Day one on crutches usually makes your ankle or knee scream. Day two is when your palms, knuckles, and wrists invent new curse words. Standard handles are hard plastic or smooth rubber, and every hop dumps body weight into the same small spots. Gloves and grip covers are not magic, but the right combo can turn "I dread the next errand" into "manageable."
I rotated through padded fitness gloves, wheelchair gloves, thin indoor gloves, foam grips, gel grips, and ergonomic handles over several months. Some pairings saved my sanity; some made the handles so thick I could barely hold on. Here is the cheat sheet I wish I had before I started panic-ordering gear at midnight.
Key takeaways
- Fitness or cycling gloves cover most short term needs: they put padding right under your palms, cost $15–$30, and keep your fingers free for phones or keypads.
- Foam grip covers are the easiest handle upgrade if gloves feel sweaty; gel covers absorb shock but get thick fast, so try one accessory at a time.
- Match gear to climate. Mesh fingerless gloves shine indoors and in warm weather, while full finger padded gloves are essential for cold or wet commutes.
- Fit beats hype. Loose gloves bunch and rub, oversized grip covers make handles slippery, and combining thick gloves with thick covers usually backfires.
Table of contents
Why crutch handles hurt your hands
Most underarm crutch setups transfer the majority of your body weight through your palms. Even forearm crutches pile on pressure when you go up ramps or stairs. Couple that with smooth handles, sweaty palms, and a death grip you use when you feel unsteady, and it is no surprise that blisters and numb fingertips show up before the weekend.
Handle shape matters too. Thin, round grips concentrate force along a narrow ridge, while wider ergonomic grips spread pressure but can feel bulky at first. If the grips are worn smooth or the rubber hardened with age, friction increases and your skin slides instead of staying planted.
Talk to your provider
New numbness, tingling, or sharp hand pain is a medical flag, not just a gear problem. Ask your doctor or physical therapist to recheck crutch height, watch your gait, and make sure nerves are not getting pinched. Gear boosts comfort, but it cannot fix a bad fit.
For broader strategies beyond gloves and grips, skim the hand and wrist comfort guide. Technique tweaks plus padding is the combo that finally chilled out my palms.
How I actually tested these
Quick recap so you know this was not just couch theorizing:
- Timeline: Rotated through each glove and grip pairing over roughly eight weeks, giving each combo at least three full errand days.
- Crutch setups: Split time between aluminum underarm crutches and forearm crutches with both open and closed cuffs to see how padding shifted.
- Surfaces: Tested on city sidewalks after rain, polished hospital floors, classroom stairs, and the tile floors that love to squeak at the pharmacy.
Glove styles I tested
You do not need bespoke "crutch gloves." The secret is padding in the right spot, a snug fit that does not bunch, and fabric that matches your climate. Here is what actually lived up to the hype (or did not) after full days on crutches.
Padded fitness or cycling gloves
Fingerless fitness gloves are my default recommendation. Thin gel or foam pads sit right over the pressure points, and the open fingers let you use phones, zippers, and transit cards without ripping gloves off every five minutes. They are cheap, washable, and sold everywhere from sporting goods stores to big box retailers.
Reality check: Velcro straps like to snag on sweater sleeves, and the padding compresses after a month of heavy use. Swap them out when the gel feels like cardboard.
Wheelchair or push-rim style gloves
Wheelchair gloves are built for people who push all day, so the palms are heavily reinforced. They feel overkill during day one, but after a week of long workdays my palms felt noticeably less fried compared to the cycling gloves.
Reality check: They are pricier and thicker, so small hands may feel cramped. Start with fingerless versions unless you live somewhere cold.
Lightweight fingerless gloves
Thin, breathable gloves with minimal padding are great for quick indoor errands or as liners under bulkier gloves. They stop blisters, offer a bit of grip, and keep sweat off the handles.
Reality check: They will not save you during six-hour errand days, and they wear out fast. Consider them disposable comfort for one- to two-week recoveries.
Full finger gloves for cold or wet weather
Commuting in winter? Go full finger. Look for padded cycling or hiking gloves with water-resistant shells and touchscreen fingertips so you do not strip them off outside. They keep hands warm and dry, which means you can loosen your grip and still feel secure.
Reality check: They are swampy indoors. Keep a lighter pair in your bag if you are running errands that mix indoor and outdoor stops.
Budget work or gardening gloves
Hardware-store gloves with foam padding can bridge a short injury if you do not want to spend much. They are stiff out of the package and the seams are not hand-friendly, but they beat bare hands for a few days.
Reality check: They are not breathable, look industrial, and the padding collapses quickly. Upgrade if you are on crutches longer than a week.
Grip covers and handle swaps
Not a glove person? Handle upgrades keep palms happier too. Mix and match cautiously—thick gloves plus thick covers can make handles so bulky that you lose control.
Foam grip covers
Foam sleeves slide over existing handles and add just enough padding to blunt the worst pressure points. They keep the handle diameter reasonable and add a touch of texture so sweaty hands slip less.
Reality check: Dense foam eventually flattens. Rotate them occasionally so one side does not get crushed, and replace when they feel like hockey pucks.
Gel grip covers
Gel covers feel like stress balls for your palms and shine on concrete floors or tile hallways. They swallow shock better than foam but make handles noticeably thicker.
Reality check: They get slick when damp, attract lint, and may be too chunky for small hands. Try before you commit if possible.
Ergonomic replacement handles
Some crutch brands sell contoured replacement grips. They spread pressure across the full palm and often have textured rubber surfaces for better traction. Installation takes screwdriver time, but once they are on, they feel like they were part of the crutch from day one.
Reality check: They are model-specific, so make sure they fit your crutches (and that your rental agreement allows swaps) before ordering.
Temporary wraps and DIY fixes
Athletic tape, foam pipe insulation, or even a rolled-up dish towel can create emergency padding when you are traveling or waiting for packages. Tape them snugly and call it good for a couple of days.
Reality check: DIY wraps slip, look rough, and harbor sweat. Treat them as a stopgap while the real gear ships.
Quick picks by use case
Need a TL;DR? Start with the row that sounds like your life and adjust from there.
| Type | Best for | Pros | Cons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padded fitness gloves | 1–3 month recoveries | Affordable, fingerless, easy to find | Padding compresses, velcro snags | Wash weekly and replace when flat |
| Wheelchair gloves | All-day work or school | Heavy-duty padding, durable | Bulkier, higher price | Worth it if crutches are a lifestyle |
| Lightweight fingerless gloves | Short indoor errands | Breathable, quick on/off | Little padding, wears out fast | Good liners under winter gloves |
| Full finger insulated gloves | Cold or wet commutes | Keeps hands warm and dry | Too hot indoors, bulkier | Pick touchscreen tips if you use your phone |
| Foam grip covers | No-glove comfort boost | Easy install, low profile | Flattens, can spin if loose | Great starting point |
| Gel grip covers | Shock absorption on hard floors | Super soft, absorbs impact | Thick, slippery when wet | Pair with thin gloves, not thick ones |
| Ergonomic handles | Long-term or recurring use | Spreads pressure, textured grip | Install effort, model-specific | Check compatibility before buying |
Need more nuance? Here are combos that worked well for common scenarios:
- All-day campus shuffle: Wheelchair gloves + ergonomic handles kept me comfortable during back-to-back classes.
- Budget two-week sprain: Basic cycling gloves + thin foam covers were plenty.
- Rainy city commute: Full finger waterproof cycling gloves + textured factory grips (no covers) stopped me from slipping.
- Hands run hot: Lightweight mesh gloves + bare handles, wiped down mid-day, beat out thicker options.
How to choose yours
Use these filters to narrow down your shopping list.
Your crutch type
Underarm crutches put more load in your palms, so prioritize padding. Forearm crutches shift some force to the cuffs, which means you can usually get away with medium padding unless you are on stairs all day. Still picking between styles? The underarm vs forearm comparison explains how each affects your hands.
Your typical day
How many hours do you crutch every day, and what do you carry? If you juggle laptops, snacks, or diapers, fingerless gloves keep dexterity high. Pair that with the carrying hacks in How to Carry Things on Crutches so you are not tempting fate.
Your climate
Humid climate? Use mesh gloves and wipe grips frequently. Snowy climate? Insulated gloves plus textured rubber grips. Rainy climate? Waterproof gloves and avoid gel covers that get slick.
Material preferences or allergies
If latex makes your skin revolt, double-check packaging. Many foam covers are latex-based. Silicone, fabric, or cork alternatives exist if you dig around.
| Priority | Suggested gear | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Warm, sweaty climate | Mesh fingerless gloves + textured handles | Gloves that trap sweat; wipe grips mid-day |
| Cold or wet weather | Insulated touchscreen gloves + rubber grips | Difficult phone use if gloves lack touch tips |
| All-day mileage | Wheelchair gloves + ergonomic handles | Break-in time; bring backups during swap |
| Short term, budget | Basic cycling gloves + thin foam covers | Padding collapse; plan to replace quickly |
| Hands full of errands | Fingerless gloves + no covers | Remember to clean handles often |
| Latex sensitivity | Silicone grips + cotton-lined gloves | Hidden latex in cheap foam sleeves |
Care, cleaning, and replacement cues
Gloves and covers soak up sweat, lotion, sidewalk grime, and whatever mystery goo you bumped into on the bus. Clean gear lasts longer and smells less like a gym bag.
Cleaning gloves
Hand wash with mild soap, rinse well, squeeze gently, and air dry. Sprinkle baking soda on the palms overnight if odors linger. Avoid dryers—heat wrecks elastic and padding.
Cleaning grip covers
Slide them off weekly and wipe with a damp cloth plus a little soap. Dry thoroughly before reinstalling so moisture does not trap against the handle.
When to replace
Swap gloves when padding goes flat, seams fray, or the smell laughs at detergent. Replace covers when foam stays indented, gel cracks, or the surface turns slick. Heavy daily users may need new gloves every 4–6 weeks and new covers every 2–3 months.
Strength, posture, and fast checks
Padded gear helps, but stronger arms and better posture share the load. Gentle upper-body work (cleared by your provider) kept my grip from flaming out. For ideas, peek at Exercises to Stay in Shape on Crutches.
Hand comfort fast checks
- Can you wrap your fingers around the handle comfortably after adding gloves or covers?
- Does padding sit exactly under the pressure points, not at your fingertips?
- Do your hands stay dry enough to maintain grip after 30 minutes?
- Does the handle stay secure if you wipe it with a damp cloth?
- Can you take gloves on and off quickly for phone, laptop, or hygiene breaks?
FAQ: Gloves and grips for crutches
You do not absolutely need crutch-specific gloves. Any padded glove with good grip can help. Cycling gloves, weightlifting gloves, and even some gardening gloves work fine if the padding sits where your palms press into the handles. The key is padding in the right spots and a snug fit so the glove does not bunch or slip. I used basic fitness gloves for weeks before trying wheelchair gloves, and both worked. Pick whatever fits your hands and does not make you sweat too much.
Gel covers feel softer and absorb more shock, which can be nicer for long days. Foam covers are lighter and firmer, which some people prefer because they feel more stable. I tested both, and gel felt better on hard tile floors while foam felt better outdoors on rough pavement. Neither is universally better. Try what you can return or swap if it does not feel right after a few days.
No. Gloves and grips can reduce pressure and friction, but numbness or tingling usually means a nerve issue, bad fit, or too much weight on your hands. If you feel numbness, talk to your doctor or physical therapist right away. They might need to adjust your crutch height, check your technique, or rule out other problems. Gear helps comfort, but it does not fix medical issues.
You can, but it might feel bulky. I tried padded gloves plus thick gel covers and my hands felt cramped. The handle got so thick I could not grip it securely. Start with one or the other. If gloves alone do not help enough, try grip covers by themselves. If you still need more padding, experiment with thin gloves plus thin covers. Pay attention to whether your grip feels secure or if your hands slip.
Replace grip covers when the foam flattens, the gel cracks, or the surface gets slippery. That might be every few weeks for heavy users or every few months for light use. Replace gloves when the padding compresses flat, seams rip, or the fabric gets smelly even after washing. I replaced my first pair of gloves after about six weeks of daily use because the padding turned into a thin sheet. Check your gear weekly and swap it out before it stops doing its job.
Your hands do not have to hurt this much
Gloves and grip upgrades cannot erase the fact that crutches are work, but they can keep your palms from staging a mutiny. Start with one change, see how it feels after a full day, and tweak from there. If pain spikes or numbness lingers, loop your provider in fast.
Pair this guide with the hand and wrist comfort plan, the buying guide, and the underarm vs forearm comparison so the rest of your setup matches your new padding.
Save this checklist
Bookmark or print the fast checks and tables before you shop so you can compare padding, climate, and fit notes while you browse.