Best Women’s Mountain Bike Gloves

Mountain bike gloves aren’t just a nice-to-have, they’re kind of a must-have.

The most obvious reason to wear gloves on the trails is that they protect your hands from serious carnage in the event of a crash. But mountain bike gloves also absorb vibration on bumpy trails, keep sweaty hands from slipping off the bars, defend against blisters, and shield the front of your hands from wayward branches.

MTB gloves are basically under-recognized, under-appreciated super-heros, right?

That said, some gloves are more Spiderman-y than others. I’ve tested a bunch of gloves and surveyed the women in this community to pick out the best women’s mountain bike gloves out there.

These are gloves that fit well (even for small hands), provide comfort and protection, and are durable enough to last an entire season (or more)! Some are also pretty cute because, let’s be honest, that’s important too.

Here are my faves 👇

Shredly Mountain Bike Glove

Price: $29 (get 10% off using my link 👇)

Shredly makes my favorite mountain bike shorts, and surprise, surprise, they make my favorite mountain bike gloves too! Shredly is a women’s-specific mountain bike apparel company so everything they design is designed for WOMEN.

One of my biggest complaints about mountain bike gloves from most brands is that they’re usually unisex and come in like three sizes, leaving “small” to supposedly fit all women. The Shredly gloves are sized specifically for women and come in SIX (!!!) sizes, so you’re actually ensured a good fit. I followed their size chart and what do you know, my gloves fit like a glove.

That improved fit means more dexterity, touchscreen-compatible fingertips, and way less time spent taking them on and off out on the trail. Oh, and they’re incredibly cute. They come in a wide variety of prints, and they match the rest of the Shredly apparel line if you want to put together a super cute ‘fit.

For summer riding, these are awesome. They’re lightweight enough that you can actually feel the grips through them, and the thin uppers provide good airflow on those ridiculously hot days.

The flip side is that the thinner construction means less durability and less protection for gravity riding or overgrown trails–and they’re definitely not a winter glove.

Wild Rye Galena Bike Glove

Price: $49

The Wild Rye Galena gloves are named after one of my favorite places to bike and eat (the Galena Lodge and Galena trails near Ketchum, ID). I feel like for that reason I have to like them, BUT they’re pretty great gloves on their own accord as well.

They don’t come in quite as many sizes as the Shredly gloves, but there are 4 sizes and the smallest of those fits even the tiniest hands–much appreciated.

While the gloves are pretty minimal and provide good dexterity, they do have a little bit of extra gel padding right at the heel of the hand which can be really nice on hour three of a ride. These are some of my favorites to pick for longer days in the saddle.

And like all things Wild Rye, they come in cute colors and patterns, and pair nicely with a Wild Rye kit.

They are great in summer weather, and for gravel and trail riding, but you’ll want something more substantial for gravity or winter riding. The tops also snag easily (but no holes).

Giro La DND

Price: $29

If you’re looking for a glove that’s a little more substantial than the Shredly or Wild Rye options, let me recommend the Giro La DND. This is another women’s-specific glove but is better suited for rugged riding, longer-term durability, and 3-season weather.

Even though though offer plenty of protection, they are neither bulky nor uncomfortable (which is honestly harder to pull off than it sounds). The fabric on top of the hand is thicker and the palms are re-inforced, yet there are no weird seams to rub, ventilation holes in the palm keep things from getting sweaty, and the expanding fabric at the middle joint means your fingers can actually grip the bars without any uncomfortable pressure.

A couple things to know going in: these run small, so size up, especially if you’re used to buying unisex gloves. Also, the touch the touchscreen compatibility is hit or miss. If you’re a frequent Trailforks user or an iPhone photo taker who doesn’t want to pull your gloves off mid-ride, that might be frustrating for you.

Trail Manos

Price: $30

Trail Manos makes simple but durable gloves. They have zero padding, no mesh, but the materials and fabrics are sturdy. Mine are as dirty and beat up as can be, but they’re still going strong! If you’re really crazy tough on gloves, then you can join the Trail Manos Club, where for $11 a month, you’ll get a new pair delivered to your doorstep each month.

The biggest draw to the Trail Manos gloves is the WIDE VARIETY of designs. Find a design for your favorite state, your favorite pup, or order custom gloves for you and your friends. My gloves are for the NICA team I’m a coach for!

These are unisex gloves which means you may not get AS precise of a fit, but the XS and S sizes fit smaller hands pretty well.

Things to Think About When Buying a Mountain Bike Glove

Fit

For some weird reason, it’s hard to find women’s mountain bike gloves that have a good fit. For most women, men’s gloves are way too big, but women’s-specific gloves can feel like they were made for little kids. C’mon bike industry!

That said, we’ve tried to make notes above of which gloves run really small, so you can always order a size up or look for a different glove.

If you have really big hands or really long fingers, you might also want to try looking for a pair of men’s gloves.

Also note, that even if a glove intitially feels a little tight, they do usually stretch some with time. Bike gloves should fit tighter and have less loose material than a pair of work gloves for instance.

Wrist Closure

The best kind of wrist closure is largely a matter of personal preference. Do you like a snug secure fit, or do you like being able to take your gloves on and off in a hurry? For me personally, I prefer a slip-on/slip-off glove without a velcro or hook-and-loop closure so I can take pictures with my phone / check my Trailforks app, and dig in my bag for snacks for my 6-year-old.

Breathability and Durability

Thinner, lighter gloves generally breathe better for hot weather and can feel less bulky and provide more trail feedback.

That said, they are less durable and will usually wear out sooner. They also provide less protection both in terms of armor on the front of the hands and padding on the palms.

Choose a pair of gloves that matches the climate you ride in, the amount of vegetation you ride through, and how much padding you like.

Also consider how long you want the gloves to last. Is it okay if you only get one season out of them?

More Stuff You Might Like

• Best Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts
• 9 Ways To Increase Your Confidence On The Mountain Bike
• Best Women’s Mountain Bike Clinics, Camps, & Events

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