Wearing drumming gloves or not is a personal preference.
Some drummers wear them, others choose not to. While they’re not essential (in fact, many of the world’s best drummers don’t wear them), they do have several benefits for those drummers that do.
One of the biggest pluses of wearing drumming gloves is that they can help you avoid nasty blisters on your hands and fingers. This is a godsend, particularly for beginners who haven’t yet built up the thicker, stronger skin that drummers of a certain age will have—AKA drummer’s hands!
Drumming gloves can also help absorb shocks and improve your grip on the sticks. They also help keep your hands warm if you’re playing in colder temperatures, so they’re also a worthy consideration for touring drummers.
If you’re in the market for a new pair, you’ve come to the right place.
The 5 best drumming gloves in 2023
Zildjian Drummer’s Gloves
RRP: £29.99
We couldn’t write a piece on drumming gear without mentioning Zildjian, could we? The brand name and logo alone have been synonymous with drumming for hundreds (yes, hundreds) of years.
These classic, vented drumming gloves are designed to prevent blisters and feature a soft lambskin palm to improve your grip on the sticks.
The gloves can be tightened or loosened as required thanks to the classy Velcro wrist fastener, with the iconic Zildjian logo emblazoned on the strap. Accept no gimmicks—these gloves are the real deal, and are an absolute steal at under £30, too.
Drummer review
“These gloves are superb quality and extremely comfortable to play in if you get the correct size. If you use gloves, I thoroughly recommend these.”
Vic Firth Drum Gloves
RRP: £30
Vic Firth is another name synonymous with drumming. Be it gloves or drumsticks, you know you’re investing in quality with this brand—that’s why it’s the go-to choice for many top drummers.
These classic drumming gloves are made from premium cabretta leather with a ventilated synthetic mesh palm and back. Available in four sizes ranging from small to XL, there’s also stretch lycra between the fingers to boost comfort regardless of the shape of your hands.
The gloves also have a unique synthetic rubber grip on the thumb and forefinger for improved grip and feel while playing.
Drummer review
“These gloves protect your hands from the vibration of drumming, but you don’t lose the sensitivity of feel or control over the sticks. They are comfortable and look the part.”
Meinl Half-Finger Drumming Gloves
RRP: £25
Meinl’s stylish half-finger drumming gloves are made from real leather with a breathable mesh, designed to protect your hands from blisters and stop your sticks from slipping.
With additional padded areas on the palm for comfort and durability, these gloves are proven to protect your hands without compromising on feel.
The half-finger design gives drummers complete fingertip control of the sticks—perfect for those intricate fills or longer rehearsal sessions.
Drummer review
“My hands don’t get sweaty anymore while drumming, and I don’t get blisters either. Overall, these are great drumming gloves.”
Ahead Drummer’s Gloves
RRP: £34.50
Though they may look more like skiing gloves at first glance, these Ahead gloves are ideal for drummers. In fact, they’re some of the most popular drumming gloves on the market.
Made from light leather and spandex to ensure a comfortable, flexible fit, these gloves are designed to improve grip and help drummers avoid the dreaded dropped stick.
Of course, they also protect hands from the general stresses and wear and tear of drumming, with ventilation detailing to allow for air circulation while playing, too.
Drummer review
“I’m on my fourth pair of these gloves now—they have an excellent fit and feel. They last for a long time and look good, too. I love them.”
Shaw Fingerless Drummers Gloves
RRP: £12.99
Shaw’s drumming gloves are at the slightly cheaper end of the spectrum but are by no means a compromise on quality.
Made from goatskin with a breathable stretch fabric reverse, these gloves ensure a comfortable wear even during the toughest of sets.
There’s also additional cushioning on the main stick impact points for an extra layer of protection against ‘drummer’s hands’. These gloves are also useful if you’re losing grip on the sticks mid-performance. You can’t go wrong for under £15.
Drummer review
“These gloves do exactly what I need. My sticks don’t slip at all now, and my hands aren’t too hot or sweaty by the end of a session. They’re great value for money.”
Specialist musical instrument insurance with Insure4Music
Whether you perform to live crowds or just at home, you might want to consider protecting your instruments and equipment with insurance if you play regularly.
Specialist musical instrument and equipment insurance with Insure4Music will cover you for accidents, theft, damage, or loss. Policies can also be tailored to you, so you’ll only ever pay for what you need. Say goodbye to unnecessary premiums and get a quote in minutes today.
Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.