After buying a helmet, full finger gloves are probably the most important purchase.
Gloves obviously protect your hands in a crash and save losing loads of skin, but also protect
from scuffs and close encounters with trees and foliage and also provide enhanced grip
when you’re sweaty or muddy, or both.
Choose from lightweight gloves that offer maximum ventilation or heavily armoured gloves
if you want maximum protection built into the back of the hand and over the knuckles.
Gloves can have padded palms with gel inserts if you want additional comfort besides that
offered by your grips.
Gloves are also an important way to accessorise your outfit so you look good while going flat
out! We've selected five of our favourite, let’s jump right in
Endura’s best selling Humvee gloves are massively popular, and for good reason. Available
for both men and women, they’re suitable for a wide range of rides including commuting,
mountain biking and road spins. They’re really comfy with gel padding in the palm
for handlebar support and have neoprene knuckle protection to protect you against scrapes
and bumps.
A sweat wipe helps to keep your eyes clear for the road ahead, and the forefinger is
touchscreen compatible so you don’t need to take them off when you’re capturing those
oh so important Instagram shots.
If you’re after something less padded than Endura’s Humvee then the Singletracks are
worth a look. Built with durability and robustness in mind, they have a tough mesh backhand with
neoprene knuckles to protect your hands should you crash. Mesh webbing in between the fingers
helps with ventilation and a silicone palm print increases your grip on the handlebar.
Another more minimalistic glove is the Fox Ranger, again available in mens and womens
specific models, they’re a versatile glove ready for your next ride – whether that’s
on the trail or a leisurely loop. A four way stretch construction makes for a comfortable
fit and their silicone fingertip print helps with handlebar grip. The fingertips are also
touchscreen-friendly for those social media snaps. An absorbent sweat wipe on the thumb
is a nice extra touch.
Lightweight, breathable and durable, GripGrab's Shark Cycling Gloves have plenty of tech packed
in including 4mm DoctorGel shock absorbing pads, which are optimised to reduce the risk
of nerve compression, numbness and hand fatigue. Available in both mens and womens specific
models, other features include sweat wipes, reflective logos, slip-on cuffs and silicone
finger tips. A popular choice for world cup racers and cross-country riders.
These brash gloves from Troy Lee Designs aren’t all talk – they’re made from micro-mesh
material to allow an impressive level of airflow to your hands, keeping you comfortable when
the temperature rises. Lazer perforations in the single-layer palm also enhance airflow
and provide a natural feel for the bars. Their silicone print on the fingertips keep you
confidently in control of braking.
So there you go, there’s our roundup of the top mountain bike gloves on the market
right now. Which ones take your fancy? Which ones would you like to slip your little fingers
into? Let us know, down in the comments section below.