If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
If you’re a serious bowler, you shouldn’t be caught arriving to your games without a bowling glove. Gloves are a versatile bowling accessory that allow you to take your game to the next level while protecting your body.
Bowling gloves offer you the support the muscles in your hand and wrist need from putting them through the same motion over and over again. They are not just for support, though. Gloves can change the way you bowl by providing extra padding or grip that changes how the ball comes off, and can even improve your form. But when deciding what bowling glove to purchase, you need to consider what functionality you want your gloves to serve. Are you more interested in the support a glove can offer or are you looking to improve your game?
Certain gloves will be better at one or another, but a lot do offer multiple advantages. If you’re looking for support, look for gloves that go up around your wrist and are made of comfortable material. If you want to improve your game, gloves with textured palms or grip pads will give you more contact with the ball and control over it. Gloves with a more rigid form or material might do a good job of providing both support and better form. Here are our top picks for the best bowling gloves, whether you’ve just picked up the game or you’re a seasoned pro.