Best Mountain Bike Gloves in 2022

Why do you need mountain bike gloves? First, mtb gloves protect your hands if you crash or if you brush into something like poison ivy. Second, gloves keep your hands dry so you have better grip and don’t slip off the bars.

There are so many types of gloves out there that it can be hard to know which are the best for you. And honestly every hand is different and what works for one person might not work for another. That said there are some brands and models that have a great reputation and have withstood the test of time and a few new brands that have proven that simpler is better. Here are the most popular mountain bike gloves in 2022 for men and women in every budget.

Review Notes: All gloves in this review are full fingered. Full fingered gloves provide the most protection and we don’t consider half finger gloves suitable for most mountain biking. All these gloves are geared towards the average cross county or enduro mountain bike rider in warm weather. We did not include cold weather gloves in this review and did not focus on serious downhill riding.

Accounts

Free Trial

Projects

SSL

TASCO DOUBLE DIGIT

Best Overall

Lightweight 4 way stretch construction, velcro free.

Full Finger

Neoprene enclosure, Synthetic leather palm, Mesh back.

Check Price Here

GIRO DND

Best Women's

Super Fit™ design with three-panel palm for a tailored fit, velcro free.

Full Finger

92% Polyester, 8% Spandex

Check Price Here

FOX RANGER GEL

Best Reputation

Compression-molded cuffs with hook-and-loop closures secure the fit

Full Finger

79% nylon/14% polyurethane/5% polyester/ 2% nontoxic PVC

Check Price Here

HANDUP

Best Style

4-way stretch, Ventilation holes on palm for breathability, Velcro free.

Full Finger

Single layer Clarino leather palm, Silicone printed graphics on the palms for extra grip. 

Check Price Here

WordPress Pricing Table Plugin

MOUNTAIN BIKE GLOVES

Tasco Double Digits Gloves

Tasco is known for fully supporting the mountain bike lifestyle by sponsoring riders of all levels, events, and non-profits. Tasco gloves stand out because of the simplicity that gets the job done and challenges long held beliefs that MTB gloves need to have lots of padding, extra knuckle protection and velcro. Instead, you get loads of features in a lightweight glove. These gloves do run large in my experience so size down.

Material: Lightweight 4 way stretch construction, single layer synthetic leather palm, silicone printed accents on the finger tips and palms
Wrist: Velcro free neoprene enclosure allowing you to wash them after every ride.
Ventilation: Large pore mesh panel on the side of each finger for better ventilation Micro-fiber handkerchief wipe on both thumbs for removal of those pesky snot rockets
Style: Bold graphics
Cons: If you want padding and knuckle protection or a way to tighten up the wrist you’re not going to find it here.
Bonus: Each gloves matches with socks so you can style up your riding game.
Price: Check latest prices here.

Giro LA DND Women’s Gloves

I’ve been riding with the LA DND gloves for years and can they’ve been the best women’s gloves I’ve had. They’re simple and slip on easily while providing a layer of protection from abrasion and hazards. The fit is tailored to eliminate bunching, and creates a feel that is durable enough for trail riding.  And the fingertips have Touchscreen Technology™ letting you use your phone without removing your gloves. Note that these run small so you’ll have to size up.

Material: PalmSuper Fit™ design with three-panel palm for a tailored fit, Ax Suede™ synthetic leather for durability – 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex 70% Nylon, 20% Polyester, 10% CottonPadding
Wrist: Velcro free
Ventilation: Moisture-wicking, 4-way stretch breathable mesh on top and highly absorbent wiping surface.
Style: The Giro LA DND comes in many colors and styles or basic black.
Cons: After a few months of use I was unable to use my phone with these gloves on. The Touchscreen Technology seems to have failed.
Bonus: Reinforced fingertips for hard-wearing durability, Flex zones at the knuckles enhance articulation.
Price: Check latest prices here. 

Fox Ranger Gel MTB Gloves

This is the best selling glove in the Fox mtb gloves lineup delivering superior fit and gel performance for any level of trail rider. The Fox Ranger glove is not as minimalist as Tasco or Handup gloves but it’s still breathable and light while offering padding.  After almost a year of use, the Fox Ranger gel glove has held up to abuse shows no signs of open seams or frayed fabric. The velcro closure also has worked well and is still holding it’s stick. If you are in the market for an affordable, classic mountain bike glove the Fox Ranger Gel glove will not disappoint.

Material: 79% nylon/14% polyurethane/5% polyester/ 2% nontoxic PVC
Wrist: Velcro closure
Ventilation: Breathable fabric.
Style: Basic colors and limited style.
Cons: The velcro is an issue for some people that prefer to wash their gloves often.
Bonus: Gel padding offers more protection and the velcro is nice if you like to customize the fit. You can also use your phone with these gloves.
Price: Check latest prices here. 

Handup Gloves

Handup gloves are another MTB lifestyle brand that focuses on mountain biking and drinking beer. This company definitely does things differently and they stand out for it. As the name implies the main feature of the Handup gloves besides their awesome style and savvy social media presence is the tacky silicone printed across the upper-half of the palm and fingers, which achieves a Velcro-like grip on handlebars and hand-ups alike. Like Tasco gloves, Handup gloves are minimal, breathable, and snug. The palm also features a message when the two gloves are put together. The messages on one pair reads “Stoked.”

Material: The underside is Clarino leather, with laser-cut holes for breathability. The back of the glove features 4-way stretch mesh, providing ventilation and wind protection.
Wrist: Snug,  cuff is an elastic band for easy slip-on, and the same elastic material makes its way onto the sides and webbing of the fingers.
Ventilation: 4-way stretch mesh offers ventilation and works fine in everything but really hot conditions.
Style: Many options from bold to subdued, lady shred to bro.
Cons: They will not absorb shock for really technical or long gravel rides.
Bonus: Towel sweat cloth on the thumb offers is great for getting that runny nose cleaned off.
Price: Check latest prices here. 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MTB GLOVE

Fit: When purchasing MTB gloves, always check how they fit. Even if you select an ideal glove that meets your needs perfectly and gets great reviews, you will not get maximum benefit if it is not your right choice.

Cycling gloves should be snug, not too tight or loose. If they are loose then it’s harder to hold on to the handlebars because your hand is moving around inside the glove. Gloves that are too tight can reduce circulation and cause a host of problems.

Feel/Material: When you select a pair of bike gloves, your main consideration after fit is the material. Look for a wicking material to move sweat away from your skin to the gloves where it can evaporate. Leather palms allow you to grip the handlebar and are durable.

The palm of the gloves should be covered with some rubber/silicone to prevent slip.

What about padding? Just like a good work glove you just need a layer to protect your hands, not an excessive amount of material. Do you get numb hands while riding? Look for gel padding or special material to relieve pressure and vibrations.

Style/Brand: Most mountain bike glove reviews fail to mention style but it’s an important consideration for some people. Do you want a bold glove from a grassroots company or a more traditional glove from a brand that’s been around for awhile with a tried a true reputation.

FINAL THOUGHTS