Gloves

MTB Glove Buying Guide

Glove Types by Discipline

Trail gloves are the all-rounders — single-layer construction, minimal padding, silicone grip on fingers and palm. DH and freeride gloves add knuckle protection (TPR or D3O) and reinforced palms for crash resistance. XC race gloves are the lightest, often just a mesh back with a thin Clarino palm. Winter gloves are a different category entirely: insulated, windproof, and sometimes lobster-claw designs for warmth.

Palm Materials and Grip

Clarino synthetic leather is the industry standard for palms — it's durable, grippy when wet, and moulds to your hand over time. Some brands (100% iTrack, Fox Ranger) use silicone print patterns instead, which grip well but wear faster. Thin single-layer palms give better bar feel for brake and shift control. Padded palms (gel or foam) reduce vibration on rough terrain but deaden feedback — it's a personal preference trade-off.

Fit and Sizing

Glove fit is critical. Too loose and they bunch under your grip, causing blisters. Too tight and they restrict blood flow and dexterity. Measure your hand circumference around the knuckles — most brands publish size charts in cm. Fox and Troy Lee run slightly small, 100% runs true, Endura runs slightly large. Pre-curved fingers improve comfort and reduce fatigue on long rides. Try them on grips if possible before committing.

Features That Matter

Touchscreen-compatible fingertips (usually thumb and index) let you use your phone without removing gloves — check this actually works, as cheap conductive thread loses sensitivity quickly. A terry cloth wipe panel on the thumb helps clear sweat and mud from your face. Pull-on tabs or hook-and-loop wrist closures are preference — some riders find velcro catches on jersey sleeves. Perforated mesh backs breathe better in summer.

Winter Gloves

UK winters demand proper winter gloves from roughly November to March. Look for windproof membranes (Gore Windstopper or similar), thermal lining, and long cuffs that seal over jacket sleeves. Waterproof gloves exist but trade breathability — your hands sweat inside, so many riders prefer wind-resistant gloves with a DWR coating and accept occasional wet hands. Lobster-claw (split-finger) designs like the Endura BaaBaa keep fingers warmer than full-finger gloves by sharing body heat.

What to Check on Used Gloves

Inspect the palm for worn-through patches — once the Clarino is gone, grip disappears. Check stitching at the finger seams, which is where most gloves fail first. Velcro closures clog with fibres over time and lose grip. Padding flattens with use, so check gel inserts haven't fully compressed. For winter gloves, verify the waterproof membrane isn't delaminated — fill them with water and check for leaks if the seller allows it.