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The Best Mountain Bike Gloves

Last updated on May 15, 2023

We looked at the top 12 Mountain Bike Gloves and dug through the reviews from 40 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Mountain Bike Gloves.

Our Review Process

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The legs may do most of the moving, but ask any mountain biker and they’ll tell you: It’s a full-body sport. The feet, back and especially the hands can take their share of punishment on long rides, and that’s why a good set of mountain biking gloves is essential once you start hitting the trail.

These gloves can come in many different designs and are made from a variety of materials. To find the right pair, you have to ask yourself not just what kind of riding you plan to do, but where and when you plan on doing it. Primarily, biking gloves should do two main things: Keep your grip from slipping on the handlebars, and protect the hands from abrasion (either through chafing on the bars or through contact with the ground in case of a spill). Needless to say, they should be comfortable, and some gloves can’t do that in all types of weather.

In the summer, fingerless gloves are a popular choice. If you’re doing shorter rides in less challenging terrain, the bare fingers can keep your hands from getting sweaty and you’re much less likely to need the extra protection.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that full-fingered gloves won’t work in warm weather. You just may have to spend a little more on breatheable material that will keep moisture from building up inside the gloves. Polyurethane or polyester gloves do a good job of keeping the sweat away, and leather can also be very breatheable while providing ample protection for palms.

If you’re riding in the winter months, you’ll definitely want full gloves with a bit more insulation. Fleece can be good for very cold weather, but synthetic materials like Primaloft can keep hands plenty warm if things don’t get below freezing.

Most gloves are made of more than one material, so you might find mesh or spandex enhanced with leather on the palm, rubber accents for additional grip, or reflective strips on the back of the hand for visibility. Gel inserts are one popular feature in modern biking gloves, and they can go a long way to preventing blisters for marathon riders. Just be sure that the gel isn’t so thick that it interferes with your preferred hand position.

A good fit is essential with any glove, but it can be a lifesaver on the trail. Longer biking gloves should have hook-and-loop (Velcro-like) straps or some other fastener to keep them snug. If you’re choosing thick winter gloves, make sure you can still close your fist fully — you’ll want plenty of flexibility no matter what the weather is like.

Some other good perks to look out for are finger loops that let you take the gloves off quickly (and without turning them inside out). If you’re getting full-fingered gloves, touchscreen-friendly pads on the fingertips can eliminate the need to take them off at all. And don’t overlook the material on the outer part of the palm: On long rides, a microfiber or fleece pad to wipe away sweat can be a lifesaver.

Our Picks For The Top Mountain Bike Gloves

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

MOREOK Half-Finger Gel-Pad Cycling Mountain Bike Gloves

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MOREOK

Half-Finger Gel-Pad Cycling Mountain Bike 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.

Pros
" They are breathable, lightweight, and thanks to the wiping surface on the thumb you will be able to wipe off the sweat."
Cons
"While the padding is thick around the sides of the glove, it was missing from the center of the palm."
 Runner Up

Seibertron Dirtpaw Spandex & Silicone Mountain Bike Gloves

Seibertron

Dirtpaw Spandex & Silicone Mountain Bike Gloves

These durable garments are a mix of spandex, silicone and strategically-placed rubber guards. The result is a set of gloves that protects wearers from both cold weather and trail hazards while allowing them to operate touchscreens.

Overall Take

Plenty of ProtectionThe material allows for a solid grip while guarding against scratches or tears.

Pros
" They have protective armor on the upper side. It will protect your hands against branches or other obstacles that you may come across during your ride."
Cons
"However, these gloves came with some complaints regarding durability."
 We Also Like

NICEWIN Touchscreen Full-Finger Mountain Bike Gloves

NICEWIN

Touchscreen Full-Finger Mountain Bike Gloves

These gloves are designed with long-term riders in mind. Hook-and-loop straps keep the fit snug while a long wristband ensures ample protection and warmth. You get two touchscreen pads per hand and a fleece thumb to wipe away sweat.

Overall Take

Form-Fitting ComfortThe secure fit and versatile finger pads will please marathon bikers.

Pros
" Although the padding provides a great cushion, they aren’t too thick. This is why the gloves are super comfortable, making them the best mountain bike gloves for numbness."
Cons
"The gloves don’t lack a wipe thumb for comfortable wiping your face."
 Strong Contender

HTZPLOO Flexible Lycra Mountain Bike Gloves

HTZPLOO

Flexible Lycra Mountain Bike 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.

Pros
" The padding reduces vibration and also wrist strain. This will increase your comfort especially during medium to long-distance trips."
Cons
"Not as comfortable"
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
19

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the mountain bike gloves available to purchase.
12

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

40

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Cyclists Hub, Gear Bikes Review, Mom Junction, Bike Push, Bikemunk.

59,120

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 12 Mountain Bike Gloves and also dug through the reviews from 40 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Mountain Bike Gloves.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

NICEWIN Touchscreen Full-Finger Mountain Bike Gloves

Our Expert Score

0.0
3 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.0
6,125 user reviews

Our Take

These gloves are designed with long-term riders in mind. Hook-and-loop straps keep the fit snug while a long wristband ensures ample protection and warmth. You get two touchscreen pads per hand and a fleece thumb to wipe away sweat.

What other experts liked

Although the padding provides a great cushion, they aren’t too thick. This is why the gloves are super comfortable, making them the best mountain bike gloves for numbness.
- The Mount Bike
Their main advantages include padding, which will help you prevent hand numbness. This makes them an ideal choice for casual riders.
- Cyclists Hub
There are also polar fleeces on the thumb parts that let you wipe away sweat easily, as well as lengthened wrists with velcro closures and hook and loop fasteners that are not only stylish but are also ridiculously easy to put on and remove.
- Tony's Trailers

What other experts didn't like

Some users don’t like the gel padding
- The Mount Bike
The gloves don’t lack a wipe thumb for comfortable wiping your face.
- Cyclists Hub

What to Look For

It won’t take too many outings before you start to wonder, “How do I wash these gloves?” The answer, as with most athletic gear, is “very carefully.” Always follow the washing instructions that come with your gloves. When in doubt, use cold water and allow to air dry. If your gloves come with Velcro-style straps, take special care not to throw them in the wash unsecured. They can wreak havoc on more sensitive fabrics in the laundry and come out less effective to boot.

Mountain Bike Glove Rankings

1. MOREOK Half-Finger Gel-Pad Cycling Mountain Bike Gloves

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 5

3. NICEWIN Touchscreen Full-Finger Mountain Bike Gloves

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 4

4. HTZPLOO Flexible Lycra Mountain Bike Gloves

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 5

5. Fox Racing Ranger Gel Mountain Biking Glove

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 5

6. Tanluhu Winter Full-Finger Mountain Bike Gloves

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 3

7. LuxoBike Hook Closure Breathable Mountain Bike Gloves

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 5

8. GEARONIC Half-Finger Foam-Padded Mountain Bike Gloves

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 5

9. INBIKE Extra Padded Ambidextrous Mountain Bike Gloves

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 5

10. CXWXC Half-Finger Gel-Padded Mountain Bike Gloves

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 3

12. Giro DND Mountain Bike Gloves

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 5

More to Explore

Civilian cyclists didn’t start modifying their bikes for off-road use until the 1960s, but the U.S. Army was blazing a trail for mountain biking long before that. In 1896, the military formed the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, an experimental regiment that used bikes instead of horses.

This mostly Black group of infantrymen (supposedly called Buffalo Soldiers by Native Americans because of their curly hair) tested the concept with a 1,900-mile ride from Montana to St. Louis in 1897 and made the trip in 41 days. It was an impressive pace, but the advent of mechanized infantry would soon render the regiment obsolete.

And unfortunately, the whole of the 125th Infantry, which fought in the Spanish-American War in 1898, would be accused of a “conspiracy of silence” by President Theodore Roosevelt after being unfairly blamed for a fatal gunfight in Brownsville, Texas in 1906. Around 167 Black soldiers were dishonorably discharged, including at least one of the Iron Riders, as the cyclists were called, despite advocacy from white officers.

More to explore