The Ultimate Guide to Wheelchair Gloves

Most wheelchair users discover gloves the same way. Their hands start hurting, or they develop a blister, or they notice a thickening of skin across the palm that was not there a few months ago. At that point, someone usually mentions gloves, and they wonder why nobody told them sooner.

This guide is for anyone who uses a manual wheelchair and has not yet found the right glove, or is not entirely sure why gloves matter in the first place. It covers what they actually do, the types available, how to choose the right one and how to make them last.

Types of Wheelchair Glove

Full finger gloves

Full finger gloves cover the entire hand and provide the most complete protection against abrasion, cold weather and impact loading. Its worth noting that they are particularly well suited to users who:

• Propel outdoors regularly in variable British weather

• Cover longer distances throughout the day

• Want maximum hand protection during active use

The trade off is dexterity. With fingers fully covered, fine motor tasks such as using a phone, handling coins or doing up buttons become slightly more involved. For users who need to move in and out of the chair frequently and use their hands for a wide range of tasks throughout the day, a fingerless or half finger option is likely the better fit.

Fingerless and half finger gloves

Fingerless gloves protect the palm and the base of the fingers, which is where the majority of friction and impact occurs during propulsion, while leaving the fingertips free. This design gives the user considerably more dexterity for everyday tasks without losing the core protection where it matters most.

Half finger gloves, which cover the fingers to the first or second knuckle, offer a useful middle ground. They provide more protection then a fully fingerless design while retaining better dexterity then a full finger glove. Fingerless designs are the most widely used option among everyday self-propellers in the UK, and for good reason. They work well across a wide range of usage patterns and are comfortable enough to wear for most of the day.

Open palm or wrap style gloves

Wrap style gloves do not fit over the fingers at all. They secure around the palm with a hook and loop fastening and provide padding and grip coverage across the contact area of the hand only. These are particularly useful for users with:

• Limited hand function or contractures

• Reduced grip strength who find conventional gloves difficult to put on independently

• Conditions affecting dexterity where a simple one handed fastening is important

They offer less overall protection then a fitted glove, but for users where independent donning and doffing is the priority, they are a practical and well designed solution.

Gel padded gloves

Gel padded gloves incorporate silicone or foam gel inserts in the palm area specifically to absorb the impact loading that occurs at the start of each push stroke. Its worth considering these if you:

• Propel regularly over uneven terrain or rough outdoor surfaces

• Experience wrist or palm pain during or after propulsion

• Want to reduce peak forces transmitted through the hand rim contact point

The gel layer tends to add a small amount of bulk to the palm, which a small number of users find affects the feel of the push. For most, however, the cushioning benefit outweighs this, particularly on longer journeys or rougher surfaces.

Materials: What to Look For

Leather

Genuine leather remains the benchmark material for wheelchair gloves. Its breathable, durable and develops a personalised fit over time as it moulds to the shape of the users hand. A good leather glove, properly cared for, will outlast most synthetic alternatives considerably. Leather also maintains grip well across a range of weather conditions, which matters a good deal here in the UK.

The main consideration with leather is the break-in period. A new leather glove will feel stiffer then a worn one and needs a few weeks of regular use before it reaches its best fit. Some users find this off-putting initially, though most agree the long term benefit is well worth it.

Neoprene and synthetic materials

Neoprene gloves are lightweight, flexible from the outset and typically easier to put on then leather alternatives, which makes them a popular choice for users who value immediate comfort and ease of use. They are also generally more affordable then leather.

Please bear in mind that neoprene is warmer then leather and considerably less breathable. This can be uncomfortable during the summer months or for users who generate a good deal of heat during active propulsion. Synthetic gloves also tend to wear more quickly then leather, and a good pair will typically last somewhere between six and nine months with daily use.

Choosing the Right Size and Fit

Fit matters more then most people give it credit for. A glove that is too loose shifts during propulsion, which reduces grip consistency and increases friction in unpredictable ways. One that is too tight can restrict circulation, which is counterproductive for a glove designed to reduce hand strain.

To measure correctly:

• Wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of the palm, excluding the thumb

• Note the measurement in centimetres or inches

• Compare against the manufacturers sizing guide for the specific glove

If you fall between sizes, sizing up is usually the better choice for everyday use. Sizing down is preferable for active sport or basketball use where a tighter, more responsive grip is needed.

Care and Maintenance

Taking care of your gloves properly extends their life and keeps them performing well. Here is what we would suggest:

For leather gloves:

• Clean with a damp cloth and allow to air dry away from direct heat

• Apply a small amount of leather conditioner every few weeks to keep the material supple

• Avoid soaking or leaving them wet, as this damages the fibres and accelerates breakdown

For neoprene and synthetic gloves:

• Hand wash in cool water and leave to air dry naturally

• Check the manufacturers guidance before washing, as some materials react poorly to detergent or machine washing

Its also worth inspecting gloves regularly for signs of wear, particularly across the palm and at the stitching around the thumb area, which are the points that tend to degrade first. A glove with worn palm material offers less grip and cushioning then a new one and should be replaced rather then relied upon.