The best way to understand and appreciate the utility of paintball gloves is by getting hit in the hand–just one time should be enough to convince you! For most players, paintball gloves are a necessity when playing paintball. In fact, we recommend that even players who are renting for a day pick up their own set of gloves because of the many benefits of wearing them. Nearly all players agree–getting hit directly on the hands and fingers is one of the most painful places to get hit by a paintball, especially at close distances. On the back of the hand, especially the fingers, the skin is thin and bleeding can happen with direct finger hits. Many paintball gloves are also reasonably priced ($10 - $15) so it makes sense to invest in armored gloves. More experienced players also have a wide array of options and are similarly encouraged to get a great pair of paintball gloves. 

If you’re just playing for a day and renting equipment, you should look for gloves that don’t break the bank but also keep your hands as protected as possible. Our favorite gloves for one-day renters are the Valken Alpha Finger Gloves. These gloves come armored with padding and a hard outer plastic shell to keep your hand protected against the worst of the impact. The best part? They’re only $10 and can be used as generic work gloves as well. In fact, they’re great for yard work, landscaping, and hardscaping even after you’re finished playing paintball.

Players who are willing to invest a little bit more in their gloves should also look for better grip. While gloves certainly help to protect your hands, that’s not all they do. They can also help you get a better purchase on your paintball maker in wet conditions or if you get paint on your hands. Players also love the better grip when refilling the loader in the middle of a firefight or changing out tanks that are difficult to get a solid grip on. For players looking at paintball gloves with better grip, we recommend the Exalt Death Grip Glove