The 7 Best Drumming Gloves (2024) for Grip and Protection
If you are an enthusiastic drummer, you will know that drumming can be a bit painful at times. Drumming gloves can be the answer to preventing sore blisters and calluses from cracking open. They are excellent percussion accessories.
Playing with gloves is very much a matter of preference. Some drummers love the natural feel of them, whereas others don’t like them at all. If you have dry skin, drumming gloves will come in handy. Firstly, they can help prevent lesions and calluses. Secondly, they tend to improve your grip which can be a lifesaver if you have dry hands.
It’s worth keeping in mind that if you’re just starting with drumming, you should think about giving yourself some time for your hands to get stronger. You might not need drumming gloves.
My top recommended drumming gloves are the Zildjian Drummer’s Gloves. These are classic, black gloves that are of great quality and at a reasonable price too.
My second recommended drumming gloves are the Meinl Half Finger Drummer Gloves. This is a more budget-friendly option for those looking for something more affordable.
Contents
- The 7 Best Drumming Gloves (2024)
- 1. Zildjian Drummer's Gloves
- 2. Meinl Half Finger Drummer Gloves
- 3. Promark DGL Drummer's Gloves
- 4. Vater Professional Drumming Gloves
- 5. Vic Firth Drumming Glove
- 6. Ahead Drummer's Gloves with Wrist Support
- 7. TAMA Drumming Gloves
- What are the benefits to Drumming Gloves?
- What to look for in Drumming Gloves when buying?
- Conclusion
The 7 Best Drumming Gloves (2024)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Zildjian Drummer's Gloves
If you are looking for a pair of gloves that are easy on the pocket and durable, the Zildjian drum gloves are a good option to start with. They are manufactured from soft lambskin and feature a vented back, and sticky Velcro closure.
I like its sleek black leather look with a bright red Zildjian logo on the front. If you’re looking for a good set of drumming gloves, then these might be exactly what you’re looking for. They don’t cause any hindrance during performances as they have a nice and snug fit. There were no sweaty palms and clumsy slips.
As far as durability goes, it depends on your style and how often you play. In my opinion, they are a great buy to prevent annoying and painful blisters. It will take some time getting used to, but they are worth a try. They are available in three sizes; small, medium, and large.
2. Meinl Half Finger Drummer Gloves
The pairs of gloves are manufactured by Meinl, a renowned Germany-based producer of percussion instruments and accessories. Through their half-fingers design, they have gotten the approval of many drummers.
First of all, these gloves allow you to hold the sticks with a good grip and offer ease of movement. At the same time, they protect your hands from cuts and prevent exiting blisters to break open. Meinl Half Finger Drummer Gloves are made of good-quality leather which is thick, grippy, and lightweight. Moreover, there is a breathable mesh fabric on the top to prevent perspiration.
Many users have claimed that they have the perfect and tight fit with great durability. The gloves have a gender-neutral design making them ideal for all sorts of drummers. One user experienced a large tear on the wrist after a couple of drumming sessions. Other than that, all other reviews are positive.
3. Promark DGL Drummer's Gloves
You may want to try out Promark DGL Drummer’s Gloves. They are usually on the pricier side, but they are a must-buy if you want to protect your hands from unwanted impacts, calluses, and wounds. What’s more, they are long-lasting and fairly heavy-duty. It will take more than a couple of jams to get them shredded.
Promark DGL Drummer’s Gloves are manufactured from thin-cut Cabretta leather with 8 specially-placed pads on fingers and palm. They come with a breathable mesh on the top to reduce the chances of perspiration during performances. They have a neat hook and loop wrist strap that you can adjust for suitable tension.
The gloves are usually available in four sizes; small, medium, large, and x-large. Make sure you buy the right size as a snug fit is important to hold the sticks properly.
4. Vater Professional Drumming Gloves
Vater Percussion is a widely popular brand among drummers and percussionists. Coming to their production, the Vater Professional Drumming Gloves are manufactured from synthetic leather offer a great grip and flexibility.
The gloves have a breathable mesh backing for ventilation and elasticated panels on the sides of the fingers for a snug fit. They offer great comfort and next-level flexibility in your playing.
Granted, Vater Percussion Drumming Gloves are not the best when considering the others on this list, however, they do offer good quality all-around for a reasonable price.
5. Vic Firth Drumming Glove
Vic Firth is a well-known percussion company founded by an American musician, Everett Joseph “Vic” Firth. Naturally, the Vic Firth Drum Gloves are a great choice to consider.
I have always had a good experience with their drumming sticks and mallets. The drumming gloves are made of premium Cabretta leather with breathable synthetic mesh on its palm and back. On the forefinger and thumb, there are synthetic rubber patches to enhance the grip. They have a rather sleek look with black and grey panels.
Some of the grip dots did come out after a while, but they last long enough. Another thing you must keep in mind is that they are not made for winters. If you have to play outdoors during winters, don’t expect them to keep your fingers, fingertips, and knuckles warm and cozy.
6. Ahead Drummer's Gloves with Wrist Support
The Ahead Drummer’s Gloves come with wrist support bands and are of great durability overall. If you want long-lasting drumming gloves then these will do the trick. They are on the higher-end side but all for good reason.
These gloves are a popular choice for drummers worldwide due to their good longevity, durability, great fit, and decent look. They are particularly useful for protecting your hands while drumming, allowing for long practice sessions without the worry of any damage.
Overall, these gloves are a good fit and offer great protection. Granted, the price is a bit high but considering all the positives, they are well worth every penny.
7. TAMA Drumming Gloves
The last entry on this list is a well-known brand and beloved by many. The Tama Drumming Gloves are of great quality and the washable fabric just adds to the value of these great drumming gloves.
They come with performance mesh which allows for much better breathability and the best part – moisture control. Everyone hates the sweat that accumulates after long practice sessions or gigs, and this is where the Tama gloves shine.
The extra soft and durable synthetic leather grants a good grip when playing. Another great Tama drum product to consider.
What are the benefits to Drumming Gloves?
As stated many times throughout this article, drumming gloves have a few key benefits and that is why they are a popular choice for many drummers worldwide.
Firstly, they offer a good strong grip when playing to prevent any slipping of your drumsticks and an overall more confident performance. Secondly, hand protection is vital when you’re a professional or even a beginner drummer. You don’t want to risk hurting your hands, blistering, injuring, and being out of commission for a while.
Lastly, most drumming gloves have moisture control and will prevent your hands from sweating which is a real pain for any drummer. Overall, they are truly an asset to possess.
What to look for in Drumming Gloves when buying?
There are a few things to consider when buying drumming gloves like if you actually need a pair of gloves, the overall quality, and the price. Extra features are also welcomed.
You should first consider if you really need a pair of drumming gloves. If you’re already a seasoned drummer and have no problem with your hands or wrists then a pair will only be redundant and will not help you in many ways.
The overall quality of the gloves is important to consider before purchasing. You’d want quality mesh fabric that is also washable. After one session, a drum glove tends to soak up the sweat and we all know how that smells. Also, the durability of the leather is very important so choose carefully.
The price is always an important point to consider. If you only want a pair of gloves for casual practice sessions, you probably don’t need high-end ones. However, if you have problems with injuries and similar, then at a little extra cost, choose the best drum gloves for your budget and prevent injuries.
Conclusion
Drumming gloves can take some time getting used to. If you are still confused about whether you should go for it or not, keep in mind that sticks prevent slipping while playing. They are also great for preventing sores, calluses, blisters, and wounds. Most of them are very reasonably priced. It is worth giving them a shot as they won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
As for my recommendations, my top pick are the Zildjian Drummer’s Gloves. If you want classic, good-quality gloves, then these are the ones to go for.
My budget pick are the Meinl Half Finger Drummer Gloves. If you want affordable gloves, the Meinl Half Finger Gloves are a good choice.
