10 Best Tough Mudder Gloves Reviewed & Compared
Here at RunnerClick, we strive to provide our readers with the best tough mudder gloves currently available to choose from, which is why we have spent several hours sifting through review after review and doing thorough research.
Since there are literally countless options to choose from, we made sure to narrow it down to the top 10 tough mudder gloves for our readers to choose from. This time you can spend less time trying to do the research yourself and more time training.
Continue reading below to learn more about our favorite gloves.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Materials
The best material will ensure the gloves are comfortable, breathable, and maneuverable enough for each obstacle out on the course.
When looking at materials we considered both common materials--such as nylon and spandex--and less common materials. In essence, we looked for gloves made of materials that are best suited for the rigorous terrain that tough mudder runners encounter--which is pretty much anything that allows the gloves to be flexible and easily maneuverable without retaining heat or moisture.
The material that a glove is made of is the fastest and easiest way to ascertain whether or not it is suitable for a Tough Mudder run. You may have noticed that several of the gloves on our list are made of neoprene--this is the best for tough mudder races because it is lightweight, breathable, and dries quickly when they get wet.
Not all of the gloves on our list are made of Neoprene, though. You need to make sure you get a pair fo gloves that will work for your specific needs and your personal preferences. If you are sensitive to any specific materials, make sure to look closely at what the materials the gloves are made of to ensure you don't experience any chafing, irritation, or blisters.
Use
The right gloves for the job will maintain their grip...
For a pair of gloves to be useful during a Tough Mudder run, it must provide the appropriate amount of grip. The grip is essential because, to put it bluntly, it is the only reason you would even need to wear gloves for a Tough Mudder race (other than it being cold outside. The right pair of gloves will allow you to maintain a firm grip on ropes, bars, etc.
The right gloves for the job will maintain their grip and won’t slip or slide when they become wet. After all, the last thing you want is to lose your grip and slip while you are just about to get past those last few obstacles at the end of your race. Take a look at what the palm of the glove is made of--leather and additional grippy material will ensure you can hold on without fear of falling.
Furthermore, if you want a versatile pair of gloves that you can use to train in and to compete in, there are several of those on our list as well. Make sure to look for a lightweight, comfortable, and breathable pair of gloves that will allow you to get through each and every one of your obstacles--and remember to get a pair that will fit the climate you will be racing in.
Comfort
Your gloves should be really comfortable if you want to be able to wear them for the entirety of your race.
We know that a Tough Mudder won’t be the most comfortable experience. There is a difference between pushing yourself so that you can test your limits and suffering when you don’t have to. A good pair of gloves will let you focus on the pain that matters. Take a look below to see some of the factors we took into consideration when we considered the overall comfort of each pair of gloves.
Palm Cushioning
Palm cushioning and comfort are two sides of the same coin. What we are looking at specifically is a glove ability to prevent hot spots and blisters. This will not only help on the day of but during training as well. You will want to both start and end the course as pain-free as possible.
Seamless construction
Another important comfort feature is whether or not the gloves feature a seamless construction or not. Those that are seamless in design have fewer pieces put together and won't chafe, rub, or irritate you in any of the wrong places. This is especially important during your race because the last thing you want is to develop hotspots mid-race.
Flexibility
Make sure you get a pair of gloves that provides you with a full range of motion while you are out on the course.
Stretch and flexibility are important in a pair of gloves that, ideally, you will need to retain your full mobility while wearing. How the glove fits also plays an important role in our assessment. It won’t matter how waterproof your fabric is if the glove doesn’t fit around the “wrist”, since water can, and will, get into any openings.
You may have noticed that many of the gloves on our list are made of Neoprene, Nylon, and/or Spandex. These materials, specifically, will ensure that your gloves allow you to have a full range of motion and will ensure that you can move them freely through each and every obstacle that you encounter along the way when you compete.
At the end of the day, we all need different levels of flexibility. If you are someone who needs a lot of flexibility or a full range of motion, you will want to consider the less bulky gloves on our list--and for optimal flexibility, you will love the fingerless (or gripper) options that we have featured on our list. However, it is a matter of preference, so make sure you get something that fits your preferences.
Water Resistance
There's a lot of water in a tough mudder, so make sure you get a pair fo gloves that can handle that.
One of the key things that separate a traditional obstacle course from a tough mudder is the “water”. When gloves get wet they can weight down your hands with retained moisture, make them numb with cold, or even cause discomfort and blisters--and the last thing you want to do is get a blister or hot spot while you are out on the course.
This it is why it is important for us to rate gloves on their ability to repel or release water from their fabric, to make sure our readers know the how the glove they are considering will perform under the conditions they will be subjected to. We want to make sure you get the best gloves to wear during your tough mudder, and water-resistance is key.
All in all, you want to make sure that your gloves can hold up through the water obstacles. The last thing you need is to get stuck with a pair of gloves that will make you slip. This means they need to be grippy and, at minimum, able to dry quickly when they get wet--because believe us, they will get wet at some point!
10 Best Tough Mudder Gloves
1. Spartan OCR
Although they have the "spartan" name in their name, these are still some of the best Tough Mudder gloves currently out there. They are perfect for the hot weather and those of you who want a minimalistic glove that is comfortable, breathable, and easy to use.
Read moreMaterials
The official Spartan race gloves are also a great option for Tough mudders and are made of durable, comfortable, and protective Neoprene material.
Use
They are perfect for both wet and dry obstacles and will ensure you stay cool and dry.
Comfort
As far as comfort is concerned, these are really comfortable but if you need palm coverage you may not love these.
Flexibility
As you can see by their design, these tough mudder gloves offer a lot of flexibility and deliver a full range of motion.
Water resistance
These gloves may look pretty simple but they sometimes a little bit goes a long way. They provide excellent grip and prevent slipping when getting through your obstacles.
2. NeoSport
These gloves, available in sizes x-small through x-large, are designed for durability, flexibility, and security. NeoSport is confident in their product.
Read moreMaterials
Made of 1.5-millimeter neoprene, these gloves keep your hands warm and still allows them to move freely.
Use
No matter the conditions, these gloves insulate hands. Quality-made wrist fasteners hold the gloves in place.
Comfort
If you want a comfortable pair of gloves, you will love how soft and secure these gloves fit you.
Flexibility
In terms of flexibility, these gloves will allow each of your fingers to move freely and ensure you get the grip that you need.
Water resistance
The padded synthetic leather palms provide a sturdy grip, even on wet surfaces.
3. The Gripper
The Gripper is designed to aid in weight lifting rather than assisting in an obstacle course, but that isn’t to say they couldn’t be a big help when the going gets tough. They do have some slickening of the grip when wet, so perhaps not ideal for the long haul, but they are small and light which makes them great if you need the extra grip in a pinch.
Read moreMaterials
These gloves are composed of 40% synthetic leather, 50% lycra, and 10% silicone. The Gripper is lightweight and flexible. The materials don’t retain water but are known to become slick when wet.
Use
The cost of these gloves can be on the more affordable end of things, but it should be noted that most users had them wear out in under a year. So if you are looking to invest in a long-lasting glove this might not be the ideal choice.
Comfort
The minimalist glove is lightweight and cool. Good for easy on and off if you are the type of runner that doesn’t like to have gloves on for the whole event.
Flexibility
These are really flexible and easy to use. Although they are not specifically made for tough mudder courses, they are still an excellent versatile option for you to train and race in.
Water resistance
The Gripper is made with independent hexagonal silicone pads to maximize the grip of the wearer.
4. Under Armour CTR Trainer
The Under Armoir CTR Trainer are a durable and protective option to use during your Tough Mudder runs. They are built to last and are well-respected among Tough Mudders everywhere.
Read moreMaterials
These gloves are made here in the United States and are their palm is made of Synthetic Microfiber and the rest is 54% Nylon and 46% Polyurethane
Use
These gloves provide excellent grip and are lightweight while also providing you with the protection you need during your races.
Comfort
They also utilize HeatGear technology and have mesh fabric for optimal breathability.
Flexibility
These tough mudder gloves are pretty much a second skin when you work out in them. You can comfortably race in all of your tough mudder races and trust they will let you get through each and every obstacle.
Water resistance
Although these are not completely waterproof or water-resistant, these gloves will definitely ensure that you stay well-protected from the water.
5. Mechanix Wear
The Mechanix Wear M-Pact gloves may not be the most obstacle course oriented gloves on this list but they may fit a niche need if you are worried about your the safety of your hands.
Read moreMaterials
Made of high-quality and durable materials, these gloves are definitely a great option for those fo you who need optimal protection and want to wear them for other activities.
Use
They are particularly well suited for someone whose hands are essential for their day to day work but still want to have the ability to participate in some fun if physically demanding pastimes.
Comfort
As far as comfort goes, these gloves are perfect for colder weather since they are thicker and feature a full finger design.
Flexibility
Although these are not the most flexible gloves on our list, we have found that they offer a good range of motion. If you have mastered your techniques for each of your obstacles, this is a great way to go.
Water resistance
While these are not completely waterproof, they do offer a lot of water-resistant features to ensure they dry off quickly.
6. Under Armour Flux
These gloves have quickly become one of the best-selling products for tough mudder courses. They are lightweight, breathable and flexible--and a perfect option for those of you looking for something in between the fingerless gloves and full-fingered gloves.
Read moreMaterials
These gloves are made of an extremely soft, breathable material designed to wick away sweat and keep you dry.
Use
The Under Armour Women’s Flux gloves have a gel-like rubber pattern to optimize grip.
Comfort
These are one of the more comfortable glove selections on our list. They are lightweight, breathable, and the perfect option for beginners and those of you looking for a good first pair of tough-mudder gloves. Plus, you can use these to train in the gym as well.
Flexibility
One of the best parts about these gloves is that they offer optimal flexibility and will not hinder your range of motion when you train or when you are out competing in your tough mudder race.
Water resistance
These gloves are priced in the mid-to-high range on the price scale. Additionally, there is a terry cloth thumb panel to wipe away sweat.
7. Fox Dirtpaw
The Dirtpaw from Fox maybe weren’t made for running obstacle courses but they were certainly made for getting dirty. All of this while still while offering padded protection against whatever it is nature and gravity has to throw at you.
Read moreMaterials
These gloves are made up of 72% polyamide-nylon, 20% polyurethane, 5% polyvinyl chloride, and 3% elastane. The palms are also lightly padded with clarino synthetic leather.
Use
Silicone is worked into the design of the fingers of the glove to provide an enhanced grip. Which is perfect for when you need that extra bit of help leveraging with your fingertips.
Comfort
These gloves form fit to your hands, so you won’t have to deal with slipping or sliding while on the course.
Flexibility
They are also comfortable while keeping a tight grip against you, to make sure you get your full range of motion.
Water resistance
Fox’s Dirtpaw is one of the more affordable pair of gloves on this list. And while their grip isn’t the strongest and they aren’t the most waterproof option; you will be receiving a durable, reliable, long-lasting product for a low price, and that is one of the key reasons that the Dirtpaw is worth your consideration.
8. Mad Grip F50 Pro Palm Knuckler
Mad Grip is a brand that comes highly recommended among the Tough Mudder community for its undeniable advantages on the course. These gloves are on the lower end of cost but deliver superb results in a Tough Mudder
Read moreMaterials
These gloves are constructed from cotton, nylon, and spandex to make sure they are waterproof but also flexible and maneuverable. While they reject moisture that does mean their ability to breath is a bit limited.
Use
The Mad Grip brand name isn’t an exaggeration. The grip of these gloves is intense; no matter the climate or circumstances. Which may make other tasks difficult but the F50 Pro Palm Knuckler is perfectly suited for a muddy obstacle course.
Comfort
Perfect for anyone looking for a comfortable but effective pair fo gloves, these are great for any climate--but best for the cold weather.
Flexibility
They allow for a full range of movement and they don’t absorb moisture, which are key components of a good mudder glove.
Water resistance
The Mad Grip Knuckler Gloves are also extremely protective so you won’t have to regret the doing an obstacle course for the rest of the week.
9. The Mud Glove
The Mud Glove may be advertised as a gardening glove but it will hold up to even the toughest courses. The Mud Gloves are a long-lasting reliable glove for average cost.
Read moreMaterials
The Mud Glove is constructed from cotton and waterproof latex. These gloves are made to be durable so you can get many races out of them.
Use
The gloves are designed to keep their grip even when slick with mud or water. Mud Glove wearers also say that you won’t lose any range of motion, so your grip will be tight and sure.
Comfort
Mud gloves don’t get ladened down with wetness, so your hands won’t feel heavy. They also will keep your hands, especially your knuckles, protected from bumps or cuts.
Flexibility
These gloves allow for a lot of flexibility, although if you get a size that is too big you will find that they do not allow for a full range of motion.
Water resistance
Although these gloves are not waterproof, they will protect you from the water.
10. Mad Grip F100 Pro Palm
If you’re looking for a comfortable glove that’s not going to cause any hand fatigue, check out the Mad Grip F100 Pro Palm Gloves. The Mad Grip F100 Pro Palm Gloves are priced averagely compared to other tough mudder gloves on the market
Read moreMaterials
These gloves are made of a blend of 50 percent rubber and 50 percent polyester. The palm of this glove is made of a rubber designed specifically for grip.
Use
Thanks to a seamless construction, your hands won’t experience any discomfort or blistering.
Comfort
Designed to conform to the natural shape of the hand and resist bunching, these reinforced gloves are super comfy.
Flexibility
Pretty flexible, these gloves allow for a good bit of range of motion so you can get through your obstacles as need.
Water resistance
Additionally, they’re machine washable, for quick and easy cleaning. Many people find that these gloves have superior durability compared to nitrile or rubber-dipped gloves.
Sources
- , Tough Mudder Gloves – The Best Mud Gloves for Obstacle Races, Tough Mudder Website
- , Should I Wear Gloves in a Mud Run, Tough Mudder Website
- , This Is The Ultimate World's Toughest Mudder Packing List, Tough Mudder Website
- , The 3 Best Tough Mudder Gloves Reviewed For 2019, Tough Mudder Website
