Rowing Gloves: Do You Need Them?

Most rowers do not wear gloves, because they reduce your feel for the handle. But there are good reasons to use them in some situations, and the best answer is often a mix of gloves, hand care and technique.

Why rowers avoid gloves

• Less feel. The handle’s feedback is part of good technique, and you use your fingers to set the blade height and control the feather.
• Bulk. Gloves can make the grip feel thicker and add friction in the wrong places.
• Wet gloves can slip and rub, especially in rain.
• Hygiene and cost. Gloves get sweaty and need washing, and they wear out.

Most blisters come from technique and gradual build-up, not from a lack of gloves.

When gloves can help

• Cold weather. Thin gloves or mitts keep hands warm on winter outings. Some rowers use pogies, which are sleeves that attach to the oar handle and let you grip it with bare hands inside. Check your club allows them.
• Blister-prone beginners. Fingerless gloves or tape can protect your palms as they toughen up.
• Erg sessions. Some people wear them on the machine, though calluses are the usual solution. A thin fingerless glove or a bit of tape can help on long erg pieces.
• Existing hand problems. If you have a skin condition or an injury, ask your GP or physio what suits you.

Blisters and hand care

Blisters come from friction and gripping too tightly. Use this routine:

1. Hold the handle in your fingers, not deep in your palm, and relax your grip between strokes.
2. Keep nails short.
3. Build up session length and intensity gradually.
4. Moisturise at night, and keep skin supple but not soggy.
5. Look after calluses by filing them with a pumice stone or file rather than tearing them.
6. Do not burst blisters if you can avoid it. If one breaks, wash it with clean water, cover it with a plaster and keep it clean.
7. If a wound looks red, hot, swollen or weepy, see a pharmacist or GP.

Our guide to warming up your hands for rowing also helps.

Types of gloves

Type	Good for	Downside
Fingerless gloves	Blister protection with some feel	Fingertips exposed to cold
Full-finger gloves	Cold weather	Less feel, bulkier
Pogies or mitts	Cold-water rowing	Needs to fit the handle and your club’s rules
Tape or plasters	Targeted protection	Needs reapplying

Materials vary. Neoprene and synthetics dry faster and are more breathable. Leather is durable but takes longer to dry. Padding may help comfort but can add thickness.

Choosing gloves

Look for a thin, close fit with a grippy palm and breathable fabric. The glove should fit snugly without restricting your fingers. Fingerless gloves keep your fingertips free. Try them at your club before committing, and check your coach is happy with them. Elite crews seldom wear them; see do Olympic rowers wear gloves?.

If you are on an erg

The erg handle is smooth and easy to grip, but long pieces can still cause hot spots. Building up gradually helps, as our guide to lengthening your off-water rowing sessions explains. Check your grip, and see whether you are squeezing too hard. Rowing with a lighter grip is more efficient and kinder to your hands. For what the stroke does for your arms, read rowing to build strong arms. If you still get blisters, take a break while they heal rather than rowing through the pain. Our comparison of rowing machines vs cycling may give you ideas for another way to train in the meantime.

For wider kit advice, visit the boats and kit hub.