Whatever type of cycling you’re into, there’s a certain risk level you must accept to enjoy the sport. Does that mean you should ALWAYS ride with a full-face helmet, elbow & knee pads, and body armor? Of course not. But, understanding your game plan for the day as well as your risk tolerance will help you pick what to wear. If it’s a FULL SEND afternoon with downhill hi-jinx, rock gardens, and even some drops, then protect yourself. On the other side of the spectrum, if you’re just going out for a cross-country pedal on some flowy singletrack, keep the heavy artillery at home. No matter which path you take, one of the essential pieces you should ALWAYS mountain bike with are a pair of mountain bike gloves. Here’s what we’ve learned to look for in the best mtb gloves and what are some of the best on the market today.
Learn From Our Mistakes & Lessons
If you’ve read some of our articles, we’ve made A LOT of mistakes in gear selection be it backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and definitely mountain biking. As a first-generation child of immigrants, frugality has inherently been instilled into me. If I have a pair of road bike gloves that I bought ten years ago, why should I buy new mtb gloves? When we took our first mountain biking clinic, we found out that there is a BIG difference between the two.
The Difference Between Road Bike Gloves And MTB Gloves
Our now good friend and MTB mentor/coach, Dylan Renn of A Singletrack Mind, pointed a few glaring features that you don’t want to see in a pair of mtb gloves. When biking on asphalt, the terrain is smooth and the surrounding area is overall obstacle free. On mountain bikes, that’s not the case. You will fall and when you do, you’ll find granite rocks, thorny bushes, tree stumps, and a bevy of other surfaces to hit.
Different Needs; Different Features
Since road cycling has less crashing and is normally done in a much hotter environment (i.e. hot asphalt), many road cycling gloves that are sold come with cut-off fingertips. For mountain biking, that’s a VERY bad idea. Dylan has horror stories of people ripping off fingernails and a variety of other injuries that could’ve been prevented if they would’ve worn full finger gloves. Another feature that you’ll see on road biking gloves that isn’t as often seen is padded palms. That extra cushioning with padded or gel inserts helps when you’re in the same position for hours and hours. Not needed so much for mountain biking.
What To Look For In A Pair
Choosing the best mountain bike (MTB) gloves is based on your personal preferences and the specific features you value. This isn’t a full list but rather features you want to look for and think about when picking the pair you want.
Full Finger Protection
As we stated above, ALWAYS buy a full finger glove for protection. All the best mountain bike gloves on the market are but wanted to reiterate the importance.
Keep It Simple – Less Seams
The less seams on the glove the better. Think of it almost like a surgical glove. You want to feel as much as possible through it, but if you do crash, they will protect you.
Padding Isn’t Required
Compared to road cycling, riding a mountain bike is an active sport meaning you aren’t in one position for hours at a time. You might be sitting while riding uphill, but it’s usually broken up with descents where you’ll be standing. If you’re riding correctly and perfectly balanced with an active stance, you won’t be needing padding on the palms.
Thumbs Up To More Material
With being said, some come with a layer on the thumb. With you constantly shifting up and down as well hitting the dropper post, this is one of the most used parts of the glove and helps for wear.
Your Local Terrain And Vegetation
Places likes Bentonville and the East Coast, vegetation blooms big along the singletrack. And so it can become very brushy. If you live in a place where this is the case or are riding rough trails, it might be a good idea to look for ones that provide knuckle protection.
No Whether But Weather You’ll Be Riding In
Folks in places like Arizona or Moab will want the thinnest gloves out there. Look for a pair of gloves that are like a mullet. Mesh party on the back of your hands to keep them cool. Leather palms for business to make sure you don’t skin your digits. Then for colder climates or fall and winter riding, you’ll want some extra insulation.
Strava Junkies
Personally, once I hit play on recording my ride, I don’t think about it until the end. Opposite from me, a lot of my friends think about lap times, heart rate, and other stats like wattage which are key for them. The idea of riding with gloves that don’t provide touchscreen compatibility is a no-go.
Onto The Gloves
Here are some highly regarded MTB gloves popular among ourselves, friends, and even mentors. Many of these, while different brands, are actually manufactured in the same facility. So it comes down less about how well they are built and more on the features they come with.
Giro DND Gloves
Up first, the classics with the Giro DND aka the “Down and Dirty” gloves. We’ve had a few different pairs over the years and just love how they fit. Tight but not restrictive. Airy and still provide the protection you want on the palm. The flex zones around the knuckles provide that little bit of extra give that you want. The design is simple and durable. I’ve never had issues with the grip even on storm days and been comfortable. And since they come at a low price point, it’s no wonder they’re a popular choice for trail and all-mountain riding.
Giro Xen Glove
Our good friend Brian loved the Giro Remedy X2 for their perfect fit and materials, but the ones he had didn’t have touch screen compatible, so they were a no-go. The XEN is the replacement to those gloves AND the good news is they offer this model with touchscreen compatibility. Think of it as the upgrade to the DND. It still has the fit you find on the DND but with a bit more features you’ll appreciate such as precise padding where you want it. Their Poron XRD Crash Pads are on the last two outer digits, across the knuckles, and on the outer edge of the palm/back of the hand. This design allows for great feedback to the bars but at the same time protecting you if you zip by a spiny bush or granite boulder.
Overall Giro Fit
From an overall fit, you can’t go wrong with any of Giro’s gloves. One positive attribute that both our friends and I LOVE about their gloves is the cut of the cuff. They are cut a bit lower than a few of the other competitors such as Specialized which won’t compete with your watch for wrist space. In addition to the two highlighted above, Giro’s product line offers a model for every type of person. We’ve heard good things about the Trixter as their new minimalist design but haven’t had a chance to test them. And if you want to be more protected, pick up the “Gnar Glove.” In their words – it’s designed for when you hit the trail and the trail hits you back.
HandUp
They say the story behind a product is almost as important as the product itself. Handup is the epitome of this where passion meets purpose. Back in 2014, a husband-wife duo while working their nine to five jobs set off to create a mtb glove never seen before. Instead of the boring black palms you see on the market, they wanted to have sayings across the palms that were brightly colored. To create a community that was about having fun as much or more as setting their Strava times. If you’re one that wants to spread the stoke, this might be the glove you’ve been looking for.
Most Days
As the legendary US Navy acronym – K.I.S.S. for Keep It Simple Stupid, their Most Days gloves check all the boxes required in a mountain bike glove without any of the extra bells and whistles. No padding. No fancy tech. Just gloves that are thin (i.e. breathable), comfortable, and easy both on and off. The thumb even has a soft wipe on it so you can wipe your face off easily without getting scratched. And best of all, they’re affordable! It’s no wonder our mtb coach LOVES their gloves. What makes them stand out from a crowded mtb glove market are their palm designs. The company continually puts out limited edition runs of fun sayings and colors that you may never see again. Positive attitude and long-lasting gloves? We know what our next pair will be.
Fox Ranger Gloves
The Fox Ranger glove may not be named after the US Army’s elite special ops team, but they sure live up to their moniker. Fox’s gloves are some of the best on the market for tackling the most brutal trails out there. In the Fox mtb glove line, the Fox Ranger is their minimalist full-fingered option. Redesigned in the last few years, the lightweight design has gotten even thinner by removing the double layer of tough material in spots. Instead, the focus was on reducing the weight and yet have the thumb and index fingers be touchscreen compatible. Ever since the redesign was implemented, the friends who religiously rode these for years have transitioned to another brand. They do offer a bit more protection in the Ranger Gel Glove which has gel padding stitched in strategic locations on the palm, but it’s too beefy for their likes.
Fox Ranger Fire
What really stands head and shoulders above the other brands is their cold weather offering – the Fox Ranger Fire. Although not as insulated as others on the market, what makes it stand out is that it doesn’t feel like a heavy glove. A perfect balance between warmth and not sacrificing performance in autumn, winter, and spring sessions.
Troy Lee Designs
There are those that could care less about color, art, or any form of expression outside of the act of the sport. Then there are the few that love well designed and artfully crafted products. The Shaun Palmer’s of the world that are as flashy as they are good. Since 1981, Troy Lee has put his art to anything that he could get his hands on from mailboxes to helmets. Decades later, Troy Lee Designs are still putting out flamboyant and superior apparel for the mountain biking enthusiast. A logo that any hardcore pedal pusher would love to flash on their gear.
Air Gloves – A Good Entry Point
For those that want to try one of their products, the TLD Air Glove is a good starting point for those looking for a minimalist glove. Since the company started in Motocross, it’s no wonder these gloves provide maximum airflow and ventilation that even on the hottest days will work well. And the palm will ensure that your grip is stuck on the handlebars. Compared to other companies, they offer a giant spectrum of bright colors to choose from. For our friend who rocks these, the wrap on the thumb makes them wear a lot better than others. That is the spot that typically fails for him most often.
100%
Back in 1982, a young man named Drew Lien started a company called 100% based on a cable-guide and a stick-on heat shield for Motocross. Some of the biggest names in the sport joined this new company: Bob Hannah, Ricky Johnson, Johnny O’Mara, David Bailey, Jeff Ward. Their motto: “What does it take to win?” The answer of course was 100%. While the company has had its ups and down through the years, in 2012 the new owners relaunched the brand with a nod to its past and designs that were modern.
Brisker Gloves
When it comes to wintry weather mtb gloves, 100%’s Brisker model is nearly always at the top of this list. One of the worst drawbacks to an insulated gloves is that you lose a lot of feel and finger movement. If you’re skiing or snowboarding that’s not a big deal, but for mountain biking it is since it’s one of the crucial links to you and the bike. The 100% Brisker walks the fine line between insulated and still providing feel. Be aware that these aren’t waterproof or even water resistant. They may shrug off light showers but if they get wet, the softshell insulation will get soaked. Even when that happens, they don’t lose heat.
DaKine
DaKine was founded in Hawaii in 1979 and its name comes from the Hawaiian expression used originally by surfers. It’s slang for “the real deal” or in other words exceptional. Since the very beginning, DaKine was founded on making bomb-proof products that will test the limits. As windsurfing’s hotbed transitioned to Hood River, the company migrated as well. With this as a basecamp, they had access to world-class skiing up at Mt. Hood and mountain biking on its flanks. If you’re looking for value and products that will last, then look no further than DaKine.
Cross-X
Within DaKine’s line-up, the Cross-X is a pair of mtb gloves that are the SUV of their offerings. Meaning they run the fine line of being versatile in everything from a smooth singletrack to a rowdy garden section. For example, they provide gel padding on the outer three knuckles to protect you from getting wacked by branches or rocks as well as a reinforced suede palm. The added features and thicker materials made them feel like a Giro DND glove that’s been hitting the gym. The Cross-X is the perfect glove for that extra bit of protection in the right places. For those that want the legendary DaKine durability and more minimalist design, consider picking up a pair of the Covert gloves. That’s Jaime’s go-to pair for the last few seasons.
Pearl iZumi Divide Gloves
While Pearl Izumi is more known for its road cycling offerings, their mountain biking products continue to excel and improve. Their X-Alp Flow have made our list of best mtb shoes for flat pedals. Along with innovation, if you’re an environmentally conscious person, you’ll love how forward thinking they are as a brand. For mountain biking and gravel grinding, the Divide Glove is their minimalist offering. Featuring synthetic leather palms for enhanced grip and padding, while the back of the hand is made of breathable mesh for ventilation.
Remember that the best gloves for you will depend on your riding style, weather conditions, personal preferences, and hand size. It’s a good idea to try on different gloves or read reviews to find the pair that suit you best.
