Gloves for Small Hands + Glove Sizing Explained

Are you frustrated by the fact that most gloves are one-size-fits-all? Don’t worry: here’s a list of places to buy gloves for small hands.

Like most accessories for men – socks, ties, bracelets, etc. – the vast majority of gloves are only available in one size.

Accessory brands like to claim that their one size gloves fit all men, which is about as misleading as Coca-Cola suggesting that drinking diet soda is a healthy choice.

Anyway, most gloves are made for average sized hands, and this means that anyone with smaller-than-average hands is kind of screwed.

If you’ve ever worn gloves that are too big for your hands, you know exactly how annoying it is to have a bunch of extra room at the tips of your fingers.

It makes doing anything with your hands a clumsy, frustrating experience, which means you have to take your gloves off to zip your jacket up, adjust the volume in your car, or even get something out of your pocket.

Sure, they keep your hands warm, but at what cost?

Obviously, you need to be comfortable and safe when it’s cold outside, which means you need to wear gloves, but you don’t need to sacrifice dexterity for comfort.

Not to mention, oversized gloves make you look like a little kid. Just like jeans that are too long, they dwarf your figure and produce a kid wearing hand-me-downs effect.

So what are men with small hands to do? The good news is you don’t have to settle for ill-fitting gloves.

There are many options for smaller sized gloves, both casual and formal, affordable and high end. We’ve even gathered our top picks and organized them in a sortable table, but first…

Glove Sizing Explained

Every garment has a primary measurement. For pants. For shirts, it’s the circumference of the chest.

So how are gloves sized? How do you measure you hands?

Most brands that offer gloves in different sizes use the basic S/M/L/XL sizing scale.

Some companies offer a traditional range of sizes, such as 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, and so on (all the way to 10).

These numbers denote the width of the widest part of your hand – around your palm, just below your fingers, not including your thumb.

This kind of sizing is ideal, but it’s also very rare. More often than not, you’ll have to choose between Small, Medium and Large.

In this case, check to see if the brand has any sort of sizing guide, and read any existing customer reviews to find out if the gloves run small or large.

If you’re buying leather gloves and are in between sizes, I recommend sizing down (they’ll stretch out over time).

Cadet Gloves

If you’re a golfer, chances are you know what cadet gloves are because many golf brands sell cadet-length gloves alongside their regular gloves.

Cadet gloves are for men who have short fingers, in proportion to the palms of their hands. You know how suits and blazers come in short sizes like 36S, which is shorter than 36R?

It’s kind of like that. The actual glove isn’t smaller, but the fingers are shorter. The best glove makers offer a range of sizes (7, 8, 9, etc.) and cadet lengths.

So, if you want a glove that fits, well, like a glove, try to find brands that offer specific sizes and lengths (e.g., size 7 cadet-length).

Needless to say, it would be great if every pair of gloves was available in “cadet” length, but that simply isn’t the case. Most glove manufacturers don’t even offer different sizes, let alone different lengths for each size.

But don’t worry! I got your back. Here’s a whole list of TMM-approved gloves for smaller hands, sortable by price and formality.

Best Gloves for Small Hands

Here are some great gloves for small hands…

If you’re wondering which types of gloves to buy, it kind of depends on your lifestyle.

• Do you need waterproof gloves (for shoveling snow, skiing, etc.)?
• Do you need gloves that you can wear to formal events (with a suit and top coat)?
• Do you want gloves that allow you to use your phone without taking them off?
• Will you experience below freezing temperatures for extended periods of time?

These all influence what kind of gloves you need, and it might make sense to have more than one pair.

I like to have two pairs of gloves: one leather and one wool. This way, I’m covered for pretty much any scenario.

Of course, it makes sense to own activity-specific gloves too, as needed (golf gloves, ski gloves, etc.).

Custom Made Gloves

There are a couple of custom glove manufacturers who sell made-to-measure gloves (just like MTM suits or shirts).

The only custom glove brand I’ve had experience with is no longer in business, but here are some other brands you can check out:

• Chester Jefferies
• Humphrey’s Bespoke Leather Gloves

These manufacturers don’t just offer custom sizing – they also offer custom designs (you pick your leather, lining, details, etc.).

So, if you have a hard-to-fit hand or prefer something totally unique, you should definitely consider going custom.

FAQs About Gloves for Small Hands

Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about gloves for smaller hands:

Can you shorten glove fingers?

Yes, glove fingers can be shortened by an experienced tailor. However, it may be hard to find a tailor who knows how (and is willing) to work on gloves.

Leather workers or cobblers may also be able to help shorten your gloves’ fingers.

Keep in mind, the price of this alteration may exceed the price of a new pair of gloves.

Can you buy kids gloves?

Kids gloves have shorter fingers than adult sized gloves, so they’re perfect for people with smaller hands.

What are cadet gloves?

Cadet gloves are for people who have short fingers, in proportion to their hands. They’re typically shorter and winder than regular gloves.

What are the best work gloves for small hands?

Gorilla Grip and Maxiflex both make good work gloves for smaller hands. You can also buy kids gardening gloves, which will have shorter finger.

What are the best motorcycle gloves for short fingers?

It’s hard to find motorcycle gloves for short fingers. Try buying gloves that are a bit too small and using rubbing alcohol to stretch them out.

You can also order custom made gloves from small speciality manufacturers like Helimot.

Do you have a favorite pair of gloves? Let me know in the comments!