5 Best Drumming Gloves

Drum Gloves Buyer’s Guide

Most drummers don’t choose to wear drumming gloves. But there are many who rely on them to get through practice sessions and live shows.

They serve a few important purposes: most notably preventing blisters and stopping existing blisters from opening up. They also absorb shock from the impact of drumsticks and can also significantly help improve grip and prevent dropping drumsticks.

The most important factors when buying a pair of drumming gloves are comfort, protection, durability, and fit. You won’t be able to play drums with a pair of drummer gloves that are far too small or large. They have to fit comfortably, and you shouldn’t have to think about them whilst you play.

Unfortunately, drum gloves are not invincible, and they are designed to be worn whilst you play drums, which, as we all know, is an intense activity! So the lifespan of a pair of drum gloves might not be more than a few years at best.

But the good news is that they are affordable, and it’s not as serious an investment as some other drumming gear, such as a new cymbal set.

I have whittled down the competition to find you the best drum gloves around, so you can be confident in your purchase. Overall I would say the Ahead drum gloves offer the best level of protection and comfort, but the Pro Mark drummer gloves are the best quality. And if you are looking for a pair that gives you the greatest flexibility and control – the Meinl fingerless drum gloves are the best drummer gloves for you.

Here are some of the most important things to consider when choosing drumming gloves.

Grip & Feel

The main aim of wearing drumming gloves is that they will provide you with an improved grip on your drumsticks, but there are different levels to this capability. Firstly, the materials that the manufacturers use to make the gloves will determine how “grippy” they are. 

For example, a material such as leather is more likely to provide a better grip than synthetic materials, which can be quite slippery, but there can be other things like ventilation and breathability that come into play. 

In addition to this, some drumming gloves also come with special designs to help grip, such as textured or ribbed surfaces, which can help you to keep a good grip even when your hands start to get sweaty.

Protection

Another important factor to consider when deciding on a pair of gloves is the level of protection they provide. 

Drum gloves are designed to protect you from the impact of hitting the drum and cymbals with your fingers or hand, as well as prevent too much friction that could cause your hands to become sore.

The level of protection offered by drumming gloves varies depending on the materials and thickness, but it’s also very important that they fit you well to avoid rubbing against your skin while playing.

It’s also important to note that some gloves come with additional padding, which can provide extra protection from the impact of hitting your drums. 

The level of padding you need may correlate to the likelihood that you might hit your hands on the drums or hardware. As most drummers can confirm – it can be painful!

Breathable Designs

Drummers need to be able to keep their hands cool and comfortable in order to continue playing for long periods of time, so when looking for drum gloves, it is important to consider those that offer a combination of breathability and temperature control. 

Look out for gloves with a special weave or material design that can allow air to move through the gloves and keep your hands cool whilst also keeping the gloves on your hands and not increasing the chance of them coming loose. 

The breathability of drumming gloves is one of their most important features, as it helps you continue playing for longer without having to worry about your hands getting too hot or sweaty, which could adversely affect your performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does Dave Grohl Wear Gloves When Drumming?

Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl is often seen wearing gloves when behind the kit. The reason he wears them is that it helps him to keep a firm grip on his sticks while playing. 

Grohl, like many drummers who play fast and with lots of power, gets sweaty hands while drumming, and this can make it difficult to keep hold of his sticks. 

Wearing gloves is a great way to ensure that the sticks don’t fly out of his hand while he’s playing live, which is a reason that many drummers are turning to gloves –  for their added grip and stability.  

Are Drummers Prone to Injury?

Due to the physical nature of drumming, injury, and discomfort sometimes occurs. It’s quite common for drummers to strain their muscles and tendons in their hands and arms, particularly if they’re a beginner or have poor technique. 

Wearing drumming gloves can help to protect your hands from impact injuries, but the only way to prevent other types of injuries is by warming up and practicing proper technique. This will minimize the chance of over-straining your body while playing.