Gloves are easy to overlook, but they affect comfort, control and safety on every ride. In summer they soak up sweat and cushion your hands; in winter they are often the difference between an enjoyable ride and painfully cold fingers. If you fall, they also protect your palms.
This guide explains the main types of cycling gloves, what to look for and how to get the right fit. For the rest of your cold-weather kit, see our guide to winter biking gear.
Why wear cycling gloves?
- Grip: gloves keep a steady hold on the bars when hands are sweaty or wet.
- Comfort: padding reduces pressure and vibration on long rides and rough roads.
- Protection: in a fall, most riders instinctively put out a hand, and a glove can save the palm from scrapes.
- Warmth: in cold weather, insulated gloves keep fingers working so you can brake and shift properly.
Types of cycling gloves
Fingerless (short-finger) gloves
Fingerless gloves cover the palm and the base of the fingers. They are cool, give good feel on the bars and are the most common choice for warm-weather road and city riding.
Full-finger gloves
Full-finger gloves cover the whole hand. They are popular for mountain biking, where they protect fingers from branches and falls, and for cooler spring and autumn days. Lightweight versions work all year for many riders.
Winter gloves
Winter cycling gloves add insulation and usually a windproof or waterproof layer. Wind chill is the big problem on a bike: even at modest speeds, moving air pulls heat away from your hands. Look for a windproof back, insulation that does not get so bulky you lose feel on the levers, a cuff long enough to tuck under or over your jacket sleeve, and enough dexterity to use brakes and shifters.
Lobster gloves and mittens
Lobster or “split-finger” gloves group fingers in pairs, so they stay warmer than a normal glove while still letting you brake with two fingers. They are a popular middle ground for long, cold commutes. Mittens are warmest of all but make braking and shifting harder, so they suit flat, simple routes.
Bar mitts
Bar mitts, sometimes called pogies, are insulated covers that attach to the handlebars. You slide your hands inside, often wearing a light glove, and the covers block the wind. They are popular with winter commuters.
Liner gloves
Thin liner gloves worn under another glove add warmth and can be worn on their own on milder days. They are a flexible way to cover a wide range of temperatures, and a spare pair is easy to carry in a pocket if your main gloves get damp.
How to choose
Fit and sizing
A glove should be snug without being tight. Too loose, and the material bunches up and can catch on brake levers; too tight, and it restricts blood flow, which makes cold hands worse. Sizes vary between brands, so check the maker’s size chart, which usually uses hand circumference or length. For winter gloves, make sure you can still close your hand fully around the bars.
Padding
Padding can be gel, foam or a mix. More padding helps on long rides and rough roads, but too much can reduce feel and even create pressure points. Riders who get numb hands often find that correct bike fit and changing hand positions help as much as padding does.
Useful features
- Touchscreen fingertips for phones and bike computers.
- A soft wipe panel on the thumb.
- Pull tabs or loops to get tight gloves off easily.
- Reflective details on the back, which make hand signals easier to see in low light.
- Grippy palms for wet weather.
Keeping hands warm in winter
- Layer: a liner under a windproof glove gives more options than one thick glove.
- Keep your core warm. When your body is cold, it sends less blood to your hands.
- Start warm. Put gloves on indoors, and warm them first on very cold days.
- Carry a spare pair on long rides; damp gloves get cold fast.
- Avoid a tight grip. Relaxed hands keep better circulation.
Short winter days also mean more riding in low light. Gloves with reflective panels help, but lights matter most. A small rear light such as the Q2S Smart Bike Tail Light and a compact front light like the Fenix BC15R Lightweight Rechargeable Bicycle Light are worth carrying through the winter months. Lights with large buttons are easier to operate in thick gloves. See our guide to bike lights for more.
Caring for your gloves
Sweat and grime break down glove materials over time. Follow the care label; many gloves can be hand-washed or machine-washed on a gentle cycle. Close any hook-and-loop straps first so they do not snag other clothes. Air-dry gloves away from direct heat, which can damage padding and waterproof layers. Replace gloves when the palms wear thin or the padding flattens.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really need cycling gloves?
They are not required, but they improve grip and comfort and protect your hands in a fall. Many riders consider them essential for long rides and winter riding.
What gloves are best for cold-weather cycling?
Windproof, insulated gloves with long cuffs work for most cold rides. For very cold days, lobster gloves, liners under winter gloves, or bar mitts add more warmth.
Should cycling gloves be tight?
Snug, not tight. They should not bunch up, but you should be able to make a full fist without strain.
Top image: “Trek Heavyweight Winterhandschuh” by Singlespeedfahrer (resized), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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