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The Best Cycling Gloves

Last updated on February 29, 2024

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Bike gloves serve several purposes and are a must for serious and amateur cyclists. First, they provide traction between the hands and handlebars; without them, sweat buildup can loosen your grip when riding. The gloves soak up that moisture, keeping the hands dry and reducing the possibility of your hands slipping. Gloves can also protect your hands if you end up falling off your bike.

Styles with padding in the palms and/or fingers offer extra cushioning from road vibrations that can cause pain and protect the hand’s ulnar nerve. This padding is usually made from foam or gel and can be thin or thick.

Half-finger gloves protect your hands but leave fingers free so you can still maneuver your bike. These are often worn in warmer temperatures, so many styles also have ventilation holes for more breathability. Full-fingered gloves are better for the fall and winter, as they cover the whole hand and can also be insulated. Like the half-finger gloves, not all will have padding.

Features to look for on bike gloves include adjustable hook-and-loop closure (such as Velcro) wrist tabs that keep them on securely as you ride, and loops to help pull the gloves off when you’re done. When your hands sweat, the gloves will get damp and can shrink up a bit and stick to the skin; this makes them harder to take off and they may invert as you do so, so the loops help with this.

Some gloves are made specifically for men and some for women, but there are plenty of unisex styles. You can also find gloves made for road biking and other ones tailored more for mountain biking. The latter are generally heavier and may offer more wrist coverage.

Our Picks For The Top Cycling Gloves

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

MOREOK Half-Finger Gel-Pad Cycling Gloves

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

MOREOK

Half-Finger Gel-Pad Cycling Gloves

This great pair of affordable half-finger gloves for road biking and mountain biking comes in a nice collection of colors and sizes. It's made with 5 mm three-panel gel pads and breathable, durable knitted mesh and elastane fabric.

Overall Take

Strong Grip; Cool ComfortThese gloves have thick pads that are shock-absorbing so that you won't feel as much road vibration or fatigue.

 Runner Up

HTZPLOO Anti-Slip Half-Finger Cycling Gloves

HTZPLOO

Anti-Slip Half-Finger Cycling Gloves

HTZPLOO's affordable 55% polyester and 45% nylon mountain bike gloves have soft, smooth elastane tops, shock-absorbing padding inside and anti-slip silicone on the palms. They also have two-finger loops for easy on-off.

Overall Take

Holds Onto Those HandlesYou'll like these padded half-finger gloves so much that you'll want to order several pairs in different colors.

 We Also Like

Giro Jag Lycra-Fabric Cycling Gloves

Giro

Jag Lycra-Fabric Cycling Gloves

These ergonomic, well-engineered Giro road cycling gloves are designed for comfort and high performance, with EVA padding zones and fingers and palms tailored to mirror the hand's natural shape. You're going to love the way they fit!

Overall Take

A Familiar Brand NameYou'll appreciate the updated, sporty appearance of these microfiber half-finger cycling gloves.

 Also Great

BIKINGMOREOK MTB Gel-Padded Half-Finger Cycling Gloves

BIKINGMOREOK

MTB Gel-Padded Half-Finger Cycling Gloves

This pair of high-performing microsuede and elastane cycling gloves feature a 4-panel padded design, stretchy and breathable mesh on the back, finger and thumb venting holes, hook and loop fasteners and easy on-and-off tabs.

Overall Take

Ergonomic and Skin-FriendlyYou can adjust the wrist size; these gloves even have reflective strips on the backs for added visibility.

What to Look For

  • Measure your palm and finger lengths and check the product size chart before ordering your bike gloves.
  • Look for returnable or exchangeable gloves in case you need another size.
  • The best bicycling gloves have rubber or another non-slip material on the outsides of the palms.
  • Wash your bike gloves after every use, but only in cold water. Never put them in the dryer; most are air dry only.
  • Padded bike gloves are also great for weight lifting.
  • Riders also use bike gloves to wipe off sweat and their noses if needed; many have soft sections (usually across the thumb) specifically designed for this.

More to Explore

While wearing bicycling gloves is important, wearing a bike helmet is not optional. Every year in the United States, approximately half a million bicyclists end up in ERs, and 800 lose their lives. Approximately 1/3 of the injuries and 2/3 of the fatalities involve the face and head.

Having a helmet on when riding can reduce the head injury risk for bikers by up to 85%. Never use a broken or cracked one; if you’re unsure how to wear it properly, just head over to your local cycling shop.

More to explore