to you and choosing accordingly.
Breathability
An effective glove for you if you plan to compete in the Spartan race is one with a good ventilation design. A good ventilation system on the pair would help you deal with the ordeal or excessively sweating on the hands during the competitions. Ventilated ones would help relieve your hands of moisture to leave you active and dry. Although the outside grip of this product is important since it would keep you going, you have to consider the ease with which your gear would relieve you of excess moisture when you sweat.
If sweat accumulates in the hands, you would become very uncomfortable wearing them. On the same note, the gloves might slip from your hands during training or actual competitions exposing you to the risks of hurting yourself. A defective glove is bound to derail your progress in the games. A well-ventilated glove would improve your grip in the sense that sweat would not affect your level of comfort and movement in the game.
Water Resistance
You will find water everywhere when taking part in these types of races. Subsequently, if you do not have the right gear for such occasions, your progress in the competitions would be impaired. On the downside, you would end up losing your grip at different stages of the competition. The best quality pair for such occasions is made of microfibers or Neoprene materials. Gloves made from such materials would dry very fast to leave you comfortable and confident for the rest of the contest.
A quick drying pair would be an added advantage to you in driving you closer to victory. Some of these features may seem trivial. However, when you have a glove with such qualities, you would realize that the tasks you would be required to accomplish would have become simpler and attainable. Do not worry about the price at which some of these items are sold on the market today. What is most important in any given situation is ensuring that we achieve our goals in life and succeed in the tasks we put our minds to in life.
Fit
The type of product you choose should not be too tight or too loose when you have them on. Buying a comfortable fit would make it easy for you to go through the obstacles you would encounter as part of the race. A proper fit would not only help you participate actively in the competitions but it would also help you get value for your money. Before you purchase this item, ensure that you evaluate the dimensions of the good to ensure that it is a proper fit.
In situations whereby you may have access to the glove, do not hesitate to try them on to see if they fit and are comfortable on your hands. We also recommend reading through reviews before buying. We did this as part of our research and noted when gloves run large or small in their product reviews, but there's nothing like seeing for yourself. Also, be sure that if you buy online you do so from reputable sellers who have a good return policy so that if they don't fit you'll be able to exchange them for a more appropriate size.
Protection
Clearly, this is one of the most important things to think about when purchasing a pair of gloves for obstacle course racing. If you didn't want to keep your hands in good shape you wouldn't wear gloves in the first place. All of the products on our list offer the user excellent prevention of the cuts, calluses, bruises and so on that can happen during training and/or a race, however, despite these being the best of the best there is still some variance. Most athletes will choose a product that has a half-finger style because they offer more breathability than full-finger designs, however, since they cover your entire hand, full-finger options offer the most prevention of injury.
Read also about obstacle course racing shoes.
There's a trade-off to look at here; products that are lighter in weight will be more breathable and comfortable to wear, however, they also give you less in the way of protection. Options that are heavier duty will safeguard your hands better but they tend to be less breathable, heavier, and possibly not as comfortable. We encourage you to think about what's most important to you and choose an option based on that.
10 Best Gloves for Spartan Races
1. Spartan OCR
The Spartan OCR gloves are at the top of our list because they are the absolute best gloves for Spartan races. Not only are they comfortable and breathable, but they are also incredibly durable and provide the grip that you need to get through all of your obstacles as quickly and effectively as possible!
Read moreDurability
These gloves are made for Spartan races and their construction shows it. You can climb, lift, and push through your races with these gloves without having to worry about them falling apart on you halfway. You can machine wash these gloves if you’d like—but make sure to do it in a wash bag for delicate items and do not throw them in the dryer.
Breathability
If you want a pair of gloves that are breathable and provide excellent ventilation, then you will love these. Their thumbless designs prevent them from bunching up and also allows for additional ventilation. These gloves are also moisture-wicking and fast drying—so you won’t have to worry about any chafing or blisters.
Water Resistance
The best part about these gloves is that they are designed to for obstacle course races—which means they can handle mud and water. These gloves, in particular, are incredibly water resistant and fast drying, and they will definitely provide you with the grip you need to get through obstacles even when it is wet outside.
Fit
These Spartan racing gloves are available in several sizes to choose from, so there are options for everyone. They also feature the brand’s patent-pending wrist slit so that you can wear your watch with the glove and still be able to see the screen. The compression fit these gloves provide also ensure they fit securely and comfortably—no matter how wet and muddy they get.
Protection
When it comes to protection, these gloves feature optimal wrist protection that will ensure that your wrists stay protected. This is especially important for those of you who already have wrist issues and eliminates the need for wrist wraps during your race.
2. Mad Grip F100
The Mad Grip gloves are perfect for your next Spartan race because they are comfortable, breathable, and provide excellent grip. These gloves are also available in lots of colors to choose from so you will have some style options to choose from as well! The Mad Grip gloves are perfect for your next Spartan race because they are comfortable, breathable, and provide excellent grip. These gloves are also available in lots of colors to choose from so you will have some style options to choose from as well!
Read moreDurability
These gloves are made of an equal amount of rubber and polyester which allows them to provide you with a great deal of durability. They are built to withstand the rough terrain you will encounter in a Spartan race and can stand up to the obstacles you will need to overcome. They are also machine washable—so you can keep them clean and not worry about them falling apart on you.
Breathability
On top of durability, these gloves are also really durable. They will keep your hands cool and dry, so you won’t have to worry about them overheating your hands when you need them most.
Water Resistance
If you nee a pair of gloves that are water resistant and perfect for a Spartan race, then you will love these! These gloves feature a tread system that is designed to prevent water, oil, and mud from seeping through—which will also help you prevent you from chafing or developing blisters.
Fit
These gloves are available in sizes ranging from extra small to XX-large. They have a seamless design that will ensure they are really comfortable and provide you with a secure fit that won’t slip around while you are racing.
Protection
If you need a pair of gloves that will protect you from the obstacles and outdoor elements you will encounter while participating in your Spartan race, then these gloves will provide you with just that!
3. Mechanix
Most athletes like to wear half or 3/4 finger gloves during obstacle course races, but some like to have a full finger option for maximum protection so we added this heavy-duty option to the list.
Read moreDurability
There are several sellers providing knock-offs of these online so be careful who you order from, but as long as you're careful and get a genuine product these do a great job of holding up long-term to the abuse that obstacle course racing dishes out.
Breathability
Because of their heavy-duty build and full-finger design, these don't do a great job of letting moisture out but that's going to be the case with just about any full-finger glove for the most part.
Water Resistance
Since these were originally designed for auto mechanics they're not only water resistant but hold up to mud and even oil and various chemicals are repelled.
Fit
Most users were really happy with the way the cut and how these wear and we didn't find sizing issue complaints.
Protection
These by far offer the most safeguarding of your hands of any product on our list, not just your palms but for your knuckles and the back of your hands as well.
4. WarriorPak Elite II
If you are on the hunt for a pair of gloves that you can use on all of your Spartan races, then you will love these gloves! These Spartan gloves are really lightweight, breathable, and water resistant, which is why they are perfect for all of your Spartan races.
Read moreDurability
In terms of durability, these gloves are pretty durable, although they are not the most durable option on our list. They are made for obstacle course racing and specifically designed to be able to take a beating.
Breathability
When it comes to breathability, these gloves are made of incredibly breathable material that will ensure that you get the ventilation that you need. They will prevent you from developing blisters or chafing, so they are perfect for your next Spartan race.
Water Resistance
These gloves are completely water resistant and they won’t absorb any water or mud you may encounter. They are perfect for Spartan races because they won’t get soaked and weigh you down whatsoever.
Fit
These gloves are available in several sizes to choose from. Keep in mind that these gloves should fit snuggly and securely. They feature a fingerless design that covers your knuckles and also offers additional wrist support.
Protection
Since these gloves are designed for Spartan races you will love that these gloves offer protection against the mud, snow, dirt, and water. They also protect you from the obstacles you will encounter and ensure that you don’t develop any chafing or blisters.
5. NeoSport
This option was originally designed for boating activities such as stand up paddle boarding, canoeing and wakeboarding so they're made to get wet and still work well. They dry quickly and have a good amount of padding. The sizes run small so we recommend ordering a size up from your normal glove size.
Read moreDurability
Because these are made of lightweight, fast-drying material they aren't the most durable option but that also makes them very airy and dry quickly which is a great quality to have when obstacle course racing.
Breathability
These gloves are really breathable and provide excellent ventilation, so you don't overheat.
Water Resistance
These gloves are also completely water resistant--and the best part is that they are also really fast drying, so you don't have to worry about them staying soaked or weighing you down.
Fit
The material dries really quickly. The shape and design conform well to most user's hands but they do run small so you should read the sizing chart carefully and think about ordering a size up.
Protection
The padding in these does a good job of keeping your hands safe from just about anything the race organizers throw at you. Some users would have preferred more padding, but that would also make them heavier and less breathable.
6. Fit Four Spartan OCR
These Spartan racing gloves are perfect for all minimalist Spartan runners out there. They are lightweight, durable, and breathable—so you can count on them to get you through all of your obstacles. Take a look at these, because they really are one of the best!
Read moreDurability
In terms of durability, these are built to last. They are made of durable neoprene which will hold up to everything that will come your way during an obstacle course race.
Breathability
When it comes to breathability, these are minimalistic and offer half finger protection. They are extraordinarily breathable and will not cause any chafing or blisters since they won’t rub you the wrong way.
Water Resistance
Spartan race gloves need to be water resistant and able to stand up to the mud and water you will encounter. These gloves are made of neoprene, which will help keep your fingers warm when they get wet and also ensure that they dry quickly and don’t stay wet for long.
Fit
When it comes to fit, these gloves offer a 4-finger minimalistic design. They go up to your knuckles and are perfect for those of you who want something that is barely there.
Protection
In terms of protection, these are minimalistic and offer little coverage—however, you do get the protection where you need it the most!
7. Under Armour Flux
The Under Armour Flux gloves are a favorite among a lot of Spartan racers. They are available in several colors to choose from and are a perfect lightweight option for those of you who want a pair of gloves that you can depend on for years to come.
Read moreDurability
These gloves are made of nylon, polyurethane, polyester, and cotton—so you can count on them for the long haul. These are also machine washable and will hold up to all of the obstacles you will encounter.
Breathability
In terms of breathability, these gloves offer tons of additional ventilation thanks to the perforations they have in the palms. They provide excellent ventilation and will prevent you from overheating or experiencing any chafing or blisters.
Water Resistance
These gloves are fast drying and moisture wicking. These do get wet, but they don’t stay wet so you can be sure you will be nice and dry while you are racing.
Fit
The wrist cuff on these gloves allow them to fit snuggly and securely—but make sure you get the right size because they are not adjustable.
Protection
These gloves offer excellent protection against the obstacles that come your way and will ensure you don’t get slip and fall. On the other hand, they do not provide additional wrist support, so if that is something you will need then these gloves may not be a right fit for you.
8. Fit Four F4X
The F4X gloves for you Spartan racers out there because they offer excellent grip and traction to help you overcome the obstacles that will come your way during your race. They also offer additional wrist support to ensure that you feel great when you race.
Read moreDurability
In terms of durability, these are not the most durable—but that doesn’t mean they won’t hold up for a while! These are made of microfiber and silicone and users find the silicone gripping tends to wear down a little faster.
Breathability
When it comes to breathability, these offer excellent ventilation, so you won’t have to worry about any chafing or blisters from occurring. They are also fast drying—although they are a little less effective at wicking away moisture than other gloves on our list.
Water Resistance
These are water resistant and will also provide you with the grip that you need while you are racing—no matter how wet or muddy the obstacle may be. If you want the perfect “Spartan grip” for your next race.
Fit
When it comes to fit, these gloves offer compression for a secure and snug fit throughout your entire race—no matter how long it is. You can also adjust the wrist wrap portion to fit your liking!
Protection
When it comes to protection, these gloves ensure your wrists stay protected and that any injury to your wrist can be prevented. These will ensure you get the grip that you need for all of the obstacles you encounter so you can prevent any blisters from forming.
9. Mud Glove
The Mud Glove was not specifically made for Spartan races—but a lot of racers love these gloves for their Spartan races. They come in a lot of different colors to choose from, although it is important to note that these certainly are not the most stylish gloves out there.
Read moreDurability
These gloves are really durable and built to last. They feature a seamless design which gives them added durability—so if you want a pair of gloves that are built to last, then you will love these. They are also machine washable, so you don’t have to hand wash them.
Breathability
These are not the most durable gloves out there, although they certainly will not overheat your hands. If you are looking for superior ventilation, these are not the way to go.
Water Resistance
If you want a pair of gloves that won’t get soaked at the sight of water, you will love these—although they certainly aren’t waterproof.
Fit
These gloves fit a little loosely, but they are still secure and won’t move around. They are knit around the wrist, so your fingers have space, but they fit snuggly around your wrist.
Protection
If you want a pair of gloves that will provide you with the protection that you need, then you will love these. Their seamless design protects your hands from the obstacles that you will encounter and will also allow for the grip that you need.
10. Carharrt Pro Palm
These Carharrt gloves are incredibly durable and are available in several colors to choose from. Although these gloves are not specifically made for Spartan races, they come highly recommended by actual users, so make sure to check them out.
Read moreDurability
When it comes to durability, you will love these gloves. They are incredibly durability since they are made of cotton, nylon, and spandex—but it is important to remember that these gloves need to be hand washed and cannot machine washed.
Breathability
These gloves are not really breathable and better for colder race days where you will want to make sure your hands stay warm while you are competing.
Water Resistance
In terms of water resistance, these gloves will dry up quickly, but they do get wet. They are great for mud, dirt, and okay for water—although they aren’t the most grippy option once they get really wet. That being said, these gloves do offer good grip, just not the best on our list.
Fit
When it comes to fit, these gloves offer full finger coverage and fit snuggly and securely fit around your wrist to prevent debris from getting into your glove.
Protection
As far as protection, these gloves have a c-grip tar coating shell for optimal protection, durability, and grip.
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