Want to improve your bowling game and avoid injury at the same time? Try a bowling glove! These top bowling gloves all provide grip and support in their own unique ways, so find out what the best bowling glove is for you.
What do bowling gloves do?
A bowling glove is a type of protective equipment used by many bowlers that helps support the wrist and hand for better control and grip on the bowling ball.
While you might not need a glove while casually bowling on a Friday night, it can make a massive if you’re a frequent bowler. A bowling glove can help reduce the risk of developing torn ligaments, sore joints, calluses, and blisters from the repeated throwing of a heavy bowling ball.
Besides their protective qualities, bowling gloves can help improve your form by stabilizing your wrist to a proper angle. All of the best bowling gloves also have a textured palm surface to help achieve a better grip on the ball.
How do you choose bowling gloves?
If you’re shopping for bowling gloves, you may be overwhelmed by all the options and styles available. Luckily, you only need to consider a few key factors to find the right one for you.
Design
There are various styles of bowling gloves, all designed for different purposes. The most popular designs are basic bowling gloves, finger bowling gloves, metal bar bowling gloves, metal brace wrist positioners, and thumb socks.
Basic bowling gloves: These simply designed gloves are great for beginner to intermediate bowlers looking to reduce blisters and achieve a better grip.
Finger bowling gloves: A step up from a basic glove, finger bowling gloves are engineered to provide additional wrist support and reduce palm sweatiness. Finger gloves will cover a bowler’s pointer and pinky fingers, with the middle finger and thumb left free.
Metal bar bowling gloves: An excellent hybrid option, metal bar bowling gloves usually resemble finger bowling gloves, except they have a metal bar that locks your wrist in place for better control over the bowling ball.
Metal brace wrist positioners: Great for advanced bowlers, metal wrist positioners use sturdy metal supports to help you achieve a true pendulum swing. This style of bowling glove tends to be pricier, but it offers complete control over the bowling ball and structured wrist support.
Thumb socks: The most basic style of bowling glove, thumb socks are a low-profile solution that prevents blisters and calluses. Thumb socks act as a replacement for bowler’s tape, covering the thumb and wrapping around the bowler’s wrist.
The vast majority of bowlers only throw with either their right hand or left hand. Most bowling gloves come in both options, so be sure to choose the correct one to fit the hand you throw with.
Size
To get the full benefits of your bowling glove, it needs to fit comfortably and securely. A glove that’s too loose won’t be able to hold your wrist in the proper position, while a too-tight glove can limit your motion. Use the sizing guides available from the manufacturer to choose the best size for you.
Material
Bowling gloves can be made from various materials. Choose from leather, Lycra, vinyl, spandex, and more to find the one you prefer. The best gloves are made from high-quality and breathable materials.
1. Storm Xtra Grip Plus Glove
With a reinforced backhand support system, the Storm Xtra Grip Plus Glove provides a consistent wrist position for superior comfort and performance. Its textured palm is made from a unique gripping compound for increased feel and control. The finger gussets and back of the glove are made from comfortable spandex that molds to your hand, and the built-in ventilation keeps your hands dry and sweat-free. The Storm Xtra Grip Plus Glove also has an elastic wrist support wrap for even more tendon stability.
- Type: Finger bowling glove
- Reinforced backhand support and elastic wrist strap help keep a stable wrist position
- Spandex finger gussets and backing for a comfortable fit
- The unique gripping compound provides added control
- Available for right or left hand in sizes small, medium, large, and XL
2. KR Strikeforce Pro Rev 2 Bowling Support
One of our top picks for achieving complete control over the bowling ball is the KR Strikeforce Pro wrist positioner. This advanced bowling glove is made from ultra-lightweight duraluminum and has extended finger support for maximum power in oilier lane conditions. In addition, bowlers can make lateral adjustments that change the spin on the bowling ball and its forward roll. Meanwhile, four forward wrist cup positions allow for revolution control. With a striking black/red design, the KR Strikeforce Pro Rev 2 also features a stylish look.
- Type: Metal brace wrist positioner
- Made from lightweight duraluminum for extra support
- Bowlers can make minor adjustments to change the spin and forward roll
- Four wrist cup positions for better control
- Available for right or left hand in sizes small, medium, large, and XL
3. Storm Power Glove Plus
As one of the top bowling gloves available on Amazon, the Storm Power Glove Plus is a powerhouse of a glove with 3-in-1 functionality. The unique design of the glove makes it entirely customizable. It has four different palm pads made with advanced gripping material and a removable metal support bar that locks your wrist into position. Don’t like the metal bar? You can remove it and instead rely on the tension from the adjustable Velcro strap. In addition, this top-grade bowling glove has a hook-and-loop closure and can even be disassembled to quickly hand wash.
- Type: Metal bar bowling glove
- Highly customizable grip with interchangeable palm pads
- Optional metal support bar locks bowler’s wrists in place
- Easily washable
- Available for right or left hand in sizes small, medium, large, and XL
4. bowlingball.com Monster Grip Bowling Glove
An excellent value in the world of bowling gloves, the bowlingball.com Monster Grip Bowling glove offers better grip and control over the ball with a finger bowling glove design. A tacky, textured palm provides more contact with the ball for extra lift, turn, and revolutions while preventing blisters. Made from a comfortable stretchy material and available in many sizes, it’s easy to find the perfect fit. The hook-and-loop wristband closure keeps this glove securely in place but allows you to easily remove it between frames.
- Type: Finger bowling glove
- Stretchy, breathable fabric makes the glove incredibly comfortable
- Textured palm provides better control through increased contact with the bowling ball
- Hook-and-loop closure provides support and is easy to take on and off
- Available for right or left hand in sizes small, medium, large, XL, and XXL
5. LoveNSports Bowling Ball Thumb Socks
If you’re looking for an ultra-low-profile bowling glove, consider thumb socks. This thumb-only model from LoveNSports is cleverly designed to be a tape replacement for bowlers who want grip support without a bulky glove. Great for preventing blisters and calluses from forming after long sessions, these thumb socks are perfect for use with bowling balls with large thumb openings. This little thumb-saver glove is an especially affordable bowling accessory, too.
- Type: Thumb sock
- Low-profile design that’s comfortable and easy to use
- Prevents blisters and thumb calluses
- Excellent tape replacement
- Available for right or left hand in sizes regular and XL
6. Ebonite React/R Bowling Glove
The Ebonite React/R bowling glove is a high-quality closed finger glove that offers complete control throughout your entire swing. This leather glove prevents painful calluses from forming on your hand and the outsides of your fingers. In addition, it has a special gripping compound for better ball control and adds lift and revs. With both an elastic wristband and a hook-and-loop closure, this glove is easy to take on and off yet provides a good amount of support.
- Type: Finger bowling glove
- Durable leather design that prevents blisters and calluses
- Special gripping compound offers more control over the bowling ball
- Combination of elastic wristband and hook-and-loop closure for comfort and stability
- Available for right or left hand in sizes small, medium, and large
7. Brunswick Deluxe Bowling Glove
The Brunswick Deluxe right-handed bowling glove offers the right balance of comfort and support that most bowlers are after. Made from a breathable, stretchy material, this bowling glove offers both thumb and pinky finger protection to improve delivery and control. Its namesake deluxe non-slip grip provides a super tacky surface that helps you get a better release and put more revs on your bowling ball. In addition, it has a Velcro strap that provides a secure fit and is easy to adjust.
- Type: Finger bowling glove
- Stretchy, breathable material offers flexibility and comfort
- Deluxe tacky gripping compound on the palm helps with delivery and control
- Velcro strap for a secure fit
- Available for right or left hand in sizes small, medium, and large
8. Snow Fox Professional Anti-Skid Bowling Glove
Made from green breathable elastic Lycra, this anti-skid bowling glove from Snow Fox performs as impressively as it looks. With flexible hand support and shockproof palm, bowlers can decrease their chance of injury and gain better control over their bowling ball. It’s convenient to wear with an adjustable Velcro wrist strap and an anti-skid silicone print. This bowling glove is also great for bowlers with sweaty palms since a mesh outer helps wick away sweat.
- Type: Finger bowling glove
- Silicone print on the palm is anti-skid and shockproof
- Unique fashionable design is comfortable and breathable
- Easy-to-adjust Velcro wrist closure
- Available for right or left hand in sizes sizes medium and large
9. Ebonite Pro Form Positioner Glove
Check out the Ebonite Pro Form Positioner glove for heavy-duty grip and additional lift. This bowling glove has a padded steel backhand support system for maintaining a consistent wrist position. A heavy-duty grip compound further improves bowlers’ games by increasing contact with the ball for added control. Plus, the soft, top-grade leather wears in beautifully and is incredibly durable. This bowling glove had everything a serious bowler needs: support, comfort, durability, and style.
- Type: Metal bar bowling glove
- Comfortable and durable leather design
- Steel backhand support rod for a stabilized wrist position
- Heavy-duty gripping compound for better control and grip
- Available for right or left hand in sizes small, medium, large, and XL
10. Robby’s Vinyl Original Automatic Positioner
A classic choice for improving your bowling game, Robby’s Automatic Positioner is engineered to help you throw the ball with power, precision, and accuracy every time. It works by producing the 11 o’clock – 5 o’clock position when set with your thumb on the top of the ball, allowing the bowling ball to swing with a true pendulum movement. At the bottom of your swing, it offers wrist support and ensures your thumb releases cleanly. In addition, there are metal supports on both the front and back for optimal support and maximum wrist strength.
- Type: Metal brace wrist positioner
- Robust design with front and back metal supports and durable vinyl
- Aids in creating a true pendulum swing for precision and power
- Great for both beginner and advanced bowlers who wish to achieve complete control
- Available for right or left hand in sizes medium, large, and XL
11. Keep Outdoor Bowling Gloves
Are you an ambidextrous bowler looking for a set of bowling gloves? This bowling glove set from Keep Outdoor comes with both a right and left glove so you can change hands every throw! Made from stylish black and yellow Lycra and microfiber, these gloves are incredibly breathable. Their pull strap design makes them easy to put on and take off, and the non-slip silicone palm pad increases friction on the ball for a better grip.
- Type: Finger bowling gloves
- Made from stretchy, breathable Lycra
- The pull-on design is straightforward for taking off and putting on
- Excellent grip from the non-slip silicone palm pads
- Includes both a right and left hand glove in sizes small/medium and large/XL
Whether or not you have the talent to spare, a bowling glove will take your game to the next level. Just give it a try — you’ll strike it!
