# Best Belay Gloves Source: https://climbingnest.com/best/best-belay-gloves Publisher: Climbing Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://climbingnest.com/how-we-research#our-score Rope running through your hands is hard on skin. Lowering a partner, holding repeated falls on a project and long rappels all load the same strip of palm, and a dirty rope leaves grit and aluminum residue on everything it touches. A belay glove puts a layer of leather or synthetic leather between the rope and your skin without getting in the way of the brake hand. The differences that matter are the palm material (goat leather lasts longest, synthetic leather is lighter, cheaper and cooler), finger coverage (full-finger for rappels and cold days, half or three-quarter finger when you want bare fingertips for knots and carabiner gates), the cuff closure, and whether there is a clip-in point so the pair can hang on your harness while you climb. Fit matters more than any feature, because a loose glove bunches under the rope. This guide compares seven pairs from Petzl, Black Diamond and Metolius on those points. ## Picks ### 1. Petzl CORDEX Plus Gloves - Lightweight, Breathable Leather - Tan - M Our score: 8.4/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10) The Cordex Plus is Petzl's heavier-duty belay and rappel glove, with a double layer of leather on the palm, fingers and thumb crotch. Built for frequent lowering, long rappels and intensive rope handling. Pros: - Double layer of leather in high-wear areas (palm, fingers, thumb crotch) for extended life under intensive use - Abrasion-resistant stretch nylon over the knuckles protects the back of the hand while keeping it flexible - Neoprene cuff with Velcro closure and a reinforced carabiner hole for carrying the gloves on a harness Cons: - The extra leather adds bulk and warmth, so it gives up some fingertip feel against the lighter standard Cordex - The most expensive pair in this guide, which is hard to justify for occasional gym belaying Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B001SARI2Y ### 2. Petzl CORDEX Gloves - Lightweight, Breathable Leather - Tan - L Our score: 8.2/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Petzl's Cordex is a lightweight goat leather belay and rappel glove with a stretch nylon back. A neoprene cuff with Velcro closure and a reinforced carabiner hole make it an all-round pick for cragging. Pros: - Goat skin leather, which the listing describes as a balance of durability and dexterity for handling rope and carabiners - Stretch nylon on the back of the hand for breathability and a close fit during long belays in warm weather - Low-profile neoprene cuff with Velcro closure, plus a reinforced carabiner hole for clipping the pair to a harness Cons: - Single-layer leather: the double-layer reinforcement in high-wear areas is reserved for the Cordex Plus - Costs roughly twice as much as the synthetic Black Diamond Crag gloves, and this listing is for one size and color Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B001BAX406 ### 3. BLACK DIAMOND Men's Crag Gloves | Breathable Stretch Mesh | Synthetic Leather Palm | Durable Protection for Belaying & Via Ferrata | Black | Large Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) Black Diamond's Crag is a full-finger belay glove with a synthetic leather palm and a breathable stretch mesh back. A light, low-cost pair for belaying, rappelling and via ferrata. Pros: - Reinforced synthetic leather palm and fingers for grip on ropes and hardware at about half the price of the leather pairs - Breathable stretch mesh back keeps hands cooler during long belay sessions in warm conditions - Adjustable hook-and-loop wrist strap for a snug fit and quick on and off between climbs Cons: - Synthetic leather palm, not goat leather, so expect a shorter working life under heavy rappel and lowering use - The listing does not mention a carabiner loop or clip-in hole for racking the gloves on a harness Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B081BC4LW9 ### 4. BLACK DIAMOND Men's Crag Half-Finger Gloves, Belaying/Via Ferrata, Black, L Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) The half-finger version of Black Diamond's Crag glove leaves the fingertips bare for handling carabiners and tying knots. Synthetic leather palm, stretch mesh back and a hook-and-loop cuff. Pros: - Half-finger cut keeps fingertips free for knots, gates and clipping while the palm stays covered for rope handling - Reinforced synthetic leather palm and fingers, described as built for ropes, belay devices and via ferrata rungs - Ventilated mesh back and the lowest price in this guide make it an easy first pair for warm-weather cragging Cons: - Bare fingertips get no cover from a running rope, so it suits belaying better than long rappels - Synthetic palm and mesh back add almost no warmth, so this is a warm-weather glove only Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B081BC6KC9 ### 5. Black Diamond Transition Gloves, Rope Handling Belay/Rappelling, Leather, M Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Black Diamond's Transition is a full-finger glove with a goat leather palm and a breathable stretch mesh back. Made for belaying, rappelling and rope management on sport, trad and multi-pitch routes. Pros: - Goat leather palm, reinforced in high-wear zones, for abrasion resistance where the rope runs through the hand - Stretch mesh back keeps the glove lighter and cooler than all-leather designs on long days at the crag - Hook-and-loop wrist strap gives an adjustable fit that is quick to take on and off between climbs and belays Cons: - A mesh back covers the knuckles less than the all-leather Metolius gloves when a rappel runs close to rough rock - The listing does not mention a carabiner loop or clip-in hole for carrying the pair on a harness Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B07KXZ5PR7 ### 6. Metolius 3/4 Climbing Glove - Natural Medium Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) The Metolius 3/4 Climbing Glove is a leather half-finger belay glove with cut-off fingers, webbing hook-in loops and a hook and loop closure. A durable option when you want bare fingertips. Pros: - Leather construction in a half-finger cut, so the palm is covered while fingertips stay free for knots and gates - Cut-off fingers let the hand breathe, which helps on hot days at the crag - Webbing hook-in loops for carrying the pair on a carabiner, and a hook and loop closure for a secure fit Cons: - Costs the same as the Metolius full-finger glove while covering less of the hand - Exposed fingertips mean less cover on long rappels, and the listing gives no weight or leather type Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B07491QDY7 ### 7. Metolius Full Finger Belay Glove - Naural Large Our score: 7.5/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Metolius's Full Finger Belay Glove is a leather glove for belaying and rope handling, with a hook and loop cuff and a carabiner clip-in point. Listed for canyoneering, sport and trad climbing. Pros: - Leather construction that the listing describes as durable, with full finger coverage for rappels and lowering - Carabiner clip-in point for carrying the pair on a harness gear loop while you are climbing - Hook and loop closure keeps the gloves secure, and the listing includes a 1 year manufacturer warranty Cons: - The listing gives few details: no leather type, no weight and no mention of reinforcement in the palm - No stretch or mesh panel is mentioned, so expect a warmer glove than the mesh-backed pairs in summer Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B0748VWTVG As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.