Bees are amazing little creatures and our planet would be in dire straits without them. However, receiving nasty stings from angry bees is painful and can be dangerous for some people. A pair of quality beekeeping gloves will protect you from getting stung while you tend to your beehives.
Be Safe with Stingproof Beekeeping Gloves
Beekeeping gloves are essential protective apparel for any beekeeping enthusiast. Whether you are a professional apiculturist or a hobby beekeeper who wants to harvest homemade honey and beeswax, not just any type of glove will do.
Durable and comfortable sting-proof gloves will make sure that your beehive management tasks become a safer experience for you and your bees.
The 8 Best Beekeeping Gloves
- FOREST BEEKEEPING SUPPLY Beekeeping Gloves
- Natural Apiary Beekeeping Gloves (Our Top Pick)
- KINGLAKE Beekeeping Gloves
- Mr.Bee Beekeeping Gloves
- Buzz Beekeeping Supplies Beekeeping Gloves
- VIVO Medium Beekeeping Gloves
- Beaver Beekeeping Gloves
- GLOVEWORKS Nitrile Gloves
Our Top Pick for the Best Beekeeping Gloves
Our top pick for the best beekeeping gloves is the Natural Apiary Beekeeping Gloves. We highly recommend these amazing gloves for your beekeeping projects. Working with bees is a rewarding experience but being stung by your faithful winged workers is painful for you and also means that the colony has lost a valuable bee.
However, you will not have to worry about nasty stings or losing beloved bees when you wear the beautiful Natural Apiary gloves. Titled “the Rolls Royce of protective clothing“, these beekeeping gloves will provide you with a better fit, unparalleled comfort, and superior protection.
Check the price on AmazonHow to Choose the Best Beekeeping Gloves
Overall Design
Beekeeping gloves have a unique design that is perfectly suited for looking after bees. Thick material on the glove’s hands creates an effective barrier against painful stings from bees, wasps, and hornets.
Long gauntlet sleeves protect your forearms and up to your elbow. Elasticised cuffs stop any inquisitive bees from crawling up inside the gloves. A breathable ventilated mesh insert helps you to stay cool and comfortable in hot weather.
Material
Leather is the best type of material for the hands of beekeeping gloves as it is ultra-strong, long-lasting, water-resistant, and sting-proof. Cotton canvas sleeves offer great protection and extra flexibility while you work.
One of the downsides to wearing thick leather gloves is that the gloves can be heavy and the material might be a bit bulky around the fingers. These design features are necessary for bee sting protection. However, they may affect your dexterity when you handle cleaning tools. You also have to make sure that you do not squash any bees by accident.
Goatskin Beekeeping Gloves
Beekeeping gloves that are made from goatskin, such as the Natural Apiary Beekeeping Gloves, are strong, supple, lightweight, and flexible. Goatskin provides excellent protection from stings, is very comfortable to wear, and offers you better dexterity. The only downside to goatskin is that it may be a bit thin and not provide a lot of protection from a swarm of angry bees.
Cow Leather Beekeeping Gloves
Cow leather beekeeping gloves provide top-notch protection against stings from bees, wasps, and hornets. A heavy-duty material, cow leather is extra thick, supple, and has superior durability. However, this type of leather can be heavier than goatskin and get hot quickly. The extra thick material around the fingers can also affect your handling of beekeeping tools.
Disposable Rubber Gloves
You may not believe it but disposable synthetic rubber gloves are popular with many beekeeping enthusiasts. Rubber gloves are strong and comfortable to wear. Disposable gloves may also minimize the risk of spreading bee diseases among your buzzing brood. Many apiarists also prefer rubber as the material around the fingers is more flexible than leather.
If you prefer rubber gloves, nitrile disposable gloves are superior to standard disposable gloves. Nitrile is ultra-durable, stretchy, has excellent tactile sensitivity, and comes in a range of thicknesses. To get great protection against stings, choose 8 or 9-mil nitrile gloves.
The problem associated with disposable gloves is that the material can lose its stretch and become baggy over time. It may feel clammy against your skin in hot weather and can cause allergic reactions for some people. Disposable gloves do not provide the same superior level of coverage and protection against bee, wasp, and hornet stings as a leather glove does.
Size
One of the problems associated with the size of leather beekeeping gloves is that the sizes can run too small or large. To find your perfect fit, measure your hand according to the manufacturer’s size guide before purchasing your gloves.
8 Best Beekeeping Gloves – Reviews
1. FOREST BEEKEEPING SUPPLY Beekeeping Gloves
The FOREST BEEKEEPING SUPPLY Beekeeping Gloves provide premium protection for your hands.
Built to last, these uniquely designed beekeeping gloves are perfect for hobbyists and commercial beekeepers.
Strong, supple, and durable white goatskin ensures maximum sting-proof resistance and protection while you tend to your bees. The long canvas sleeve extends up your arm to your elbow. For extra durability, the gloves are double-stitched and reinforced at the wrists. An elastic gauntlet and cuff stop any bees from crawling inside the glove.
You will have good dexterity for holding tools as the lightweight gloves are flexible and the leather does not bunch up around the fingers.
Ideal for working in hot weather, the breathable vented nylon mesh with a foam insert helps you to stay cool and comfortable.
Ideal for men and women, the gloves have a tailored fit and come in 6 sizes: x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, and xx-large.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Ideal for hobbyists, rooftop and commercial beekeepers
- Unique design
- Maximum sting-proof coverage and protection
- Well-made
- Thick and durable premium goatskin leather
- Long canvas sleeve extends up to the elbow
- Reinforced at the wrist
- Elastic cuffs and gauntlet
- Breathable vented white foam mesh
- Lightweight, comfortable, and flexible
- Unisex design for men and women
- Good tailored fit
- Six sizes
Cons
- Longer fingers are not very dexterous
- Sizes run large
2. Natural Apiary Beekeeping Gloves
The tough, professional beekeeping Natural Apiary Beekeeping Gloves are an excellent choice for any beekeeping enthusiast.
You will experience complete protection from fingertip to elbow as the thick goatskin is strong and durable. The extra-long 16-inches canvas sleeves have twill elasticated gauntlets that protect you from your forearms so that you do not need to wear long-sleeved garments underneath your beekeeping suit. Sting-proof canvas cuffs protect your wrists from unwanted stings from wayward bees.
If you have to work in hot weather, the thick fabric sleeves are ventilated to help you to stay cool and comfortable.
Featuring soft and supple leather on the hands, you will have the necessary dexterity for intricate tasks such as handling tools or removing a brood frame.
The unisex beekeeping gloves come in 7 sizes: 2x small, x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, and xx-large. You can choose from white goatskin or yellow/cowhide, and some gloves come with adjustable drawstrings.
To get the best fit, check the Natural Apiary’s size recommendation chart.
Natural Apiary offers a full replacement or money-back guarantee on the beekeeping gloves.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Ideal for hobbyists and professional beekeepers
- Provides protection from fingertip to elbow
- Tough material
- Durable supple goatskin leather
- Double thickness ventilation fabric in the sleeves
- Canvas sting-proof cuffs
- Extra-long thick canvas sleeves
- Soft pliable leather hands provide a better feel and dexterity
- Extra-long twill elasticated gauntlets
- Seven sizes
- Goatskin or cowhide gloves
- Available with adjustable drawstrings
- Full replacement or money-back guarantee
Cons
- Some sections of the glove are a bit thin
3. KINGLAKE Beekeeping Gloves
Perfect for the beginner beekeeper, the KINGLAKE Beekeeping Gloves provide you with essential protection against nasty stings.
Made from thick goatskin and durable cotton canvas sleeves, the gloves act as an effective guardian against painful stings from bees, wasps, and hornets. With a maximum flexible design, the supple leather gives you the dexterity you need for handling your beehive tools.
The sleeve extends up your forearm and the elasticized cuffs stop any inquisitive bees from crawling inside the gloves. As the sleeves are vented, the gloves are very comfortable to wear in hot weather.
KINGLAKE offers the beekeeping gloves in 2 sizes: large and x-large.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Extremely affordable price
- Perfect for beginners
- Thick goatskin leather hands
- Durable cotton canvas cloth sleeves with thick goat-skin leather
- Essential protection from fingertip to the elbow
- Supple leather provides maximum flexibility for handling tools and hives
- Elasticized cuffs
- Breathable vented sleeves
- Very comfortable to wear
- Available in 2 sizes
Cons
- May not be ideal for heavy-duty use or professional apiary tasks
- Sizes run small
4. Mr.Bee Beekeeping Gloves
Ideal for domestic use and smaller commercial applications, the Mr.Bee Beekeeping Gloves provide you with maximum protection while you inspect your bees and harvest their honey.
These gloves are made from premium soft and flexible goatskin leather, and the long sleeves are made from heavy-duty cotton canvas, so you will enjoy 100% sting-proof confidence. The gauntlet sleeves also have elastic cuffs with breathable mesh to keep you cool and comfortable.
For much-needed dexterity, the flexible leather gloves have special stitching around the thumb which makes it easy to grip tools even if you suffer from arthritis or a hand injury.
Highly versatile, the beekeeping gloves are also suitable for gardening and landscaping projects.
Perfect for men and women, the gloves come in 3 sizes: medium, large, and x-large.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Very good value for money
- Affordable price
- Ideal for domestic beekeeping and small commercial applications
- Can be used for gardening too
- 100% sting-proof design
- Premium durable goatskin leather
- Soft and flexible
- Heavy-duty canvas
- Long gauntlet sleeves
- Elastic cuffs have ventilated mesh
- Comfortable fit
- Special-designed stitching around the thumb for extra dexterity
- Three sizes
Cons
- Not available in a small size
- Cuffs are not overly durable
5. Buzz Beekeeping Supplies Beekeeping Gloves
Made from thick cowhide leather, the Buzz Beekeeping Supplies Beekeeping Gloves provide you with very good bee-sting protection.
Ideal for hobbyists and professional beekeepers who have a small number of hives, these stylish gloves are constructed from premium top-grain cow leather and heavy-duty cotton canvas.
You can approach an agitated hive with total confidence as the durable leather hands provide unrivaled sting resistance. Extra-long gauntlet sleeves with reinforced cuffs keep you safe from angry bees.
For maximum dexterity, the leather is soft and flexible. The separately sewn keystone thumbs make it exceptionally easy to use your bee-hive tools.
Comfortable to wear, the gloves have a tailored fit. Elastic cuffs and a ventilation strip keep you cool and make the gloves easy to put on and take off.
Ideal for men and women, the gloves come in 6 sizes: x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, and xx-large.
Make sure that you use the Buzz Beekeeping Supplies sizing chart so that you can find the right size to suit you.
Buzz Beekeeping Supplies offers a 100% refund guarantee on the beekeeping gloves.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Ideal for any beekeeping enthusiast
- Stylish design
- Durable premium top-grain yellow cow leather
- Mid-weight heavy-duty cotton canvas
- Unrivaled sting resistance
- Comfortable tailored fit is easy to put on and take off
- 100% bee sting proof extra-long sleeves with reinforced elastic cuffs
- Ventilation strip keep you cool
- Separately sewn keystone thumbs provide maximum dexterity
- Ideal for men and women
- Six sizes
- 100% refund guarantee
Cons
- Seams can come apart with heavy-duty use
- Elastic can lose its tightness over time
- Leather is a bit thin on the fingers
- Sizes run a bit small
6. VIVO Medium Beekeeping Gloves
If you are just beginning your beekeeping journey, the VIVO Medium Beekeeping Gloves makes it safer and easy to maintain a small hive population.
A perfect match for your beekeeping suit, the off-white low-profile gloves offer you flawless protection, comfort, and resilience.
The premium goatskin is thick, soft, and flexible which protects you from painful strings and gives you good dexterity. Durable cotton sleeves have an elastic closure that provides total coverage up to your elbows. You will stay cool and comfortable as the cotton fabric is lightweight and breathable.
VIVO offers the gloves in 4 sizes: small, medium, large, and x-large.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Very affordable price
- Ideal for a small hive
- Flawless protection, comfort, and resilience
- Off-white low profile design is a great match for a beekeeping suit
- Premium thick, soft, and flexible goatskin
- Provides good dexterity
- Durable cotton sleeves with elastic closure
- Total coverage up to the elbows
- Lightweight and breathable fabric
- Four sizes
Cons
- Cotton sleeves are not very thick
- Not ideal for a large hive or professional use
7. Beaver Beekeeping Gloves
Stay cool and sting-free with the Beaver Beekeeping Gloves.
Made from thick, soft, and flexible goatskin leather, these beekeeping gloves offer you ultimate bee sting protection and much-needed dexterity. The durable canvas sleeves protect your arms right up to the elbow. An elastic closure cinches up tightly to stop any bees from sneaking inside the glove.
Working in hot weather or with angry bees can cause hot and sweaty palms, but you will stay cool and comfortable as the breathable mesh insert keeps the gloves well ventilated.
Beaver offers the gloves in an x-large size which is suitable for palms that measure 9-11cm.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Thick and soft goatskin leather
- Provides ultimate protection from nasty stings
- Flexible leather offers good dexterity
- Durable canvas sleeves protect arms up to the elbow
- Tight elastic closure
- Breathable mesh insert keeps gloves well ventilated
- Very comfortable to wear
Cons
- Only comes in an x-large size
- May not be ideal for heavy-duty beehive management
8. GLOVEWORKS Nitrile Gloves
With excellent elasticity, puncture, and abrasion resistance, the GLOVEWORKS Nitrile Gloves are a very good choice for beekeeping projects.
These durable industrial-grade gloves are made from extra-thick 6-mil nitrile that is highly resistant to rips, tears, punctures, and chemicals. The 9.5-inches long gloves cover your wrist and the extra thick material around the palm and fingers provides good bee sting protection.
Ideal for people who have allergies to rubber, the gloves are latex and powder-free. You can also use the gloves for automotive projects and they are FDA-approved for safe contact with food.
Tackling your beekeeping jobs is extremely easy with the GLOVEWORKS gloves. As the raised diamond textured surface provides better tactile sensitivity than latex gloves, you will have an unbeatable grip even when the gloves are wet, and they are very easy to put on and take off.
If your hands get dirty, the stylish black color hides dirt, grease, and grime and keeps the gloves looking good all day long.
You can choose from a box of 100 that has 4 sizes: medium, large, x-large, and xx-large, and a case of 1000 that has 4 sizes: medium, large, x-large, and xx-large. Even though the gloves are not available in small, the sizes do run small.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Industrial-style gloves
- Durable extra-thick 6-mil nitrile
- Excellent elasticity, puncture resistance, and abrasion resistance
- Textured surface provides an enhanced grip even in wet conditions
- Latex-free and powder-free
- Perfect for people who are allergic to rubber
- Provides good protection from bee stings
- Ideal for automotive projects
- FDA-approved for food-related tasks
- Longer gloves extend over the wrist
- Easy to put on and take off
- Stylish black color hides dirt, grease, and grime
- Four sizes
- Comes in a box of 100 and a case of 1,000
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty beekeeping projects
Our Top Pick for the Best Beekeeping Gloves
Our top pick for the best beekeeping gloves is the Natural Apiary Beekeeping Gloves. We highly recommend these amazing gloves for your beekeeping projects. Working with bees is a rewarding experience but being stung by your faithful winged workers is painful for you and also means that the colony has lost a valuable bee.
However, you will not have to worry about nasty stings or losing beloved bees when you wear the beautiful Natural Apiary gloves. Titled “the Rolls Royce of protective clothing“, these beekeeping gloves will provide you with a better fit, unparalleled comfort, and superior protection.
Check the price on Amazon
