Grivel Crack Gloves Review
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Jamming cracks shreds your hands. Raw skin, bloody knuckles, and endless tape wraps kill the fun fast. You’ve pushed through multi-pitch routes only to bail early because your hands can’t take more punishment.
Grivel Crack Gloves change that. These purpose-built gloves use Vibram XS-Grip rubber from climbing shoes for stick like glue on rough rock. They give solid protection without the bulky feel, so you jam fists or flares with confidence.
You’ll get better grip and less pain, meaning fewer tape rolls in your pack. They’re light at 52 grams per glove and feature a tough rubber-covered Velcro strap that holds up in jagged cracks.
In this review, we cover fit across sizes, real-world performance on different rock, durability from heavy use, and if they’re worth the $65 price tag. Stick around to see if they earn a spot in your gear quiver.
What Grivel Crack Gloves are made of, and what that means on real rock
Grivel Crack Gloves pack smart materials that grip rough granite or sandstone better than bare hands. You get Vibram XS-Grip rubber for stick, suede for comfort, and a tough Velcro strap. These choices shine on jagged cracks where skin tears easy. They add friction without bulk, so your jams hold firm. Let’s break down each part and how it performs when you lock in deep.
Sticky Vibram XS-Grip rubber: more friction when your hands are locked in
This rubber covers the palm and fingers, right where you jam into cracks. It’s the same family as rubber on high-friction climbing shoes from Scarpa or La Sportiva. That means top grip on real rock.
Sticky rubber shines in thin cracks. You push your hand in, twist, and it grabs rough edges without slip. Trust builds fast; you lean harder knowing it won’t let go. On flaring granite fists, it smears like your shoes do on slabs.
But it won’t fix bad form. Good technique still rules. Rubber boosts friction, yet you need solid jams first. Users say it feels like soft armor in craggy lines, perfect for medium fists on bumpy rock.
Photo by ClickerHappy
Suede and half-finger coverage: protection without feeling clumsy
The body uses soft suede, or microfiber leather, that molds to your skin. It guards the back of your hand and key jamming spots like knuckles. No more bloody scrapes from sharp edges.
Half-finger design leaves tips bare. You feel rock texture sharp, tie knots quick, or clip draws without fuss. Precision stays high; gloves don’t muffle your touch like full-finger ones.
Protection hits where it counts most. Fist the back safe, palm rubs rock for grip. On wide hands, it fits snug. Drawbacks? Cold days numb exposed fingers. Wide offwidths might need full coverage to shield more skin.
Suede holds up through seasons. It flexes with hand bends, thanks to cutouts in the rubber back. You climb fluid, no stiff drag.
Rubber-covered Velcro strap: why closure design affects durability
A rubber sheath wraps the Velcro wrist strap. Cracks yank gear hard; plain Velcro shreds fast. This cover takes abuse, stays shut pitch after pitch.
It secures loose fit during wild pulls. Jam deep, torque, and it grips without fail. Low durometer rubber sews on tight over suede base. Craft holds for heavy use.
One tip: pull them off slow. Skip yanking finger loops. A user broke one after a year, but gloves lasted overall. Careful removal keeps them going strong. At 52 grams each, light weight pairs with this tough build for all-day cracks.
Fit and sizing that actually works for crack climbing
Crack climbing demands gloves that lock in tight without cutting off blood flow. Grivel Crack Gloves shine here if you size them right. A poor fit leads to slips mid-jam or raw spots that end your day. Beginners often guess wrong and end up with gloves too loose or too cramped. The key lies in a snug wrap that boosts friction and stops bunching. Too loose, and they shift on rough rock. Too tight, and your fingers go numb fast. Nail the fit, and you’ll jam fists or fingers with full trust. Follow these steps to pick your size on the first try.
How to measure your hand so you pick the right size the first time
Grab a soft tape measure or string and focus on your knuckles. Wrap it around the widest part, right over the knuckles with your thumb out and hand relaxed. Don’t squeeze; keep it natural. Note the circumference in centimeters. Measure both hands too, since one might run bigger. Go by the larger number. Also check your wrist just below the bone and use whichever measurement is bigger.
Grivel sizes run small overall, so many climbers pick one up from their usual. Here’s the official chart:
| Size | Hand Circumference |
|---|---|
| S | Up to 19 cm |
| M | 19 to 21 cm |
| L | 21 to 23 cm |
| XL | 23 cm and up |
Some shops tweak these a bit, but stick close to Grivel’s guide. If you’re smack in the middle, grab the next size up. Wide fists or long fingers? Size up for sure. This method keeps you from returns and gets you jamming quick.
Snug vs comfortable: the fit that gives the best jams
Snug beats comfy every time in cracks. You want no extra folds under your palm that catch on edges. The strap should lay flat across your wrist with zero gaps. Your fingers still bend easy, but the glove hugs like a second skin. This setup amps up friction from the Vibram rubber so jams hold without twist.
Test it at home before your next trip. Make a fist, then push your knuckles out like you’re jamming a hand-sized crack. Twist side to side. The glove stays put with no slide. If it bunches or shifts, try a smaller size.
New Grivel Crack Gloves feel firm at first. Suede softens a touch after a few sessions and molds better. Rubber stays true though; it won’t stretch much. Give it a pitch or two, and that snug grip turns gold. Beginners, start snug over loose. It builds secure jams without killing circulation if you size smart.
Common fit problems (slipping, pinching, wrist rub) and quick fixes
Slips happen most from loose straps. Crank the Velcro tighter for a firm base. Still moving? Drop to the next size down. That rubber grip needs contact to bite rock.
Knuckle pinching hits if gloves run small. Your skin bunches up and rubs raw. Size up half or full, especially with thick fingers. Room lets you flex without pain.
Wrist rubs come from bad strap spots. Slide it lower over clean skin, away from bony bits. Wipe sweat first; dirt makes it worse.
These fixes work fast, but gloves can’t save sloppy technique. Poor jams tear skin no matter the fit. Work on your form with practice hangs. Grivel Crack Gloves reward good habits with long, pain-free sends. Dial this in, and they’ll last seasons.
Performance on the wall: where Grivel Crack Gloves shine, and where they do not
Grivel Crack Gloves prove their worth when you lock into real cracks on the cliff. They grip sharp granite edges and protect skin in ways bare hands can’t match. You feel secure on steep lines where small twists keep you on. Yet they have limits too. Stiff rubber fights you in super thin finger cracks, and wide offwidths demand more padding. Picture a crisp morning on Indian Creek sandstone. You jam a hand-sized flare, and the Vibram XS-Grip rubber bites without slip. That’s their sweet spot. On smoother dihedrals or pods over two inches, you might reach for tape or thicker gloves. Let’s look close at what works best, based on trips to craggy spots like Joe’s Valley conglomerate.
Thin hands to hands: why grip and low bulk can boost confidence
Grivel Crack Gloves excel from thin hands up to full hand sizes, roughly half an inch to two inches wide. That’s your classic hand crack where you twist knuckles in and torque. Sticky rubber grabs slick rock faces, and the slim build lets you shift fast without bulk catching.
Think of a short crux on a steep hand crack, like the crux of Brown Sugar at Indian Creek. You smear your palm up a flare; the XS-Grip rubber sticks like it does on your shoes during slab moves. No slide, just pure hold. On crystalline granite at the Gunks, small hand jams in off-vertical dihedrals feel solid. You push hard, and low bulk keeps your hand shape natural. Confidence spikes because you know the glove deforms just enough with your twist.
Slick rock tests them too. After rain on Yosemite domes, that rubber grips polished jams better than skin alone. You lean in on a thin hands section without second thoughts. Users rave about this range on sharp conglomerate; it turns painful locks into reliable rests. Below half inch, though, the rubber feels stiff. Your hand jams fine, but the glove won’t conform fully. For pure fingers, skip them. They boost trust right where most cracks live, letting you clip or shake without fear.
Comfort and skin savings: less tape time, more climbing time
These gloves cut tape use on long days by shielding knuckles and backs from scrapes. Jagged edges that rip skin now meet suede and rubber first. You climb pitch after pitch with less blood and more flow.
Picture a 10-pitch linkup in the desert. Bare hands turn raw by lunch; Grivel Crack Gloves keep skin intact. They let pressure through for feel, so you sense rock texture. Bruises might form from deep torques, but surface tears drop way down. No more mid-route tape jobs that slow you.
Tape still has a place. Use it on finger tips for extra bite in sandy cracks. Wrap wrists if the strap sits funny, or tweak for your fit. One climber tapes thumbs for offwidth rubs. Gloves handle most abuse, though. You save rolls and time, focusing on the line. After a full day on flaring fists, pull them off to smooth hands ready for tomorrow.
Durability and wear points: what to watch after a few trips
At 52 grams per glove, Grivel Crack Gloves trade some toughness for light feel and grip. They hold up on rough rock better than thin models, but check key spots after trips.
Velcro gets hit first. The rubber cover takes yanks in cracks, yet fuzz builds up. Brush it clean often. Rubber edges on palms and fingers wear slow on granite, faster on abrasive sandstone. Stitching near finger openings frays if you stuff them in packs wet.
Finger loops draw complaints. Pull them off rough, and they snap; one user lost one after a single trip. Slide them gentle every time. Before big routes, inspect seams and strap. Solid stitching lasts seasons with care. They outlast bare skin sessions, but don’t expect bombproof life in constant offwidths. Light build means sharp focus on maintenance pays off big.
Are Grivel Crack Gloves worth the price, and how they compare to popular alternatives
You spot Grivel Crack Gloves online and check the price. Do they stack up against tape or cheaper rivals? They cost more than basic options, but the right features make them pay off for crack specialists. Sales drop the tag often, so timing matters. Let’s unpack the numbers and match them head-to-head with Black Diamond, Yost #3, and Metolius gloves.
Cost breakdown and what you are really paying for
Grivel Crack Gloves run about $65 in the US and €55 in Europe right now. Retailers like REI or Backcountry list them at $64.99 stateside, while Euro shops hit €54.90. Prices shift with stock; sales hit $46 in the US or €41 in Europe as of January 2026.
You pay for premium parts that last on rough rock. Vibram XS-Grip rubber drives the cost; it matches shoe outsoles for top stick without quick wear. The lightweight build at 52 grams keeps them nimble, unlike padded beasts. Reinforced rubber over the Velcro closure takes abuse from jams and pulls, so they stay secure longer.
That combo cuts tape needs and downtime. One season saves you a tape roll or two. If cracks fill your logbook, the upfront hit makes sense. Watch for sales though; they flip the value from good to great.
Quick comparison: Grivel vs Black Diamond, Yost, and Metolius crack gloves
Grivel Crack Gloves stand out for slick friction and low weight. They hug thin to hand cracks best. Rivals add bulk for wider stuff or cold days. Pick based on your cracks, how you hate taping, and padding wants.
Here’s how they line up:
| Feature | Grivel Crack Gloves | Black Diamond | Yost #3 | Metolius Crack Patrol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 52g (light) | 70-85g (medium) | ~100g (heavy) | 60-70g (light-medium) |
| Protection | Rubber palm, minimal padding | Thick leather/rubber | Heavy leather | Padded rubber |
| Friction | Vibram XS-Grip (top-tier) | Good rubber | Leather grip | Sticky rubber |
| Coverage | Full palm/knuckles | Good palm | Full hand | Palm-focused |
| Price (US) | $46-$71 (sales common) | $50-$65 | $70-$90 | $45-$60 |
| Best for | Thin hands, sensitivity, sandstone | Offwidths, wide cracks | Big fists, granite | Mixed sizes, beginners |
Grivel wins on grip for technical jams; you feel rock without slip. Black Diamond protects more but weighs you down. Yost #3 covers wider with straps for adjust, great if cold bites fingers. Metolius pads for newbies but bulks up feel. Hate taping most? Grivel saves time in its range.
Who should buy them (and who should skip them)
Grab Grivel Crack Gloves if you grind hand cracks weekly. You crave sticky grip, light kit, and zero tape fuss. They fit climbers who jam Indian Creek flares or Gunks dihedrals and want skin intact.
Skip them for offwidth beasts; you need Black Diamond’s bulk. Full-finger warmth? Yost #3 wraps better on chill days. Max padding or rock-bottom price? Metolius edges cheaper with more cushion.
Test your style first. Crack size rules: thin to hands, buy Grivel. Wide or varied? Try a rival. Hate taping above all? These win. Match your needs, and they boost sends without regret.
Conclusion
Grivel Crack Gloves deliver sticky grip from Vibram XS-Grip rubber, light weight at 52 grams, and solid protection for hand jams on jagged cracks. They cut skin tears and tape use so you climb longer with less pain.
Fit counts most. Measure your knuckles snug, not loose. Pull them off gently to save the finger loops. They lack warmth for cold days or thick padding for offwidths.
Grab a pair if cracks fill your trips. Measure your hand, pick that snug size, and test them on an easier day first.
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