The Ultimate Guide To The Best Wheelchair Gloves

Wheelchair gloves are gloves that are designed to protect and shield the hands of wheelchair users. These helpful products can also help to keep hands stable when they are operating a wheelchair.

There are many gloves on the market that are specifically made for propelling manual wheelchairs. There are other types as well that can reduce the risk of injury. For example, athletic gloves are a popular option.

But what are the best wheelchair gloves for wheelchair users? Here are my top picks!

Why Do Wheelchair Users Wear Gloves?

Manual wheelchair users often develop blisters and calluses when pushing their wheelchairs around. The right gloves can provide protection from that. In addition, they can reduce the amount of pressure that’s placed on nerves and joints.

Using a wheelchair regularly can cause a great deal of damage to your hands. It’s crucial for people who use wheelchairs to find protective gloves that are suitable for their medical needs. You wanted the best wheelchair to use, so you should also use the best accessories, right?

Buying Guide

Before you can purchase wheelchair gloves, you’ll need to know what to look for! Here are a few factors you should take into consideration when shopping for the perfect pair. 

Materials 

Leather, lycra, neoprene, and spandex are all popular materials for wheelchair gloves. Materials like foam and cotton are also popular options.

Comfort

Since wheelchair gloves are often worn for an extended period of time, it’s important to select ones that are made from softer materials that are comfortable to wear. Materials that cause itching and irritation should be avoided. Leather and lycra are terrific options for comfort.

Support 

Wheelchair gloves should be made from durable materials that will provide hands with protection. Products that include some sort of padding against the hand will give wearers more support. 

Flexibility 

It’s important to be able to move your hands freely while propelling a wheelchair. Materials like spandex and lycra, which provide plenty of stretch, are a great choice for this reason. 

Durability and Maintenance 

You won’t want to have to replace your gloves anytime soon, which is why sturdy materials like leather are a smart choice. Machine-washable materials are also an excellent option.

Breathability 

If you wear gloves that are made from a material that isn’t breathable, your palms will sweat, which can be uncomfortable. Mesh or mesh-like materials like cotton work will let your hands breathe.

Padding and/or Gel Inserts 

Not all wheelchair gloves include extra padding, but it can be a wonderful way to cushion your palms. But, you should also remember that pads can make gloves bulkier. Weigh the pros and the cons when selecting your gloves.

Adjustment Closure Straps Options

You’ll want to make sure your gloves stay in place when they’re being worn. Closure straps are an excellent way to keep gloves secure. Velcro closure straps are a popular option, but straps can be made from other materials as well.

Sizing 

It’s crucial to find gloves that fit properly. Find a product that is available in a range of sizes. Check to see if gloves run large or small before placing an order. 

Types:

• Full Finger: These over the entire hand – fingers and all. They’re the best option of you want to protect fingers from calluses. 
• Fingerless: Also known as cut-off or half gloves, these give you extra mobility and better control. 

Wheelchair Glove Reviews

Looking for the best wheelchair gloves? Here are my top recommended products to protect and comfort the hands of wheelchair users.

Are you tired of dealing with hand pain when propelling your wheelchair? Then the Copper Compression fingerless compression gloves may be exactly what you need. These gloves contain a high concentration of copper ions in a breathable fabric.

Copper is recognized by the FDA as a known antimicrobial agent and the compression fabric aids with inflammation and swelling by providing a gentle squeeze that promotes better circulation. That’s why athletes use them for recovery from sports related injuries and overuse.

Additionally, these gloves are extremely comfortable and provide a great deal of support and stability. The fact that they are fingerless gloves will help you to easily wear them as long as you need to since you’ll be able to feel, touch and use your hands as usual.

These gloves are also extremely well made with smart stitching which reduces irritation, makes them more comfortable and durable. To aid your grip when pushing your chair, there are rubber grips in the palm making it easier to hold onto those metal handrims.

My Personal Experience with Copper Compression Gloves

The folks at Copper Compression provided me a few pairs of the gloves to try out myself. While I admittedly don’t have a lot of hand pain, my hands will fatigue and ache after too much typing of blog posts or garden work. I wore the gloves most of the day (8 hours+) for several days to get a feel for them and I, surprisingly, liked them. They are extremely well made and much more comfortable to wear than you might think.

I also used them to propel myself in several of the wheelchairs we have at the office in my day job as a custom wheelchair specialist. I did find they made the aluminum handrims of standard wheelchairs much easier to grip. I noticed an even better grip when using the gloves on a wheelchair fit with rubber coated handrims. And, better grip means less energy is needed to propel which means you won’t tire as quickly either.

You can check them out on the Copper Compression site if you’d like to learn more – be sure to use my discount GWG20 to save 20% off of regular price.

---

If you’re interested in Liquicell technology, but prefer wearing full finger gloves, this option may be exactly what you need! They have all of the features of the gloves above but will keep your fingers fully covered. They also include a hook and look closure so that wearers can get the perfect fit. 

Because the gloves are so lightweight, they can easily be worn throughout the day, even when the weather is hot. Many padded products are uncomfortable to wear in warmer climates, but Liquidcell technology allows these gloves to provide extra padding without adding too much heat. 

---

These padded mesh gloves will protect your hands without making them sweaty. They’re made from a combination of leather, cotton, and foam, making them durable, comfortable, and extremely breathable. 

They are available in two colors, black and tan, which means you can use a style that appeals the most to you. Thanks to the lightweight foam padding, these small and simple gloves can protect palms from rubbing, blisters, and other injuries.

---

Many of the gloves on this list were designed for other purposes, but these are specifically made for propel who use a wheelchair all day long. The palms of are made from real leather, which makes them durable, comfortable, and easy to remove. 

They have a strong strap for great support on the wrist, which means they won’t ride up when they’re being worn. The backs of the gloves are made from a moisture-wicking fabric that can keep your hands from getting overly sweaty. 

---

These durable gloves are made from a blend of neoprene, rubber, and spandex. The thumb section includes microdots, which helps to protect against calluses. They also include a zipper and velcro tabs at the wrists, which means you will be able to get the perfect fit. 

Since wheelchair gloves are often worn on a daily basis, it’s important that they are easy to keep clean. These are machine washable, which means you’ll be able to clean them as often as you like. They’re comfortable and breathable, which means they can protect your hands all year long. 

---

These gloves, which are made from 100% real leather, may look like a fashion statement. However, they’re also incredibly functional! They are soft enough to wear all day long, and the breathable crocheted mesh around the back makes them perfect for people in warmer climates. 

Even though these gloves won’t make your hands sweat, they do provide plenty of padding. The double-padded palms can help to prevent rubbing and other injuries. Although these gloves were designed with bikers in mind, they’re a great choice for people who use wheelchairs as well. 

---

These gloves are made from a blend of premium materials, including lycra, leather, and spandex. This combination provides protection while still allowing wearers to move their hands freely. They also have extra padding in the palms, which means you will be able to grip wheels comfortably. 

Because these gloves are machine washable, they’re easy to care for, even when they’re worn on a daily basis. Since the gloves were made for weightlifters, your hands won’t get sweaty when you wear them, even if you keep them on all day long!

---

These state-of-the-art gloves are made with LiquiCell technology, which means they are filled with a low-viscosity fluid. Because of this cutting-edge design, they can significantly decrease the discomfort wheelchair users experience when their hands grip the wheels of their chair throughout the day. 

The gloves are primarily made from Lycra, which provides wearers with a perfect fit. At the back of the thumbs, you’ll find terry cloth, which helps to reduce sweating. They also have grippy pads, so you can get the level of control that they need. 

---

These gloves may have been designed for weightlifters, but they’re a wonderful choice for wheelchair users too. While many protective gloves feature pads, straps, and other features, these lightweight gloves keep it simple. They are made to protect your hands without adding extra bulk. 

Although these gloves may be simple, they do offer a number of appealing features. For example, they come with an integrated clip so that you can easily carry them around throughout the day. If you’d prefer a minimalist option, you may find that these are everything you want. 

---

Wearing gloves doesn’t have to reduce the mobility of your hands! These gloves, which are made from nylon, cotton, and polyester, are designed to allow your hands to move freely. The back is made from Wintex, which gives you protection from strong gusts of wind. 

Along the fingers, you’ll find silicone gel grips that will give you the level of control you need. You’ll also find silicone along the thumbs, which can reduce your risk of injury when the wheels of your chair are in motion. The cuffs are elasticated and feature a closure strap, allowing wearers to adjust the glove until they get the right fit. 

RELATED READING: Helpful Adaptive Clothing for Wheelchair Users

Summary and Final Recommendations

With such a wide range of wheelchair gloves on the market, you are sure to find a product that will work for you. It’s important to consider what matters to you when you’re choosing wheelchair gloves. Are you looking for gloves that you can wear in the summer? Are full-finger or fingerless gloves a better choice for you?

While the best wheelchair gloves will vary based on your personal preferences, my top recommendation is the Liquicell Wheelchair Gloves. They’re made from a range of quality materials, provide comfort, durability, and flexibility, and are even available in multiple colors. These athletic gloves deliver all of the qualities you need in wheelchair gloves at an affordable price.