We test the year’s best mountain bikes gloves from Fox Racing, Troy Lee Designs, Dakine, HANDUP, Pearl Izumi, Giro, and more
Author: Erik Nilson / Last Updated: December 22, 2024
The best mountain bike gloves are those that fit your hands well, and they need to provide plenty of grip on the handlebars. Gloves also need to offer protection from branches, crashes, and any weather that Mother Nature may throw your way. We’ve been riding and racing bikes for over 15 years and have tested dozens of mountain bike gloves during that time. Read on to see our top MTB glove picks for cross-country, trail, enduro, downhill, and winter riding.
The Best Mountain Bike Gloves
- Best Overall Mountain Bike Gloves: Fox Ranger
- A Close Second (more breathable): Troy Lee Designs Air
- Best Budget Mountain Bike Gloves: Giro Trixter
- Best Padded Mountain Bike Gloves: Fox Ranger Gel
- Best Mountain Bike Gloves for Hot Weather: HANDUP Vented Lite
- Best Winter Mountain Bike Gloves: Pearl Izumi Summit Alpha
- Best Bike Gloves for Cold Weather: Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Evo
Yearning for more expert gear guides? See our best mtb pants, best mtb shoes, and best mtb helmets articles to complete your kit.
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Best Overall Mountain Bike Gloves
Fox Ranger Gloves
Price: $29.95 MSRP
Materials: 68% polyamide nylon, 14% polyurethane, 10% polyester, 5% elastane, 3% PVC
Closure: Velcro
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
– Great all-around mountain bike glove
– Breathable yet robust
– Lots of features at a reasonable price
Cons:
– No padding or protection on the palm or knuckles
Why it’s Great
With their straightforward design, excellent grip, and reasonable price tag, the Fox Rangers win out as the best mountain gloves on the market. What really sets the Fox gloves apart is their overall versatility. No matter if we’re heading out the door for a casual cross-country loop in the middle of summer or tackling gnarly enduro trails in the fall, we almost always reach for the Ranger gloves.
So what makes the Fox Rangers so versatile? Really, it comes down to the build and construction of the glove. The nylon material on the back of the hand is lightweight and breathable for summer use, yet it provides plenty of warmth for cool fall mornings. It’s also durable enough to take a beating from encroaching tree branches or wipeouts on the trail, and will last through many seasons of use.
Key features we came to appreciate during testing include touchscreen compatibility for snapping photos or checking a map, and a low-profile Velcro closure that offers a customized fit. We also like the soft sweat or nose wipe located on each thumb, which is an often overlooked feature on mountain bike gloves. Finally, there are little silicone grippers strategically placed throughout the glove, which offer improved grip on the handlebar as well as brake levers.
While we prefer the thin palms and connected feel that the standard Rangers provide, Fox also offers a Gel Ranger if you want a little more padding.
Shop the Fox Ranger MTB Gloves at:
A Close Second (with better breathability)
Troy Lee Designs Air Gloves
Price: $36 MSRP
Materials: 45% synthetic leather, 38% polyester, 9% polyamide, 5% PVC, 3% elastane
Closure: Velcro
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
– Performance fit offers best-in-class handlebar feel
– Lightweight design is a great match for hot rides
Cons:
– Thin fabric doesn’t work well for cold weather
– A little on the expensive side
Why it’s Great
With their performance fit, exceptional feel on the handlebars, and smart set of features, the Troy Lee Designs Air are another top-rated mountain bike glove. We’ve spent the better part of two years and 1,000 miles riding in these gloves and continue to be impressed.
Reasons we love the Troy Lee Designs Air gloves include a snug fit that offers class-leading handlebar feel–there’s no vague feeling on the grips–and the lightweight construction works well for hot summer rides. Additionally, the perforations on the palms, fingers, and backs of the hands ensure air continues to flow and that there’s minimal sweat buildup. Another noteworthy feature of the TLD gloves is the slim yet robust Velcro closure, which minimizes bulk and still offers outstanding grip despite two years of heavy use.
We’ve also come to appreciate the silicone grippers on the fingers, which help improve braking performance, especially when riding in the rain. Finally, there’s a small sweat wipe located on the back of each thumb that comes in handy when things heat up. Overall, if you’re looking for one of the best mountain bike gloves that prioritizes breathability and a snug fit, then the Troy Lee Designs Air should be your top choice.
One final note regarding sizing and fit, the TLD Airs are certainly on the tighter side. So if you have especially meaty hands then we recommend the slightly more relaxed fitting Fox Rangers listed above.
Shop the TLD Air MTB Gloves at:
Best Budget Mountain Bike Gloves
Giro Trixter Gloves
Price: $20 MSRP
Materials: Ax Bolt fabric, microfiber, Lycra
Closure: Elastic Cuff
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
– Inexpensive but doesn’t give up much in return
– Streamline and minimalist construction
Cons:
– Lacks some features that are found on more expensive models
– No protection or padding
Why it’s Great
Are you looking for the best budget mountain bike gloves? Then you can stop your search with the Giro Trixter gloves, as they are a great no-frills option that will satisfy most mountain bikers’ needs. Starting with the price, the Trixters undercut most competitors by a fair margin and demand a mere $20 from your bank account, which is more than fair. In terms of features, the Trixter gloves are pretty bare bones, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing–simple gloves often provide superb bar feel and are often the best option.
The perforated palms on the Trixters do an excellent job of managing sweat buildup while maintaining excellent feel, and the elastic cuffs are easy to pull on and take off. Further, the microfiber wipe on the back of each thumb keeps boogers and sweat at bay, and the curved construction feels natural while gripping handlebars. Finally, the touchscreen-compatible thumbs and fingertips let you easily access your phone while out on a ride. For a pair of mountain bike gloves that are easy on the wallet, the Giro Trixters bring a lot to the table.
While the Trixters do have a lot to offer at a low price, they can’t quite match the more premium TLD Air or Fox Ranger gloves listed above. Notable omissions include an adjustable closure for a custom fit, and there’s no padding or protection to be found. However, for those on a budget, it’s impossible to beat the Giro Trixter mountain bike gloves.
Shop the Giro Trixter MTB Gloves at:
Best Padded Mountain Bike Gloves
Fox Ranger Gel Gloves
Price: $35.95 MSRP
Materials: 68% polyamide nylon, 14% polyurethane, 10% polyester, 5% elastane, 3% PVC
Closure: Velcro
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
– Extremely versatile construction
– Gel padding provides lots of palm protection
Cons:
– Gel pads make for a vague connection with handlebar grips
Why it’s Great
Padded mountain bike gloves are a great way to add extra palm protection during a crash or help alleviate hand or wrist problems. And for those riders looking for the best padded mountain bike glove, it doesn’t get any better than the Fox Ranger Gel. Just like the non-padded version listed above, the Fox Ranger Gel glove hits the mark with a straightforward design and excellent features, all at a reasonable price.
Starting with the padding, the Rangers feature four gel pads strategically placed on the upper and lower palm. While we didn’t test their effectiveness in a crash, it’s easy to tell that they would provide additional palm protection should you find yourself skidding hands-down along the trail. Beyond the gel padding, the rest of the glove is loaded with smart features. The tip of the thumb and index finger has conductive thread for touchscreen compatibility, and the little silicone strips enhance overall grip on the bars and brake levers.
We also really came to appreciate the low-profile Velcro cuff that’s easy to cinch down to customize the fit, and they’re easy to get on and off–something that’s not always true with slip-on gloves. Finally, the soft microfiber sweat wipe comes in handy when you need to wipe sweat off your forehead and also doubles as a snot rag. All things considered, the Fox Ranger Gel is a standout padded mountain bike glove in a sea of strong competitors.
Shop the Fox Ranger Gel MTB Gloves at:
Best Mountain Bike Gloves for Hot Weather
HANDUP Vented Lite Gloves
Price: $32 MSRP
Materials: Unavailable
Closure: Elastic Cuff
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
– Extremely lightweight and breathable construction
– Simply the best mountain bike gloves for hot weather
Cons:
– Non-adjustable cuffs
– No padding or protection
Why it’s Great
Whether you’re looking for the best mountain bike gloves for hot weather or just searching for the most breathable option on the market, then the appropriately named HANDUP Vented Lite is worth your attention.
Like any mountain bike glove designed for hot rides, the defining characteristic of the HANDUPs are their extremely lightweight and breathable construction. Starting with the back of the hand, the material used throughout is see-through mesh, which effortlessly allows air to pass through. Next, the palms have more perforations than any other glove we’ve ever tested–we stopped counting at 400 ventilation holes. For reference, the very breathable Troy Lee Designs Air listed above have about 60 perforations on the palm.
But don’t let the lightweight build fool you. The HANDUPS still pack a number of premium features. The Ventiled Lites are touchscreen compatible, they have a plush sweat and nose wipe on each thumb, and they have silicone grippers to provide extra assurance on the bars and brake levers. And if that wasn’t enough, HANDUP offers a crash replacement on all their gloves.
Finally, HANDUP offers loads of fun colors and patterns, as well as a host of normal colors, which are all sure to please. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the Vented Lites gloves.
Shop the HANDUP Vented Lite MTB Gloves at:
Best Winter Mountain Bike Gloves
Pearl Izumi Summit Alpha Gloves
Price: $55 MSRP
Materials: 63% polyester, 22% rubber, 15% nylon
Closure: Velcro
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
– Excellent warmth while maintaining great dexterity
– Alpha Polartec insulation is very cozy
Cons:
– Touchscreen compatibility is hit or miss
Why it’s Great
For mountain bikers who ride year round and are looking for the best winter mountain bike gloves, we wholeheartedly recommend the Pearl Izumi Summit Alpha gloves. Over the past two seasons we’ve come to appreciate the warmth the gloves provide while simultaneously offering a streamline fit and feel–they’re not overly bulky like some options. We’ve also been impressed by their ability to work well over a wide range of temperatures, anywhere from 30 to 50 degrees in our experience.
The Pearl Izumi’s utilize a number of smart features for retaining warmth. For starters, the high-loft Polartec Alpha insulation traps loads of heat and feels great on the back of the hands, while the DWR-coated softshell outer blocks wind and sheds light precipitation. Further enhancing the gloves cold-weather chops is a very thin fleece-lined palm, which adds extra warmth without compromising handlebar feel or dexterity. Finally, the oversized neoprene cuff does a great job of trapping warm air in and keeping cold drafts out. All this adds up to a glove that works well over a wide range of winter riding conditions.
So while you can certainly find warmer gloves with more insulation used throughout, the Pearl Izumi Summit Alphas offer the best warmth while maximizing dexterity and feel on the handlebars. One final point worth mentioning is that Pearl Izumi offers a lifetime warranty on all their products and is something we’ve had great experiences with in the past. When a brand stands behind their products like this, then you know they take a lot of pride in their work.
Balking at the suggested temperature range of the Summit Alpha and looking for a glove for much colder conditions? See the Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster gloves listed below. We know you’ll be pleased.
Shop the Pearl Izumi Summit Alpha MTB Gloves at:
Best Bike Gloves for Cold Weather
Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Evo Gloves
Price: $95 MSRP
Materials: AmFIB Softshell fabric, Ax Suede Laredo synthetic leather
Closure: Velcro
Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
– Simply the best cold-weather mountain bike gloves
– Effectively keep hands warm down to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons:
– Extra insulation makes for a bulky design
– Vague feeling on the handlebars
Why it’s Great
Pearl Izumi knows a thing or two about producing quality bike gear for adverse conditions, so it should come as no surprise that their AmFIB Lobster Evo gloves are the best cold-weather mountain bike gloves at the moment. It’s hard to know where to begin with the Pearl Izumi’s as they’re just so darn good.
The hallmark characteristic of the Pearl Izumi AmFib Lobster Evo gloves are the warmth they provide out on the trail. For insulation purposes, the Pearl Izumis rely on 170g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation used on the back of the hand, a low-pill fleece liner, and a softshell outer that effectively sheds wind and light moisture. Adding to the overall warmth of the AmFib Lobster Evo glove is an extra long cuff that ensures areas around the wrist remain covered, and the lobster design, although unique, bundles pinky and ring fingers for ultimate warmth. To be clear, these gloves excel in temperatures that range from about 10 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, anything warmer and our hands were a sweaty mess.
While the AmFIB Lobster Evos excel as cold-weather bike gloves, they do have a few downsides. Firstly, the extra bulk and insulation, along with the lobster design, feel a little vague on the handlebars, which isn’t ideal for especially technical or high-speed riding. Second, priced at just under $100, they’re certainly not inexpensive. Finally, the touchscreen functionality is hit or miss and we found it difficult to snap photos or use apps.
Having said all that, the Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Evo gloves excel at biking in especially cold weather and remain our top choice for frigid temperatures.
For slightly warmer rides and improved dexterity, we highly recommend you see the Pearl Izumi Summit Alpha gloves listed above.
Shop the Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Evo MTB Gloves at:
