Best Mountain Bike Glove Review – Top Rated Models with Buying Guide
Are you looking for the best mountain bike gloves, but you’ve been out of luck so far? This short paragraph will help you decide on a model that will offer you superior satisfaction. Our researchers looked at sales figures, customer reports, and expert guides, and noticed that the top model most often mentioned is the Seibertron Dirtpaw Mountain Bike Gloves. Made from a combination of materials that cater to a rider’s particular needs, they ensure excellent comfort, protection, and a stylish look. Not only for mountain biking, these gloves are ideal for the practitioners of various sports, and they offer adequate coverage. The knuckles are protected by rubber inserts in case of accidents, and overall these gloves are highly recommended for extreme sports. In case this model is out of stock, we recommend the MOREOK Men’s Cycling Gloves as a second-best choice.
Comparison table
1st Choice
The rubber used for the back of the hand to protect the knuckles is directly injected to ensure a perfect mold. The Lycra finger gusset contributes to the superior comfortable feel these gloves offer. On all fingers, you will find silicone grips that ensure the handlebars will never slip from your hands.
Since they have a full-finger design, they don’t offer that great breathability in summer or on days hotter than usual.
Made to last, these gloves are an excellent option for any rider who wants a strong, non-slip grip and protection that goes beyond the call of duty. They are beautiful and stylish, and they offer excellent comfort.
2nd Best
Since they don’t come with full fingers, they are breathable and ideal for summer sports. They are equipped with gel pads that protect some areas on your palms and provide a good grip. Made from wear-resistant materials, they are guaranteed to last for a long time, so they are a sound investment.
While the gel pads help, they are not available across the palm of the gloves, so they are less than ideal.
If you want a pair of gloves that will make you forget about wearing them for miles, you will find this pair a highly recommended choice. They offer more comfort than the average mountain bike glove.
Also To Consider
Mountain bike gloves should fit pretty well, and it appears that’s a lesson this manufacturer learned well. The combination of Lycra and knitted fabric ensures both a good fit and optimal ventilation so that your hands don’t get sweaty while you ride your bike. They are nice-looking, as well.
The Velcro closures are quite long, so you might have to cut them to size so that they don’t become cumbersome.
One look at these gloves will convince you that they are an awesome choice if you are looking for something stylish and comfortable. The knitted mesh fabric offers decent breathability.
10 Best mountain bike gloves (Updated Reviews) in 2021
Finding the perfect MTB gloves shouldn’t be a hassle, and that’s our credo. We want to make sure that the pair you choose is the right one for your needs, which is why we offer the following list of critically-acclaimed products with all their advantages and disadvantages.
- 1. Seibertron Dirtpaw Mountain Bike Gloves
- 2. MOREOK Men’s Cycling Gloves
- 3. INBIKE Cycling Gloves Men
- 4. FIRELION Cycling Gloves
- 5. Cool Change Full Finger Bike Gloves
- 6. GEARONIC Cycling Full Finger Short Gloves
- 7. HTZPLOO Bike Gloves
- 8. Fox Racing Ranger Glove – Men’s
- 9. Grebarley Cycling Gloves
- 10. Cool Change Cycling Gloves Full Finger
- Our Comprehensive Buying Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Seibertron Dirtpaw Mountain Bike Gloves
These gloves are not your average, run of the mill model, and the different materials used in making them guarantee that’s the case. They are made from 30% synthetic leather, an aspect that significantly contributes to their durability in the long run. The rest of the materials used are polyamide, neoprene, polyvinyl, and polyurethane. Therefore, you can expect a slightly elastic feel that will make them fit your hands well.
While this introduction might make you think that the price tag should be high, these are affordable mountain bike gloves you can appreciate for numerous reasons. For starters, the protection offered is superior.
The direct-inject rubber pads that cover the knuckles are sure to take the brunt of an impact in the unfortunate event of an accident. The gloves are only lightly padded, so you won’t experience any discomfort when you want to grip the handlebars with all your strength.
Pros
You will find these gloves ideal for a wide variety of sports, such as mountain biking, BMX biking, downhill riding, and many others.
Equipped with silicone grippers on all the fingers, they provide tremendous confidence as you will never feel like your hands are starting to slip from the handlebars.
They are stylish, and they will make you feel great when wearing them because of the interesting graphics and logos imprinted on the back of the hands.
While other companies struggle to offer the correct sizes, this pair got it right, and the comprehensive size chart will help you opt for the ideal pair without a problem.
Cons
If you wear these gloves in summer, you will quickly realize that they cannot provide the same adequate ventilation as models with short fingers.
The touch screen capability appears to be somewhat iffy, so don’t count on it too much.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($19.99)
2. MOREOK Men’s Cycling Gloves
These gloves come with short fingers so that they can be worn in summer, as well, while providing good breathability. They come in versions for both men and women, and they fit well, so you will feel hard-pressed not to find the right size for you. All the MTB gloves reviews consider them ideal for all-season sports, and their hook and loop closures contribute to their overall comfort.
The materials used are Lycra and knitted mesh fabric, so you can expect a snuggly, yet comfortable fit, as well as plenty of ventilation. The special elastic material used at the wrists ensures that the gloves won’t slip from your hands.
One of the essential aspects of these gloves is the 5mm gel padding used for making sure that you get the required comfort while cycling. Small things, like the pull tabs present on the fingers, make them an excellent choice for any rider.
Pros
Both female and male riders can opt for these gloves, which are made to provide an excellent fit to everyone, no matter the size required.
On the outside of the thumb, you will notice a patch of terry cloth, which is great for wiping the sweat from your forehead while cycling.
The palms come with anti-slip suede patches, so you will feel confident when riding downhill or making sharp turns that could easily make the handlebars challenging to grip.
They are machine-washable, which means that they require little maintenance.
Cons
When looking at the palms of the gloves, you will notice that the gel pads don’t cover the center, as well, which means that you won’t get as much coverage as you want.
After wearing the gloves for months and intensively, you will notice some wear and tear signs, such as the webbing between the fingers starting to unravel.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($15.99)
3. INBIKE Cycling Gloves Men
When shopping for men’s mountain bike gloves, there are various considerations to keep in mind. A good fit is necessary, as well as comfort and anti-slip properties. If these are all the boxes the ideal gloves should check, you should look at this model from INBIKE.
The stylish look will catch your eye from the get-go, while the short-finger design will convince you that it’s the right moment to get a new pair of gloves for the summer. The manufacturer combined highly-elastic Lycra material with knitted mesh fabric to ensure that the gloves will stay on your hands, without feeling too tight.
The gel pads applied to the palms are a great asset because they can prevent your hands from growing numb when you grab the handlebars with all your force. Their role is also to absorb shocks, so you will feel much more comfortable while wearing them.
Pros
The gloves offer excellent ventilation, which makes them a perfect option for extreme sports that can make your hands sweaty due to the physical exertion they put you through.
Because they come with Velcro closures, you can adjust the tightness around the wrists so that you can always enjoy excellent comfort.
The non-slip silicone applied on the fingers offers excellent grip, and you will feel confident when you practice sports or simply ride your mountain bike on a challenging trail.
With the help of the gel pads present on the palms, the gloves offer extra comfort, something that everyone can appreciate.
Cons
You might not be too happy about the long Velcro closures that might be too much for most people; cutting them to make adjustments is highly recommended.
The part of the gloves that is supposed to help you wipe off the sweat from your eyebrows is on the small side, so not incredibly helpful.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($15.89)
4. FIRELION Cycling Gloves
While they are full-fingered gloves, they do not come with the usual lack of comfort and breathability other models are guilty of. It appears that the manufacturer put some extra thought into making these gloves comfortable in all weather conditions. The palm is more rugged and ensures a good grip, while the back is made from breathable materials.
It should also be mentioned that this is a cheap mountain bike glove that won’t have you break the bank just so that you can enjoy proper comfort and protection. The gel pads present on the palms are a guarantee that you will be able to experience less hand fatigue.
The adjustable straps are a great addition because they allow you to find the perfect fit without any hassle. Overall, the durability of these gloves appears to be quite good and seeing how they’re not expensive, you will be more than pleased with your purchase.
Pros
One thing you will notice while looking at these gloves is the presence of gel pads on the palms that play a significant role in limiting hand fatigue while you’re riding.
The back of the hand is made from a combination of Lycra, mesh, and spandex, which allows you to feel the air going through and drying your sweat.
Another aspect that will make you appreciate these gloves is the presence of a patch of highly absorbent microfiber on the thumb that helps you wipe off sweat.
No matter what type of cycling sport you like, these gloves will come in handy with their comfortable grip and excellent breathability.
Cons
These gloves run small, so it is highly advisable to order a larger size, especially if you are between sizes and have a hard time choosing.
While there’s a touch screen feature present, it is awkward to use, so you might end up pulling off your gloves to use your smartphone anyway.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($15.98)
5. Cool Change Full Finger Bike Gloves
These full finger mountain bike gloves feel incredibly lightweight, and that makes them an excellent choice for anyone who doesn’t want to have to deal with cumbersome gloves, especially in cold weather. Versatility is one of its most significant advantages, and you will find this model an excellent choice for any kind of riding.
Several features make it stand out from the crowd. For instance, the index finger and thumb come with a conductive layer for touch screen capabilities. That means that you will no longer have to take off your gloves to use your smartphone.
The gel pads offer shockproof comfort, and you will be happy to see that your hands no longer feel so tired after riding for hours. When you need to wipe off the sweat from your forehead and eyebrow, the terry cloth patch on the thumbs will help you out.
Pros
Regardless of what outdoor activities you prefer, these gloves will prove indispensable since they are universal and highly versatile.
Their shockproof capabilities are outstanding, due to gel pads on the palms that will make sure that you experience less tiredness in your hands.
Because of the excellent grip provided, you will appreciate these gloves as they will give you the confidence you need for downhill riding and extreme sports.
A reflective surface will make you appear visible at night to other motorists so that you can stay safe under all circumstances.
You will like the terry cloth patch on the thumb that helps with wiping off sweat.
Cons
Make sure that you order the larger size if you are in-between sizes as the gloves will be too short if you don’t.
Breathability is not the most outstanding, which means that your hands can get sweaty, making them difficult to take off.
Click to see the price on Amazon!
6. GEARONIC Cycling Full Finger Short Gloves
If you want a pair of winter mountain bike gloves, you should take a close look at this model from GEARONIC. They are full-finger gloves, and that means that you will get the necessary coverage against the cold. More so, they are heavy-duty and can withstand wear and tear just fine, so you can rest assured that they are a good investment.
You will be surprised that they are cheap mountain bike gloves, as well. The somewhat unassuming looks of these gloves might trick you into believing that the materials used are not the toughest around, but, in reality, they hold and will continue to serve you for a long time without a problem.
Unlike other gloves that use gel pads for extra comfort, this pair comes with foam pads that cater to the same need. This extra padding offers more comfort and proper compression for the fingers and palms.
Pros
The abrasion-resistant palms are a great feature, as they ensure that you always have a good grip on the handlebars of your bike.
On the back, the mesh surface offers adequate ventilation so that you can successfully use these gloves in warm weather without excessive sweating.
You will notice the open thumb design that can prove handy for extra breathability and more comfortable maneuverability.
The foam pads are there to ensure that your hands don’t become fatigued when riding a bike all day long.
Whether you enjoy casual riding or you’re into professional biking, it doesn’t matter, because these gloves will cater to your needs without a glitch.
Cons
Be aware that these gloves run small, so ordering a larger size is highly recommended to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The gap between the foam pads on the palms might feel awkward and a bit uncomfortable until you get used to it.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($9.99)
7. HTZPLOO Bike Gloves
A pair of gloves constructed to reduce hand fatigue, this model from HTZPLOO offers multiple benefits. The padding placed on the palms ensures that you won’t feel the road vibrations in your hands, which will help tremendously when going on long trips by bike.
Due to the short-finger design, the gloves offer better breathability than others, so they are great to wear in summer. What’s also excellent about how the pads on the palms are employed is that they provide a superior grip.
Any MTB gloves review you can read online insists on comfort as a paramount aspect. That’s also the reason why these gloves are popular with riders. They are easy to put on and take off – as two loops are integrated into the design to help you remove the gloves without any problems. Another aspect that must be mentioned is their overall good looking visuals.
Pros
Controlling the handlebars when wearing these gloves is much easier than use, due to the extra comfort and grip provided.
You will notice the presence of two finger loops that let you take your gloves off without too much trouble.
On the palms, the manufacturer employed silicone gel pads, which increase the overall comfort and prevents numbness, something that most mountain bike riders experience.
Users will surely appreciate how lightweight these gloves feel due to their unique construction.
The gloves take the shape of your hands and give you a nice feel that will increase flexibility.
Cons
The Velcro tabs are a bit too rigid, and that makes using them awkward and prone to wear off after a while.
It is commendable to have a terry cloth patch on the thumb, but its surface is rather small, so it might not make much of a difference when most needed.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($17.99)
8. Fox Racing Ranger Glove – Men’s
The straightforward looks of these gloves shouldn’t make you think that they are basic, at best. For the price, they are excellent and offer several benefits that you might not expect in such unassuming looking gloves. They are made from 100% polyester, which makes them easy to clean when the need arises.
The hook and loop closures make sure that you will be able to adjust the gloves on your wrists as you see fit. When looking forward to a cross-country trip by bike, a downhill ride adventure, or trail biking, you should consider this pair. It is lightweight, provides an excellent grip, and doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Their full-finger design offers good breathability, which may come as a pleasant surprise to many. Because of the touch screen feature, you will be able to check your smartphone without removing your gloves.
Pros
These gloves provide a good fit, which is great seeing how so many models on the market run either small or large.
By employing conductive fibers in the fingers, the manufacturer ensured that riders could use their touch screen devices without taking the gloves off.
Excellent breathability makes this model stand out from the crowd, which is quite a feat for a model with full fingers.
The overall comfort highly recommends these gloves, regardless of the sport you prefer, whether it is Enduro racing, downhill riding, or mountain biking.
They come with hook and loop closures for maximum convenience.
Cons
You must bear in mind that these gloves are thin, and while they are great to use in summer, they won’t be a good option for fall and winter.
There appears to be a problem with the red color version, which looks more like pink than the actual color advertised by the manufacturer.
Click to see the price on Amazon!
9. Grebarley Cycling Gloves
For a pair of women’s mountain bike gloves, this model offers excellent features and advantages. They are actually ideal for both male and female riders, and their construction and overall comfort recommend them more than anything.
The Lycra fabric used for making these gloves is highly elastic, which means that they will take the shape of your hands. Such a feature increases flexibility and will allow you more control over the handlebars when navigating challenging terrain.
It’s a great thing that the gloves come with adequate padding that’s also comfortably placed so that you only enjoy the benefits. Road vibration and hand fatigue will decrease significantly, so you will be able to focus on the pleasure of riding instead. On the palms, you will notice the microsuede fabric employed, helpful for providing you with an excellent grip. At the same time, this construction is a guarantee for durability.
Pros
You may be surprised by how lightweight these gloves feel, an aspect that significantly contributes to your overall comfort while riding.
On the palms, the manufacturer employed three pieces of thick padding filled with silicone gel that will absorb road vibration and shocks for reducing hand fatigue.
The anti-slip properties of the construction are remarkable, and you will be able to engage in challenging sports without fear that your hands might move away from the handlebars by accident.
A reflective strip on the back of the hands will make you more visible at nighttime and decrease the chances of an accident.
Cons
Remember that these gloves tend to run a little small, so ordering a larger size is highly recommended, especially if you are between sizes.
While the graphics are nice to have, they peel off rather quickly, which can be considered a downside.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($17.97)
10. Cool Change Cycling Gloves Full Finger
It is a great thing that this manufacturer thought about employing gel pads on the palms, as riders know how difficult it can get after biking for a while. The silicone gel pads are strategically placed so that they don’t get in the way. The shockproof capabilities are good, and even if you happen to fall from your bike on your hands, they will reduce the chance of injury.
You will be happy to learn that these gloves are suitable for a large variety of sports, such as cycling, mountain biking, motorcycle driving, and exercising. Both men and women can wear them, and overall, they are versatile.
A nice touch is the touch screen capability that lets you work with your smartphone without having to take off the gloves all the time. You will also notice a patch of terry cloth on the thumb, which comes in handy when you need to wipe off sweat.
Pros
The SBR and gel pads are an excellent addition to these gloves, as they provide shock-absorbing properties that protect your hands in the case of an accident.
A reliable and robust grip highly recommend these gloves and ensure your peace of mind when you’re navigating challenging terrain.
Features such as the touch screen capable fingertip will help you use your electronic devices without the need to remove your gloves each time.
The multi-purpose design of these gloves is another thing that will convince you that they are a good fit when mountain biking, downhill riding, exercising, and even motorcycle driving.
Cons
You might not be crazy about when using these gloves because they don’t allow adequate breathability, so your hands will become sweaty after a while.
For being a pair of gloves to wear in chilly weather, you might be surprised by how thin they are; that could be grounds to suspect their overall durability, too.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($14.99)
Our Comprehensive Buying Guide
To find the best mountain bike gloves, high attention to detail is required since many types are available on the market, and not all offer the same advantages. Mountain biking is a sport that requires control, a firm grip, and also comfort for the rider, as it can be particularly challenging. See below the essential guidelines to follow when choosing such gloves.
Full-finger or short-finger design?
At first glance, it appears that such gloves are split between two broad categories: those that come with full fingers, and those with short fingers and openings. Each type has its ups and downs, and some models may surprise you by offering the same benefits as the other type. The best MTB gloves are, after all, those that provide a good fit for your needs.
Full-finger designs have the advantage of keeping the warmth in so that you don’t experience any cold while riding. That’s why winter MTB gloves are usually fully fingered. Another thing that they do better than the others is that they provide a good grip. However, if they don’t come equipped with touch screen capabilities, they are annoying to take off each time you have to check your smartphone.
Short-finger models offer better breathability and are usually recommended as summer gloves. They also provide the user with a larger range of motion than a full-finger design since the fingers remain free of any restraints.
Why proper padding is required
If there is one thing that practitioners of mountain biking often complain about, that would be how numb their hands get after just a couple of hours of riding. That happens because all the road vibrations and shocks from going over bumps, downhill riding, and so on, are felt by your hands. For this reason, even an affordable mountain bike glove should come with proper padding.
This type of padding can be made from either gel or foam. Its role is to absorb the shocks produced by riding on bumpy terrain; these pads also protect the hands in case you fall off your bike. Their thickness matters, but don’t go for a model that is too thick because that will encumber your movement.
Also, if the pads are too thick, they can prevent air circulation, and your hands will become all clammy. The placement of the pads is essential because if it is not meant for comfort, you will feel it soon enough.
Overall comfort and other features
You can’t have a pair of comfortable gloves without materials that are capable of stretching well to allow maneuverability, wicking moisture, and provide other benefits. Lycra and other stretchable materials are excellent for the back of the hand, while the palm is usually made from a material that offers a good grip.
Finding cheap MTB gloves made from good quality materials is not impossible, but you will have to browse through the available models for a while. The more care is employed by the manufacturers in catering to mountain bike riders’ specific needs, the better the overall comfort of the gloves.
Other features that cater to comfort are touch screen capabilities by including conductive fibers in the structure of the fingers, and an anti-sweat feature that usually consists of a patch of terry cloth on the thumb for convenient use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are mountain bike gloves necessary?
If you have ever fallen off your bike in your life, you know very well that your first instinct when that happens is to break your fall by putting your hands first. For mountain bikers, that means letting their hands take the brunt of pretty nasty falls. That’s why even a pair of affordable MTB gloves is better than nothing, and your hands will be thankful for the care.
This accessory is meant for protecting your hands in more ways than one. Because of the vibrations and shocks generated by riding on a rugged trail, your hands can quickly become fatigued and overexerted. A pair of gloves with proper padding will ensure that you don’t have to go through that.
Let’s not forget that mountain biking can be a pretty intense sport, which means that your hands can quickly get sweaty, and a good grip is required. Gloves can make the difference by wicking moisture and provide you with the anti-slip properties you need.
Q: What should I look for in mountain bike gloves?
There are several things you should look for in such gloves, starting with a good fit. You will spend hours on your mountain bike, which means that you will put your body through strenuous physical activity, your hands included. A pair that fits well and stretches without becoming too tight is essential for your comfort and overall flexibility.
Another thing that matters is that you choose the right model for the weather conditions carefully. For instance, a pair of cold weather mountain bike gloves will not provide excellent breathability, but they will keep your hands warm, which is essential under the circumstances.
Don’t forget that your gloves should provide you with a good grip so that the handlebars don’t slip from your hands when you least expect it. Make sure to keep an eye on comfort features like extra padding, hook and loop closures, and tabs that let you remove the gloves without any trouble.
Q: How tight should MTB gloves be?
It cannot be stressed enough how crucial comfort is for a mountain biker. The same rules apply to gloves as necessary accessories, which takes us to the question above. You know that mountain bike gloves should fit snugly, but how tight should they really be?
The rule of thumb is simple. First of all, these gloves should feel like a second skin, but they shouldn’t be stretched to the limit of their fabric or will begin to tear. Plus, if they are too tight, they will cut circulation, and your hands will feel numb after a short time.
Pay close attention to the cuffs. Preferably, they should come with adjustable Velcro tabs that will let you find the perfect option. Make sure to check the sizing charts offered by manufacturers, and if you happen to be between sizes, getting the larger one is usually recommended. Look at the reviews and comments left by other buyers to see if the gloves run too small or too large.