Riding gloves protect your hands from rein friction and, more importantly, improve your grip and feel on the reins — clear, consistent contact is hard with cold, slippery, or blistered hands. The main choice is lightweight, breathable summer gloves versus insulated, often waterproof winter ones. This guide ranks the best of each and explains why grip and rein feel should lead your decision.
Summer or winter gloves? Most riders want both: a thin, breathable summer glove for grip and feel in warm weather, and a warm, often waterproof winter glove for cold months. A single all-season glove is a compromise — if you ride year-round, two pairs is the sensible setup.
The gloves, ranked
- Outstanding grip and rein feel from a thin, sensitive glove
- Stretchy, breathable, second-skin fit
- Smart enough for the show ring
- Durable for the price
- Not warm enough for deep winter
- Thin material wears with heavy use
- Warm and waterproof for cold, wet riding
- Retains surprising grip and feel for an insulated glove
- Keeps hands functional in freezing weather
- Durable construction
- Too warm for summer
- Bulkier feel than thin summer gloves
- Reliable grip and feel at a low price
- Comfortable, flexible fit
- Great everyday and lesson glove
- Wide size range
- Not as refined as the Roeckl
- Not for deep winter
Side by side
| Glove | Price | Season | Best for | C&F Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roeckl Roeck-Grip | $45 | Summer/3-season | Most riders | 9.1 |
| SSG 10 Below | $55 | Winter | Cold/wet | 9.0 |
| Heritage Pro-Fit | $28 | 3-season | Value | 8.5 |
| LeMieux Pro Touch | $40 | Summer | Show | 8.8 |
| Mountain Horse Winter | $45 | Winter | Budget winter | 8.4 |
What to skip
Riding bare-handed “to feel the reins”. Bare hands blister, slip when sweaty or wet, and freeze in winter — all of which worsen your contact. A good thin glove improves feel, not hinders it.
Bulky non-riding gloves. Ski or work gloves are too thick for rein feel and lack a grippy palm. Use gloves designed for riding.
One glove for all seasons. An all-rounder is either too warm in summer or too cold in winter. If you ride year-round, a thin summer pair plus a warm winter pair is cheap and far better.
How to choose
For most riders most of the year, the Roeckl Roeck-Grip offers the best grip and rein feel. Add the insulated, waterproof SSG 10 Below for winter. On a budget, the Heritage Pro-Fit covers the basics well. Prioritise grip and feel, and keep a pair for each season.
Round out your apparel with comfortable breeches, proper boots, and a certified helmet.