Finding the perfect pair of mountain bike gloves can feel like an endless quest. This review chronicles my personal journey through various glove options, from lightweight and breathable designs ideal for warm weather riding to heavily padded options offering maximum protection against crashes and trail hazards. I'll detail my experiences with several popular brands and styles, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you navigate the often-confusing world of mountain bike glove selection. My goal is to provide a practical guide based on real-world experience, enabling you to choose the gloves that best suit your riding style and priorities.This review covers a wide range of gloves, from the lightweight Fox Dirt Paws, perfect for warmer rides, to the heavily padded rigging gloves offering superior protection. I'll discuss the pros and cons of each, including considerations like breathability, dexterity, padding levels, and price points. My experiences with options like G-Form gloves, high-end Liat Moto gloves, and even work and shooting gloves, will illuminate the trade-offs involved in balancing protection and comfort. Ultimately, this review aims to guide you towards finding the perfect pair of gloves for your individual needs.
Pros And Cons
- Usable
- Increased thickness with more padding
- Affects temperature regulation and dexterity
- Breathable
- Thin and form-fitting
- Touchscreen compatible
- Minimal padding
- Good knuckle padding
- Lack of wrist padding
- Palm padding interfered with handlebar feel
- Good foam padding on top of hand
- Gloves are short
- Padding doesn't extend far enough
- Too much palm padding
Read more: 5 Best Cycling Gloves to Buy in 2024
Fox Dirt Paws: Breathable and Lightweight
My mountain biking journey began with the Fox Dirt Paws gloves. These gloves were surprisingly my favorite for a long time due to their exceptional breathability and lightweight design. The minimal padding didn't hinder dexterity, making them ideal for long rides. The touchscreen compatibility was a welcome bonus.
The form-fitting design felt almost invisible on my hands. While they lack substantial padding, their breathability and comfort made them perfect for warmer rides. The small plastic nubs on the fingers were mostly cosmetic, but added a unique touch.
G-Form Gloves: Added Protection
Seeking more protection, I upgraded to G-Form gloves. These provided decent foam padding on the fingers, shielding my hands from branches and other trail obstacles. However, the padding wasn't as comprehensive as I'd hoped, lacking coverage on the knuckles and the back of the hand.
The thicker, more leather-like material compromised the fit compared to the Dirt Paws. While they offered better protection, the slightly bulkier feel and reduced dexterity led me to prefer the Fox Dirt Paws overall.
Other Gloves Tried and Returned
My search for the perfect glove continued. I tried expensive options like the Liat Moto 4.5 Lights (which were too expensive and shipped from Europe), and the Rock Bros MTB gloves (lacked sufficient wrist padding and had an uncomfortable palm pad).
Each offered something slightly different – better knuckle protection here, more hand coverage there – but none were quite perfect. The issues with padding, fit, or price ultimately led me to return these pairs.
Work Gloves and Other Attempts
After a hand injury from a handlebar crash, I prioritized maximum hand protection. I tried work gloves and shooting gloves, hoping for extensive padding. Unfortunately, these were too short and offered excessive padding in the palm, which hampered control.
The work gloves were particularly bulky and didn't provide enough wrist protection. The shooting gloves had decent top-hand protection, but the palm padding interfered with my grip and dexterity. Neither provided a balance of protection and comfort that matched my needs.
Finding the Sweet Spot: Rigging Gloves
Finally, I discovered rigging gloves as a viable option. These provided extensive padding, extending down to my wrist, yet maintained excellent dexterity. The balance of protection and comfort was perfect for my needs.
The padding was similar in quality to the previously reviewed gloves but covered a far greater surface area. The material seemed thin enough for hot weather riding, yet thick enough for protection. The balance of performance and functionality made them stand out.
Conclusion: A Glove for Every Rider
My search for the perfect mountain bike gloves has been a journey, with each pair offering unique strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the rigging gloves provided the best balance between protection, dexterity, and breathability.
While the Fox Dirt Paws remain excellent for warmer weather and lightweight use, the rigging gloves emerged as my top choice for their superior protection and comfortable fit. The other gloves had aspects that made them less ideal for my personal style of riding.
