🥇 Top Pick
FootJoy StaSof
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Moisture management, stays soft in heat, breathable back | Expensive |
Playing golf in hot, humid conditions puts specific demands on your glove that standard all-weather designs aren't optimized for. When temperatures climb above 85°F and humidity is high, hand perspiration increases dramatically — and a glove that performs beautifully in cool, dry conditions can become a slippery, uncomfortable liability in summer heat. Our team has specifically tested gloves in hot and humid conditions, prioritizing breathability, moisture management, and grip retention under sweat rather than the dry-conditions feel that most glove reviews focus on.
The key challenge in hot-weather gloves is managing the balance between grip security and breathability. A fully covered palm maximizes grip surface area, but it also traps heat and moisture that leads to a soggy, slippery grip by the back nine. Hot-weather specific designs address this with mesh backs, perforated palms, and moisture-wicking materials that pull sweat away from the hand and allow airflow to keep hands drier throughout the round.
Some golfers in very hot climates choose to play without a glove in extreme heat, relying instead on dry-grip products or grip tape for traction. If you've tried this, you know it doesn't work particularly well for most players. A properly designed hot-weather glove stays cooler and drier than a bare hand in direct sun, because the materials wick moisture more effectively than skin alone. The key is choosing a glove specifically designed for these conditions rather than a standard glove and hoping for the best.
Maximum breathability: Look for extensive perforation or full mesh backs that allow air circulation over the entire hand. The back of the hand generates significant heat during a round — a fully breathable back keeps core hand temperature lower and reduces total sweat output, which keeps the palm area drier and more grippy.
Moisture-wicking materials: The best hot-weather gloves use materials specifically designed to pull moisture away from the skin surface and distribute it across a larger area where it evaporates more quickly. Microfiber synthetic materials and specialized leather treatments both achieve this effect. The practical result is a glove that feels noticeably drier after 18 holes than standard materials would.
Grip performance when wet: Test hot-weather gloves specifically for grip when your hand is damp — this is the condition that matters most in summer golf. Some materials maintain excellent grip when slightly wet but become slippery when fully saturated. Know your glove's limits before you find out on the course.
Thin and lightweight construction: Heavy gloves trap more heat. Hot-weather gloves should be as thin and lightweight as possible while still providing adequate grip and durability. Paper-thin Cabretta leather is cooler than thick synthetic padding — sometimes premium materials are justified specifically for the comfort they provide in extreme temperatures.
Carry a backup glove: Even the best hot-weather glove will become saturated on an extremely hot, humid day. Carrying a second glove and alternating mid-round keeps grip performance more consistent throughout 18 holes. Give the saturated glove time to dry by clipping it to your bag between use — it will recover faster than you expect.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Moisture management, stays soft in heat, breathable back | Expensive |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Perforated leather, great breathability, tour feel | Less wet weather performance |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Perforated design, breathable, affordable leather | Can harden in heat |
Natural leather softens and loses surface texture when saturated with moisture, reducing the friction between glove and grip. Modern treated leathers resist this somewhat, but dedicated wet-weather or synthetic gloves handle moisture significantly better.
Interestingly, yes — rain gloves that grip better when wet can also be beneficial in high-humidity conditions where perspiration builds up. FootJoy RainGrip, for example, works well in both rain and high-humidity heat.
Serious golfers in hot conditions change gloves every 4–6 holes. Recreational golfers can typically manage with one change at the turn (after 9 holes) if they're rotating two gloves.
Yes — cord grips and multi-compound grips maintain better feel in sweaty conditions than pure rubber grips. The combination of grip and glove both affect hot-weather performance.