10 Best Lobster Gloves + Buying Guide

If you are going lobster fishing, you’re going to need a good pair of gloves. Wild lobster, especially the spiny lobster species, can be difficult and dangerous to handle if your hands are not adequately protected. Here are some things to look for when buying a suitable pair of lobster gloves.

Quick Summary – Best Lobster Gloves

• Best Overall: Beuchat Marlin Dive Gloves

Lobster Glove Buying Guide

The Basics

Why would you need gloves to go lobster fishing? Well, for several reasons. Lobsters are marine crustaceans with hard exoskeletons, claws, and sharp, spiny legs — an obstacle if you are using a net, seine, or diving to hand-catch them.

The American Lobster (Homarus americanus) is perhaps the most well-known species of lobster, with a large, heavy body and comparably heavy claws. Its claws can be a pinching hazard, and the spines on the species’ legs and rostrum (just above the head) can also make it difficult to handle.

Spiny Lobsters are a group of several lobster species in the family Palinuridae. Common species off the coasts of the United States include the California spiny lobster (Palinurus interruptus) and the Caribbean spiny lobster (Palinurus argus).

Unlike the American Lobster, spiny lobsters do not have large frontal claws. Rather, they have long, spiny antennae and protruding spines on the head, back, and the underside of the tail.

The spiny lobster also has a strong bite, one that is normally reserved for crustaceans, mollusks, and other prey. For these reasons, you will almost certainly need a solid pair of gloves when handling a spiny lobster.

Key Criteria

But what should you think about when purchasing lobster gloves? There are a few things to consider, including:

• Your environment – If you are lobster fishing in cold weather (or, alternately, diving for lobsters off a hot, sunny beach).
• Material – If the glove material is waterproof, flexible, warm, or breathable (as need be).
• Protection – If your gloves can specifically protect you from lobster claws or spines. Also, from rocks, nets, or fishing lines.
• Size – If your glove can fit you and is comfortable to wear.
• Your Lobstering Style – If you wear a wetsuit when lobster fishing (or if you are more likely to catch lobsters from a boat).

For example, if you are combing rocky reefs for spiny lobsters in warm weather, you are going to need lighter, breathable, more flexible lobster gloves. You might also want to consider durable wetsuit gloves suitable for divers.

If you are off the coast of New England fishing for the American lobster in colder, deeper waters, you will probably need a heavier, warmer pair of gloves. You will also want gloves that are fully waterproof.

Features

Lobster gloves have several key features. Let’s look at a few of them.

Materials

Lobster gloves can be made of several materials. These include:

• Kevlar – a strong synthetic fiber material made of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen molecules,
• Carbon Fiber – a strong, stiff, durable, synthetic material made mostly of carbon atoms,
• Polyethylene – a waxy-feeling, synthetic plastic that is used in bags, bottles, and lightweight gloves,
• Spandex – a lightweight, stretchable, synthetic fiber material, can be combined with polyurethane (poly-spandex),
• Neoprene – a somewhat solid synthetic rubber material used in diving dry suits and wetsuits,
• Leather – a durable clothing material made from animal hides, and
• PVC – or polyvinyl chloride, a water-resistant plastic polymer.

Each material has its pros and cons (as discussed later).

Weather Resistance

Some lobster gloves are UV-resistant. This can come in handy if you are in the sun for long periods of time. Other gloves are specifically designed for cold weather, with carbon-fiber interior arrangements and even battery set-ups for heating.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing may be a good idea for some, though not all lobster fishing. In colder weather, you will definitely want a solid pair of waterproof gloves, almost without exception.

In warmer weather, waterproofing is not quite as important. Though for spiny lobsters, durable, strong gloves will come in handy, whether they are waterproof or not. Be careful when choosing diving gloves – as diving gloves are not necessarily waterproof gloves.

Benefits and Drawbacks

There are several benefits (and drawbacks) to certain materials. This depends on the material, and of course, the specific environments and species for which you intend to use your lobster gloves.

A material like Kevlar is strong and will generally hold up when handling spiny lobsters. It is not waterproof, however, and is best used in warmer waters.

Carbon fiber can be waterproof and also hold up well under different temperatures. It may not be as reliable as heavier rubbers for colder-water lobster fishing, though.

Polyethylene is a waterproof material. It, however, is lightweight, and may not offer the protection needed for sustained lobster fishing.

Spandex would be an ideal glove base for warm, shallow lobster fishing. On the other hand, it would need to be combined with stronger materials in order to be a durable lobster glove.

Neoprene is used in most diving gloves, so it is a diving-friendly material. Neoprene alone may not make a decent lobstering glove by itself and would likely need to be used with other stronger materials.

Leather may not be the most dive-friendly gloves. They would be suitable, however for cooler climates because of their durability, so long as they are waterproof as well.

PVC, especially when lined with foam insulation, would be an excellent waterproof glove. It would be ideal for durable, cold-weather lobster fishing.

Choosing the Right Gloves

The best way to choose the right lobster fishing glove is to know how you are fishing. This includes what type of lobster you’re looking for and your environment.

Though different materials seem to have their pros and cons, you probably will not be using a glove made of only one type of material. It is more likely that you will use some combination of these materials.

10 Best Lobster Gloves 

1. Beuchat Marlin Dive Gloves Kevlar

When it comes to lobstering, you can expect the cost of your gear and equipment to be equally comparable to any other form of fishing. If you want to purchase the best possible pair of lobster gloves, you should expect to spend a bit extra from what you might normally pay for the average pair of gloves. The Beuchat Marlin Dive Gloves are one of the top lobster gloves for a number of reasons. 

They are made of 3 mm kevlar material that is specially designed to protect you against any potential punctures or other injuries due to the lobster’s spine or claws. The thick gloves are surprisingly soft and flexible right out of the box, meaning you won’t have to break them in like you might have to with other gloves that are made of more stiff material. 

These gloves also come with soft Elaskin neoprene material that are paired with double-sided wrist seal and titanium open-cell lining that makes them fit much more snugly on your hands, even at deeper depths. The gloves are specially designed to keep your hands warm, even at extreme depths and frigid conditions. The only main downside to this product is the cost, which should be viewed more as an investment that will last many seasons if cared for properly. 

2. D Vein Lobster Diving Gloves 

Having a great pair of lobster gloves is essential to making the most of your efforts to successfully grab the spiny lobsters that all too often manage to pinch your fingers. The D Vein Lobster Diving Gloves are arguably the best pair of lobstering gloves on the market today, according to most crabman that regularly go lobstering at different times of the year. These are exceptionally well-made and offer plenty of protection and grip that prevent lobster from slipping out of your hands or harming you. 

D Vein is one of the most well-respected companies when it comes to lobster gear and equipment and their products involve a specialized layer of kevlar that is able to protect against the sharpest lobster spines or claws. The gloves are exceptionally strong and durable. Unlike most other kevlar gloves, the D Vein Lobster Diving Gloves are much less stiff and won’t require any amount of time to break in before you can actually use them. 

The palm and finger sections feature an improved grip material that’s made of rubberized additions. These gloves are thick enough that you won’t have to worry about where you grab the lobster in the same way you would with thin, less protective gloves. They are said to work well in warm or cold water, but it should be noted that they are not insulated and shouldn’t be expected to keep your hands warm in frigid water. 

3. Henderson Thermoprene Kevlar Glove

Henderson is one of the most well-known brands in the diving industry and lobster enthusiasts are well-aware of the high level of quality and care that the brand makes their products with. The Henderson Thermoprene Gloves are another example of a great pair of kevlar gloves that are ideal for grabbing lobster and maintaining your grip until they are securely in your bag. 

They are made of an exceptionally soft and flexible blend of kevlar and neoprene material that takes no time to get broken in before your first use. The gloves are fully sealed and feature a wrist strap that allows you to tighten it as you please while securely locking water out. 

The material is able to stretch, which is a plus for anyone with slightly larger hands than the biggest size, which is XX-Large. Each fingertip on these gloves offer the same kevlar material protection that is found on the inside of the fingers and palms. The wrist strap closes using high-quality velcro material that stays locked once it is closed. 

These gloves live up to their Thermoprene name as they are capable of keeping your hands well-insulated from the freezing temperatures at all times thanks to the 5 mm neoprene material. This pair is also a bit more expensive than most others on our list of the best lobster gloves, but they are a great choice for anyone searching for a reliable set that will keep their hands warm and protected. 

4. Akona Bug Hunter Gloves

One of the other most popular types of material that’s comparable to kevlar when it comes to the protection needed to handle lobster is known as Amortex. The Akona Bug Hunter Gloves are made of this specialized material and its able to provide adequate protection, despite being less than half the thickness of regular kevlar or even neoprene material. Amortex is very lightweight as well and you’ll have a much greater level of control over anything in your grasp as your fingers are able to wrap around your catch more easily and securely. 

These gloves don’t feature any kind of special strap or velcro to help seal out water along the wrist and most divers will find that they fit quite well despite not having any added tightening straps. These gloves come in a wide variety of different sizes that range from extra-small to XX-Large. If you’re looking for a lightweight, thin pair of lobster gloves that will still offer much of the same protection you might get from kevlar material, the Akona Bug Hunter Gloves are a solid choice. 

5. Headhunter BAMF Cameron Kirkonell Lobster Gloves

If you’re more concerned with having a pair of gloves that provide plenty of gripping material along the inside of the fingers and the palm, there are a few options that offer this combined with kevlar material. The Headhunter BAMF Cameron Kirkonell Lobster Gloves can be accurately described as one of the best-gripping lobster gloves on the market today. 

The kevlar material makes these gloves ideal for lobstering and you’ll have no problem gripping lobsters or just about anything else you want to grab hold of thanks to the reinforced rubberized material on the palm and fingers. These gloves will literally ‘lock’ onto anything you grip, even when your hands are soaking wet. Anglers are known to wear these on fishing boats when they need to get a solid grip on the gaff and bring in their catch. 

The Headhunter BAMF Cameron Kirkonell Lobster Gloves also provide a specialized padding along the backs of your knuckles and fingers that help to protect against lobster spines, fish gills, rocks and just about anything else that might puncture your skin. Users who have purchased these note that they are well-worth the added cost compared to other options, but it is advisable to order them a size larger than what you might normally wear in order to compensate for the smaller size difference. 

6. Innovative Scuba Concepts for Spearfishing

If you’re in the market for a more affordable version of lobster gloves that will cost less than $20 per pair, there are a number of options that will fit your needs. The Innovative Scuba Concepts for Spearfishing are a good pair of gloves that are capable of adequately protecting your hands against most lobster spines, claws, fish gills, and just about anything else that can injure your hands beneath the surface of the ocean. 

The backs of these gloves are made of a specialized cotton and polyester blend that is very soft and flexible. These are not waterproof like the ones we’ve previously mentioned in our list, but you can count on them to provide you with decent protection while offering a comfortable fit. 

The fingers and palm of these gloves are made with a puncture-resistant textured rubber material, which is a bit more stiff than other types of gloves and may take a short while to have them properly broken in before they will fit better. The puncture-resistant rubberized coating is also made with textured ribbing. These are one of the most popular styles of lobster gloves on the market and you’ll likely get several years of wear out of them if cared for properly. 

7. DEX FIT Level 5 Cut Resistant Gloves

Another great option for users who are looking for a more budget friendly pair of lobster gloves will find that there are a number of nylon and nitrile materials that are very popular. The DEX FIT Level 5 Cut Resistant Gloves are available for less than half the cost of some of the other brands we’ve already mentioned and they are more than capable of providing you with as much protection as you’ll need for guarding against lobster spines and claws. 

These gloves are made with 3 Dimensional Knitting Technology, which is mainly designed to protect against cuts and abrasions caused by knives, but users have also discovered that the material works exceptionally well for guarding against injuries related to lobsters in the depths of the ocean. These gloves are much more lightweight and flexible than most others we’ve already listed. 

In fact, you won’t have to worry about any stiffness or rigidity in the rubberized palm area that is made with the dimensional knitting material as it is surprisingly capable of flexing and fitting to your hands without slipping. The material is so light and thin that most users can still operate a touchscreen device such as a fish finder or other item that’s needed on the water. These gloves are very low priced and will actually last quite a long while compared to most other more affordable lobster gloves. 

8. KastKing Sol Armis Sun Gloves

KastKing is among the most well-known brands that is often associated with fishing and saltwater adventure. The company is well-known for making some of the most reliable products that feature a much more desirable price tag than some of the premium options on the market today. 

The KastKing Sol Armis Sun Gloves are a great pair of lobster gloves that will give you plenty of protection from just about anything you might encounter underwater. These fit as well, or better than any other lobster glove on our list. This pair is actually made to function as fishing gloves, but the palms and fingers offer enough protection that you’ll be able to grab most small or medium-sized lobsters with little trouble. 

You should be aware that these gloves don’t cover the tips of your fingers, so you can potentially have a lobster spine puncture your fingertips if you aren’t careful. These are some of the only gloves that are capable of being used for lobsters and also offer breathable, quick-drying technology. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqKvjqfXJK0

9. Soulern Neoprene Gloves 

If you’re looking for a solid pair of all-purpose gloves that can serve a variety of functions, including going after lobsters, the Soulern Neoprene Gloves might be the ideal fit for you. These gloves are made of a specialized material that offer non-slip palms that will undoubtedly help you grip lobsters and maintain your grasp on them. 

These gloves are made of 3 mm premium neoprene material and offer a decent amount of protection on both the palms and the backs of your hands. The only main drawback is that these don’t offer a very tight fit and you’ll most likely find that it’s harder to grip lobsters with these than with other, tighter-fitting alternatives. 

The Soulern Neoprene Gloves are a great choice for almost any marine activity and you’ll have no problem keeping your hands warm and relatively dry inside this pair. These gloves are fairly thick and will keep your hands somewhat protected from cold water, but you might find that you’ll lose warmth in your hands when you’re in especially frigid water. 

10. SpearPro Dyneema Gloves

If you’re looking for some lobster gloves that feature Dyneema material, then SpearPro Dyneema Gloves are an excellent choice that will deliver the protection you want. These are made with the Dyneema material, which is developed to be one of the toughest, most puncture-resistant fiber in the world. These gloves offer a very snug fit that won’t easily slip or tear when faced with lobster spines, rocks or any other object you’ll encounter at the ocean floor. 

The palms and fingers of the SpearPro Dyneema Gloves are made with nitrile coated material, which will help guard against anything that could potentially puncture them and injure your hands. This material is said to be much tougher than kevlar, but the only main drawback is that it is a bit more stiff than most other gloves we’ve already mentioned. 

Users should be aware that these gloves run a bit small and you should actually order them one size too large in order to get the right fit for your hand. The sizes range from small to X-large and the material is capable of stretching to a degree to accommodate anyone with especially long fingers. These gloves are a solid choice for anyone looking for a more budget-friendly option that is somewhat comparable to kevlar material. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHYwXnZQVak

Conclusion

Getting well-balanced, durable gloves, however, should be your main priority. This way, you will have gear that will keep you productive, comfortable, and safe.

Last update on 2022-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API