What is a Gaming Glove?
To prevent blisters and excessive sweating gaming gloves are crafted from nylon, lycra and silicone palm pads. They provide maximum comfort in PC and Console gaming. You might wonder why you need best gaming gloves. Countless hours of game playing without any ergonomic support can rattle your bones, especially your hands. Sitting for hours with the elbows raised can cause strains in the back and damage your wrists pretty bad. You might get sick when the console or the mouse starts slipping out of your hands right when you need your fingers to perform the fastest. Literally, gamer gloves might as well be the best solution to this problem.
A gaming glove is a tight-fitting compression glove that allows ventilation and helps you maintain complete control through your hands. Mostly, an all-weather fabric is used in construction that provides good grip both in cool and warm temperatures. These gloves for gaming can be worn by any gamer to radically increase performance because the fastest fingers win the day. Whether you are a relentless button-smasher or a console-freak, these video game gloves can make you go for long hours without getting your fingers throbbing. Similar to sports gloves, these gamer skins come with splints and bobs to increase wrist support. Some have a sporty look and feel, while others are simple wrap-around styles going all the way up to your arm. The basic concept behind the ergonomics of these gaming gloves is to keep the wrist straight all the time.
Which Gaming Glove is Right for You?
What makes a glove perfect to fit a gamer’s needs? The suitability depends upon the game setup you have. If you have a PC well-placed on a desk, make sure your elbows are in line with your diaphragm and your wrists perpendicular to your shoulders to get the most out of your gloves. The right kind of gloves depends on the type of gaming you want them for. For PC gaming, there are PC gaming gloves that are engineered to provide greater wrist support and flexibility along with better finger dexterity. For Console game playing, fingerless gaming gloves with the good moisture-wicking material can get the job done. From cheap to highly expensive varieties, there is a wide range of options. They get better as the price tag inflates. You may be foregoing quality features to get the cheaper options. That being said, the market has diversified intensely to bring you the best when you are on a budget. On the other hand, not all products offer value for money. Some manufacturers exploit consumers through popular marketing not providing what they promise. When buying, just get a skin check in case of allergies that may arise out of the use of these mittens. Also, keep in mind the following before choosing your pair.
Playing Form
The kind of gaming you are involved in decides the right pair of gloves for you. If you are a PC gamer, then you ought to choose something that fits the description of a PC gaming glove. The console type might just not serve the purpose here.
Playing Type
The type of play is vital in choosing the appropriate product. If you are a low-movement player, you should probably choose the fingerless gaming gloves which might also save you some money.
Hand Size
Always know the size of your hands and the manufacturer’s size categories. Pay extra attention to the size if you are ordering online.
Editor’s Pick
Dimble.Games recommends the Gamer Glove’s Elite Performance Generation as our top pick as it has all the features you would need in a high-quality gaming glove. It is not very expensive and is available in a range of colors. For a small cost, you get a durable glove that will help prolong the life of your wrist joints.
List of 5 Finest Gaming Gloves
The Gamer Gloves (GG) brand is highly recommended and acclaimed by the gaming alumni. Their gloves are branded under the Elite Performance Generation (EPG) category. The EPG is made from a moisture-wicking material that keeps the control essentially in the hands of the gamer by removing slippage. The studded isometric rubber grip also reduces the joystick or the controller from sliding out of your hands. The design is stretchable allowing the hand a full range of motion. This game glove is not chopped from the fingertips and it is creased with tactile finger grips to make sure it provides full functionality of the controller button and toggle movement. Its Ven-Tech material is breathable which ensures prolonged comfort while long game sessions. The compression technology reduces the chances of injury and improves muscle recovery time, energizing the performance and endurance of the gamer. Playing for hours with these will not only make your hands feel dry but also avoid blisters and abrasions.
Specs
- Sweat Control: Yes
- Weight: 4 ounces
- Color: 5
- Material Moisture wicking
Pros
- Great for console game playing
- Isometric rubber grip allows ample friction
- Attractive range of colors
- Comfortable and moisture free
Cons
- The stitching gets loose after sometime
- Not easy to adjust playing with them
- Quality is not so great
Extreme gaming can result in physical strain to the body especially your wrists and fingers. If left unnoticed, such competitive activity can result in compression neuropathy and eventual nerve damage like the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This particular pair of gaming gloves helps reduce the strain and provide essential comfort for enhanced performance during extended gaming sessions. As promised by the manufacturer, they provide neuropathic strain relief for enhanced gaming endurance. In easier words, strain to the fingers and wrist resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome can easily be avoided with the use of Armageddon Calibre.
Specs
- Material: EVA
- Weight: 4 ounces
- Sweat Control: No
Pros
- Comfortable rubber beneath the wrist to raise hands height and increase blood flow
- Fingerless for maximum grip and agility
- Perfect for cold environment
- Lycra composite is good for wrist joint
Cons
- Sweat can accumulate easily since the material is not breathable
3. Foamy Lizard
The Foamy Lizard game glove offers lightweight gaming comfort, so you can enjoy long hours of playing without the fear of having blisters. The fabric is stretchable and relaxing making it a cozy fit for all hand shapes. The rubber isometric grip ensures you get a good grip on your console and the sweat absorbing material is provided to ensure enough friction to make your console gaming experience the best. These can be used for Nintendo, PS, and Xbox gaming.
Specs
- Sweat Control: Yes
- Material: Elastic rubber
- Weight: 1 ounces
Pros
- Fingerless design provides better friction
- Comfortable material and a tight fit
- Hexagonal rubber grip
Cons
- Fabric quality is a little poor
- Fingerless design does no good for people who sweat a lot
Designed primarily for Console gaming, these are constructed from high-quality Stoma fabrics that are very comfortable in fitting. The isometric silicone grip encrusted in the palm provides better gameplay experience even if your hands are clammy. The material also holds moisture-wicking properties, so don’t worry about the sweat inside the glove. The fingerless design helps boosts performance and precisely control the buttons with the same feel. These are compatible with any console gaming controller like the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Specs
- Material: Fabric & silicone
- Platform: Console
- Sweat Control: Yes
Pros
- Comfortable and cozy
- Very good quality
Cons
- No finger coverage
- No color options
These are designed for intense PC gaming fanatics who are looking for some solution to avoid getting their hands sweaty while pounding their mouse. These are also good for those who demand more wrist support and flexibility. Made from the cloth used in diving costumes, the fabric is considerably lightweight. The section separating the wrist from the hand is lined with a padding to provide great support while your hand is positioned on the mouse. The breathable fabric and compression fitting provide essential health benefits by avoiding irregular and painful wrist movements. It also regulates the blood pressure from the arm to the fingertips making your maneuvering faster. The design encompasses the palms and leaves the fingers uncovered for better finger dexterity and mouse movement.
Specs
- Material: Premium EVA
- Sweat Control: Yes
- Warranty: 3 months
Pros
- Comfortable with open thumb and fingers
- Prevents forming of blisters
- Rubber beneath the wrist provides ample support
Cons
- Stitching is a bit tight around the thumb
- Slightly loose on the hands
Types
Gloves for PC Gaming
These are forged to be attuned to the hands of the gamer in any kind of PC game setup that involves the use of a desk. These are designed ergonomically to alleviate or reduce the effects of extensive video gaming by maintaining a technically viable position for the hands and fingers to move quickly and repetitively.
Gloves for Console Gaming
These are more or less made with the same material used for PC gaming. However, they normally are fingerless. Sweating caused due to excessive game playing can hamper performance and dexterity of the gamer. With these mittens, there is no need to keep rubbing your hand with your pants. It provides an altogether better game experience boosting your performance too.
Gaming Gloves for Cold Hands
Warm up your cold hands. No matter how extreme is the weather, these warm gaming gloves ward off the cold with effective material like fleece to add warmth without intervening in your gameplay. These fingerless gaming gloves with knitted leather also provide the essential temperateness necessary to keep off the cold.
Gaming Gloves for Sweaty Hands
Lay off the sweat with this gaming accessory. Lots of gamers go through this problem and this becomes a reason for their below-par performance. These gaming gloves can make your frustrations go away. The moisture-wicking material absorbs the sweat and the palmar grip of the glove gives your firm control of the mouse or the console controller.
What Features Should You Consider While Buying Gaming Gloves?
Fabric
The moisture-wicking fabric keeps your hands cool and comfortable. The breathable second-skin fabric also guarantees relief while playing for long hours.
Grip
Isometric rubber grip arrangement in the palmar section of the glove eliminates the slippery and greasy feeling using the controller or the mouse.
Cushion
High-Quality ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA – used in the padding of extreme sportswear) is also creased into the wrist cushion to relieve pressure and increase motion gestures.
Insulation/Padding
Neoprene in the deepest layer of the fabric keeps your hand warm while you rattle it out in air-conditioned and chilly tournament arenas. It proves maximum dexterity and agility.
Friction
Lycra lining used in the glove decreases the friction between the arm and the surface of the desk.
Elevation
Lifting the height of the wrist matching to that of the fingers’ aids in the blood flow to the tips of your fingers.
Gloves for Virtual Reality Gaming
Virtual Reality (VR) is a world of artificial intelligence that brings the interaction between human and machine even closer. This helps us to look at it from an entirely different dimension. Most importantly, the programmers who design VR games and accessories have complete control over the entire interface and set the fundamentals of the game. For humans, there are various kinds of gear available in the market for proper functioning through their senses – touch, sight, and sound. Wearables like VR gloves give you the necessary action and control along with precision and performance. They also act as an interface between the virtual reality and your world.
How to Choose a VR Gaming Glove?
When you decide to buy a pair of VR gaming gloves, you need to take into account certain factors. There are a variety of products available each having their own pros and cons. Every glove comes with a unique selling proposition. To choose the right pair, take into consideration the factors mentioned above.
Know the Reason Behind your Choice
It will be easier to decide on a pair if you know what you are looking for. If you just want an immersive experience, then any glove that fits right into your budget will satisfy your need. However, if you are an avid gamer, you should be critical about the available options and choose the one that best fits your requirement. Know what to experience also matters – if you prefer low-latency and don’t mind staying connected to cables, look for gloves with wires. This might be required for agility and competitiveness in the VR environments.
Know the Feeling
If your hands get soaked in sweat while playing, then you probably should be looking for something that is washable and/or breathable. The construction and design of the glove will largely influence the feel you get from the wearable. The innovations are rapid in the industry sprouting new upgrades and changes frequently to match the growing consumer demand.
Know the Price
This is the most important factor – go for what fits right into your budget offering the highest value for money. From highly expensive to lowly priced, the market for Virtual Reality gloves gives you a wide range to choose from. Just be sure that the product matches your requirements on a consistent basis. You might regret buying something off the shelf that’s too flashy.
Conclusion
Gloves for gaming come in all shapes and sizes with various functionalities. The technology employed to manufacture them can vary vastly and serve a broad range of customers. Although the PC and Console gaming gloves are inexpensive and provide support and relief from physical strain induced by longer hours of gaming, VR gloves take you into an altogether different direction of immersion and virtual reality environments. The usage of these gloves can be considered beneficial for all gamers across the board. Now, it all depends on what type of gaming you are involved in. If you are a keen PC or Console gamer, there are brands that can suit your wrists and hands perfectly providing you the agility and comfort with quicker strain relief and recovery. On the other hand, VR gloves are for gamers or simulators programming in virtual reality and they are expensive and relatively high in features. Choose the one that suits your requirements because they are all designed to improve your gaming and virtual experience. Human-computer interactions have made great developments and it’s a brave new world we are living in. So, brace yourselves for what’s coming!
FAQ
Are gaming gloves worth it?
Answer: They totally are. They provide your wrist and fingers the support you need to play games. Also, they allow you to perform well and outclass your opponents in multiplayer environments. They are totally worth the money you spend on them.
Why you need gloves for gaming?
Answer: They are designed to aid you in playing and give your fingers and wrists the support they require for long gaming sessions. Moreover, there is so much variety like gloves for cold hands, sweaty hands, PC, Console, and Virtual Reality game environments, which make them a must-have for avid gamers.