QUICK ANSWER: MY BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE GLOVES :
- FOX RANGER SHORT– Best for summer use
- SEIBERTRON DIRTPAW UNISEX– Best unisex gloves for downhill and mountain biking
- ALPINESTARS MOAB– Best performance for occasional rocky trails with trees
- GIRO BLAZE– Best for winter conditions
- RIDECAMP MEN’S GLOVES– Best budget gloves for all-round use
- PROLOGO CPC– Best gloves for numb hands
- TROY LEE DESIGNS XC– Best gloves for all-round use
- Fox Men’s Reflex Gel Shorts Gloves–Best for riders looking for a simple design with exceptional comfort
MY BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE GLOVES COMPARISON:
FOX RANGER SHORT
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SEIBERTRON DIRTPAW UNISEX
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ALPINESTARS MOAB
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GIRO BLAZE
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RIDECAMP MEN’S GLOVES
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PROLOGO CPC
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TROY LEE DESIGNS XC
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Fox Men's Reflex Gel Shorts Gloves
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MY BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE GLOVES REVIEWS:
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- Weight: 2.7 oz
- Padding: NO
- Knuckle protection: No
- Silicone fingertips: YES
- Made From: Polyamide-Nylon, Polyester, and Polyvinyl
- Pros: Reasonably priced, keeps your hands cool
- Cons: Lack of padding can be disastrous in case of a crash
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- Weight: 3.2oz
- Padding: Yes
- Knuckle protection: Yes
- Silicone fingertips: Yes
- Made From: Synthetic, Polyamide, Polyvinyl, Neoprene and Polyurethane
- Pros: Direct inject rubber offer great protection, Comfortable
- Cons: Textured rubber grip coating is said to peel off quickly
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- Weight: 2.6oz
- Padding: yes
- Knuckle protection: yes
- Silicone fingertips: yes
- Made From: Mesh Spandex
- Pros: Exceptional hand protection, high performance in rocky paths
- Cons: Not as durable as we would want them to be
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- Weight: 3 oz
- Padding: Yes
- Knuckle protection: No
- Silicone fingertips: Yes
- Made From: Synthetic leather
- Pros: Exceptionally warm, water-resistant, quite grippy, Touch screen compatible
- Cons: Water resistant but not waterproof
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- Weight: 2.4oz
- Padding: No
- Knuckle protection: Yes
- Silicone fingertips: Yes
- Made From: Nylon, Spandex, Terry Cloth
- Pros: Comfortable, tactile grip. Touchscreen compatible
- Cons: Not so great knuckle protection
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- Weight: 2.8oz
- Padding: Yes
- Knuckle protection: No
- Silicone fingertips: No
- Made From: Polygrip and silicone
- Pros: Great vibration reduction, comfortable, energy-saving
- Cons: Quite pricey, below average ventilation
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- Weight: 3.2 oz
- Padding: No
- Knuckle protection: Yes
- Silicone fingertips: No
- Made From: Spandex and Airprene material
- Pros: well ventilated, comfortable, incredibly lightweight
- Cons: Very thin knuckle protection
Fox Men’s Reflex Gel Shorts Gloves
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- Weight: 2.4oz
- Padding: Yes
- Knuckle protection: No
- Silicone fingertips: No
- Made From: Polyamide-Nylon, Neoprene, Polyester
- Pros: Great padding, all about comfort, grippy
- Cons: Sweat is said to build-up on the inside
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE GLOVES
This industry is packed with gloves and knowing what to get can be an uphill task. If you are looking at nailing the perfect ones, here is all you need to consider when sieving through that huge collection of mountain bike gloves.
Types of Mountain Bikes Gloves
Before you even start to sieve through that huge collection, it is important to know there are two types of mountain bike gloves. Each comes with its own share of benefits and you can decide which one to go for depending on what you want.
- Fingerless Gloves
As the name suggests, these types of glove don’t cover the entire hand, because they leave your fingers and thumbs exposed right from the knuckle onwards. Since you are fingers are exposed, this is a more practical option for warm weather. One of the best things about these is that; they not only offer excellent protection for your hands but also allow your hand to breathe without any problem.
As for the padding, they often feature some padding on its palm, making them the best option if you regularly hit those rough trails and paths.
Despite all the great things we have said; fingerless gloves do come with one main issue. Since your fingers are left exposed, they can get really chilly during those super cold weather conditions.
- Fully Enclosed Gloves
These are more like the regular gloves we see. As the name suggests; with them, your hand is fully covered right up to the fingertip. Because your fingers are not exposed, that alone makes these gloves the best ones for cold climates.
Fully enclosed gloves also offer the best grip. After all, the grippy fabric that is often used to make them can hold on to your handlebar with so much ease. As for padding, they often feature less padding when compared to fingerless gloves. Because of the design, these gloves are less favorable in warmer climates; areas where we need great ventilation.
Where you intend to use them
Pretty much like the mountain bike helmets you purchase today, the climatic conditions of the area you intend to use the gloves will dictate exactly what you should go for.
For example, if you know you will be doing a lot of cycling in the summer, or even in a warmer climate, going for lightweight fingerless gloves is going to make a lot of sense.
Alternatively, if you know you will be doing a lot of winter rides, investing your money on a pair of full-fingered gloves will be great also. These gloves should also come with great padding as that will ensure you get the much-needed warmth.
Material
When it comes to Mountain bike gloves, the kind of material that has been used is crucial. It can determine a number of things. For example, many at times you are advised to go for a material that can wick sweat away from your skin right to the top of your gloves. If you are looking for impeccable grip on your handlebar, there is no way you could wrong with leather or even synthetic leather on the palms.
For winter use, you need something that comes with great insulation. You need to protect all that heat from escaping. Additionally, ensure it comes equipped with a waterproof out layer.
Size & Fit
This cannot be overemphasizes enough; make sure the gloves you choose come with the right size and offers an excellent fit. If you spend hundreds of dollars on the best gloves, but they don’t fit, they will be useless. If they don’t fit, they won’t give you the much needed protection. Ideally, you are advised to measure your hand and compare with what the manufacturer has provided as the specification. It is as simple as that.
How much protection do you need?
Well, one of the reasons you are buying a pair of mountain bike glove is largely for protection. We know things can get really crazy out there and your hand might suffer a few injuries if they are not well protected.
So if you know you will be spending most of your time in those tough and meandering terrains, it will make sense if you invest in quality gloves. In this case, we are talking about foam or even silicone pads right on their palms. They offer the best protection possible simply because of their great shock absorption capabilities. In short, your hands will be protected from those crazy burn and painful vibration that could cause a lot of harm to your hands.
Comfort
Once you are sure the gloves will give you the much needed protection; how comfortable are they? Since you will be using them for a considerable length of time, we all need something that is exceptionally comfortable to our palms.
Ideally, for top-notch comfort, you need to focus on the material that has been used to create the gloves. There is no way you will go wrong with a very soft and breathable fabric. It should also come with a great level of padding.
Features to look out for
As with any other mountain bike gear you buy today, the more features the gloves comes with, the more useful they become. Here are some of the most important features; you need to be on the lookout for.
- Ventilation: It doesn’t matter the kind of weather condition you are riding in, your gloves need a sort of ventilation. For this, always ensure the choice you make allow air to pass through. That will keep your hand cool all day long.
- Padding: For great comfort and less blisters especially on those long rides, ensure the gloves are well padded. Most gloves now come equipped with gel padding. This can actually help relieve pressure as well as vibrations.
- Silicone Fingertips: This is an incredibly useful feature. With it, your fingertips can effortlessly grip the brake levers, as well as, gear shifters.
- Touch screen compatible: with most biking gadgets now fully touch screen; should you go for a fully enclosed pair of glove, ensure they are touch screen compatible. After all who wouldn’t want to operate the touch screen GPS without necessarily being forced to take off the gloves?
- Cuff Length: Those longer cuff lengths can come truly in handy during cold weather. So when making a decision, ensure the gloves come with enough cuff length that can cover your hands right from the jacket sleeve and the glove. Additionally, if you are one of those who always wear a sport watch, you might need to ensure it doesn’t get on the way also.
Final Words
When it comes to picking the best from the crowded market, there is no going around it. First before you do anything, it is advisable you work out what your needs are and the features you want in your gloves. Once you have all that in mind, nailing a perfect pair is not going to be difficult.
Updated on December 6, 2021 by Ben
My name is Ben, a passionate hiker, I created this blog to share with you my hiking experiences. I also want to help you make your adventure dreams come true.
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