Grabbing the first pair of mountain bike gloves that come your way is a recipe for disappointment. As a small purchase, we tend to not give it much thought. But a generic, low-quality product will soon have to be replaced, and won’t allow you to utilize the benefits that mountain bike gloves provide to their fullest extent.
On the other end of the spectrum, a high-end product that is tried and tested will make a noticeable difference – and it will justify the increased price many times over due to the increased durability that it offers.
To put it simply: being a little picky is the way to go. It’s the rational, sensible approach – you’ll get your money’s worth as well as vastly superior performance.
Top 5 Mountain Bike Gloves
Mountain biking is one of the healthiest and most fun recreational activities. This beloved hobby is a great way to stay healthy and in shape while enjoying yourself at the same time. But mountain biking isn’t a walk in the park. At times, it can be strenuous, exhausting, and challenging. Safety is, of course, always a concern.
You’ve probably already gotten the basics covered – inflated tires, a good helmet, water bottle, some reflective or fluorescent clothing, a bell, and a bike light.
And that’s where most people stop. But there’s plenty of ways to improve your mountain biking experience and safety even further. Often overlooked, underestimated, and underappreciated, mountain bike gloves are a must-have piece of gear for any serious cyclist.
If you need a pair of mountain bike gloves, we’re here to give you a hand. We’ve selected five impressive products, all of which excel in their respective areas. We looked at materials, design, performance, and price – with all of these factors considered, here are our top picks.
1. Best Overall - INBIKE Cycling Gloves
Specifications:
- Design → Half-finger
- Size variation → 8.5”-9.0” to 10.2”-11.0”
- Material → Lycra, knitted mesh fabric
- Breathable → Yes
Key Features:
- 5mm gel padding
- Terry cloth thumb
- V-shape fastener
- Moisture-wicking materials
Inbike Cycling Gloves Review
Mountain bike gloves offer a simple, convenient way to up your cycling game and gain an edge. The additional comfort, safety, and improved grip make for a noticeable difference. Put simply, riding a bike with the added benefits of a good pair of gloves is an entirely different experience – a better experience.
INBIKE’s cycling gloves offer world-class performance and smart design – and all of that comes at a very reasonable price. If you’re after the best of the best in terms of mountain bike gloves, this is the product for you. There’s no easier way to improve performance with just a single, simple purchase.
Top of the Line Materials and Design
INBIKE’s gloves stand out by virtue of the high-end materials used in their construction. The gloves are made from a mixture of flexible, springy lycra and highly breathable knitted mesh fabric. The gloves are form-fitting, light and don’t hinder movement in any way.
The unconventional, v-shaped hook and loop fastener is very adjustable – you won’t have any problems achieving a perfect fit that is both secure and comfortable. The fastener is much larger than usual – but the gloves are still light overall.
The breathable mesh provides a moisture-wicking effect and does wonders to counteract sweating. The thumb section is made from a highly absorbent terry cloth material, offering another convenient avenue for dealing with undue sweat.
Factor in the classic half-finger design on top of all of that, and you’re left with a remarkably comfortable, light pair of gloves that will inspire confidence as soon as you put them on.
Cutting Edge Performance
Now that we’ve dealt with the topic of materials, design, and comfort, let’s see how the gloves stack up performance-wise.
INBIKE’s mountain gloves incorporate a number of well-executed, smart design choices that guarantee a pronounced improvement to your cycling experience. The gloves feature a significant amount of padding in the palm segment.
The thick shock-absorbent gel padding is contoured and ridged, providing a natural, strong, and comfortable grip. The fabric in between the padding is resistant to wear and tear, further improving grip.
Each palm pad is 5mm or approx 0.2 inches thick and also treated with a special anti-slip coating. The padding is robust and solid without reducing comfort.
INBIKE’s cycling gloves can help you retain stability for hours on end – without any wrist numbness, pain, or fatigue. When all is said and done, they provide maximum performance and comfort, allowing for safer, more enjoyable mountain biking.
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable
- Strong grip
- Form-fitting
Cons
- Large velcro strap
- No fabric loops
2. Best Budget - ZOOKKI Cycling Gloves
Specifications:
- Design → Half-finger
- Size variation → 5.5”-6.7” to 9.0”-10.2”
- Material → Fabric
- Breathable → Yes
Key Features:
- Shock-absorbing padding
- Convenient fabric loops
- Large breathable mesh surface
- Terry cloth
Zookki Cycling Gloves Review
Even if you’re on a tight budget, it’s possible to find a fantastic pair of gloves that will make all the difference. While pricier products may offer a lot of bells and whistles, there’s a lot of simple, no-nonsense mountain bike gloves out there that do the job just fine.
We chose the ZOOKKI cycling gloves for our pick in the best budget category. For just $10, they offer a lot in the way of value – quality materials, good design, and a lot of handy features.
Simple, Convenient Design
The ZOOKKI cycling gloves feature a simple, half-finger design. Naturally, this design lends itself more towards cycling in the summer. The gloves have two fabric loops at each end, making them easy to pull off, even when you’ve worked up a sweat.
ZOOKKI’s gloves feature a patented breathable central hole system – the surface which covers the index finger is made out of a breathable mesh material, providing a good amount of ventilation.
On the inner side of the glove, a three-piece central palm pad provides a good amount of grip and comfort. The cushioning pads are made from a gel that is shock absorbent and skip-proof.
On the whole, the gloves are very breathable and elastic, offering a good fit without being constrictive or uncomfortable. Certain parts of the surface are also reflective, allowing for a little more visibility in low-light conditions.
High-Quality Materials
The high-quality materials used in the making of the ZOOKKI cycling gloves set them apart from similarly priced models.
Moisture won’t be an issue with these gloves. The surface which covers the thumbs is made from a 100% cotton terry cloth. The towel-like texture of this surface is great for wiping sweat off your face.
We’ve already mentioned the central palm pads – these are supplemented by two silicone sections, on the underside of the thumb and knuckles. These gloves offer a serious amount of grip while reducing wrist fatigue and absorbing shocks from bumpy terrain.
Holding onto handlebars for hours on end can easily cause numbness – but these gloves remove that risk from the equation entirely.
ZOOKKI’s cycling gloves are a fantastic choice for mountain biking. The convenient, breathable design, coupled with the shock-absorbing features and a lot of grip strength makes them a force to be reckoned with.
If you’re just getting into the world of mountain biking, or simply need an affordable pair of gloves, do yourself a favor – give ZOOKKI’s cycling gloves a chance – they merit your consideration.
Pros
- Very cheap
- Reflective
- Convenient
- Great grip
Cons
- All size options are slightly on the smaller side
- Gel padding relatively small in size
3. Best for Cold Weather - KINGSBOM
Specifications:
- Design → Full-finger
- Size variation → 6.7”-7.5” to 9.0”-9.8”
- Material → Fabric, Polar Fleece, synthetic fiber
- Breathable → Yes
Key Features:
- 200g Thinsulate insulation
- Moisture-wicking materials
- Compatible with touchscreens
- Silicone gel pads
Kingsbom Thermal Gloves Review
Mountain biking in the winter is a unique experience. Enjoying beautiful, snow-covered landscapes while doing something healthy? What’s not to love?
But it is a little more complicated than that. You can’t just hop on a bike and start pedaling in the middle of winter – you need the proper equipment. And that begins with a good pair of mountain bike gloves.
KINGSBOM’s thermal gloves are a durable, heavy-duty option that will stop you from shivering even when it’s absolutely freezing. Waterproof, snowproof, and well-insulated, they will keep your hands warm and your grip steady for many a winter to come.
Premium Materials Perfect for Winter
KINGSBOM went all out as far as materials are concerned. The gloves are made from high-quality fabric, with multiple layers of 3M’s 200g Thinsulate insulation, along with Polar Fleece liner. The fabric is snowproof, windproof and waterproof – these gloves can handle anything short of being dipped into water.
The elastic knit cuff does a wonderful job of trapping heat and is very pleasant to the touch. It also makes for easy folding and storage in pockets. This is a comfortable pair of gloves – one that manages to combine maximum heat retention without sacrificing any breathability.
Overall, you’d be surprised by how light the gloves are. Weighing in at just 6.1 ounces, they’re maneuverable and comfortable enough to handle long bike rides, which is all the more impressive when you factor in how well-insulated they are.
The exterior of the gloves easily deals with wind and snow, while the interior is moisture-wicking – meaning that it circulates any humidity outwards, ensuring minimal sweating. This is a huge bonus – oftentimes very warm gloves come at the cost of increased sweating, which can reduce grip strength and comfort.
The KINGSBOM thermal gloves pass all tests with flying colors – warm enough to prevent any numbness, but breathable enough to remain comfortable and dry.
Tons of Smart Features
First of all, the design of the KINGSBOM thermal gloves itself is well-suited to the cold. The slightly longer, over-the-wrist design makes it easier to trap heat, as well as keep snow away from your wrists.
The palm segments have shock-absorbent silicone gel padding which ensures a strong grip. Using silica gel printing technology, KINGSBOM has also added anti-slip surfaces to each finger. On top of that, the palm is made out of durable, skip-proof leather.
The index finger and thumb of these gloves are made from a conductive material that is compatible with touchscreens. This is a handy feature, allowing you to message, call, and check the weather using your smartphone without ever having to take the gloves off – which is all the more important when dealing with cold temperatures.
The gloves also feature reflective segments, making nighttime rides safer. When all is said and done – these are the perfect gloves for winter and cold weather. They offer a combination of the highest quality materials, great design, and plenty of useful, smart features. If you need a pair of gloves for winter – look no further.
Pros
- Surprisingly light
- Warm
- Well-padded
- Breathable
Cons
- Smaller than the average glove
- Fingers less insulated than the rest of the gloves
4. Best for Women - MOREOK AK098
Specifications:
- Design → Half-finger
- Size variation → 2.75”-3.14” to 3.74”-4.13”
- Material → Lycar, Microfiber, Printing Silicon
- Breathable → Yes
Key Features:
- Extra-wide open-back design
- Air holes for breathability
- Shockproof EVS padding
- Slip-proof
Moreok Ak098 Review
High-quality mountain bike gloves can completely change the way you enjoy this recreational activity. Even the best bike in the world can’t provide its own full range of comfort, stability, and utility without a good pair of gloves to match it.
We’ve chosen the MOREOK AK098 as the best mountain bike gloves for women. Breathable, comfortable, and designed with maximum performance in mind, they will take your mountain biking experience to a whole new level.
Comfortable and Breathable
The ergonomic, sleek design of the AK098 obviously had comfort as its highest priority. The blend of Lycar, microfiber, and silicon is incredibly comfortable. The gloves offer a snug, ergonomic fit without being too tight or restrictive.
The open-back design makes the gloves easy to put on or off. The interior of the gloves is made from breathable microfiber material. Thanks to the air holes which are spread out over either side of the palm area, the AK098 can completely neutralize sweat – without breaking a sweat.
The strap that closes the gloves is durable without being too tight. On the more performance-centered side of comfort, the triangular padding allows for a solid, comfortable grip that significantly reduces wrist fatigue. The padding is skip-proof and has a series of relatively deep ridges – there’s no need to apply a lot of pressure to the handlebars to get a good grip.
Practical and Well Designed
The AK098 also features several smart design choices that offer added practicality and performance. The thumb section is made out of terry cloth – making it much easier to wipe away sweat from your face. A pair of fabric loops makes the gloves easy to put on or off.
The gloves use a triangular shockproof system in which EVS padding is contoured to the shape of the human hand. This has a dual purpose – it is the most shock-resistant design, while also being the most natural and comfortable. The 5mm padding is quite heavy-duty, but the gloves are featherlight – at most times, you won’t even notice they’re there.
Another thing that we like about these gloves is the wide variety of available sizes. The sizing is measured according to hand width, so do keep that in mind – but the gloves are both stretchy and thin overall, so they are comfortable in any case.
The AK098 makes quick work of bumps and rough terrain – the difference in wrist numbness and tingling is vast and easily recognizable. Couple that with the comfort and breathability, and you’ve got some serious performance gloves on your hands. A solid, performance-centered product, the AK098 reigns supreme as the best pair of mountain bike gloves for women.
Pros
- Breathable
- Comfortable
- Double palm padding
- Terry cloth
Cons
- Thin fabric
- Average durability
5. Best for Men - HTZPLOO Bike Gloves
Specifications:
- Design → Half-finger
- Size variation → 6.6”-7.50” to 9.09”-9.88”
- Material → Polyester, Nylon
- Breathable → No
Key Features:
- Shock-absorbing padding
- Finger loops
- Terry cloth thumb
- Flexible material
Htzploo Bike Gloves Review
A quality pair of mountain bike gloves might be a small investment – but it is a wise investment nonetheless. Comfortable, padded gloves make mountain biking safer, more enjoyable, and they might just give you a slight edge performance-wise.
Understandably, most mountain bike gloves are quite similar when it comes to design. The most important factor that makes or breaks a pair of gloves is the quality of materials used.
For this very reason, we’ve chosen the HTZPLOO bike gloves as our pick in the best for men category. They’re a pair of well-made, affordable, practical gloves that any biking aficionado worth their salt would be happy to use.
Durable and Comfortable
These gloves are made from a 55% / 45% polyester – nylon blend. The soft, stretchy material is comfortable and form-fitting. The smooth lycra on the gloves’ surface allows for a lot of mobility, while two finger loops make it easy to put the gloves on or take them off.
The tactile feel of the gloves can best be described as skin-like. The gloves are strikingly light – the exact weight isn’t listed anywhere, but a shipping weight of 1.6 ounces can give you a good ballpark estimate.
Half of the thumb surface is made from terry-cloth, providing a convenient way to get rid of any bothersome sweat. In all fairness, this towel-cloth segment on the thumb is smaller than on most gloves, but that doesn’t detract too much from an overall positive impression.
These gloves do have one, albeit minor flaw. The material is cool to the touch and won’t cause any additional sweating, but the gloves aren’t very breathable.
Maximum Performance
As far as performance is concerned, the HTZPLOO bike gloves provide a consistent and substantial improvement that is easily noticeable. The light weight allows them to offer maximum wrist mobility, while still significantly improving grip.
A black anti-slip silicone gel is used in the construction of the palm segment. This helps reduce wrist fatigue and allows you to control the handlebar with ease. The strong grip that these gloves provide will help you achieve a greater degree of control over your bike – particularly when it comes to turning and moving at high speeds.
The gloves also make use of shock-absorbing padding. This material lessens the effect that bumps or rough terrain have on your stability when cycling. Not only is this useful from the perspective of performance, but it can also help prevent injuries and increase overall safety.
The ergonomic design of the gloves meshes well with these features, resulting in a compact, practical product that offers maximum performance across the board.
If the HTZPLOO mountain bike gloves end up being your choice, you’ll have a durable, sensible pair of gloves that offer remarkable performance on your hands.
Pros
- Light
- Comfortable
- Strong grip
- Unrestrictive
Cons
- Mediocre breathability
- Terry cloth smaller than expected
Mountain Bike Gloves: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Gloves Make Mountain Biking Safer?
Yes - in a couple of ways. They offer a stronger grip, more comfort because of padding, and help you deal with road vibrations. Breathable materials help alleviate sweating, thereby decreasing the chance of your hands slipping.
Mountain bike gloves go a long way in reducing the chance of having an accident while riding, but also help protect your hands from injury in the unfortunate event that an accident does happen. Safety-wise, these gloves have zero drawbacks, but plenty of benefits.
Are Mountain Bike Gloves Necessary During Winter?
Absolutely - we can’t stress this enough. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of a good, well-insulated pair of gloves for cycling in winter.
Cold temperatures carry additional risks for cyclists. The risk of numbness in the fingers or wrists is much greater, and frostnip or frostbite can cause skin damage or irritation and a distracting tingling sensation.
Additionally, the padding in mountain bike gloves provides much-needed grip strength and stability for dealing with the road or terrain conditions in wintertime.
How Should Mountain Bike Gloves Be Washed?
That varies from product to product. Always make sure to check the cleaning instructions before washing your gloves. But as a rule of thumb, most mountain bike gloves are not fit for machine washing.
When washing the gloves by hand, make sure to close the velcro strap first. Use warm water and a mild detergent. Rub down the gloves where needed to remove stains or debris, and rinse them out well. Once that is done, leave the gloves to dry - and don’t try to wring the gloves out.
Do Mountain Bike Gloves Improve Performance?
Mountain bike gloves offer noticeable improvements in performance. The padding and grip strength that they provide increase stability - and the added control is most noticeable when it comes to maneuvering and turning, or when cycling at high speeds.
However, the area where mountain bike gloves truly shine is with rough, uneven terrain. The shock-absorbent materials make a world of difference when it comes to crossing obstacles, bumps or other hurdles. With a good pair of gloves, retaining balance, and therefore speed on rough terrain is much easier.
Are Mountain Bike Gloves Comfortable?
Very much so. The specifics depend on the concrete product in question, but as a general rule, mountain bike gloves are light, flexible, and breathable.
Mountain bike gloves are made from stretchy, form-fitting materials. A vast majority of them feature adjustable velcro straps that allow you to achieve a fit that is stable, comfortable, and just tight enough. Most high-quality cycling gloves also feature small fabric loops that make it easy to take the gloves off or put them on.
Best Overall
BEST BUDGET
BEST FOR COLD WEATHER
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