Best Longboard Slide Gloves
Trying to find the answer to what the best longboard sliding gloves are is pretty much the same as trying to ask a parent which child they love most. There is really no straightforward answer. Each pair of slide gloves brings with it different pros and cons. It is a matter of what your preferences are.
For example, are you looking for a glove that is low-profile, or do you want something a little bit bulkier that is going to add more protection? Are finger pucks and thumb pucks a must or not? What style of finger puck do you want? Do you want one puck that will cover all four fingers, or is a lobster style configuration what you are looking for? The questions could go on and on.
For that reason, our goal with this guide is to give you an overall feel for the different styles of slide gloves that are available. Hopefully, you can use this information to make an informed decision and purchase the best longboard slide gloves for you.
Our Top 4 Picks
What To Look For In Slide Gloves
Slide gloves have two purposes: they protect the rider’s hands and allow them to do certain tricks. Slide gloves are made from a lightweight material and usually have a breathable mesh material designed to draw away sweat from the hands on hot days. While having light weight gloves is important, make sure that the gloves you purchase are durable enough to withstand the style of riding you engage in.
Two things to look for are gloves that have double stitching and gloves that are made with Kevlar or other composite fabrics. Make sure the gloves you select allow you to grab your longboard while you are sliding. Your gloves should allow you to have a firm, strong grip on the board. Aggressive riders will benefit from gloves that are made with leather and have a padded interior.
Every pair of slide gloves must have palm pucks. Many will have removable palm pucks that attach to the gloves with Velcro. Your palm pucks protect your hands, and they will take the most abuse. The palm pucks you use must be of the highest quality. Pucks that are made of a UHMW plastic provide the highest level of protection and will give you enough resistance to control your slide.
Slide gloves protect your fingers. Some do this by having Kevlar fingertips, while others use finger pucks. Your style of riding will determine the right type of gloves for you. When wearing slide gloves, good form and technique is important. Keep your palm pucks towards the heel of your palm, and keep your fingers up. This will allow you to apply pressure toward the bottom of the puck, and it will prevent you from jamming your fingers.
Slide Gloves Reviews
Now that we have examined what to look for in gloves, let’s take a few minutes and review some of the popular brands of slide gloves that are currently available.
Triple 8 Sliders Longboard Gloves
Providing the perfect mixture of style and function, these hardy gloves feature Kevlar resistant fingertips. Removable slider pucks, slide bars for the fingertips, and a heavy duty Velcro wrist strap work together to provide unparalleled protection. These high-quality gloves are made with top grain leather.
Many users commented on how happy they are with the quality of the gloves stating that “the gloves did the trick. They fit well and seemed well-made.” Others commented on how, in addition to providing complete protection, these gloves were flexible enough to allow them to have good movement with their hands and the ability to grip the board during slides.
Andux Land Skateboard Slider Glove HBST-05
Andux has created a great pair of gloves for any medium-sized adult or teenager looking for function and protection. The glove itself is made from comfortable and form-fitting nylon and comes with a heavy-duty wrist strap. The tightness of this wrist strap can be adjusted to fit most wrists comfortably, keeping the glove secure on your hands.
You’ll find some pretty thick protective pads on the back of the hand and the knuckles of each finger, though the thumb doesn’t get any love, so you may have to watch out for getting it potentially trapped. Finally, the glove comes in a standard design with red slider pucks that are removable and replaceable. Again, there isn’t a slider for the thumb, so you’ll have to watch out for that.
People find the Andux Land Slider quite comfortable and satisfactory. The lack of a thumb slider or thumb protection means new skaters or those who have a habit of using their thumb may have a few problems. Overall, they’re pretty good, neither the best nor the worst.
Losenka Skateboard Gloves with Sliders
Being the well-known brand that Losenka is, you can expect some decent quality from these gloves at the very least. Made from a protective microfiber leather that is on the more durable end of the spectrum, these gloves are snug and comfortable.
The adjustable wrist strap will help keep the glove from slipping off while skating and provides another protective layer. The main attraction is the sliders, which are made from polyoxymethylene which is incredibly durable to being worn down through use. Across the knuckles is a silicone pad that acts as a shock absorber and offers some light protection.
With the breathability and elasticity of the glove making it very comfortable and the durable design of the sliders, this is a glove designed to last. People are incredibly happy with this glove, stating it to be excellent for beginners and intermediate-level skaters, especially at the price. For added flair, they also include spark burners on the sliders, which are sure to impress any onlookers.
LINGHANGST Skateboard Gloves with Slider Blocks
Taking a step away from the more common mostly-black look to a much more alarming color scheme of bright yellow, green, and orange, this glove offers you an excellent amount of protection. The main glove features a 13-pin HPPE material which is incredibly resistant to damage from cuts and abrasions. It also provides a layer of anti-impact protection.
The wrist strap is again adjustable, but the glove may be a bit uncomfortable given its thickness, leading to less breathability. The main eye-drawing feature is the thick layering of protection on the entire back of the hand. The slider pucks come in a set of eight, with pucks for the hands, thumbs, and fingers.
These are a bit on the larger side of skateboard gloves, so they may not fit perfectly if you have smaller hands. However, they are very protective from most forms of damage you might encounter while skating.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many options available for a rider looking for slide gloves. Slide gloves are as unique as the rider who wears them. So take your time, do your research and find the perfect gloves for you. Not only will they prevent your hands from becoming a victim of road rash, but they will also help you improve your performance and take your riding to the next level.