Leather vs Synthetic Golf Gloves: Which Should You Buy?
Almost every golf glove falls into one of two camps: leather or synthetic. They feel different, grip differently, and wear differently, and the right choice depends on how and where you play. Here's how they actually compare.
The short answer
If you want the best feel and connection to the club, go with a cabretta leather glove. If you want maximum durability and all-weather grip at a lower price, a synthetic glove makes sense. Many golfers keep both: leather for rounds that matter, synthetic for the range and rough weather.
Cabretta leather gloves
Cabretta is a soft, fine-grained sheepskin leather and the standard for premium golf gloves. It's what you'll see on most tour players' hands.
Strengths:
- Feel. Thin, supple leather gives the best connection to the grip - you feel the club, not the glove.
- Fit. Leather moulds to your hand over the first few rounds for a broken-in, custom feel.
- Breathability. Natural leather breathes better than most synthetics.
Trade-offs:
- Wears faster if it gets wet and dries out repeatedly.
- Needs a little care - dry it flat, keep it out of the heat.
- Costs more per glove.
Synthetic gloves
Synthetic gloves are made from man-made materials, often with a stretchy microfiber build.
Strengths:
- Durability. Handles heavy range use and holds up better to moisture.
- Price. Usually cheaper, which suits high-volume practice.
- Consistency. Less break-in, and performance holds up in the wet.
Trade-offs:
- Doesn't match leather for feel and feedback.
- Can run warmer and less breathable on hot days.
Head to head
| Cabretta leather | Synthetic | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel & feedback | Best in class | Good |
| Grip when dry | Excellent | Very good |
| Grip when wet | Drops off | Holds up better |
| Durability | Good with care | Very good |
| Breathability | Excellent | Moderate |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Which should you buy?
- You want the best feel: leather.
- You practice a lot and burn through gloves: synthetic for the range, leather for rounds.
- You play in wet or humid conditions often: keep a synthetic or a dedicated pair of rain gloves on hand - more on that in our guide to rain golf gloves.
- Your hands sweat heavily: read golf gloves for sweaty hands before you decide.
Whatever you choose, get the fit right - our golf glove sizing guide walks through measuring your hand, and this guide to glove lifespan covers making either type last. New to gloves? Start with what hand you wear a golf glove on.
Why we build with cabretta
The B&C Proto I is made from 100% premium cabretta leather because, for us, feel wins. It's lightweight, breathable, and it breaks in to fit like it was made for your hand. Look after it - rotate two, dry them flat - and it holds that feel round after round.
Frequently asked questions
Are leather or synthetic golf gloves better?
Leather gloves, especially cabretta, offer the best feel and breathability, while synthetic gloves are more durable, grip better in the wet, and cost less. Many golfers use leather for rounds and synthetic for practice and bad weather.
What is a cabretta leather golf glove?
Cabretta is a soft, fine-grained sheepskin leather used in premium golf gloves. It's thin and supple, giving excellent feel and a custom fit as it moulds to your hand, which is why most tour players wear it.
Do synthetic golf gloves last longer than leather?
Generally yes. Synthetic gloves tolerate moisture and heavy range use better than leather, so they often last longer under hard use - though leather cared for properly can last a full season for casual players.
Which glove do the pros wear?
Most professional golfers wear cabretta leather gloves for the feel and feedback, though some switch to rain or all-weather gloves in wet conditions.
