5 Best Mountain Bike Gloves for Endless Adventure

Anyone, regardless of age, size, or physical condition, may take part in and enjoy the sport of mountain biking. Having the proper equipment will make your time there much more pleasant.

If you ride a mountain bike and want to protect your hands from the elements, here are five of the best mountain biking gloves to do just that!

#1 Giro Xen (Best Overall)

The new Xen is just the latest in a long line of excellent mountain bike gloves from Giro. With its sleeker, more accurate fit, improved breathability, and more protective padding, this model have surpassed the Remedy X2 to become our new Best Overall winner.

The thin cloth provides excellent dexterity and does not muffle trail input, and the well-placed palm padding will keep your hands safe when you inevitably fall. Even after years on the market, Giro’s Superfit system still provides one of the greatest fits, and the velcro wrist clasp lets you customize the snugness to your hands.

The Poron XRD Crash Pads on the fingertips, across the knuckles (yes, it has knuckles protection), and on the outside edge of the palm are strategically positioned to protect the wearer from tree and rock impacts when riding and baseball slides over the ground.

This pair of gloves is great for gravity-based tasks because they are light and offer protection.

Xen is available at a price that is on par with the average price of the comfortable gloves we evaluated, and it is even cheaper than the price of our previous Best All-Around award winner. Long-term reliability is our primary priority with this model.

These robust gloves performed well, although some seams were torn when we opened the package. Given the gloves’ lightweight design, we anticipate that these issues might become more pronounced with time.

We also have concerns about the longevity of the Velcro wrist fastening. Without a doubt, the Xen is the best option if you want a glove that can adapt to a variety of situations. Sizes range from XS to XXL, and all of them are touchscreen compatible.

Read also: Best Mountain Bike Shorts of 2022

#2 Troy Lee Designs Ace 2.0

For a long time now, Troy Lee Designs has been making some of our favorite ultra-thin gloves. Troy Lee’s glove construction has maintained its basic formula of superb fit, lightweight, and terrific bar feel despite the variety of nomenclature changes that have occurred over the years.

Furthermore, its lightweight, perforated palm material increases breathability in warm weather. These gloves aren’t for you if you need extra padding or armor on the back of your hands since there is none here.

However, this also means that they are quite lightweight and provide an excellent, distraction-free bar feel that is great for XC as well as trail riding.

#3 Leatt MTB 2.0 X-Flow

The back of the MTB 2.0 Flow gloves is made of stretchy mesh, making them among the thinnest gloves I’ve ever worn. The tops of the two outside fingers are padded in a way that makes them more like a brush guard than a guard against hard contact forces.

In the palm, NanoGrip, a material developed by Leatt, is used in place of synthetic leather palms. The cloth provides excellent grip in every weather and a nice feel at the handlebar controls, although it may be tiring on the hands after a long ride. You may also use your phone since it works with touch screens.

Although they are not the sturdiest gloves available, their small weight really makes them rather durable. Having a mesh back means you’ll need to swap into something warmer as the temperature drops.

#4 POC Resistance Enduro

When it comes to size, POC has hit the nail on the head with its Resistance Enduro gloves. While they were a little snug at first, we’ve been using them for months now, and they’re now the ideal size.

If you’re searching for a thinly padded palm and an adjustable cuff, these slip-on design gloves are the way to go since that’s the design most manufacturers go with when creating lightweight gloves. We’ve also had fantastic results using POC’s slip-on variant.

The thin, ventilated palms and moisture-wicking upper combine to provide the best pleasant feel without the heat. The thumb is made of terry fabric, and the brake fingers include a silicon print. It is comparable to the Resistance Pro DH. If you want to take fast insta-clips at the side of the trail, you’ll need to take off your gloves since POC’s touchscreen compatibility is useless.

Read also: Best Mountain Biking Shoes

#5 100% Celium

The 100% Celium is the glove for you if you’re looking for an ultra-minimalist glove that combines outstanding aesthetics with excellent grip and trail feedback.

The leather palms with rubberized celium provide maximum grip. On the other hand, a mesh back provides breathability and ventilation.

Every thumb includes a microfiber cloth for wiping away sweat and debris from your eyes, and the ‘tech’ thread stitched into the thumb and fingers makes it possible to utilize touchscreen devices.

The brake grips, levers, and controls of the Celium have an excellent tactile feel, and the bike provides very direct trail input. Also, the Clarino palms with rubberized patches are much more grippable than they would otherwise be.

FAQ

How to Choose The Best mountain bike gloves?

There are a few things to consider when purchasing mountain bike gloves.

The gloves should make your hands warm, protect your hands from wind and rain, and fit well. In general, the thicker the glove, the warmer it will be. Wool or fleece gloves are usually the warmest options, while leather gloves are the least warm.
Versatile gloves made with synthetic materials like Gore-Tex are typically less warm, but they offer better wind and rain protection. Some riders prefer fingerless gloves for cycling because they reduce windchill effects.
Some riders prefer anatomical gloves because they allow more hand movement for braking and handling the bike. A good pair of mountain bike gloves should fit well and be snug but not tight. If the gloves are too tight, you will have difficulty moving your fingers and hands. If the gloves are too loose, they will fall off your hands during crashes or when riding in snow, icy, and wet conditions.
If your style of riding is in warmer weather conditions, you can choose summer gloves that provide more ventilation. Additionally, you should think about what type of glove you would like to wear.
If you plan on using your hands a lot while riding your mountain bike, then you will want to choose a fingerless glove. Conversely, if you only use your hands occasionally while riding your mountain bike, then full-finger gloves may be more appropriate for you.

What are the types of mountain bike gloves available today?

There are a few different types of mountain bike gloves that you can choose from. Here are some of the most popular types:

Cross-country gloves: These gloves are designed for riding off-road. They have a relatively thin, stretchy fabric and are made to fit snugly over your hands. Cross-country gloves often have a Velcro closure for a secure fit.
Downhill gloves: Downhill gloves are designed to protect your hands from impacts and scratches while you’re riding downhill. They usually have thicker, leathery fabric and a reinforced thumb, index, and middle finger. Downhill gloves also come with shock-corded closures for an adjustable fit. Mountain bike winter gloves have a similar design to this.
Aero gloves: Aero gloves are designed to keep your hands cool and wind-free while you’re riding. They typically have a lightweight, synthetic fabric and a snug fit. Aero gloves also have ventilation panels on the back of the hand to allow air to flow freely.

What are the pros and cons of different types of gloves material?

There are many types of gloves available on the market, but which are the best for mountain biking? The following are the pros and cons of each type of glove:

– Synthetic Gloves:

Pros: They are affordable, have maximum breathability, offer good protection from wind and cold weather, and are comfortable to wear.
Cons: They can be difficult to clean and may not be durable enough for more strenuous activities.

– Leather Gloves:

Pros: They provide good protection from wind and cold, are comfortable to wear, and can last a long time.
Cons: They may be more expensive than synthetic gloves, and they can be difficult to clean.

Conclusion

When selecting a mountain bike glove, it is also important to consider the size and fit of the gloves. Some protective gloves are designed to be one size fits all, while others may be designed specifically for women or men.

Additionally, it is important to make sure the gloves are washable and durable. Do you have recommendations for robust gloves you use yourself? Let us know in the comment below!