What To Look For

Mountain biking gloves are a major part of the three points of contact you make with your mountain bike. The other two, pedals and saddle, are also essential, but your hands—and gloves—have direct control over the steering and braking of your bike. Finding a pair that fits your hands well and allows accurate control over the bike and brakes is very important! They are also a barrier of protection against low-hanging branches that may smack across your knuckles or for your palms should you decide to cruise over your handlebars and try to taste the trail. A phrase that you’ll see kicked around a lot while in the mountain bike glove market is “bar feel,” but what does that even mean? Well, to put it simply, are you able to feel the handlebars through the gloves and have a level of control over all the triggers and switches in the cockpit like you would with bare hands? A good pair of gloves offers a nice mix of protection and control, so don’t be afraid to go to a local store and try some on to see what works best for you. Everyone’s hands are a little different, too, so finding the right size will also make a big difference—too big and the gloves could bunch, causing blisters and discomfort. Gloves that are too small will restrict the movement of your fingers and be a real pain. It’s a real Goldilocks scenario here—you want to find a pair that is just right.

Protection

Riding Climate

Climate and temperature also play a crucial role in glove selection. Do you ride in the deserts of Utah and see little to no precipitation at all, or are you riding in the Pacific Northwest, where your average rainfall is 100 inches a day? A thinner glove with lots of ventilation will be what you should be leaning towards for hot and sweaty weather. In rainy or wet climates, a glove that provides a bit more wet-weather protection would be preferable. Cold and wet-weather gloves may be thick but will counteract the loss of “bar feel” by adding more silicone grip along the fingers and thumb. Certain gloves are definitely made to suit different climate zones, so take the time to find the glove for yours. On the same note, gloves are small, and for the most part, reasonably inexpensive, so you could always pack multiple gloves for a variety of occasions and adapt as you ride.

Best Mountain Bike Gloves Review 2021

The Best of the Rest

Giro Xen Glove

Dakine Covert Glove

Fox Ranger Glove

Troy Lee Designs Air Glove

POC Resistance Enduro Glove

100% Hydromatic Brisker Glove

Giro Remedy X2 Glove

Best All-Around Mountain Bike Glove of 2021

Price: $40

Palm Material: X Suede

Sizes: S-XXL

Style Options: 3 colors

At a good price and packed with features, the Giro Remedy X2s are the best all-around mountain biking gloves of 2021. The Giro Remedy X2 is a trail/downhill-oriented glove but wouldn’t be too out of place on an aggressive XC trail. The palm is made of AX suede, a synthetic leather for added durability, while the four-way stretch mesh back is made to breathe and keep you comfortable all day long. Giro uses their “Super Fit” technology to create an almost customized fit for every user. It will feel like the glove is forming to your hand and becoming a part of you. They do have a velcro strap to dial in the fit at the wrist and assist with the removal of the gloves. For protection, the Poron® XRD™ pads along the knuckles and palm absorb all types of impact but will keep their shape over seasons of use and abuse.

Giro uses a super accurate stitching style to remove excess fabric inside the glove that could reduce comfort. This has led to some stitching failures, but Giro states that these cases are extremely rare, and the company has an excellent return policy to get you back into action as soon as possible. When headed onto the trails, these are a go-to glove for just about every riding situation, which is why they are our Best All-Around Mountain Biking Gloves of 2021.

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Giro DND Glove

Best Budget Mountain Bike Glove of 2021

With a name like DND—which stands for DOWN AND DIRTY—you know these gloves are going to deliver. The DNDs have been worn and trusted by riders for years, and this year’s version is no different. Giro just keeps beefing them up with new technology that makes them even better than their predecessor. The three-panel design for the AX Suede palm, paired with Giro’s Super Fit technology, makes these gloves very comfortable. The three-panel design reduces any bunching while offering a perfect range of movement and excellent control on the bike cockpit. Along the back of the hand is Giro’s four-way stretch mesh to wick moisture and allow plenty of airflow. For cockpit control, there is silicone on the thumb, middle, and index fingers, as well as touchscreen compatibility. We also really enjoyed the microfiber nose whip on the thumb to keep the face clean in case any photographers are on the trail looking for models.

Giro has added 2mm of EVA crash pad protection along the heel of the hand in case you happen to meet the ground with your hands. We also appreciate the added reinforcement along the fingertips, just to keep things even more secure and durable. All in all, l these are the kind of gloves that will take some hits and come back wanting more, and what else can you ask for in a pair of gloves? For all of the features you get for a very reasonable price tag, the Giro DND Glove is our Best Budget Mountain Bike Glove of 2021.

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100% Cognito Glove

Best Protective Mountain Bike Glove of 2021

These gloves look pretty intense with the D30 knuckle protection from the outside, but once you put them on, they feel like minimalist gloves, despite offering some significant protection. If you don’t know what D30 is, it is a protective foam that hardens under impact, so you get more protection with less bulk compared to rubber or other options. 100% has shaped the Cognitos very well to remain low-key and unobtrusive to normal hand movements on the handlebar. The Clarino single-layer palm is perforated for added breathability, but there are reinforcements on the thumb to reduce blistering.

We really liked the look of the silicone 100% graphic on the middle and index finger, providing good grip and some style points. We wouldn’t have minded seeing some silicone on the thumb as well, but now we’re just getting picky. The back of the hand is a four-way stretch material matched with mesh finger gussets (the part that connects the palm material and upper material) to provide great movement and airflow to the whole glove. The wrist of the glove is kind of tight, especially for having a velcro closure as well, but once the glove is on, you have no worries of them ever sliding around. Finally, there is no thumb wipe, proving that you can’t always get what you want. If you can let that slide, these are incredible gloves that feel like minimalist gloves but offer the protection you find in more robust options. This protection and stunning design earned the 100% Cognito gloves our Best Protective Mountain Bike Glove of 2021.

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Handup Summer Lite Glove

Best Warm Weather Gloves of 2021

If you find yourself biking in hot, dry climates and feel like your biking outfit lacks some pizazz, look no further. The Handup Summer Lite gloves are incredibly minimalistic while also offering over-the-top style points that won’t go unnoticed on the trail. With four styles that each have a different message when the palms are put together, from “SEND IT” to “SHRED TILL YAH DEAD,” the Summer Lites are a statement.

The glove uses an Air Lite Mesh top to keep air moving but offers a solid amount of durability against scrapes and cuts. The single-layer Clarino leather palm provides the bar feel, with added grip provided by the silicone graphics. Handup has MAX laser perforated the palm to add to the already impressive breathability. It will feel like you’re not wearing anything on your hands. Handup has also included a large towel sweat cloth on the thumb to keep the sweat out of your eyes for those “hot as a Wookie on Tatooine” kind of days. These gloves also boast FULLTOUCH technology that will work a touchscreen anywhere on the entire palm for easy access to TrailForks when you get lost. The lightweight, over-the-top breathability and stunning style made these our Best Hot Weather Gloves for 2021.

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Fox Dirtpaw Glove

Best Beginner Mountain Bike Glove of 2021

Fox has been in the two-wheeled movement industry for a while, be it pedal power or motorized. They have learned a thing or two about how to properly kit out a rider for a long day in the saddle throughout those years. With the FOX Dirtpaws, it feels like a lot of experience is able to present itself. From the padded, single layer of Clarino on the palm to the TPR (Thermo Plastic Rubber) knuckle protection, these gloves have you covered. They may be a bit more robust than some riders are looking for, but for those who are willing to sacrifice some bar feel for added protection, this is a great glove.

The mesh used for the finger gussets is stretchy and breathable, and the nylon upper provides comfort and protection while on the move. The cuff is compression-molded neoprene that is secured with a hook-and-loop closure for ultimate security. There is silicone on the thumb, middle, and index finger for grip when the trail gets muddy, and they’re touchscreen compatible, so you can tweet the sick trick you just landed. People still tweet, right? We would recommend these gloves to newer riders who may be taking more tumbles from their bike and looking for a glove that will stand up to the extra abuse. For this reason and the reasonable price, we named the Fox Dirtpaws our Best Beginner Mountain Bike Glove of 2021.

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GORE WEAR Infinium Mid Glove

Best Glove for Cold and Wet Conditions

When the weather gets cold and wet, these are the gloves you’ll want to be wearing. GORE WEAR has created a great glove that is just as comfortable on the handlebars of a bike as it would be holding ski poles on a cross-country ski track or skinning up a mountain. Versatility is a great asset with these gloves for those that really like multi-sport days. Using Gore-Tex Infinium as the outer shell—which is windproof but not waterproof—these gloves are great for keeping cold air at bay when moving through the mountains or trails. The shell pairs nicely with the incredibly soft inner polyester layer that feels great against the hand and keeps your hands at just the right temperature.

Along the palm are two pieces of extra padding and some silicone pads at the base of the fingers to improve grip on those wet and chilly rides. For accessories, touchscreen compatibility is included. Still, it doesn’t do a phenomenal job, whereas the terry cloth outside the thumb is an excellent goggle wiper or nose wiper in emergencies. While the price for these gloves is a little high, they are the only pair that uses Gore-Tex, and even if it isn’t a waterproof version, they are still quite water-resistant. As for their versatility, you could definitely use these on a ski tour as your uphill glove or the cross-country track as well. If you like to get out when the weather turns nasty, definitely consider the GORE WEAR Infinium Mid, selected as our Best Mountain Bike Glove for Cold and Wet Conditions for 2021.

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The Best of the Rest

Giro Xen Glove

The AX Suede palm offers durability and breathability, keeping your mitts comfortable all day long. Giro’s three-panel Super Fit design is comfortable and reduces the chance of bunching while providing an almost customized fit. With the Xens, you also get Giro’s Cool Skin finger panels for added comfort. There is a sneaky microfiber wipe on the thumb, along with less-than-perfect touchscreen compatibility on the fingertips. For riders looking for a great fitting glove that offers slightly more protection in case of incidents, the Giro Xen will help you feel “Xen”ed out while pushing your limits on the local single-track trails.

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Dakine Covert Glove

This is a simple yet robust glove. I almost don’t need to add anything else. The Dakine Covert glove is made using a single-cut palm to get rid of any pesky stitching lines. The upper is a breathable four-way stretch shell that helps to wick moisture away from sweaty hands. The Polygiene® Odor Control technology will keep your gloves smelling fresh after more laps than they should. The AX Suede wraps around the fingertips improving durability, and grip is added by silicone along the thumb, middle, and index fingers. You will also be treated to a microfleece thumb wipe and touchscreen compatibility, something we need to mention but often doesn’t work that great. The glove is slip-on and has a reinforced grip where you’ll be pulling on the glove.

There is no added padding on these gloves, but the materials are quite durable should you meet any sharp and pointies while moving through the forest either in or out of the saddle. These gloves look like they could almost belong in a mechanic’s shop, and we like that. They are as tough as they look and come with the features to keep them comfortable all day.

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Fox Ranger Glove

The Fox Ranger is a lightweight and no-frills but burly biking glove. The Ranger uses a no-seam palm made of Clarino to reduce any discomfort that often comes with too many seams. The compression-molded cuff plus Velcro closure ensures a dialed fit while riding. For added comfort, the four-way stretch polyester upper offers flexibility and breathability. There are silicone bands on the middle and index fingers as well as the thumb for grip on the critical things while bashing berms and navigating roots. There is also some touchscreen-friendly thread on the fingers that works well enough to snap that sick photo for your friend’s Instagram without having to peel off the gloves. We also loved the microsuede backing on the thumb as a nose wipe, which is nice and soft for a quick wipe while out in the back forty.

While there is no added protection in the Fox Ranger, there is the Fox Ranger Gel ($35.95) that has added gel protection along the palm. Some riders find the gel actually makes the glove more uncomfortable, so we’ll just let you decide!

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Troy Lee Designs Air Glove

This is a minimalistic glove by a “fancy pants” company. Troy Lee Designs (TLD) have been in the motorsport game for quite a while and are known for their style and sometimes aggressive designs. So how have they done with a minimalistic glove? Pretty well, if we say so ourselves. The TLD Air gloves are designed to feel like a second skin on your hand. They use a perforated Clarino leather palm for durability and breathability. The Clarino wraps around the thumb as well to offer protection where your hand will rest on the handlebars. The index and middle fingers also have silicone grips added in a cool geometric pattern. The upper is made of a highly ventilated micro-mesh layer, so you’ll be able to feel the wind on your finger hair. TLD has kept protection minimal, opting to only add some very small pieces of Thermo Plastic Rubber (TPR) along the middle and index fingers. They don’t think anyone will miss their pinkie finger, but they may be right.

The Velcro closure at the cuff keeps the glove locked into place, and the fingers are touchscreen compatible—but are they really? With 15 styles to choose from, the Troy Lee Designs Air gloves offer plenty of variety for riders who don’t often find themselves in cold or wet environments. While they look and feel lightweight, the Airs provide protection and comfort for long days pedaling up FSRs and single-track trails.

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POC Resistance Enduro Glove

With clean looks and a simple design, the POC Resistance Enduro Glove was built for the vigors of enduro racing. Using a perforated polyamide-blended synthetic palm, the glove wicks and breathes while you’re bashing down rock gardens and fighting roots. There are silicone pads on the index and middle fingers for grip, which is important considering that the brakes are the primary trigger you pull on enduro courses. These are pull-on gloves with a silicone pull tab to make entry a smoother affair, and the cuff will feel a little snug but will keep the glove from dancing around on you. Along the back of the thumb is a terry cloth wipe for everything from mud to boogers.

While there is no added protection, the materials used are durable and will be able to take lots of hits on trails while staying comfortable and secure. The price is a little high compared to other gloves on the list, but they are a high-quality product that should last you season after season. POC has only been in the biking game since 2005, but they have made lots of advances and continue to push the limit of safety, functionality, and style in that time.

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100% Hydromatic Brisker Glove

No one really knew what the word Hydromatic meant until it was sort of explained to us in Grease’s “Grease Lightnin’.” 100%’s Hydromatic Brisker glove is their answer to when Mother Nature decides to bring the rain and the cold while you’re trying to set a new King of the Hill on Strava. At $44.50, you are getting a pair of gloves that, while not completely waterproof, will keep your hands reasonably warm and dry when the heavens open up.

The palm is made with a textured polyurethane with silicone along the index and middle finger for added grip and control in wet conditions. The back of the glove has a softshell layer with a waterproof insert that helps the glove remain breathable. The interior has a fleecy material to keep your hands comfortable on the trail, and the glove is still apparently smartphone compatible, though we have a hard time believing that. There is no added padding along the glove, so depending on your riding style, it may be suited for more mellow XC riding instead of hard-charging enduro. What did stand out was the durability of the glove and the silicone—everything held together quite well after thorough testing. So even if you don’t wear them every day, these gloves will keep you charging season after season.

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