Diving, although beautiful and exhilarating, can be dangerous if you don’t have the correct scuba diving equipment. Therefore, it is not only important to choose the right type of wetsuit, BCD, and mask, but suitable protection for your extremities. In particular, your fingers and hands making a pair of the best diving gloves to suit your diving conditions vital.
We’ve already covered why you should wear dive gloves and we suggest you check out that post if you need further encouragement. Gloves provide thermal protection when cold water diving along with physical protection. Given the importance of having fully functioning and healthy hands while diving, it’s important that you look after them. After all, you do need them for scuba hand signals as well as adjusting your equipment!
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Best 10 Scuba Diving Gloves
To look after your hands, you will need to invest in a good pair of scuba divers gloves. Just how do you choose from the wide variety there is out there though? One of the best ways to warm up after a cold dive is to start with wearing gloves.
As with most scuba accessories, there are tonnes to choose from. But don’t worry, we are here to help. In the following post, we’ve collected together our list of what we feel are the 10 best dive gloves available right now.
1. Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Five Finger Wetsuit Glove
To start our guide, we have this awesome pair from Neo Sport. Available in two different thicknesses and a variety of sizes, they are made from incredibly pliable and soft neoprene.
Providing the necessary insulation for cold water and giving abrasion protection, these are suitably flexible. Ensuring that you have the dexterity needed for an enjoyable and safe dive.
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The seams have been sewn and glued for strength and to ensure they are watertight. Featuring a high-quality gator-elastic wrist closure to fit over the sleeves of your wetsuit, giving a streamlined and secure fit.
Their best feature is undoubtedly the textured palm and cyclone design that provides a superior grip for various surfaces. These gloves are not just suitable for diving, they are ideal for all water sports. Keeping the wearer both warm whilst giving grip with ease of wear that they offer.
2. Tilos 1.5mm Tropical Diving Gloves
Next up, we have the Tilos 1.5mm thickness tropical warm water dive gloves. These have curved fingers to stop your hands from feeling strained. These also feature an adjustable hook and eye wrist band ensuring the best seal and fit possible.
To increase their protection and durability this option also features reinforced fingertips, thumbs, and palm sections. For this reason, this option is an affordable and durable choice for any tropical water divers.
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These neoprene diving gloves are constructed from X-Form fabric. A special limestone Neoprene that does not contain petroleum and is fully compliant with the rules laid out by PAH. Perfect for anyone that has sensitive skin.
While the lycra paneling provides you with that much-needed additional stretch. The mesh backing ensures water flows through to stop your hands from overheating in tropical environments.
3. Cressi High-Stretch Premium Neoprene Diving Gloves
Cressi is one of the incredibly popular Italian brands. Specializing in all things swimming, snorkeling, and diving since 1946. We’ve featured Cressi numerous times before and with good reason – they design and create high-quality products – it’s as simple as that.
This five-finger, high-stretch neoprene diving glove is preshaped to allow for a natural hand position. Designed using a single layer lining of the comfortably soft and flexible material.
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On the interior though, Metallite is used to great effect making them easy to put on and take off. Furthermore, the fact that they feature an all-over non-slip finish on the exterior giving the wearer a firm and stable grip of things while underwater.
Although the preformed shape this has might be off-putting to look at. You will soon realize that it’s a natural resting position for your hands, with your fingers bent slightly giving no resistance.
4. Bare Unisex Sealtek 5mm Scuba Diving Gloves
Bare is another of the popular dive accessories brand that we’ve featured before here on Ocean Scuba Dive. Here we have the 5mm thickness of the Sealtek for cold water diving. These are marketed as a wetsuit glove, which is a great investment.
It promises high-end comfort and unrivaled sealing. It features a Glideskin-in wrist design that provides extra protection against water entry. And, as the name suggests, makes it easy to take them off and put them on.
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Made with a 4-panel structure that increases the amount of flexibility while reducing the number of stitches and seams. Similar to most of our choices these also feature the preformed curved finger. Lowering the chance of hand fatigue, while keeping their dexterity.
A special 3D print on the palms provides additional grip while protecting against abrasion. All in all, they are a great pair and one of the best diving gloves for cold water dives. With the grip these diving gloves have, they would also be good as spearfishing gloves.
5. XS Scuba Dry Five Pyrostretch Dry Glove
Now for a diving glove from XS Scuba. This range is marketed as a high-end scuba diving glove. With strength and durability, these are specifically designed for swimming and exploring in cold waters.
Blind-stitched and glued seams ensure they provide an excellent seal against water. While the whole of the palm area is textured for perfect grip enabling you to use your gear with confidence.
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They have been constructed with the best PyroStretch neoprene with a thickness of 5mm. The double cut-off wrist design also reduces the amount of water transference.
Available in XXL, XL, Large, Medium, and small sizes but with the bonus of an extra-small size made for really small hands.
6. Fourth Element Neoprene Scuba Diving Glove 5mm
Fourth Element is the next reputable brand that we want to highlight. Whether you dive cold or tropical waters or love exploring shipwrecks, they have a range of thicknesses to suit all.
Similar to most that we have featured, these diving gloves have been made from neoprene material. Allowing you to have confidence in colder climates along with the dexterity to use your camera or equipment. They are flexible and have an extremely high-quality Thermoflex liner. Meaning each hand, right down to the tips of your fingers, has the insulation for warmth and is kept dry.
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In addition to gluing and stitching, the seams are also welded for a watertight fit. The fewer seams a pair of diving gloves have, the better.
Featuring a carbon-style grip to increase their durability and lifespan, while ensuring you have the grip you need.
7. Mares Pure Instinct Amara Five Finger 2mm Scuba Glove
Mares are another popular brand that we’ve featured extensively on our site, due to their experience and skills in the industry.
The 2mm thickness of these, which are admittedly thinner than a lot of the other choices. Having double-lined neoprene provides you with a great mixture of dexterity and warmth for warmer water.
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The Amara material used on the fingers, tips, and palm is similar to suede or synthetic leather. This provides all-important comfort, while the neoprene ensures they are flexible for maneuverability in the water.
A different design to many others this option has Velcro wrist strapping to secure them snugly. Offering style and comfort that you will love. With a thickness for more temperate water dives and the strength to protect your hands.
8. Mares Classic Flexa Five Finger 3mm Dive Glove
Here we have another great pair of scuba gloves to talk about from Mares. This time, it’s the Mares Classic Flexa 3mm Five Finger glove. These are suitably thick to help provide you with the protection you need against the harsher elements.
These diving gloves feature a preformed wrist shape to prevent water seeping in, while still providing the flexibility and dexterity for you to use your equipment and move around naturally and smoothly.
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While the blind-stitching and double-gluing of seams, that Mares are known for, ensure they will last a long time. All this makes these diving gloves a smart investment. Available in 6 sizes so you are bound to find the right glove for you.
9. Scubapro Seamless 1.5mm Dive Glove
Scubapro is another accessory manufacturer that has a great reputation for making user-friendly and affordable products. Using the best and most cutting-edge techniques and technology makes them extremely popular amongst divers.
In the construction, heat taping is used rather than traditional stitching. This makes them not only extremely lightweight but especially tactile, flexible, and soft on your skin. Perfect for maneuvering around and when your dives are in more temperate waters.
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The lack of traditional stitching that some of the other styles have also means you have improved dexterity around the fingers and wrist. You will never have to worry about being able to use your dive computer o scuba gear when you have these.
These also feature a printed palm that will provide a grip but is not course to the touch. So should you touch your face no harsh abrasion will occur.
10. Aqua Lung Cora Womens Warm Water Diving Glove
Aqua Lung is yet another with a sterling reputation in the industry. These Cora warm water scuba gloves stand out in particular though, as being designed by women for women.
They have narrower and longer fingers and palms to give a better fit for female hands. As is the case with most, they are made of high-stretch fabrics that provide dexterity and a more comfortable and snug fit.
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The material used dries quickly while the holes provide perfect ventilation. The integrated entry design also ensures that you have a much easier time putting them on and off and with a velcro adjustable wrist strap.
This style of glove is designed for warmer temperature dives as it purely provides a layer of warmth and protection for your hands.
For a quick recap of our article, Here are our top 3 best selling dive glove picks;
- 5 Size Options
- 3 Color Choices
- Snorkeling/Diving Gloves
- Comfortable Fit
- 3 Thickness Options
- Non-Slip Finish
- High Stretch Gloves
- Natural Hand Position
- Very Comfortable
- Seamless Gloves
- Great for Using Cameras
- Thinnest Glove Around
Diving Gloves Buying Guide
If you are looking to buy scuba dive gloves, we hope the above reviews have helped you on your way. Here we have put together a guide that will help you to fully understand what you need to consider when buying them.
Material of Scuba Diving Glove
The majority of scuba dive gloves are made from a neoprene rubber material. The reason being is that it is a high-end, high-quality, and high-performance fabric. Also known for durability but that stays flexible and remains in good condition in even the harshest environments.
They should bend without any problem in the fingers, palm, or grip area. Neoprene diving gloves are known for their waterproofing properties. And, when combined with a suitable liner these gloves will keep your hands snug and warm during your dive. While allowing you to have the grip and flexibility to pick up and use any dive gear you might need.
Thickness of the Diving Gloves
Just as with diving boots and wetsuits, the range of thicknesses varies. Therefore, the gloves you need will depend on the water temperature you will mainly dive. Below you will find a guide on temperatures and thickness required.
Below 52-Degrees 
When diving in waters of a temperature that is below 52-degrees, the types of gloves with a thickness of 5mm are required. If you need to dive in colder waters, you may need to invest in a glove with a liner as a feature.
55 Degrees
If the water you are in is warmer than 55-degrees then you will only need gloves that are in the range of 2.5mm to 5mm thickness.
Warm Waters
Maybe you dive in more tropical areas, where the water is a lot warmer. In which case you can use a glove that has a thickness of between 1 to 2.5mm.
Size of Diving Gloves
As is the case with any clothing, you need to ensure that you have a good fit. Choosing a pair that is too small will not only make them uncomfortable but, will restrict important movement. It is just as important, if not more so, to get the correct size glove for your hands as it is the correct size dive boot. Without full use of your fingers, how will you turn valves and use your equipment safely?
However, if they are bigger than you require, the interior will cool down as the water will probably seep in. They are also more likely to come off and this would be extremely dangerous during a dive. Loose-fitting dive gloves are a safety concern as they will make it hard to work with your dive equipment during the dive.
The ideal fit, therefore, is a glove that fits snugly without being too constrictive.
Style of Diving Gloves
The most common style of dive gloves that you are likely to come across, and that is featured heavily in our guide is the five-finger design with grips. This is the same style of glove that you wear in the winter months just made from a different kind of material.
This design gives you the most freedom to move around underwater and use your gear more easily. The alternative is the mitten-style glove which has a larger section that fits all four fingers and a separate section for your thumb.
Although many do favor mittens, these do not provide quite as much movement as the five-finger-style gloves. The reason they are so popular being that they provide excellent thermal insulation. So, if you are heading to waters with cold temperatures, but don’t intend on using a lot of equipment, the mitten style is an excellent choice for divers.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a diver, you should of course avoid physical contact with all marine life, but this can happen accidentally. Whether it is coral reefs, fish gills, shipwrecks, or rocks and debris, there is a lot that you can hurt yourself on under the water.
Hopefully, having read our reviews and tips on scuba diving gloves, you now know which you think are the best option for you. Go and enjoy your next dive vacation and experience the great underwater world that little bit warmer and safer.
Just in case we have not covered something that you would like to know we have answered some frequently asked questions about scuba diving gloves.
Why do I need to wear dive gloves?
There are three very good reasons that you need to wear dive gloves, even in warmer tropical waters.
Firstly. Remember body heat is transferred approximately 100 to 200 times faster in water, and maintaining warmth during the dive is important. But no matter what the temperature of the water is, you will still need the protection of dive gloves against sharp objects.
Secondly. Even when you are in warmer water you will need insulation against the cold water. No matter how warm the water when you start, as you dive deeper you will feel the cold. You must protect not just your body but especially your hands as they do a lot of the work.
Lastly, sea creatures can sting or try to nip and although diving gloves might not be a lot of protection they do offer more than your skin. As an example gloves would definitely save you the pain of being stung by the smaller jellyfish.
Can I wear wet gloves with a drysuit?
You can wear wet gloves with a dry suit but you must remember to take into consideration the fit as the cuffs on the drysuit might cause a problem when you are trying to put the wet dive gloves on. This is open for debate and comes down to personal preference.
How do I choose diving gloves?
When you are deciding which diving gloves to choose there are various factors that you need to think about. Where will most of your diving be done, are you a shore diver, drift diver, or deep diver and what will the temperatures of the waters be.
You need to choose the correct thickness of diving glove to suit the temperature of the water and with enough protection for your hands. But most importantly you must ensure a snug comfortable fit that gives you full movement of your hands to ensure you can use your scuba gear correctly.
