Today’s climbing gloves come with so many features that it’s tricky to narrow down which gloves make the most sense for your child.
Kids’ rock-climbing gloves provide added grip strength and protection for your child’s fingers. But different gloves offer different pros and cons. Our goal is to help you sort out which children’s climbing gloves will work best for your kids.
For each of the six best kids rock climbing gloves on the market today, we’ve provided a detailed breakdown of features. Our reviews of the best products by category make it easy for you to find the best climbing gloves for your child.
Contents
- Is Rock Climbing Safe for Kids?
- Should Kids Wear Gloves While Rock Climbing?
- What Are the Best Kids Rock Climbing Gloves?
- 1. Best Overall: Zelda Matilda Magic Knit Kids Stretch Gloves
- 2. Best Multi-Pack Deal: Boao 3 Pairs Kids Half Finger Gloves
- 3. Best Grip Control: HANG Monkey Bar Gloves with Grip Control
- 4. Best for Scratch Protection: MARZE Kids Cycling Gloves
- 5. Best Breathable Material: MARZE Kids Fingerless Camo Gloves
- 6. Best Knuckle Flexibility Size: HANG Monkey Bar Gloves
- Buyer’s Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Protect Those Little Hands
Is Rock Climbing Safe for Kids?
As with any physical activity, rock climbing comes with certain risks. It’s crucial to maintain constant adult supervision when your kids are rock climbing. That said, rock climbing is a fantastic way for kids to have fun and get quality exercise.
One of the best ways to protect your kids (while still giving them the freedom to enjoy the activities they love) is to make sure they have all the appropriate safety gear. For rock climbing, gloves are an essential safety component.
Should Kids Wear Gloves While Rock Climbing?
Though you may see advanced professional climbers without gloves, climbing gloves are a key piece of protective equipment for beginners and intermediate climbers, especially kids.
Naturally, different rock walls and outdoor climbs demand different safety gear. No matter the environment, however, it’s important to make sure your kid’s hands are protected from blisters, scrapes, and bruises while they climb.
Quality climbing gloves can keep your kids climbing farther and longer by helping prevent painful injuries.
More than just protection, kids’ rock climbing gloves can improve your child’s grip and performance. The appropriate climbing gloves can help make them better climbers.
What Are the Best Kids Rock Climbing Gloves?
- Best Overall: Zelda Matilda Magic Knit Kids Stretch Gloves
- Best Multi-Pack Deal: Boao 3 Pairs Kids Half Finger Gloves
- Best Grip Control: HANG Monkey Bar Gloves with Grip Control
- Best for Scratch Protection: MARZE Kids Cycling Gloves
- Best Breathable Material: MARZE Kids Fingerless Camo Gloves
- Best Knuckle Flexibility: HANG Monkey Bar Gloves
Comparison Chart:
| Image | Product | Technical Spec | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall
|
Zelda Matilda Magic Knit Kids Stretch Gloves |
|
Check Price |
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Best Multi-Pack Deal
|
Boao 3 Pairs Kids Half Finger Gloves |
|
Check Price |
|
Best Grip Control
|
HANG Monkey Bar Gloves with Grip Control |
|
Check Price |
|
Best for Scratch Protection
|
MARZE Kids Cycling Gloves |
|
Check Price |
|
Best Breathable Material
|
MARZE Kids Fingerless Camo Gloves |
|
Check Price |
|
Best Knuckle Flexibility Size
|
HANG Monkey Bar Gloves |
|
Check Price |
1. Best Overall: Zelda Matilda Magic Knit Kids Stretch Gloves
Our overall pick is Zelda Matilda’s Magic Knit Kids Stretch Gloves, which offer the most versatility for year-round use.
A key feature of these climbing gloves not offered by many others is full-finger protection. This makes them a better choice for colder weather. While full coverage can impede dexterity, it’s important to keep your kid’s fingers from going numb and losing their grip when it’s cold.
The Magic Knit gloves’ stretchy material accommodates the largest range of hand sizes. Also, each set comes with three different camo-print colors. Your kids can pick their favorite, and you get two spares, just in case.
As a bonus, these gloves are machine washable!
Technical Details
- Size: Ages 8-14 years
- Material: Elastic, cotton, polyester, silicone
- Design: Full-finger, elastic wristband
- Temperature grade: Cold weather
- Color: Black camo/Brown camo/Navy camo
Why Buy?
With the widest range of features (including cold weather protection) to fit most hand sizes, Zelda Matilda’s kids’ climbing gloves are a solid all-around choice.
2. Best Multi-Pack Deal: Boao 3 Pairs Kids Half Finger Gloves
For the best deal on a multi-pack of climbing gloves, we like the Boao Kids Half Finger Gloves.
The hook and loop wrist closure allows these kids climbing gloves to adjust to a range of hand sizes. A gel grip on the palm provides added protection against slips and scrapes.
Another notable feature is the construction of the Boao climbing gloves. Each glove is double-stitched and includes leather finger ends to protect knuckles and increase longevity.
Its durability and design features make this 3-pack set of half-finger children’s rock climbing gloves a great deal for younger kids.
Technical Details
- Size: Ages 4-8 years
- Material: Silicone, Velcro, leather, Lycra
- Design: Half-finger, hook and loop wrist closure
- Temperature grade: Moderate to warm weather
- Color: Green/Blue/Black, Green/Red/Black
Why Buy?
In budget-friendly multi-packs with two sets of color options, these durable half-finger gloves will stand up to the wear of daily use by active kids.
3. Best Grip Control: HANG Monkey Bar Gloves with Grip Control
An excellent grip is important for kids’ rock climbing gloves. The HANG Monkey Bar Gloves deliver that grip. In fact, they offer double grip protection, with rubber dot grips and reinforced pads on the palms to keep your child’s hands extra-protected.
The Monkey Bar Gloves are made with a stretchy fabric over the back of the hand to improve flexibility. An attractive, colorful design that includes a star pattern on the palm grips ensures that your kids won’t want to take these climbing gloves off.
These gloves come with a handy carry bag with a clip for kids on the go!
Technical Details
- Size: Ages 7-8 years
- Materials: Spandex, Lycra, Velcro
- Design: Half-finger, Velcro wrist strap
- Temperature grade: Moderate to hot weather
- Color: Rainbow pattern
Why Buy?
Look no further for colorful climbing gloves that your child will want to wear everywhere. The HANG gloves will give them a superior grip regardless of what surface they’re climbing.
4. Best for Scratch Protection: MARZE Kids Cycling Gloves
If your kids are constantly getting scraped palms, these are the gloves for you. The half-finger design keeps fingers free to grip rough rocks, while the double-layer palms and heavier-weight Lycra over the knuckles protect the skin.
The MARZE Kids Cycling Gloves provide multi-functional protection for active kids. Kids can wear these gloves for hand protection when rock climbing, cycling, skateboarding, or enjoying other sports.
Small silicone dots on the palms of these kids’ rock climbing gloves offer improved grip, too!
Technical Details
- Size: Ages 8-10 years
- Material: Polyester, silicone, Lycra, Velcro
- Design: Half-finger
- Temperature grade: Moderate to warm weather
- Color: Black, Red, Blue
Why Buy?
Active kids need all the protection you can give them, which makes these MARZE gloves a good fit for your young climber.
5. Best Breathable Material: MARZE Kids Fingerless Camo Gloves
The breathable material and design of the Kids Fingerless Camo Gloves by MARZE make them the best choice for the hot summer months.
In addition to half-fingers, the fabric blend of these kids’ rock climbing gloves helps wick away sweat. To further combat slippery sweat in the heat, the palms of these gloves are dotted with tiny rubber grips.
Double-stitched finger openings help ensure the MARZE fingerless gloves last. Along with the adjustable Velcro wrist straps, this feature allows your child to keep wearing these gloves for more than just one year.
Though they only come in one color, the camo design will likely appeal to outdoor rock climbing kids.
Technical Details
- Size: Ages 4-10 years
- Material: Polyester, nylon, Velcro, silicone
- Design: Half-finger
- Temperature grade: Moderate to very hot weather
- Color: Camo pattern
Why Buy?
For kids who need functional climbing gloves that will hold up to the heat and keep their hands cool, these are a go-to choice.
6. Best Knuckle Flexibility Size: HANG Monkey Bar Gloves
If you’re in the market for kids’ rock climbing gloves, keep in mind the importance of a flexible grip when making a selection. The long strap and hard-hold Velcro of the HANG Monkey Bar Gloves keep them securely in place, no matter what obstacle your child is climbing.
In addition to rock climbing, the reinforced palm grips on these gloves make them ideal for other sports, like gymnastics. The extra layer of protection, combined with dot-grips, helps prevent painful blisters from forming even after repeated or prologued holds.
The stretchy material of the back and fingers of the Monkey Bar Gloves give the most flexibility, making them one of the best choices for rock climbing kids. The half-finger openings are also among the most comfortable, unlikely to chafe.
Even better, a colorful flower pattern on the palms makes these children’s rock climbing gloves anything but boring. As an added bonus, the Monkey Bar Gloves include a convenient carry-bag with a belt clip to help your active child keep track of their favorite pair of climbing gloves.
Technical Details
- Size: Ages 5-6 years
- Material: Spandex, Lycra, Velcro
- Design: Half-finger
- Temperature grade: Moderate to hot weather
- Color: Pink/Yellow
Why Buy?
The HANG kids rock climbing gloves are a great choice for particularly active children who have a tendency to climb any and every obstacle in sight. Reinforced grips and an attractive, colorful design are sure to make these climbing gloves a hit.
Buyer’s Guide
When choosing climbing gloves for your child, several key features can help you determine which gloves will provide the best comfort and protection.
Try to match these features to the type of climbing your child participates in most often.
Size and Adjustability
Keep in mind that your kids are still actively growing. It’s an excellent idea to look for a pair of climbing gloves that offer some flexibility or stretch to accommodate your child’s growth.
Many kids’ rock climbing gloves are secured with wrist straps, usually Velcro. In fact, most adult climbing gloves are fitted the same way, with hook and loop wrist closures for a customized fit.
Some children’s rock climbing gloves, however, simply use an elastic band around the wrist. When selecting climbing gloves, consider whether your child requires the greater range of adjustability of a Velcro strap.
Velcro straps generally provide the option of a tighter, more secure fit. Depending on how your child climbs, this feature may help keep their rock climbing gloves securely in place and better support their climbing.
Durability
The type of materials used to construct different kids’ rock climbing gloves impact their durability. Climbing gloves routinely rub against abrasive rock and experience more wear than normal gloves.
Because of this, it’s important to pay attention to the features of your child’s climbing gloves that will determine whether they wear out quickly or last.
Lower percentages of rubber and multi-layered construction tend to translate into increased durability. However, keep in mind that less stretch means that certain gloves may fit a more limited range of sizes.
Design
Kids rock climbing gloves come in several styles, but the most common distinction is between fingerless and full-finger gloves. Deciding which style makes sense for your child involves considering which climbing activities they are most likely to use them for.
Fingerless gloves still provide protection for your child’s hands without limiting their dexterity; on the other hand, full-finger gloves are much warmer. As you make your selection, consider whether temperature will factor into how effectively the climbing gloves protect your child’s hands.
Equally important is grip strength. Identifying climbing gloves with rubber grips of some sort gives you additional reassurance that your kids will get the most out of their climbing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are rock climbing gloves made of?
Rock climbing gloves are made of a variety of materials. Generally, they include some Lycra, spandex, or other stretchy rubber to accommodate hand movements. Many use Velcro to secure adjustable straps.
What are climbing gloves for?
Climbing gloves protect your palms from scrapes and bruises so that you can use more handholds when rock climbing. They may also improve your grip.
How do you protect your hands when rock climbing?
Climbing gloves are an excellent way to protect the skin and muscles of your hands when rock climbing.
Are fingerless gloves good for climbing?
Fingerless gloves allow you to maintain dexterity while still protecting your hands against rocks while rock climbing.
Protect Those Little Hands
No matter the type of rock climbing your child is participating in, it’s important to keep their hands protected! With so many options available, we know it’s often difficult to narrow down your decision to just one pair.
We hope these reviews of the best kids’ rock climbing gloves help you select the gloves that will provide the best combination of protection and functionality for your active child.
