HYROX is 8 kilometers of running broken up by eight functional stations. By the time you reach the sled pull and the farmers carry, your forearms are cooked and your palms are slick with sweat. For most athletes, grip is what gives out first, and a dropped kettlebell or a slipping rope can cost you more time than a slow run.
The right pair of gloves fixes that. The wrong pair, meaning thick, padded, or overheated gloves, can make things worse. At We Know Gloves, we’ve broken down what actually matters in a HYROX glove and picked the five best options you can order on Amazon today.
Do You Need Gloves for HYROX?
Gloves aren’t required, and plenty of elite athletes race bare-handed. For most age-groupers, though, gloves are good insurance. They help most in three places:
Sled pull: A rough rope under heavy load causes rope burn and slipping.
Farmers carry: The kettlebell handles are often damp from the racers ahead of you.
Wall balls: A sweaty medicine ball late in the race is hard to control.
Chalk isn’t a reliable backup. HYROX restricts where chalk can be used and doesn’t allow athletes to bring their own, so if the venue runs short during your wave, you’re out of luck. Always check the current rulebook for your event. Gloves give you consistent grip that doesn’t depend on the venue.
What to Look For in a HYROX Glove
A HYROX glove is not a weightlifting glove. Look for these features:
A thin palm with silicone or rubber grip. You want friction without bulk. Leather palms get slippery as they absorb sweat.
Breathability. Mesh backs or open-back designs keep your hands from overheating over a 60- to 90-minute race.
Minimal padding. Thick padding reduces your feel for the rope and handles.
A cut-away or low-profile wrist. You need to see your watch to check your splits.
Quick on and off. Many racers take their gloves off for the runs, so velcro closures or pull-on designs save time in the Roxzone.
The Top 5 Gloves for HYROX Racing
1. The Rox Guys GLVZ Race Grip Gloves (Best Overall)
These are designed specifically for HYROX, and it shows. The fingerless design pairs silicone palm grip zones with breathable mesh, a quick-release velcro strap, and a cut-away wrist that leaves your watch fully visible. They’re light enough that you can forget you’re wearing them on the runs, and grippy enough to hold a wet SkiErg handle or a kettlebell at the farmers carry.
Best for: Racers who want one glove that works at every station.
This is HYROX’s worst-kept secret. Coaches have been recommending cheap nitrile-coated gardening gloves for the farmers carry, and the Atlas 370 is the classic version. The thin nitrile palm grips kettlebell handles very well, the knit back breathes, and the fit is snug enough that you keep your feel for the equipment. They come in multi-packs, so you’ll have plenty for training.
Best for: Budget-minded racers and anyone whose grip fades on the farmers carry.
3. Mechanix Wear FastFit (Best Full-Finger Glove for the Sled Pull)
If rope burn on your fingers is your main problem, go full-finger. The FastFit has a thin synthetic-leather palm, a breathable TrekDry back, and an elastic cuff with no straps, so it slides on and off quickly between stations. It’s more durable than a gardening glove and still thin enough to keep good dexterity on the rope.
Best for: The sled pull and athletes with sensitive hands.
Coming to HYROX from CrossFit? You probably already know PICSIL. The Azor is a thin, breathable hand grip that protects your palm without covering your whole hand. Hybrid athletes use them on sled push and pull training days. Because they only cover the palm, they’re the lightest option on this list and the fastest to take off.
Best for: Experienced athletes who want palm protection with almost no bulk.
5. Xemz Silicone Grip Fingerless Gloves (Best Value Fingerless Glove)
This minimal, open-finger glove has a silicone non-slip palm and breathable nylon construction at an entry-level price. It’s a smart way to find out whether you like racing in fingerless gloves before you spend more on a purpose-built pair, and it makes a good dedicated training glove.
Best for: First-time HYROX racers and high-volume training.
Race-Day Tips for Wearing Gloves
Test in training first. Never race in a new pair of gloves. The best way to test your gloves is on a full practice run, so find a HYROX simulation event near you with Engine Room Training.
Decide on and off ahead of time. Keep them on the whole race, or tuck them into your waistband during the runs. Practice whichever you choose.
Size down if you’re between sizes. A loose glove bunches up on the rope and shifts on the kettlebell handles.
Bring a spare pair. Sweaty gloves lose grip. A dry backup pair for your second half can make a real difference.
Final Verdict
For most racers, The Rox Guys GLVZ is the best all-around glove for HYROX. If you’re on a budget, a pack of SHOWA Atlas 370s delivers surprising performance for a few dollars a pair. If the sled pull is your nemesis, go full-finger with the Mechanix FastFit.
Whichever you choose, the goal is the same: keep your grip from being the thing that slows you down.
FAQ: Are gloves legal in HYROX? Yes. Gloves are permitted, while lifting straps are not. Always check the current HYROX rulebook before race day.
