Best Mountain Bike Gloves of 2024
MTB Gloves Tested For Comfort, Protection, Durability, And Breathability
June 11th, 2024
Home > Gear Reviews > Bike
Sweaty palms and banged-up knuckles are not what you want while mountain biking. The best MTB gloves can make all the difference for comfort and grip on the handlebars, and for those inevitable times when you take a spill on the trail.
We researched and trail-tested more than a dozen pairs to find the best mountain bike gloves for all sorts of conditions and user needs — ultra-padded, touchscreen compatible, best for cold weather — so you can get the right gloves to keep your hands happy while you focus on finding your flow.
Related: Best Mountain Bike Helmets
Read More: Best Mountain Bike Hydration Packs
We create reader-supported, objective gear reviews independently selected by our editors. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission, without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
Mountain Bike Gloves Comparison Table
Men’s MTB Gloves Comparison Table
| MEN'S MTB GLOVES | TREELINE AWARD | MSRP* | SIZING | PADDING? | TOUCH SCREEN FINGERS? | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakine Cross X | Best Overall Read why |
40 | XS-XXL | Yes, knuckles | Yes | padding on knucles and upper hand; silicone finger grips; mesh and neoprene upper; synthetic suede palm; odor control; velcro wrist closure |
| POC Resistance Enduro Adjustable | Best Upgrade Gloves Read why |
70 | XS-XL | No | Yes | stretch wicking mesh upper; thumb wipe; silicone on brake fingers; velcro wrist adjustment |
| 100% Cognito D30 | Best Padded MTB Gloves Read why |
40 | S-XL | Yes, knuckles | No | breathable mesh upper and palm; silicone finger grips, velcro wrist closure |
| Giro DND | Best Budget Gloves Read why |
26 | S-XXXL | Yes, minimal | Yes | stretch mesh upper, synthetic suede palm; silicone on brake fingers |
| Sealskinz Sutton All Weather | Best Winter MTB Gloves Read why |
70 | S-XXL | Yes, foam pressure point padding | No | waterproof, light insulation, nose wipe, foam padding |
WOMEN’S MTB Gloves Comparison Table
| WOMEN'S MTB GLOVES | TREELINE AWARD | MSRP* | SIZING | PADDING? | TOUCH SCREEN FINGERS? | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakine Cross X | Best MTB Gloves Read why |
40 | S-L | Yes, knuckles | Yes | padding on knucles and upper hand; silicone finger grips; mesh and neoprene upper; synthetic suede palm; odor control; velcro wrist closure |
| POC Resistance Enduro Adjustable (Unisex) | Best Upgrade Gloves Read why |
70 | XS-XL | No | Yes | stretch wicking mesh upper; thumb wipe; silicone on brake fingers; velcro wrist adjustment |
| 100% Cognito D30 (Unisex) | Best Padded MTB Gloves Read why |
40 | S-XL | Yes, knuckles | No | breathable mesh upper and palm; silicone finger grips, velcro wrist closure |
| Giro LA DND | Best Budget Gloves Read why |
35 | S-XL | Yes, minimal | Yes | stretch mesh upper, synthetic suede palm; silicone on brake fingers |
| Sealskinz All Weather (Unisex) | Best Winter MTB Gloves Read why |
70 | S-XXL | Yes, foam pressure point padding | No | waterproof, light insulation, nose wipe, foam padding |
| Shredly MTB Gloves | Best Summer Gloves Read why |
29 | S-L | None | Yes | breathable mesh upper, perforated palm material |
* Prices reflect MSRP and are subject to change. We note any discounts we see on our Deals page, which is updated daily.
For more of our favorite mountain biking recommendations, see our most popular Biking stories:
The Best Mountain Bike Gloves
The Best Overall Mountain Bike Gloves: Dakine Cross-X
Price: $40
Sizing: XS-XXL
Padding: Yes, gel pad on knuckles, palm padding
Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
Additional Features: gel padding on knuckles and upper hand; silicone finger grips; mesh and neoprene upper; synthetic suede palm; odor control; velcro wrist closure
What we liked: balance of comfort, protection, durability, breathability, and price; versatility
What we didn’t like: could be more breathable
The Dakine Cross-X gloves stood out in our test for their impressive balancing act of comfort, protection, durability, and breathability all at a reasonable price point. A combination of synthetic suede palms and silicone grippers on the thumb and index finger make these gloves grippy and comfortable, while TPU and neoprene on the knuckles and outside of the palm add protection against a crash. The fabric on the top of the hand is stretchy and made of a fairly breathable material. It does a good job of wicking moisture as well. These features together make the Cross-X a great cycling glove for all sorts of trails and a good value for the price, too.
Compare prices of the Dakine Cross-X Bike Gloves
Men's
Women's
The Dakine Cross-X on a ride in Colorado. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Fit and Features
We found the Cross-X gloves to run true to size with a fit that hugs the hand without being constricting. The velcro strap holds tight and helps to dial in fit around the wrist. The gloves are comfortable for both long cross-country rides and all-day hot laps. They are one of the only models we considered available in men’s gloves and women’s gloves.
We also appreciate some of the extra features in these gloves, like the microfleece material on the thumb that acts as a nose wipe, and touch screen compatible fingers.
Breathability and Durability of Materials
While the Cross-X gloves aren’t the most breathable in our test, you get protection and durability in return. And, they balance a good amount of moisture-wicking capabilities considering the added bulk of padding to protect your hands. We wore these gloves on everything from cool, early season morning rides in the mountains to hot, sun-soaked days in the desert and rarely found our hands to be excessively hot.
The Dakine Cross-X offers a lot of protection and moisture-wicking with a bulk of padding to protect your hands. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
The durability of the Cross-X gloves is trustworthy and they should last an average mountain bike rider a full season or more of regular riding. After testing these gloves on a season’s worth of mid-length rides, they show no significant signs of wear.
The synthetic leather palm on this glove is not perforated like other, more breathable gloves in our test, but we found that this makes the Cross-X a more durable option, especially for riders on the aggressive side.
Both customer and media reviews confirm our love for the Dakine Cross-X gloves. They come recommended as a top glove by Gear Junkie and have dozens of 5-star customer reviews from REI, Amazon, and Dakine’s website.
Best Use
If you’re looking for a do-it-all glove that will keep your hands comfortable and protected wherever the trail takes you, the Cross-X is an excellent option. On days riding through mixed terrain-long climbs, technical trails, fast and flowy descents-we found these gloves to be up for any of it.
Riders looking for a glove with breathability and comfort as their top priority should consider our Upgrade Winner, the POC Resistance Enduro ADJ. However, they come with a higher price tag and lack the additional padding or protection of the Dakine Cross-X.
We appreciated the extra features on the Dakine X like microfleece on the thumb and touch screen compatible fingers. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
Riders who need protection above everything else will find more padding in our winner for Best Padded MTB Gloves, the 100% Cognito D30. However, those other gloves are not as versatile as the Cross X, given that they might be a bit bulky or excessive for mellower trails or styles of riding.
Conclusion
Both customer and media reviews confirm our love for the Dakine Cross-X gloves. They come recommended as a top glove by Gear Junkie and have dozens of 5-star customer reviews from REI, Amazon, and Dakine’s website.
Overall, the Dakine Cross-X gloves offer the best combination of comfort, padding, and breathability, with a reasonable price, good durability, and great color options to boot.
Best Upgrade MTB Gloves: POC Resistance Enduro Adjustable
Price: $70
Sizing: XS-XL
Padding: No
Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
Additional Features: stretch wicking mesh upper; thumb wipe; silicone grip on brake fingers; velcro wrist adjustment
What we liked: comfort, breathability, ventilation, sweat wicking
What we didn’t like: sizing runs small, no women’s specific model
For ultimate comfort on everything from mellow cross-country rides to spicy trail descents, we love the POC Resistance Enduro ADJ (adjustable) gloves. The stretchy, full mesh material on the top of the hand and perforated, synthetic suede palm material work together to vent and wick sweat. The velcro wrist adjustment keeps a snug fit, while silicone gripper tabs on the fingers give extra grip on the bars. The pads on the thumbs of the gloves are touch screen compatible and the thumb features a terry cloth nose wipe.
VIEW THE POC RESISTANCE ENDURO ADJUSTABLE
The POC Endurance Adjustable gloves are the best MTB gloves you can get if costs are not your biggest concern. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
Fit
The fit of the Resistance Enduro gloves is snug and comfortable. Some customers note that the gloves run slightly on the small side. This may be due to the fact that these gloves are made only in a unisex model.
Our tester typically wears a women's cycling glove in size small. They found the smallest size of men's gloves can be a bit on the loose side for them. They found these gloves to fit in between-slightly looser than a typical women’s small, but a bit more snug than a men’s small in other brands.
Comfort and Breathability
These gloves stood out as the most comfortable in our test on a wide variety of rides. We used them on chilly morning rides in the mountains and they kept the chill off of our fingers.
We also put them through the paces on hot summer desert rides and found that they vent and wick sweat better than most of the gloves we tested.
The one main downside to these gloves is the price tag: for a fairly simple glove, they cost nearly twice that of most other basic gloves on the market. If budget is a concern, consider our Budget Winner, the Giro DND; this glove offers good comfort at half the price, just without the adjustability in the wrist or extra breathability in the palm. However, if comfort is your top priority in a mountain bike glove, the POC Resistance Enduro are worth the bit of extra money.
We found the POC Resistance Enduro consistently to be the pair of mountain biking gloves we would reach for every time we went for a ride. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
We found POC Resistance Enduro to hold up well after many miles of riding, and though they are not quite as durable as the Dakine Cross-X or 100% Cognito, we found ourselves reaching for these gloves often for their superior comfort.
Conclusion
Dozens of 5-star reviews on Amazon and the POC website confirm that the Resistance Enduro gloves are popular among everyday riders, with many commenting on their comfort and breathability.
The combination of fit, material, and features made these gloves our go-to for comfort on cross country and trail rides in all sorts of conditions. However, it’s worth remembering that the Resistance Enduro gloves are on the expensive side and don’t have any additional padding at that price, so if you’re looking for a glove with better value and protection, consider our winner for Best Padded MTB Gloves, the 100% Cognito, or our Overall winner, the Dakine Cross-X.
Overall, if you’re looking for a comfortable and versatile mountain biking glove and budget is not a concern, we think these are a worthy splurge.
Best Padded MTB Gloves: 100% Cognito D3O
Price: $40
Sizing: S-XL
Padding: Yes, knuckles
Touch Screen Compatible: No
Additional Features: breathable mesh upper and palm; silicone fingertip, velcro wrist closure
What we liked: top notch padding and protection on knuckles and throughout the hand, comfort, form-fitting, vents surprisingly well for such protection, durability, best wrist-closure of any of the gloves we tested
What we didn’t like: not as versatile, price
If you find yourself riding more technical and steep trails, or venture into the bike park, look to the 100% Cognito D3O gloves to give your hands the protection they need. The stretchy construction on the top of the hand upper makes these gloves especially comfortable and form-fitting. The thick, synthetic palm material helps maintain grip on the handlebars, protects your hands, and vents sweat through the perforations. Each glove has a touch screen compatible thumb and index finger as well.
Compare Prices Of The 100% Cognito D30
The Cognito gloves are designed for extra protection. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Features
The best padded gloves strategically place padding where you need protection without adding bulk or extra padding where you don’t need it. As a result, the 100% Cognito D30 padded gloves provide protection without impacting grip, dexterity, or breathability, giving them our top award for protection.
The most notable feature about these padded gloves is the D3O material in the knuckles that offers top-notch impact protection. The material is flexible when riding for comfort and mobility, but it hardens upon impact to protect your hands.
Material Performance and Comfort
The synthetic leather material in the palm of the Cognito gloves is the thickest of any we tested and proved to be some of the most durable. Thankfully, we didn’t endure any nasty falls when testing these gloves. But after months of riding in the gloves, they held up, looking nearly good as new. Because of this, we think the Cognitos have excellent durability to stand up to aggressive trail and downhill riders.
The D30 material in the knuckles adds extra protection making the Cognito D30 a durable and extra protective glove. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
We did find ourselves pleasantly surprised with the gloves’ breathability and comfort, despite the extra armor. The gloves fit true-to-size and have a burly velcro wrist closure that proved to be the most secure of any in our test.
Conclusion
Everyday customers agree that these gloves stand out, with several 5-star reviews on Amazon and other outdoor sites. Outdoor Gear Lab gave the Cognito D3O a Top Pick award for best protection.
Overall, if you need a durable, protective glove that will stand up to almost anything the trail throws your way, slip the Cognito D3O over your paws to keep them comfortable and protected.
If you’re not a particularly aggressive rider or don’t often venture onto steep and fast trails, consider a more versatile glove for cross country and trail riding, like our Overall winner—the Dakine Cross-X or our Upgrade Winner—the POC Resistance Enduro.
Best Budget Gloves: Giro DND and Giro LA DND
Price: $26
Sizing: S-XXXL
Padding: Yes, minimal
Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
Additional Features: stretch mesh upper, synthetic suede palm; silicone grip on brake fingers
What we liked: value for the price, has many features we like in more expensive gloves
What we didn’t like: no added padding or protection, could be more breathable
For a pair of comfortable, durable, no-frills gloves at a great price, we recommend the men’s Giro DND and women’s Giro LA DND. A stretchy, breathable mesh upper helps to vent heat and wick sweat, while a perforated, synthetic suede palm with reinforced, silicone-tipped fingers give extra grip on handlebars. Plus, a reinforced crash pad on the outer palm gives a little extra comfort and protection (for more on how MTB gloves protect cyclists from a crash, see our section on protection below). The DND includes handy features such as touch screen compatible fingertips and a microfiber nose wipe on the thumb.
Compare Prices Of The Giro DND And Giro La DND
Men's
Women's
The Giro DND mountain bike gloves give you a lot of bang for the buck and are an excellent choice for riders choosing their first pair of gloves. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Breathability
We tested these gloves on warm spring rides along desert singletrack and flowy forest trails and enjoyed their simplicity and comfort. They’re breathable enough for sun-soaked afternoons and protective enough to save the skin on your palms, though there’s no added padding or protection on the knuckles.
Durability and Fit
After several rides and a minor crash or two, these gloves proved that they’re able to hold their own in terms of durability. We didn’t notice any loose stitching or significant wear, and we think these gloves will last average riders a good full season of biking. Overall, the DNDs are almost as good as the Cross-X in terms of durability, but they lack the protection on the knuckles and the adjustable wrist strap that help the Cross-X stand out as our favorite.
We found these gloves to fit true-to-size with a snug wrap around the hand. Though there’s no velcro closure, the gloves slip easily over your hands and stay snug around the wrist during rides.
Related: How to Train for a Century Ride
The Giro DND gloves are reasonably-priced comfortable mountain biking gloves for cross-country and trail rides. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Conclusion
Customer and media reviews confirm that these gloves are a popular option among everyday riders. 5-star reviews abound on Amazon, Backcountry, and Evo, while the gloves stand out as a long-time tester favorite from the reviewers at Outdoor Gear Lab.
If you’re looking for a good, reasonably-priced glove to keep your hands comfortable on cross-country and trail rides in a wide range of conditions, the Giro DNDs are our top pick. Overall, these gloves will do a great job for most riders cruising singletrack trails. (If you’re headed for some tricky, fast downhills, we’d steer you toward the Dakine Cross-X or 100% Cognito for the added protection.)
Best Winter Mtb Gloves: Sealskinz Sutton All Weather MTB Glove
Price: $70
Sizing: S-XXL
Padding: Foam Pressure Point Padding
Touch Screen Compatible: No
Additional Features: Waterproof, light insulation, nose wipe, foam padding
What we liked: Warm, durable, comfortable fit
What we didn’t like: Price
If you bring out the fat tire bike in mid-winter conditions, you’ll need some thick, warm gloves to help keep frostbite at bay. The Sealskinz All Weather gloves are toasty, durable, and will stand up to cold weather rides.
Compare Prices Of The Sealskinz All Weather MTB Glove
Features
These gloves feature a wind and waterproof outer layer with a mid-layer of insulation and an inner polyester lining for protection from the elements. When testing these gloves, we appreciated that dexterity wasn’t hampered too much despite the extra insulation, which is notable for a winter cycling glove. This is largely thanks to the liner design that is meant to stay put and not bunch up or move around inside the glove.
These waterproof gloves fit comfortably snug without being constricting, offer good dexterity, and are fairly lightweight for an insulated winter glove. Extra mountain bike-specific features like silicone finger grips and foam padding across the knuckles make these gloves a great choice for trail riding in cool temps. Since these are a burlier, insulated winter glove, there isn’t touch screen compatibility on the fingers.
Conclusion
With several 5-star customer reviews and a nod from both Gear Junkie and The Adventure Junkies, these gloves prove to be a great choice for winter riders. These gloves are a good option if you’re tackling winter rides, like our writer Dean Krakel did in his attempt to Bikepack the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park in every month of the year, including the winter months. If you’re looking for gloves to keep you on your bike through the coldest parts of the year, we recommend the Sealskins All Weather MTB.
Best Hot Weather MTB Bike Gloves: Shredly MTB gloves (Women’s only)
Price: $29
Sizing: XXS-XL
Padding: None
Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
Other Features: breathable mesh upper, perforated palm material
What we liked: Light, comfortable, and supremely breathable for hot rides
What we didn’t: Not as protective as other gloves
When the temperature creeps up on your mountain bike rides it can be tempting to want to go without the extra layer of gloves. And while that choice often boils down to personal preference, wearing gloves can be more comfortable, offer more grip, and even some protection in case of a crash. Our go-to pair of gloves for riding in hot summer conditions are the Shredly Gloves. These minimalist gloves offer just enough comfort and protection while remaining supremely light and breathable.
Compare prices of the Shredly MTB gloves
Close up on the Shredly MTB gloves, our winner for best mountain bike gloves for summer or hot weather.
Material
The gloves have a lightweight mesh fabric across the back of the hand that wicks and breathes even on the hottest days. The palms are made with a layer of synthetic suede that has small perforations throughout to increase breathability. Both the index fingers and thumbs are touch screen compatible and while they aren’t perfect, they work well almost all of the time.
The Shredly MTB gloves are minimalist MTB gloves that work well for long rides in hot weather.
How we tested
We tested the gloves on rides around Colorado, from hot and grueling forest road climbs to downhill trails at Arapahoe Basin, and even long rides over 5 hours in hot sun and cool cloud cover. The gloves were comfortable and breathable through it all.
Testing the Shredly MTB gloves on long rides in Colorado.
Protection
One feature these gloves don’t have is any extra padding or protection anywhere. They’re simple and breathable but they are not as protective as others in our test. So, if you ride a lot of rough downhill trails and want the added protection, consider a different pair. But if you’re looking for a pair of comfortable gloves for hot rides, these are our go-to summer riding gloves.
Other MTB Gloves We Tested
Dakine Covert
Price: $32
Sizing: XS-XXL
Padding: Yes, gel pad on knuckles and palm padding but very minimal
Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
Additional Features: Mesh upper; synthetic suede palms; silicone finger and thumb grips; thumb wipe;
We loved riding in the Dakine Covert gloves for their comfort on the trail and good breathability. The mesh upper is breathable while the seamless synthetic suede palm is comfortable on the bars. We also appreciate that their sizing includes men’s and women’s gloves.
Compare Prices Of The Dakine Covert Glove
Men's
Women's
We also like these gloves for their overall style, which stood out from other gloves in our test. We put these gloves through the paces on miles of both mountain and desert trails, and they kept our hands comfortable and held up well.
Dakine says the Dakine Covert has gel padding on knuckles and palm padding. However, in an earlier edition of this article, we said it didn’t have padding. The reason is because the padding is that minimal. Customer reviews at REI also voice surprise that it lists these MTB gloves as padded in the specs given how minimal the padding is in real life.
Ultimately, the Giro DND won our award for best budget gloves thanks to a heap of 5-star customer reviews across the board, though we still think the Covert gloves are a great option for riders looking for a simple, no-frills glove.
Price: $35
Sizing: S-XXL (Xen) / S-L (Xena)
Padding: Yes, on knuckles and outside of palm
Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
Additional Features: Silicone finger grips, mesh paneling in fingers for breathability
The men’s Giro Xen and women’s Xena gloves nearly rose to the top of our test for their ideal combo of comfort, protection, and breathability, but they were inched out by our Overall winner, the Dakine Cross-X, due to durability concerns.
Compare Prices Of The Compare Prices Of The Giro Xen And Xena
Men's
Women's
The Xen and Xena boast features such as padding across the knuckles and palms, breathable mesh paneling, and touch-screen compatibility. We loved riding in these gloves and found them to offer great breathability, even on hot days along desert trails that lacked shade.
We found the Xen and Xena to be a bit more breathable than our overall winner, the Dakine Cross-X. The added protection on the knuckles and palms is just the right amount for trail riding.
However, a combination of customer reviews and our own testing experience gave us concerns about the durability of these gloves. We think the Dakine Cross-X gloves that are our Overall Winner are a similar design with slightly better, more durable construction. Since they are almost the same price, we think both gloves are a good option. But ultimately recommend the Cross-X for a glove that will last.
Mountain bike gloves are essential for grip and protection on trail rides and cross country. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
Why Wear Bike Gloves
You may be asking “Do I need bike gloves?” or “Are bike gloves necessary?”
There are two primary reasons to wear gloves when mountain biking: grip and protection. Without gloves, sweaty hands can compromise your grip on the handlebars, making it harder to stay in control as you ride. In addition, the grip from cycling gloves helps reduce hand fatigue.
If you crash on the trail, your hands are likely to brace the fall and without gloves, you’ll be left with scraped up palms or knuckles. The right gloves add comfort, grip, and protection for your hands when you’re out riding.
We researched dozens of mountain biking gloves and then tested the most promising on everything from uphill dirt road slogs in heat to techy descents on cool mountain mornings. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
How We Researched and Tested
We started with hours of research-looking at dozens of different gloves on the market and reading media and customer reviews to get a good idea of the most loved styles from everyday riders to pros. In total, we considered 14 pairs of mountain biking gloves.
From there, we selected the most promising models and tested for ourselves on everything from uphill dirt road slogs in the heat to techy descents on cool mountain mornings. We rode with these gloves on downhill hot laps and 25-mile cross country rides, frosty morning missions, and scorching summer afternoon sessions. Thankfully, only a few falls were taken among our testers and all the gloves (and testers!) made it out intact. In the end, we think we’ve landed on the best models of mountain biking gloves available.
We tested these mountain biking gloves on everything from uphill dirt road slogs in the heat to techy descents on cool mountain mornings.
Buying advice
A good pair of mountain bike gloves balance comfort, protection, and breathability for overall performance.
Additional features include touchscreen capability. This is available in some gloves in just the thumbs, index finger, or all fingers.
There are different types of gloves for different styles of riding:
A minimalist glove with full fingers for grip on the bars and light protection;
A glove with extra padding for protection on downhill-oriented rides where falls are more likely
A glove designed for cold-weather riding
We did not consider fingerless gloves for this guide. See more in the section below on full finger vs. half finger gloves.
Your specific riding style and preferences will determine which type of glove is best for you, but generally, good mountain biking gloves should be full-fingered with comfortable, durable material on the palm, grippy fingers, good ventilation, and the right amount of protection.
Padding
A good pair of MTB gloves has adequate padding in the palm area to absorb shock and vibrations from the handlebars.
Breathability AND VENTING
Sweaty hands can cause discomfort and reduce grip on the handlebars. Good MTB gloves will be made of breathable materials and may have mesh panels or ventilation holes to increase airflow.
Grip
Grip is essential on MTB gloves, especially if you are riding in wet or muddy conditions. Grip should not be reduced by sweaty hands, either. Look for gloves with silicone or rubberized grips on the palm area.
Fit
Mountain bike gloves should fit snugly without being too tight or too loose.
Durability
Mountain biking can be tough on gear, so look for gloves made of durable materials that can withstand wear and tear over time.
Touch screen compatibility
If you expect to use your phone for taking photos, navigating, or texting friends, you may want to consider a pair of gloves that have touch screen compatible fingertips, which allow you to use your phone or other devices without having to remove your gloves.
Full Finger and Half Finger Gloves
Cycling and mountain bike gloves come in both half- and full-finger options.
Generally, half finger gloves are best for road cycling and mellow cross country mountain biking, while full finger gloves are better for trail and downhill mountain biking, primarily because of the added grip in the fingers and overall hand protection. Our review focuses on full finger gloves specific for mountain biking.
A good pair of mountain biking gloves has full finger for grip, comfort, protection, and breathability. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
How to Choose Mountain Biking Gloves
The best way to find the right pair of gloves is to consider the type of riding you do most.
Are you a cross country or trail rider who sticks to trails without especially steep or technical downhills? A basic pair of gloves like the Giro DND will suit you well since comfort and breathability are the primary features of gloves like these.
If you venture into the bike park from time to time or prefer fast trails with technical downhills, consider a more protective glove such as the 100% Cognito D30. In short, aggressive riders more prone to falling will benefit from a glove with extra protection for any trail, while bikers on the conservative side will find a more minimal glove to be sufficient.
Gloves with added protection will often be less breathable but will do a much better job of saving your skin in a crash.
If you dabble in all ends of the mountain biking spectrum, consider a versatile glove such as our Overall Winner, the Dakine Cross-X, which has a great combination of padding, comfort, and breathability.
How to Fit Mountain Bike Gloves
Your mountain bike gloves should fit snugly without being uncomfortably constricting.
A loose-fitting glove will compromise grip on the handlebars, while a properly fitting one will enhance grip.
Ensure that the gloves don’t have extra fabric bunching on the palms and that you have good dexterity with your fingers.
Fitting mountain bike gloves properly is essential for comfort, control, and safety while riding. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to fit mountain bike gloves correctly:
1) Measure your hand
You’ll want to measure a few areas of your hand to get the best fit in a pair of gloves. Measure the circumference of your hand by measuring around the widest part of your palm while your fist is closed.
You’ll also want to measure the length of your hand, from the base of your palm to the tip of your longest finger. As with taking any body measurements, a soft tape measure works best for this.
These are general guidelines for measurements, but if you’re looking at a specific brand or pair of gloves, be sure to examine their size chart and consider their measurements as they may differ from one brand to another.
2) Refer to the sizing chart
Check the sizing chart provided by the glove manufacturer. Most brands offer sizing guidelines based on hand measurements. Match your measurement to the corresponding glove size on the chart.
3) Try gloves on
It’s never a bad idea to try gloves on before deciding on a pair, since many fit slightly differently and they vary in materials, padding, where seams are placed, and more.
Trying on a couple different sizes can also help you get a good idea of what’s best for your hand. If buying online, consider purchasing multiple sizes from a retailer that allows easy returns.
4) Check finger length
Your fingers should fit snugly in the gloves, but not too tight. If the gloves are too big and the fingers too long, you’ll lose dexterity and the gloves could bunch in uncomfortable ways while gripping the bars.
If they’re too small, your fingers will be cramped and uncomfortable in the gloves.
5) Assess palm fit
Ensure that the palm of the glove also fits snug around your hand. T
he palm is the area most likely to bunch, and if the gloves are too large the loose fabric will be uncomfortable when crumpled up between your palm and the grips.
6) Inspect velcro closures (if present)
If the gloves have velcro closures, they should be able to close all the way around your wrist comfortably without being constricting.
7) Check for bunching or wrinkling
Move your hands around in the gloves and check to see if you see any large wrinkles or bunching anywhere. If you are able, try gripping some handlebars with the gloves on to ensure that there aren’t any unforgettable wrinkles in the fabric.
8) Test dexterity
Moving your hands around in the gloves and gripping the bars will also help you test for dexterity.
Try accessing pockets, buckling your helmets, and other small tasks that require your fingers to ensure the gloves are a good fit. If they’re touch screen compatible, try using your phone with them.
9) Pay attention to seams
Consider where the seams are on the gloves and if any of them are irritating or cause pressure points.
Often, if the fit is too tight the seams will dig into your fingers and hands.
10) Consider personal preferences
Think about what you’re looking for in a glove. Do you want them to be thin and breathable or padded and protective? As you bike more you’ll gain a better understanding of your personal preferences with fit and features.
11) Test the fit while riding
If you’re able to, take the gloves out for a hot lap on the bike to ensure they fit well and are comfortable. Sometimes, there are details you may miss until you’re actually riding.
12) Remember to wear the right size for both hands
Just like feet, our hands can be different sizes. It’s not always practical to buy two different pairs in different sizes, so choose the size that best fits both hands.
Mountain biking gloves will improve your ride no matter your climate or level of expertise. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Protection in Mountain Bike Gloves
We refer to the protection offered with each glove in our review.
What we mean by this is what sort of protection the glove offers in the event of a crash or other incidents on the trail, like swiping the side of a tree with your hand or handlebars.
This protection offers some shock absorption and is most often found in the form of extra material-like neoprene, TPU, or D3O-on the knuckles and outside of the palm.
Mellow riders often do not need the extra protection that comes with some mountain bike gloves, since they are less likely to take hard falls.
Still, even a glove without added protection will help save a rider's palms from accumulating nasty cuts during a crash.
If you’re a fast and aggressive trail or downhill rider, you’ll benefit from gloves with added protection.
Care and maintenance
Mountain bike gloves are an essential part of your riding gear, and to ensure they continue to provide the protection and comfort you need, proper care and maintenance are crucial. Here are some detailed tips on how to maintain your mountain bike gloves:
Cleaning and washing instructions
Regular cleaning: Because bike gloves are made with technical materials, tossing them in with your regular laundry is not ideal. However, cleaning them at least once per season will help them stay comfortable and in good shape.
Hand washing: Some gloves can go in the washing machine, but handwashing will always be easier on the gloves. Check the manufacturer instructions before washing.
Stains and odors: A simple wash should remove most odors. Because the fabrics are technical, you generally do not want to use stain removers. If the gloves are stained, try to get it out with gentle soap, water, and a soft brush. If that doesn’t work, remember that they’re just bike gloves and not black tie apparel. A stain should not affect the performance of the gloves.
Rinse thoroughly: Soap residue can break down synthetic (and natural) fabrics and fibers overtime, so it’s best to ensure that all the soap has been rinsed out before letting the gloves air dry.
Proper storage to prolong glove lifespan
Drying after use: Drying with heat in the dryer can shrink and damage the gloves. Hang dry or dry flat, ideally out of direct sunlight.
Avoid folding: Folding the gloves creates creases that stay in place and can be uncomfortable when riding.
Storage bag: Unless you need them for organization or travel, storage bags are unnecessary for bike gloves.
How to address common wear and tear issues
Torn seams or holes: Holes can be repaired with gear tape quite easily, but if there are large holes in the palms of the gloves, it’s best to just replace them. If seams are splitting or torn, they can be stitched back up—just be careful not to create pressure points or uncomfortable seams with the added thread.
Worn padding: The padding in most mountain bike gloves cannot be replaced. This is because if the padding has worn out, it’s likely that other parts of the gloves are worn too, and replacing the gloves altogether makes more sense.
Velcro and closures: You can help extend the life of your gloves by keeping the velcro clean. Rinse with water to get mud and dirt out, then use a toothbrush to get excess debris out of the velcro. If the closures do not hold anymore and you’ve tried cleaning them, it’s probably time to replace your gloves.
By following these care and maintenance tips, you can extend the lifespan of your mountain bike gloves, ensuring they remain comfortable and provide the protection you need on your rides.
FAQ
Do I need different gloves for different weather conditions?
You may want different mountain bike gloves for different conditions and styles of riding. Riding on a hot day with lots of pedaling may warrant breathable and minimal gloves while downhillling at the bike park will require thicker and more protective gloves. If you’re riding in cold weather, you’ll need warmer gloves to maintain dexterity and avoid frozen digits.
There is also the option to choose half-finger gloves for a more minimal option, but most mountain bikers opt for full finger gloves for the grip and protection when on the trail.
Can I use mountain bike gloves for other outdoor activities?
Mountain bike gloves can be useful for other outdoor activities, depending on the style of the glove. You could use them for trail work and other similar activities. But because they’re designed specifically for riding trails, they’re not super versatile and they will last you longer if you save them for bike rides only.
Are there any special considerations for riders with allergies or sensitive skin?
Folks with allergies or skin sensitivities will want to consider the materials in the gloves. Many bike gloves are made with synthetic suede that is not real leather. Those with allergies or skin sensitivies may find synthetic suede to be irritating to the skin. Gloves with real leather may be less irritating, but harder to find and often more expensive.
Can I ride without gloves if I find them uncomfortable?
Bike gloves are one of those gear items that are often chosen based on personal preference rather than necessity. Some prefer to ride without gloves. If you do choose to ride without gloves, remember that you are sacrificing the protection they offer your hands in case of a fall. Additionally, it leaves the top of your hands exposed to the sun, so you’ll want to apply sunscreen to the back of your hands before you ride.
What should I do if I experience numbness in my hands while riding with gloves?
Numbness can come from multiple causes and not necessarily be from your gloves. If you are certain it’s from the gloves, they could be too small. Try riding with a larger or different pair to see if that helps.
The author, Stasia Stockwell, is a true mountain dweller. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
A true mountain dweller, Stasia Stockwell feels far more at home on a high alpine ridge than a busy city street. She writes primarily in the outdoor and adventure travel realm, focusing on destination content and gear reviews that are intriguing and informative for newcomers and experts alike.
Stasia has worked as a backpacking guide in southeast Alaska and written for Backpacker, REI Co-op Journal, and The Dyrt, along with her work for Treeline. She’s an avid mountain biker and has been riding on two wheels since she was a kid on the trails of northern Utah. She now spends her summers logging as much pedal time as possible around her home in Breckenridge, Colorado, and beyond.
More of her work and adventures can be found on her website.
To see all Stasia’s Treeline articles, see her author profile.
As a freelance writer and gear tester, Stasia and Treeline Review are not sponsored, an ambassador, or an employee of any companies mentioned here. This review is unbiased, and we do this to help you find the best product for the best price. Treeline Review doesn’t accept sponsored content, native advertising, or paid reviews.
