Nan J. Corbo is a volunteer extraordinaire, public figure, and philanthropist. She has given her time and energy to so many causes, it's hard to keep track! A nurse at Massa read more
Ray Butcher is a man with many talents. After studying nursing at Felician University in New York, he realized it’s not exactly what he wanted to dedicate his whole life t read more
Last updated: January 12, 2022
SeniorFitness is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Using a manual wheelchair requires using your hands a great deal to keep the chair moving over all types of terrain. If you’re using bare hands, you could end up with blisters, callouses, and even sprains that could make it more difficult to get yourself around.
Luckily, the best wheelchair gloves can protect your hands and prevent even minor injury. We’ve chosen the top gloves on the market based on some specific features. These include the size options available and the materials and padding used to ensure comfort and durability. If you’re in need of gloves for wheelchair users, the following reviews and buying guide may help you find the perfect pair.
More features: dry clean only, hook and loop closure, shock-absorbing
High-quality wheelchair gloves can be hard to find, though these ones from Rebo are some of the best there are available. They are made of 4-way stretch material that is well-made, breathable, and moisture-wicking, so they keep your hands comfortable and dry throughout the day. The full leather palms absorb shock and increase durability while protecting your hands. Pull tabs on the fingers make removing the gloves easy and the strong Velcro closures keep them firmly in place.
The Rebo Wheelchair Gloves are perfect for those looking for the best quality wheelchair gloves for daily use. These are wheelchair fingerless gloves with a full thumb, which not every option has to offer.
What makes it stand out?
The Rebo Wheelchair Gloves are the best ones that we’ve found, due to the durable materials used that can handle regular use. This includes the leather on the palms that handle most of the work while protecting your hands. They are also extremely comfortable, thanks to the breathable fabric that keeps your hands dry, even when you’re traveling long distances or on warm days.
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
Though these wheelchair gloves are quite durable and fit well, they are also rather expensive, so they may not be within everyone’s budget. Of course, they last longer than many other options, which we feel may make them worth the cost. These gloves also have a large handicapped logo on the back, which we don’t particularly like since it serves no purpose. Most of the glove’s users don’t like it either.
The Hikenture Winter Cycling Gloves are designed for comfort and warmth when the weather cools. This includes the water-resistant fabric used for the outer layer that repels snow or light rain and the thick fleece lining that adds comfort and warmth. There is also an additional padded area for extra protection when gripping your wheels to keep moving. Other great features include the non-slip silicone gel padding, the adjustable zipper closure, and the reflective safety stripe.
Though the Hikenture gloves are designed for riding a bike, they are still perfect for wheelchair users since they have the padding, non-slip grip, and warm layers to protect your hands and keep them warm at the same time.
What makes it stand out?
These full-finger wheelchair gloves have several great features worth mentioning. They are non-slip, so they help you grip the wheels of your chair better without straining your fingers and hands. The padding is also great for extra comfort, especially on those longer trips. The pads on the index and thumb are also great for using a touchscreen, so you never have to remove your gloves to text, call, or use your favorite apps.
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
One flaw that we found with these gloves is that they aren’t necessarily for the coldest months of the year, despite being listed as winter wheelchair gloves. They are fine for cooler weather, though not for those extra cold days. They are also water-resistant, so do deflect some water, but they aren’t fully waterproof, so could absorb some water in damp or snowy conditions.
More features: soft sponge pads, wrist wraps, anti-slip palm
If you need some women’s wheelchair gloves, the Viomir Workout Gloves for Men and Women are a good option. They are made of elasticized fabric, with spandex fiber on the back and foam padding beneath microfiber on the palms. Together, these materials create a breathable pair of gloves that protect your hands from blisters and callouses. There are adjustable Velcro cuffs that you can adjust for the perfect fit. There is even a soft towel-like material on the thumb for sweat removal.
These gloves come in a variety of sizes and three colors, including grey, black, and pink, so they are a great option for women, though men can also use them for comfort and protection.
What are our favorite features?
These gloves are one of the cheapest options we’ve found, so they are great for those on a budget. Though low prices usually mean low quality, these gloves are still a decent quality option, with comfortable material that is lightweight and breathable. They also offer great protection, so you can use them daily without straining your hands. They are designed for working out but are still fantastic gloves for wheelchairs.
What could be better?
These Viomir gloves are well-made, lightweight, and comfortable, though there is one minor flaw that we’ve noticed. There are finger pull tabs that make it easier to remove the gloves, though they are only on the middle and ring fingers. This does not simplify removing the other fingers, so you still may have some trouble removing the gloves.
The Rebo Disability Mobility Full Finger Gloves are designed for wheelchair use in the colder months of the year. They are made using a mix of cotton, polyester, and nylon, with Wintex material on the back for wind resistance and silicone gel grippers on the fingers, thumb, and palm for extra grip. The elastic cuffs have Velcro closures on the wrist that are adjustable, so you can fit them to your size.
Full finger gloves offer more protection than fingerless gloves, especially during the colder months of the year, so if you’re in need of some warm, grippy gloves for your wheelchair, these are a great option.
Why are we impressed?
Though they are designed for winter use, these wheelchair gloves are still lightweight and comfortable, so you can grip your chair easily to keep control of it, even on those slick, snowy surfaces. The non-slip silicone gel strips along the fingers, thumb, and palms also increase your grip on your wheels while offering some protection against blisters and callouses. These gloves are also wind-proof for extra warmth on those icy days.
What negatives must you be aware of?
These full-finger gloves are comfortable and warm, though there are some flaws that you may want to consider before purchasing them. First off, they don’t have touch-sensitive pads on the index finger or thumb, so you’ll need to remove them to use a smartphone or tablet. They also have the Velcro closure on the inside of your wrist, which can get caught on your wheels and come open if you’re not careful.
Leather is one of the strongest fabrics there is, so putting it into a pair of wheelchair gloves increases durability, especially when you’re rolling yourself around all day long. These gloves have leather along the front of the fingers, thumbs, and palms, though the back of the gloves is a permeable material that breathes to increase comfort. Small padded areas of gel foam are positioned where the pressure is the greatest to reduce blisters and callouses.
The Prime Sports Wheelchair Gloves W-1019 have a great low price, making them a great choice for those on a budget who still need a pair of durable, long-lasting gloves.
What makes it special?
These gloves are one of our favorites, mainly due to the amazingly low price for such high-quality leather wheelchair gloves. The leather used is rugged and durable, with padding in all the right places that ensures your hands are protected from injury, even when you’re wheeling yourself up or down hills or over rough terrain. The back is made of breathable material to counter the leather and keep your hands cool and dry.
What cons did we find?
The Prime Sports Wheelchair Gloves W-1019 are made of leather, which is extremely durable and lasts a long time. Of course, the leather is rather stiff when you first start wearing it, so you may be dealing with this issue for a little while until you’ve broken them in and they soften up. We also found that they do run a tiny bit small, so measure carefully before choosing a size.
More features: padded palm, anti-slip grip, water-resistant
These workout gloves from Zerofire use premium materials to give your hands the protection they need when using your wheelchair, working out, or doing a variety of other activities. They include silicone anti-slip material on the palms, which gives you a firm grip and is resistant to water, heat, oil, and chemicals. There is also foam padding in this area to increase comfort. There are Velcro closures on the wrists for the right fit to keep the gloves firmly in place.
These gloves come in a variety of different patterns, so they are great for those who want to add a touch of style to their gear. These prints include galaxy, camo green, stars, leopard, snow leopard, red or grey skulls, or paisley.
What stands out?
The Zerofire Workout Gloves have some great features, like the silicone anti-slip material on the palms and the Velcro closure that allows you to adjust the size to fit your hands perfectly. Of course, one unique feature that these gloves have to offer is the cool designs on the back. There are several to choose from, so you can pick whichever pattern suits your style best.
What cons did we manage to find?
These gloves are lightweight, with some handy grippers to help you hold the wheels of your chair nice and tight, but there is one small issue that we noticed. Though they do have some padding on the palm, it is a bit thin when compared to some other wheelchair gloves. Of course, the padding they do have still reduces pain for more comfortable wheeling.
The Kango Fitness Real Soft Wheelchair Gloves W-1037 are a bit more expensive than some other fingerless pairs on the market but this could be due to the durable leather material used for the high-stress areas. There is thick padding on these areas as well to protect your hands and increase your comfort every time you wear them. The mesh on the back of the gloves increases airflow, so your hands stay cool and dry, even on those extra-warm days.
These padded wheelchair gloves are best for those who need a durable pair that is still breathable and comfortable to wear for as long as needed. The combination of leather and mesh ensures durability and breathability.
What do we love it for?
These gloves are extremely versatile, so you can wear them for a variety of activities. As well as being excellent gloves or wheelchair users, they are also a must for working out, cycling, or even driving. They also have that awesome mesh material on the back of the hands and thumb, which reduces how hot and sweaty your hands get during any of these activities.
What were we disappointed with?
The Kango Fitness leather gloves are quite durable, thanks to the leather material used for the front of the gloves and some of the edging around the back. The downside of this material is that there is no lining between it and your hands. If they happen to get wet in damp weather or from too much sweating, the color could bleed, staining your hands brown, which isn’t the most attractive look.
The Vinsguir Workout Gloves for Men and Women have a variety of features designed to protect your hands and keep them comfortable. Pads in the palms reduce blisters and callouses while the silica anti-slip points raise the friction levels for a much better grip on your wheels. The back of the gloves is made using Lycra, which is skin-friendly and breathable. These gloves also include durable wear-resistant stitching, pull tabs, and an adjustable sticky hook loop closure for a tight fit.
These gloves are the best when it comes to the wrist grip, thanks to the Velcro closure system for secure tightening. There is also a longer wrist piece on the front for extra protection.
What stands out?
We loved that these gloves from Vinsguir use Lycra for the back area. This material has a few benefits for wheelchair users, as well as for working out, cycling, or climbing. First, it is elastic, so it moves with your hand as it curls. It is also skin-friendly, so you won’t be dealing with any irritation. Best of all, this material is breathable for cool, dry hands all day long.
What cons did we manage to find?
The biggest issue that we’ve noticed with the Vinsguir Workout Gloves for Men and Women has to do with sizing. Despite the fact that there is a size guide for you to use to measure your hands, the products that are delivered still tend to run a bit smaller than you may be expecting. For this reason, it may be best to buy a size up to eliminate this issue.
Things to Consider
Unless you’ve actually used a wheelchair, you would have no idea just how difficult and strenuous it is to keep one moving, especially over rougher terrain. The more time you spend propelling a wheelchair forward, the more strain you put on your fingers, palms, and wrists, which could lead to more serious issues over time. To help protect your hands against such complications, one solution is the best wheelchair gloves.
Do You Need Wheelchair Gloves?
There are a few reasons
Trusted SourceMaintaining arm health in wheelchair users: The need for updated guidelinesEver wonder how your therapist keeps abreast of the latest advances in wheelchair technology and skills training? On their bookshelf (or computer), you’ll likely find guidelines published by medical organizations that provide relevant information based on research and professional consensus.
icord.org
that you may need wheelchair gloves. These include:
Protecting your hands – The more you grip the wheels, the more likely it is that blisters and callouses will form, which wheelchair gloves can protect you from. These gloves also protect your hands from the elements.
Stability – The added stability of gloves can reduce any pressure on your joints and nerves, so you need less strength for equal movement
Improved Grip – These gloves are designed with grip pads or strips on the areas that will make contact with the wheels. This allows you to hold on tighter with less effort, plus you turn easier and tighter when needed.
Chronic hand pain – If you suffer from chronic pain, gloves can offer beneficial compression.
For races – wheelchair races are a great thing to help disabled people unleash full potential of their devices, but you might want to consider a custom-made pair, you can look at the process in this video below:
How to Pick the Best Wheelchair Gloves
If you’re in need of wheelchair gloves but aren’t sure what to look for, the following sections can help.
Sizes variation
Not everyone has the same size of hands, so having a range of sizes is a must. Most brands have at least a range of small to x-large, though some add extra sizes as well. The Prime Sports Wheelchair Gloves W-1019 includes an XXL, while the ZEROFIRE Workout Gloves includes an XS for those with very little hands.
Type
There are a few styles to choose from when it comes to wheelchair gloves. You can pick full-finger gloves for complete coverage or fingerless for a cooler pair with more mobility. Most of these gloves have padding, though some offer more than others.
You can even use workout gloves or cycling gloves if needed, provided they offer the padding, grip, and comfort needed for using a wheelchair.
Padding
The best wheelchair gloves have some type of padding in the palms since this is the area that does most of the work. The padding can be rubber or some type of gel foam, though which to choose usually depends on your preference. There may also be some in the fingers, like the padding used for the Prime Sports Wheelchair Gloves W-1019 for a bit more protection and grip.
Comfort
Comfort is one of the most important features to look for in wheelchair gloves. They should have thicker palms, a decent amount of padding or cushion, and be made using materials that don’t irritate your skin.
Material
Wheelchair gloves feature various materials yet they all have palm padding to protect it from dirt and blisters
There are several different materials used for these types of gloves. Leather is quite common, due to its durability and versatility. The Vinsguir Workout Gloves for Men & Women use mainly lycra
Trusted SourceHow spandex is made - material, manufacture, making, history, used, processing, parts, composition, structureSpandex is a lightweight, synthetic fiber that is used to make stretchable clothing such as sportswear. It is made up of a long chain polymer called polyurethane, which is produced by reacting a polyester with a diisocyanate.
www.madehow.com
, which is a stretchy synthetic fabric that is form-fitting, yet comfortable since it moves with you instead of against you. Other common materials include cotton, polyester, and microfiber. The more durable the material is, the longer the gloves will last.
Design
There are several design options available for you to choose from with wheelchair gloves. Many companies offer basic designs with subtle colors, like black or grey, while others add some more eye-catching designs. The ZEROFIRE Workout Gloves is one of these, with galaxy, skull, camo, or star prints available, just to name a few. This allows you to pick the design that best suits your personality as well as your needs.
Prices
There is no set price for wheelchair gloves. They can range from $10 to well over $50, depending on the brand, type, and materials used to create them. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good pair, either, so it is possible to get the features you need while sticking to a budget.
How often to change wheelchair gloves depends on the quality of the gloves you’ve purchased. High-quality gloves could last for several months or even a year, depending on what they’re made of or how often you use them. Keep an eye on the padding and seams. If they start to deteriorate, it may be time for a new pair.
The best winter wheelchair gloves are the HIKENTURE Winter Cycling Gloves for Men and Women. These gloves are full-fingered, with warm, comfortable material, decent padding, silica gel for grip, and touchscreen pads on the index finger and thumb.
This depends on the type of wheelchair gloves you’re using. Some of them can go in the washing machine, while others need to be hand-washed or dry cleaned. Air drying them is best to avoid shrinking. Be sure to read the instructions included with the gloves for the best method.
Yes, you can use bike gloves for a wheelchair. They offer similar protection, padding, and comfort that’s needed when using your wheelchair, so they will work just as well.
Our Verdict
There are several wheelchair glove options available, though we have a few favorites that we’d recommend.
Our top choice is the Rebo Wheelchair Gloves, which are fingerless gloves with durable, shock-resistant leather palms and breathable moisture-wicking 4-way stretch material on the back. They also feature pull tabs on the fingers for easy removal.
The HIKENTURE Winter Cycling Gloves for Men and Women are full-finger gloves made of a mix of velvet and fleece for warmth and comfort. Silica gel on the palms gives you a firm grip while the 4mm padding offers extra protection.
For those on a budget, the Prime Sports Wheelchair Gloves W-1019 are a great option. Though they have a great low price, these gloves still offer high-quality features, like leather material, gel-padded palms and fingers, and permeable backing for breathability.
References
1.
Maintaining arm health in wheelchair users: The need for updated guidelines
Ever wonder how your therapist keeps abreast of the latest advances in wheelchair technology and skills training? On their bookshelf (or computer), you’ll likely find guidelines published by medical organizations that provide relevant information based on research and professional consensus.
How spandex is made - material, manufacture, making, history, used, processing, parts, composition, structure
Spandex is a lightweight, synthetic fiber that is used to make stretchable clothing such as sportswear. It is made up of a long chain polymer called polyurethane, which is produced by reacting a polyester with a diisocyanate.