The 11 Best Cycling Gloves of 2021

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A good pair of bike gloves are a must-have accessory for any cyclist, whether you’re biking to work, riding mountain trails, going for a long ride, or hitting a spin class. Not only can cycling gloves improve your grip, but they can also immensely increase your comfort and help you avoid soreness, hand numbness, calluses, and other issues that frequently plague cyclists.

But before slipping on a pair for your next ride, you need to consider a few factors to ensure they're comfortable and not distracting. Between grip, material, padding, and more, it's important to take note of the composition of your gloves.

Here are the best cycling gloves on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall for Women:

ROVOS Women’s Half Finger Cycling Gloves at Amazon

Designed with women's anatomy in mind, the foam padding reduces pressure points and absorbs vibrations from the road.

Best Overall for Men:

Pearl Izumi Men's Select Glove at Amazon

Strategic padding prevents numbness in hands and fingers while riding, and a durable palm gives you a reliable grip.

Best Budget for Women:

LuxoBike Half Finger Cycling Gloves at Amazon

Suitable for all types of cycling, the budget-friendly pick features a padded interior that helps minimize road vibration.

Best Budget for Men:

GEARONIC Shockproof Short Gloves at Amazon

Affordable and high-quality, they provide compression and feature a fingerless design to enhance your range of motion.

Best Unisex:

Atercel Workout Gloves at Amazon

A snug, ergonomic design reduces friction and prevents blisters, making these a great choice for anyone.

Best Padded:

Giro Strade Dure SG Road Cycling Gloves at Amazon

They feature just the right amount of gel padding to provide exceptional comfort and performance for high-mileage rides.

Best Gel:

Louis Garneau Women’s Biogel RX-V Cycling Gloves at Amazon

The gel reduces pressure and external vibrations in your hands, while the Ergo Air X-Vent technology keeps you dry and comfy.

Best Fingerless:

INBIKE Cycling Gloves at Amazon

Ideal if you prefer a fingerless design, this pair eases palm fatigue while creating a barrier between you and the road.

Best for Road Cycling:

Giro Bravo Gel Men's Road Cycling Gloves at Amazon

Constructed from a combination of absorbent microfiber, plush EVA, and lycra, these gloves can take on any cycling environment.

Best for Winter:

Ozero Winter Thermal Gloves at Amazon

Harsh weather conditions are no match for this pair, designed with a snug cuff and a water-resistant and windproof fabric.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQs
Why Trust Verywell Fit?

ROVOS Women's Light Non-Slip Half-Finger Gloves

Pros

Comfortable, supportive fit
Seamless
Designed for women
Padding prevents numbness

Cons

Runs big

Many cycling gloves are unisex, but this pair is designed with women’s anatomy and size in mind—allowing for a precise fit and optimal performance. The placement of foam padding across the palm reduces pressure points while absorbing shock and vibrations from the road.

Made with breathable lycra and spandex across the back of the hand, these gloves have a nearly seamless construction for exceptional comfort. They’re available in several different colors and in sizes small to extra-large. You can also use the Velcro closure on the bottom for a more custom fit.

Materials: Silicone, polyester, spandex, polyurethane | Care: Hand wash, air dry

Pros

Excellent padding
Durable
Prevents numbness and chafing
Versatile

Cons

Expensive
Runs small

With padding in the right spots, these gloves from Pearl Izumi provide outstanding support and help cyclists avoid numbness in their hands and fingers. They deliver a comfortable, chafe-free fit, and the soft and durable palm provides a reliable grip no matter how rough your ride is.

Whether you’re joining a spin class or hitting the road, the fingerless style is designed for comfort and flexibility. The adjustable Velcro closure offers a secure fit, while the high-quality, stretchy fabric provides exceptional breathability. A soft, low-profile surface on the thumb is ideal for wiping away sweat, and the gloves have a pull tab on the end for easy removal.

Materials: Polyester | Care: Hand wash, air dry

Pros

Versatile
Affordable
Comfortable and flexible
Breathable

Cons

Thin padding
Runs small

A very affordable yet high-quality pick, these versatile LuxoBike cycling gloves are suitable for all types of cycling. The padded interior minimizes road vibration and absorbs shock, while the durable microsuede palm allows for maximum grip.

The breathable lycra material on the back of the hand enhances overall comfort and flexibility. Available in half a dozen colors and in sizes small to extra-large, these gloves have convenient features, such as an absorbent microfiber thumb for wiping away sweat and loops for easy removal.

Materials: Lycra, microsuede | Care: Machine wash, air dry

Pros

Inexpensive
Very breathable
Unisex
Comfy, flexible fit

Cons

May lack durability
Thin padding

If you're searching for durable, affordable gloves, it’s tough to beat this pair from Gearonic. Designed to provide comfortable compression and support to your fingers and palms, they’re foam padded and made with a breathable mesh back and elasticized microfiber.

The fingerless open thumb design and the snug yet comfy fit allow for an excellent range of motion. They’re available in sizes medium to extra-large and they're suitable for men, women, and teens.

Materials: Lycra, polyester | Care: Machine wash, air dry

Pros

Lightweight
Ergonomic design
Pull loop for easy removal
Very secure grip

Cons

Runs big
Lacks breathability

These unisex gloves from Atercel provide a snug, comfortable fit, in addition to flexibility. With an ergonomic design, they reduce friction and protect your hands from calluses and blisters. The fingerless style and lightweight materials keep your hands cool, while the anti-slip silicone gel pattern gives you plenty of grip on the handlebars.

A pull loop system at the end makes removing these gloves a cinch, while the absorbent back is ideal for wiping away sweat. Available in a few color options and sizes extra-small to extra-large, they’re a great pick for cycling as well as working out and lifting weights.

Materials: Polyurethane, polyamide, leather, polyester, cotton | Care: Machine wash cold, air dry

Giro Strade Dure SG Men's Road Cycling Gloves

Pros

Breathable and moisture-wicking
Microfiber surface for wiping sweat
Comfortable gel padding
Excellent grip

Cons

Runs big
Expensive

A trusted brand known for quality biking gear, Giro delivers with these high-performance road cycling gloves that feature gel padding. With a breathable, moisture-wicking mesh and a durable suede palm, these gloves protect hands while also keeping them dry.

The gloves feature an absorbent microfiber surface for wiping away sweat, and secure Velcro closures for a snug, comfy fit. They come in men’s sizes small to extra-extra-large, but the smaller sizes can accommodate women’s hands.

Materials: Polyester, suede | Care: Machine wash, air dry

Louis Garneau Women’s Biogel RX-V Cycling Gloves

Pros

Comfortable gel padding
Easy to adjust
Breathable
Microfiber patch for wiping sweat

Cons

Runs small
No extra-large sizes

This high-quality pair from Louis Garneau offers exceptional fit and performance with comfortable gel padding for high-mileage rides. The gel helps reduce pressure and external vibrations in your hands, while the Ergo Air X-Vent technology keeps them dry.

Available in sizes small to large, these gloves also have an adjustable, ergonomic cuff that can provide a customized fit.

Materials: Polyester, spandex, amara | Care: Hand wash, air dry

Pros

Well-ventilated
Adjustable fit
Good padding
Excellent grip

Cons

Not easy to remove
Runs small

If you like the look and feel of fingerless gloves, these INBIKE cycling gloves are definitely worth considering. The thick gel padding provides exceptional comfort and eases palm fatigue, while also creating an effective barrier between your palms and the road in the event of a fall.

Crafted with lycra and knitted mesh fabric, they have great ventilation and sweat-wicking capabilities. Cyclists also appreciate convenient features such as the thumb terry cloth for sweat-wiping and the Velcro fastener that can be used to adjust for the best fit. They come in sizes medium to extra-extra-large and can fit both men and women.

Materials: Polyester, lycra | Care: Machine wash, air dry

Giro Bravo Gel Men's Road Cycling Gloves

Pros

Comfortable gel padding
Excellent wicking capability
Ergonomic design
Reliable grip

Cons

Runs small

The Bravo gloves from Giro are perfect for road cyclists of all levels. With plush EVA padding and an exceptionally ergonomic design, they’re engineered to increase grip and protection for the whole hand. The moisture-wicking, four-way stretch lycra allows for a wide range of motion while preventing your hand from getting too sweaty.

The AX microfiber suede enhances the gloves’ grip and protective ability, while the absorbent microfiber surface is perfect for wiping moisture from your face. Available in a wide range of colors and in men’s sizes small to extra-extra-large, they can accommodate both men and women.

Materials: Polyurethane, nylon, polyester | Care: Machine wash, air dry

Pros

Excellent grip
Water-resistant and windproof
Touchscreen pads
Elastic cuff

Cons

Not suitable for extreme cold
Thick seams

Made of water-resistant and windproof fabric, these thermal gloves from Ozero are perfect for cycling in unfavorable weather conditions. They feature a snug, elastic cuff that prevents cold, wind, and rain from entering. You can also use your device, thanks to sensitive touchscreen pads on the thumb and index fingers.

With silica gel particles on the palm and some fingers, they provide a firm grip on the handlebars, even in wet conditions. These gloves come in sizes small to extra-extra-large and can go right in the washing machine, so they’re easy to clean.

Materials: Polyester, fleece | Care: Machine wash, air dry

Louis Garneau Kids' Calory Padded Bike Gloves

Pros

Made specifically for kids
Well-ventilated
Soft and comfortable padding
Good grip

Cons

Runs small
Only available in neon colors

Cycling gloves that are made for adults don’t give kids the grip and comfort they need for long bike rides, but this pair from Louis Garneau is designed just for them. Soft and smooth, they feature foam padding to reduce hand fatigue and soften vibrations. They also have a perforated palm with ventilation to keep kids’ hands cool and dry, no matter how far they’re riding.

Available in sizes small, medium, and large, these gloves feature a convenient silicone pull at the wrist that allows for quick and easy removal.

Materials: Polyester, fleece | Care: Machine wash, air dry

Final Verdict

Designed specifically for women, the ROVOS Women's Half Finger Cycling Gloves (view at Amazon) stand out in terms of comfort, fit, and overall performance. In addition to being durable and versatile, they feature padding on the palm and a nearly seamless design for optimal comfort on long rides.

For men, we recommend Pearl Izumi's Men's Select Gloves (view at Amazon) since they're designed to fight against numbness in the hands and palms. The optimally-placed padding drivers a comfortable and chafe-free fit, while the Velcro closure allows you to get a secure fit every time you put them on your hands.

What to Look for in Cycling Gloves

Fit

Cycling gloves should be fitted tight, but your fingers should still have enough room to move around. Velcro fasteners are helpful for achieving a custom fit.

Padding

Padding helps reduce friction and vibration in your hands as you’re gripping the handlebars. Bulky padding can limit your range of motion and grip, so it should be lightweight and low-profile.

Materials

Look for gloves made with materials such as spandex, lycra, or nylon, so you get stretchiness for mobility and breathability to prevent sweat buildup. Small perforations in the material can also improve ventilation.

Grip

Improved grip is one of the major benefits of wearing cycling gloves, so choose ones with silicone grips, textured fabric, or gel padding to enhance your hold.

FAQs

What size cycling gloves do I need?

Most manufacturers have a size chart that you can use to determine your correct size based on your hand measurements. Keep in mind that cycling gloves should feel snug and comfortable.

“If the gloves are too tight, they may cut off your circulation, especially with your blood pumping,” says Brooke Emory, fitness consultant and master trainer at Motosumo, a live, interactive platform for at-home cycling classes. “If they are too big, they’ll start bunching up and cause irritation to the skin, especially when you’re sweaty.”

Can you use cycling gloves for weightlifting?

Yes, cycling gloves can also be used for weightlifting to help enhance your grip and improve your overall comfort. Many weightlifters prefer to wear fingerless cycling gloves because they provide good protection as well as an excellent range of motion.

Can you wash cycling gloves?

Yes, you can wash cycling gloves, and cleaning them regularly will help them last longer. If your gloves are made of synthetic materials, you can toss them in the washing machine with your other cycling clothes and then air dry them. Gloves with any leather on them should be hand washed.

How to measure hand circumference for cycling gloves

To get your hand circumference measurement for cycling gloves, wrap a tape measure around your hand at the widest part of the palm and lightly close your hand.

Why wear cycling gloves?

Whether you’re riding outside or taking a spin class, cycling gloves can provide protection and help improve your performance and comfort. “Cycling gloves will soak up the sweat so you're not sliding all over the handlebars,” says Emory. “They also provide extra padding to avoid constant pressure or irritation on your palms.”

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Certified running coach and fitness writer Christine Luff has spent years researching, testing, and recommending fitness and athletic products and knows that the right gear can tremendously improve performance and comfort.

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