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10 Best Cycling Gloves Compared & Fully Reviewed
Riding at high speeds can be exhilarating and one of the best parts of your day, but it can also be dangerous. The best cycling gloves will not only protect you from outdoor elements, but they will also be comfortable, durable, and the fit won’t constraint any of your movements. So, if you are an avid cycler, we highly suggest you check these out.
Check out our list of the 10 best cycling gloves and find a great pair of gloves to keep your hands protected and in tip-top shape while helping you stay safe.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Weather Resistance
Not all cycling gloves are made for all weather. If you are looking for a cycling glove that will keep your hands cool in the summer or a glove that will keep your hands warm in the cold weather, you need to know that going into your buying process. Think about the climate where you ride. Do you need two pairs of gloves, one for summer and one for fall/winter?
Warm weather
Our list is well-rounded and contains several warm weather cycling gloves. These gloves are made of moisture-wicking material and often offer additional ventilation features to ensure your hands stay cool and dry no matter how long you decide to cycle for. Make sure to go for lightweight gloves with fingerless designs for optimal breathability.
Cold weather
Cycling gloves made for cold weather will offer full finger coverage. They are still moisture-wicking, but many offer additional warming material to ensure that your hands don't get too hot.
Versatile options
We made sure to include some glove options that you can use year round. Keep in mind that if you experience extreme heat or extreme cold, these gloves will not be the best fit since they offer features for both types of weather, but not the extreme of either.
Fit
When you’re just starting out cycling, you may not be sure what type of cycling gloves you need. They come in a number of different sizes and styles. Some can even be adjusted for comfort. The fasteners are usually made with Velcro or a pull through fastener that circles the wrist. Then, there are other models that forgo a fastener altogether.
These slip on but need to fit precisely. Having gloves that are too loose can result in additional friction. This can mean the development of blisters in spite of protection. Gloves that are too tight can restrict circulation and limit your mobility. You need to be able to move your hands in a full range of motion and this can improve your performance.
It also allows you to react faster in case of an emergency, and to better steer. Finger design is also a key element. Some gloves have individual cutouts for each finger to increase grip and dexterity. Others cover the entire hand. The preference will really be up to the cyclist, and they’ll need to choose the model that works for them.
Some cyclists like to switch between different gloves depending on the terrain and type of weather. These are all things that we took into consideration when choosing our recommended products.
Materials
The material of the cycling glove can determine the breathability and durability of the product. You want it to have a little bit of give but too much can become a problem. Synthetic materials like spandex, Lycra, and Gore-Tex all help with breathability. They have moisture wicking properties that keep the hands dry in spite of the activity level.
Some gloves use separate materials on the interior than what’s used on the exterior. This improves durability, waterproofing, and keeps the hand comfortable. We chose cycling gloves with the best user reviews and the most durable materials--so you can be sure that the selections on our list are among the best of the best.
Another important feature we looked for was what type of padding--if there was any padding--the glove used. The best padding for cycling gloves is gel or foam and it should be both comfortable and effective at absorbing shock and vibration. Yes, the padding makes the gloves bulkier and a little heavier, but it also prevents pain associated with poor shock absorption.
Features
Each pair of cycling gloves is different and each particular brand has something unique that they have to offer that sets them apart from the competition. One of the features we looked at was the wipe guard on the thumb. This is unusual, but the useful feature should be a soft and absorbent material on the thumb in order to wipe your running nose or sweat from your face.
Another feature we looked at was the colors and styles offered by the product. Some cyclists pride themselves on their ensemble and it is important to them to find a product that can look good on them as well as feel good to them. We also looked at the padding offered in the palms, how compatible they are with technology, and how weather proof they are.
Having sweaty palms when you're trying to control your bike isn't good. That's why it's important to have cycling gloves that are breathable. In general, gloves made for winter aren't very breathable. That's because in cold weather you won't generate as much heat so you're less likely to get sweaty hands. But depending on how hard you ride and your body's own way of regulating heat you may sweat more or less.
For the most part, gloves made for warm weather are more breathable, although it can differ a lot from pair to pair depending on the materials used.
Value
Each athlete should know their budget and work to stay within it. We featured gloves on our list for those that are really trying to stick to a tight budget and for those that have a little more flexibility. The prices on our gloves run from just over $10 all the way up to close to $100. Whatever your budget is, you can find a glove on our list that will fit both your budget and your hands.
Additionally, some products come with warranties while others don’t. This can be an important feature for the cyclist who is looking for a longer lasting product. If you want to make sure to get a pair of cycling gloves that offer a warranty or return option, make sure to look closely. While there are several options on our list that offer this, not all of them do.
At the end of the day, you want to make sure you invest in a pair of cycling gloves that will cover your needs and be worth your investment--no matter how expensive or cost-effective the gloves were initially. Remember to prioritize your needs and make sure to keep them at the forefront of what you want in a pair of gloves to ensure you end up with a pair you love.
Our Favorite Cycling Gloves
1. Zookki Cycling
Don't let the inexpensive price of these gloves fool you! They are top rated, high quality, and we highly recommend them to all cyclists. They're highly vented and great for warmer weather. Reviewers raved about how their palms stayed dry while wearing these gloves.
Read moreWeather Resistance
These gloves are perfect for warmer weather. They have special mesh venting to control airflow and prevent moisture buildup.
Fit
These gloves provide you with a breathable, comfortable, and perfect fit. Their gel-padding and skip-proof fabric will reduce hand numbness, absorb shock, and reduce palm fatigue from long rides.
Materials
These gloves are made with lycra, spandex, gel silicon and elastic knitted mesh.
Features
These moisture-wicking gloves provide you with a cooling factor while keeping your hands cool and dry during warm days. The palm's fabric is skip proof, which improves shock absorption and reduces had numbness on long rides while contributing to overall control and safety. The gel padding used reduces hand fatigue and helps to increase comfort levels.
Value
One of the best things about these gloves is the price, usually around just $6. Regardless of the price, they're great gloves, but the price gives them a huge edge over the competition which is why they're #1 on our list. At this price, you might as well buy 2 pairs, or maybe 3...
2. Endura Pro Aerogel
These padded cycling gloves are perfect for those of you who love to cycle on the road and need a pair of gloves that can absorb the shock and vibration that comes with an extended period of time cycling on the road.
Read moreWeather Resistance
When it comes to weather resistance, these cycling gloves are definitely a perfect fit for hot summer days when you are bound to sweat profusely. They offer moisture wicking capabilities and an open venting system to ensure your hands stay cool and dry. Overall, these gloves will effectively regulate your temperature and ensure your hands are well-vented thanks to the perforated padding.
Fit
As far as fit, you will find that these gloves offer a secure, comfortable, and reliable fit. They have Velcro so you can adjust the fit as well. All in all, it is safe to say that these gloves offer one of the best fits when compared to some of the best cycling gloves out there. These gloves also feature tabs on the finger portion of the glove, which is what makes them so easy to take off.
Materials
Earlier we mentioned that these gloves offer one of the best fits—and it is safe to say that it is thanks to the materials theses gloves are composed of. They also provide excellent grip and traction thanks to the silicone palm, so you don’t have to worry about your hands slipping when you are out on your ride.
Features
When it comes to additional features, these gloves offer a terry sweat wipe so you can wipe away your sweat without having to keep a towel on hand, take your gloves off, or—the tried and true method—having to resort to using your shirt. These gloves also have tabs for easy removal and provide you with great traction.
Value
Thanks to all of the features these gloves offer as well as how well constructed they are, it is safe to say that these gloves are an excellent investment for cyclers who like to hit the road. Although they are a little pricey, they are definitely worth every penny and you will be able to rely on them for years to come.
3. Trideer
If you are on a budget, then you will love the Trideer cycling gloves! This model is really versatile—so you can use them for on the road, on the mountain, and any terrain you like to ride on. If you need a good pair of race gloves these are definitely the way to go.
Read moreWeather Resistance
When we took a look at weather resistance, we found that these are pretty versatile in terms of when and where you can use these. They are breathable, moisture-wicking, comfortable, and will even block UV rays, so you can feel protected no matter how long you are outside.
Fit
As far as fit, these cycling gloves are really comfortable and secure. They have a strap you can adjust on your wrist to your own comfort and protection needs. They also have tabs on the fingers of the glove so you can easily take them off when you need to.
Materials
These cycling gloves are incredibly durable thank to their materials and construction. They are made of microfiber that is lightweight and durable and features double stitched seams so you don’t have to worry about them ripping or falling apart on you when you need them the most.
Features
If you are looking for a versatile pair of cycling gloves, these are it. A lot of gloves out there are specifically made for the road or for technical terrain—but not these. In fact, you can use these on the road, on technical terrain, for your motorcycle, to work out, and so much more. They also offer excellent grip, so you won’t slip and lose your grip. If you are tired of dealing with the lingering pain that comes with poor shock and vibration absorption, then you will appreciate that these gloves optimize their shock and vibration absorption capabilities to the point that you can say goodbye to those pesky symptoms.
Value
Not only are these gloves really affordable, but they also offer a ton of beneficial features that many users have come to love. Overall, when we took a look at the value of these gloves, we found that they are worth every penny and will be around to help you for the long haul. Your purchase will also come with a 30-day return and 1-year replacement, so even better.
4. Giro Strate Dure
If you like some added padding on your cycling gloves, then you will love the Giro Strate Dure gloves! These are designed to be durable and reliable without sacrificing comfort, flexibility, or breathability. Check these out if you want a pair of gloves that will fit great no matter how long you wear them.
Read moreWeather Resistance
These cycling gloves are definitely made to keep your hands cool and dry, no matter how hot it is outside or how much you sweat. The feature moisture-wicking properties that will prevent them from soaking up your sweat—which would lead to chafing and blisters.
Fit
Thanks to the use of the brand’s super fit technology, these gloves feature a flexible and comfortable fit that won’t restrict movement whatsoever. They use a three-panel design to ensure you get the quality of fit you do. They also have a hoop and loop closure system so you can adjust them to fit you securely.
Materials
These gloves feature synthetic suede leather on the palm of the glove and foam padding for optimal rebound absorption and comfort. Their high-grade super gel padding will absorb shock and vibration so you can focus on your ride and not on any discomfort.
Features
These are designed in Sweden, a place that knows the cold well. They are wind and waterproof, have reflective details, and the fingertips are made so that the user can operate a smartphone while wearing them.
Features
When it comes to additional features, the most functional features is a microfiber surface on the thumb of the glove. This is perfect for wiping your sweat, so you can dry off your sweat without having to have a towel on hand stopping to take your gloves off—and better yet, you won’t have to use your shirt to wipe off your sweat.
Value
Since these cycling gloves are priced averagely compared to other high-quality gloves, you will find that they are worth every penny. If you want a durable and functional pair of cycling gloves that won’t break the bank, then these gloves may be a perfect fit for you,
5. Pearl Izumi Select
Pearl Izumi always strives to make the best possible products for athletes, and the Select Men's Gloves do not disappoint. The sleek design, comfort and breathability these gloves provide are perfect for every cyclist.
Read moreWeather Resistance
With the half finger design, these gloves are definitely better for warmer weather.
Fit
The half finger feature is designed to give superior grip and control while providing breathability.
Material
This glove is made of polyamide, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, and spandex.
Features
These gloves come in several different color options, are equipped with gel padding, and are both comfortable and breathable.
Value
At around $12-15 a pair, most reviewers felt the Pearl Izumi Select gloves provide a solid value. Some found them to be a little tight, but for most, they had a great blend of good fit and padding.
6. Louise Garneau Air Gel
These take a little longer than other brands to get broken in but once they are you'll be rewarded with a durable and comfortable pair of gloves that are perfect for summer riding. They're super breathable with mesh on the back of the hand that does a great job of letting moisture escape. They don't have the most padding of the options on our list, but for short to medium rides in the heat these are a great choice, especially since they last long enough for you to more than get your money's worth out of them.
Read moreWeather Resistance
These obviously aren't meant for fall or winter rides, but for taking a spin in the heat these are a great option. The mesh backing is super breathable so your hands won't overheat.
Fit
These fit a little snugly, which is actually what you want in a pair of cycling gloves because you're much less likely to get calluses that way. Users who like a looser fit may want to consider ordering a size larger than their normal glove size.
Materials
They are made with a combination of nylon and spandex. This makes them durable as well as breathable and form-fitting for a good fit.
Features
These have pull tabs at the wrists to help the user get them on easily. They also have a microfiber cloth on the inside of the thumb for easily wiping away moisture from your sunglasses. The breathable mesh is another nice design touch.
Value
They're a little more expensive than other similar designs but the high-quality construction and durability make them a good option for summer riding gloves.
7. Inbike Touch Screen
With winter here we wanted to give you several options for keeping your hands warm in the cold. This product from Inbike is a great option that will keep your hands warm, allow you to use a smartphone or other touch screen device, and also has reflective details to help keep you safe in low-light situations. Users reported these having good padding and warmth for long rides in the cold.
Read moreWeather Resistance
They're windproof, waterproof, and the fleece lining is very warm so they'll do a good job keeping your hands warm during rides. This is important not just for comfort but also for safety since cold hands won't allow you to operate your brakes or control your bike as well.
Fit
Users reported that these fit a bit small. Because of this you may want to consider ordering a size larger than your usual glove size.
Materials
The shell is made of 90% polyester with 7% microfiber leather and 3%nylon. The inner lining is polar fleece, an insulated thermal lining that is very warm and also resists tears.
Features
These have several nice design touches. There is reflective detailing for increased safety as well as touch screen capability. They're wind and waterproof, although a few users reported them not being as waterproof as advertised.
Value
These can be had for a great price for winter gloves which are usually much more expensive than lighter summer options.
8. Fox Racing Ranger
This is a high quality, comfortable, protective and durable glove specifically for using while riding in the mountains but of course this level of quality makes the glove very good for bike riding in any environment.
The quality and materials used for making this glove mean that you get a product which will last for a long time.
Read moreWeather Resistance
This glove is designed to perform in mountain environments and this translates into a glove which will keep out the biting cold wind, if the sun is hot it will protect your hands against sunburn. The glove is highly protective against abrasion if you do fall off your bike, no painful scraped skin on the hand. Resistant to penetration from mist and rain to ensure dry comfort from a high performing glove.
Fit
Built from flexible materials with a good palm grip, when you put on this glove it shapes and adapts to your hand while allowing continued flexibility.
Materials
An impressive material construction consisting of polyester at 10%, nylon at 40%, polyamide at 50% and polyvinyl chloride. The thumb chamber is made from a micro-suede material for grip, absorbent and durability.
Features
The wrist tab is a low profile closure, The fingertips are silicone for grip and protection, and comfort/durability are achieved through the palm areas being double layered clarino.
Value
Fox Motorsports is well known for its high-quality gear at good prices, and these gloves stay true to that reputation. Some users felt the quality could be better, but the majority felt that they were very affordable and offered a very solid value.
9. Giro Bravo
It is no surprise that the Giro brand made it onto our list twice. Giro is a brand for cycling professionals and novices alike, The Giro Bravo Glove is a more toned down version of the Giro Monaco II Gel Cycling Gloves.
Read moreWeather Resistance
This is a glove that is focused more on grip and comfort than it is on warmth. This a good glove for the warmer months and seasons.
Fit
The Giro brand is serious about providing a comfortable, unique fit for its athletes. This product offers a simple half fingerstyle and a velcro grip around the wrist for a customizable fit.
Material
Cyclists loved the breathable material of this product. They reported that because of the microfiber wicking material their hands stay dry and cool. Additionally, the Clarino synthetic leather that is used adds durability to this product. Cyclists reported that these gloves lasted much longer than they were anticipating and even after many many miles, they still did not need to be replaced.
Features
This product comes in a variety of fun color options for the athlete that likes colorful options. The adjustable wrist strap is a great feature to guarantee the perfect fit.
Value
This is Giro's mid-level cycling glove and is a good value for people looking for an all-around glove that will perform well and won't break the bank.
10. Zackees Turn Signal
The key design element of these gloves is centered around Zackee's desire to keep all of their cyclists safe on the road. Zackee was concerned about the number of traffic accidents that riders were involved in, and they designed a high-quality glove to counter that major problem.
Read moreWeather Resistance
Unfortunately, because of the nature of these gloves having electronic circuitry in them, they aren't the best in wet weather. Having said that, we included them on the list because we love to promote quality products that increase the safety of cycling. Users in SoCal and other places where it doesn't rain much will love these, for others, we recommend only bringing them out for bluebird conditions.
Fit
Users reported these fit true to size, felt closely fitted to their hands without being overly tight and didn't cause them discomfort over long rides.
Materials
These gloves are made out of lycra and spandex. The materials are breathable so the gloves are good for use in hot weather, and the mesh fabric is comfortable against the skin.
Features
These gloves feature Zackees award-winning LED lighted turn signals. This will help keep you safe both day and night, as users reported that the LED lights were bright enough to be seen from a long distance even in the daytime. They also have a cut finger design.
Value
At RunnerClick we tend to favor products that help keep us safe, even if they're a little more expensive. That's just one of the reasons why we included these gloves on our list. Be warned that they are expensive, however, and if you live in a place with lots of rain and/or humidity, you might not be able to squeeze the full value out of these cycling gloves.
Sources
- , Best summer cycling mitts: a buyer’s guide, Cycling Website
- , How to Choose Right Cycling Gloves, Cycling Website
- , How to choose the right cycling gloves for miles of pain free riding!, Cycling Website