Do you really need mountain bike gloves? They are not mandatory for mountain biking, but they are helpful.
Mountain bike gloves are not a statement symbol for a cool, seasoned mountain biker. They are highly functional, as they offer a firm grip and protect your hands from blistering, especially when riding over a long distance. They also offer your hands protection in the event of a fall, when scrapping trees, branches, or thorns, as well as against extreme weather conditions.
There are a variety of mountain bike gloves to choose from, ranging from full-finger to half-finger, made with different materials and available in different sizes. Below is a review of the best mountain bike gloves on Amazon and a guide for choosing the best suited option for you.
Contents
Best Mountain Bike Gloves
Below is a review of the 6 best mountain bike gloves on Amazon.
Tanluhu Winter Cycling Gloves
The Tanluhu Cycling Gloves are versatile and can be used for a wide range of activities, including mountain bike riding, cycling, hose riding, running, snow shoveling, hiking, and hunting, among others. The unisex, full-finger gloves are of high quality build for durability. They are made from heavy duty elastic fiber that is soft and breathable, yet anti-abrasive. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear.
These gloves are touchscreen friendly. The thumb and forefinger tips are made of terry cloth for screen recognition, such that you do not have to remove your gloves to make a call or text. The terry cloth on the thumb can also be used to wipe sweat.
These Tanluhu gloves have an elaborate palm design for full-palm protection. The palm is specially padded with honeycomb anti-slip SBR pads for a firm grip, better shock absorption, and blister protection for when riding on bumpy roads.
Their design also incorporates palm vents and finger vents for excellent breathability while keeping your hands warm, even in extremely cold winter weather. The wrists have an elastic cuff that keeps weather elements such as cold, rain, and wind from entering. These gloves are available in small, medium, large, and X-large sizes. They are predominantly black, but you can choose between white, green, pink, and blue lines.
Pros
- High quality build
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Full-palm protection design
- Snugly fitting elastic wrist cuff
- Touchscreen-friendly
- Nose wipe feature
- Can be used for a wide range of sports and outdoor activities
Cons
- Not warm enough for temperatures below 55ºF
Moreok Men’s Cycling gloves
The Moreok Cycling gloves have a half-finger design but still offer adequate grip and palm and knuckles protection. They have a hook and loop wrist design for a snug fit. They are made of highly elastic lycra and knitted mesh fabric that offer a comfortable wear.
The material also makes the gloves breathable. The palm also has a special 5mm SBR gel padding and non-slip silicone surface for optimal protection and non-slip grip. The gel also absorbs shock, preventing your hands from getting numb when riding on extremely rough terrains or for extended periods.
The outer part of the thumb has a wear-resistant, soft, and absorbent terry cloth for wiping down sweat. The palm is made of micro suede for a comfortable fit, breathability, and enhanced grip, while the wrists are made of elastic fabric with adjustable velcro straps. The gloves have a pull tap at the fingers for easy wearing and removal.
These gloves are machine wash safe. They can be used for a wide range of activities including hiking, climbing, motorcycle riding, and camping, among others. They are available in small to xx-large sizes and 5 colors (blue, black, green, gray, orange, red, pink, and white). The manufacturer offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, 30-day no hassle return policy, and 12-month warranty.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Breathable
- Sweat wipe cloth
- Shock-absorbing
- Anti-slip palm and finger design
- Machine wash safe
- Easy and comfortable to wear
- Available in different colors and sizes
- Can be used for a wide range of activities
- Manufacturer offers a satisfaction guarantee, returns, and warranty.
Cons
- The gel padding position is a bit off
Cool Change Full-Finger Bike Gloves
These full-finger bike gloves are multifunctional and efficient. They are made of a 4-way stretch mesh that absorbs moisture well, is breathable, and offers a comfortable feel. As such, these gloves are ideal even on very hot days. The right size fits snugly without being too tight.
The palm design incorporates a SBR padding for shock absorption. It is made of microfiber material that is slip-resistant and durable. The thumbs have a terry cloth for wiping sweat. The palm center and fingers also have breather holes. The index finger is touchscreen-friendly and can be used with different types of touchscreen control electronic devices. The back of the glove has silicon strips at different points, and it allows for knuckle expansion. There is a velcro strap at the wrist that keeps the glove in place.
These gloves are versatile. They can be worn by both men and women for a wide range of activities, including riding, skateboarding, fishing, hiking, cycling, climbing, and skiing, among others. They are best suited for use in the summer, spring, and fall, but do not offer adequate heat insulation in the winter.
The Cool Change full-finger bike gloves are available in small – x-large sizes, with 10 color options. The manufacturer recommends hand washing with soap and drying in the shade as opposed to machine washing.
Pros
- Touch-screen friendly
- Shockproof padding
- Anti-slip grip
- Moisture wicking
- Soft and comfortable to wear
- Terry cloth design for wiping sweat
- Breathable
- Multifunctional
- Unisex
- Ambidextrous hand orientation
Cons
- Not ideal for cold weather conditions
NiceWin Cycling Gloves
The NiceWin unisex bike gloves offers a comfortable fit, adequate padding, and versatility. They are made of elastic suede on the palm and spandex at the back. Both materials are breathable and comfortable to wear in warmer seasons. The gloves also keep you warm in the cold seasons. They are available in 4 size options (small – x-large) and 12 color options.
The thumb has a polar fleece material that you can use to wipe off sweat. The wrist has a hook and loop fastener that allows you to easily put on the gloves and fasten them in place.
The palm design has a SBR padding that is shock-resistant, non-slip, and breathable. The thumbs and forefinger tips are made of a special microfiber for touchscreen control. At the back of the gloves are reflective strips, which enhance your visibility when riding in the dark.
Pros
- Suitable for use in both warm and cold seasons
- Breathable, non-slip, and shock-resistant
- Adequately padded
- Comfortable fit
- Touchscreen friendly
- Fleece sweat wiping material at the thumb
- Unisex
- Can be used on a wide range of activities
- Available in a wide range of colors and sizes
Cons
- Smaller fit than usual
- Not warm enough for extremely cold conditions
Seibertron Dirtpaw Bike Gloves
The Seibertron Dirtpaw Bike Gloves are made of 30% synthetic leather, 15% polyvinyl, 10% polyurethane, and 15% neoprene. They have direct-inject rubber at the knuckles and back of the hands that offer protection for your hands in the event of an accident or scrapping as you maneuver through the woods. The finger design incorporates lightly-padded lycra gussets with silicone gripper for a comfortable fit and firm grip. The wrist has a TPR hook and loop closure mechanism. The tip of the index finger has touch recognition.
These gloves are designed to be multifunctional, as they can be used with different bikes including mountain, downhill bike, and BMX bikes. They have an ambidextrous hand orientation and are available in sizes XS to XXL in 5 color options. The manufacturer offers 30-days hassle-free return and 1-year full replacement warranting against manufacturing defects.
Pros
- Optimal knuckle and hand protection
- Touch recognition
- Non-slip grip
- Can be used with BMX, downhill, and mountain bikes
- Available in different color and size options
- Warranty and hassle-free return policy
Cons
- Finger slots are not ideal for short fingers
- Not durable
Firelion Cycling gloves
These Firelion cycling gloves are made of nylon. They are breathable and comfortable to wear. The index and thumb finger tips have touch recognition for convenient use of mobile touchscreen devices. The palm has soft gel pads that are anti-slip and offer shock absorption against road vibration and extended use fatigue. The wrist has adjustable straps that you fasten to your designed tightness. In addition, the thumb is made of absorbent microfiber for wiping away sweat.
These mountain biking gloves are available in medium to XXL size with 3 color options. They are machine washable on cold settings. The manufacturer offers 30-day hassle-free returns and a 12-month replacement warranty against manufacturing defects.
Pros
- Touch screen compatibility
- Lightweight
- Can be used with different types of bikes
- Microfiber absorbent thumb for wiping sweat
- Reinforce shock-absorption properties
- Hassle-free return policy and 1-year warranty
- Available in a wide range of sizes and colors
Cons
- Not durable
Buying Guide for Mountain Bike Gloves
Below are some factors to consider when choosing mountain bike gloves.
Factors to consider when choosing your mountain bike gloves
Full-finger vs half-finger design
When choosing between full-finger and half-finger mountain bike gloves, consider their pros and cons. Full-finger gloves offer optimal protection for your fingers, while half-finger gloves offer precise gear shifting. Most seasoned mountain bikers prefer a full-finger glove design.
Durability
Go for high-durability gloves that will last you a long time and save you the recurrent cost of buying new ones, as would be the case with low-quality gloves.
Comfort and padding
The last thing you want to be worrying about when riding is a throbbing pain in your hands caused by gloves that fit too tightly. The padding on the gloves should be adequate, but not too thick that you lose your finger sensitivity to the gear or brakes. Also, extremely thick padding will cause heat retention, causing your hands to become sweaty.
On the other hand, extremely thin mountain bike gloves will not offer optimal protection to your fingers. When riding in exceptionally rocky terrains, the repetitive up-and-down bouncing increases the chance of your hands getting blisters. In this scenario, you need adequately padded gloves.
If riding in extremely cold weather conditions, you could use a thicker padding. However, when riding in the summer, the gloves should be thin without compromising protection. Consider whether you are likely to snag against a tree or get scratched by thorns and branches, in which case you will need thicker padding.
Fit
Ill-fitting gloves may either be too tight or too loose on your hands. They may even cause blisters. When buying gloves online, you need to get the accurate measurement of your hand. Also, check reviews to determine whether the company’s fit is true to the size or not, so you can determine whether to take the exact size, a bigger size, or a smaller size.
Below is a step-by-step process for accurately measuring the size of your hand for the right fit of a mountain bike glove.
What you need: A flat surface to place your hand and a flexible roll of measuring tape.
- Roll out about 10 inches of the flexible tape.
- To measure the width, take the measurement of your hands around the knuckles in inches or centimeters and note it down.
- To measure the length of your hand, rest your hand on a flat surface, palm face up. Take the measurement from the tip of your middle finger to the first crease of your wrist and note it down. Some people require you to measure the length of your middle finger instead.
- Compare the measurements against the sizing chart of the gloves you are considering. If your measurements are between sizes, choose the next bigger size. It will offer a better fit than if you went for the subsequent smaller size. Be sure to check the manufacturer guidelines for measuring the size of your hand as well.
Palm design
Some mountain bike gloves are made of rubber, while others are made of silicone. Both materials offer good grip. Others have leather palm design, which offers both good grip and also reduces sweat.
The challenge with silicone is that it tends to wear down too soon, before the rest of the glove has given in. If you will be using your phone or a touchscreen device in the course of your riding, ensure that the glove is touchscreen friendly. Most manufacturers do sew thread at the tip of the index finger and thumb to make the glove touchscreen friendly.
Wrist design
The wrist design should feel comfortable and hold the glove in place. Some mountain bike gloves have velcro straps, while others have an elastic band. Velcro straps offer a wide range of fit adjustability compared to elastic bands. Once fastened, the velcro straps or elastic band should keep away the various weather elements, including dust, dirt, water, and debris from sneaking into your hand.
Nose wipe feature
When choosing a mountain bike glove, it is likely that you might not think about a nose wipe feature, yet it is important. Imagine having sweat drip all over your nose and not being able to wipe it off without removing your gloves. It would be distracting, frustrating, and time-consuming.
Manufacturers may incorporate a piece of terry cloth or fleece in the thumb design that you can use to wipe your nose. Fleece feels softer on your skin and offers a better absorption material.
Waterproof vs weather resistant
While water-resistant gloves can withstand light water splashes or rain, waterproof ones withstand even heavy rain. The best gloves for riding in wet conditions are waterproof ones.
Breathability
The gloves should freely let air in and out while allowing sweat out. Otherwise, your hands will be smelly after a long ride.
Warranty and return policy
When buying online, it is important that you buy gloves that come with a satisfaction guarantee, return policy, or warranty. Since you are not buying from a physical store where you have the chance to try the fit and feel of the gloves, you want to be able to return or exchange them should they not fit well.
Features of the best mountain bike gloves
The best mountain bike gloves have the following characteristics:
- Adequate padding depending on riding conditions
- Firm grip. They should not slide off the handles when wet
- Come with a warranty or return policy
- Breathable
- Waterproof and weatherproof
- Fits well and comfortably on your hand
- Durable
- Full-finger design
Conclusion
Wearing mountain bike gloves is not mandatory, but they will protect you against scratches and extreme weather temperatures. Full finger design gloves are the best option, but you can also find some good quality, efficient half finger designs. The best mountain bike gloves are adequately padded, waterproofed, shock absorbing, and weatherproof. They should also offer a firm grip on the bike’s handle bars. They should fit comfortable and snuggly. Be sure to take the accurate measurement of your hand and compare it to sizing charts before making your order.
Last Updated on May 29, 2023 by Danijel Cakalic
