I've a $20 pair of neoprene paddling gloves & a $35 pair of fleece flyfishing gloves.  Both have their uses in various situations.

Some buddies use bicycling gloves and like that, but they already own the gloves for cycling.

I like two pairs, one for dirty work, one to keep reasonably clean.  The fleece never does hard/dirty work since they come to bed on occasion.  Moving rocks or hot logs, cheap-o neoprene.

Grip the paddle lightly.  A death-grip will have no affect on the paddling, just on your sore hands.