The 14 Best Cycling Gloves For Spring & Summer (MTB, Road, Hybrid) [2023]

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These are the best cycling gloves suitable for spring & summer. This selection includes half finger cycling gloves for road and casual cyclists as well as full finger gloves for mountain bikers.

The best half finger cycling gloves are the Giro Jag. They are lightweight, padded, ventilated, comfortable, and don’t cost a fortune.

The best full finger cycling gloves are the Troy Lee Designs Ace 2.0 (also available for women). Are popular thanks to their high-quality, touch screen compatibility, silicone print on the brake fingers, wipe thumb, and other features.

In this article, you will also learn the benefits of wearing cycling gloves, how to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and hand numbness, how to choose cycling gloves and much more.

If you want winter cycling gloves, visit my other article on Best Winter Cycling Gloves. Mountain bikers, check the Best Mountain Bike Gloves article.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All half-finger and some full-finger cycling gloves in the selection below will help you with hand numbness, thanks to padding. Some provide better padding than others, but your overall comfort will increase. To find out more about hand numbness and carpal tunnel syndrome, skip to the Why Should You Wear Cycling Gloves section.

Best Half Finger Cycling Gloves

These cycling gloves are perfect for road cyclists and casual riders because your fingertips allow you to shift easily and eventually control your head unit or smartphone. Learn more…

Skip to the comparison table…

Giro Jag (Best Half Finger Gloves Overall)

Giro is a well-known manufacturer of cycling accessories and clothing. They have already launched several lines of cycling gloves. However, Jag gloves are among the most popular models because they provide a good combination of quality and price.

Their upper part is made of a wiping surface. This is useful if you want to wipe the sweat off your face during hot summer days because it absorbs it easily.

They offer good padding that reduces hand numbness. The padding could be thicker, but it will be enough for most riders.

The leather surface provides a good grip if you use bar tape. However, it may slip off parts like carbon handlebars where you don’t have bar tape.

Jag are available in many colors. So, whether you are a man or a woman, you will be able to choose the ones you like.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com and wiggle.com

Moreok Gloves (Best Budget Cycling Gloves)

Compared to Giro Jag, Moreok gloves differ mainly in off hooks, which allow you to take them off easily. This is especially useful in the summer when your hands are sweaty and the gloves stick to them.

Taking into account their price, they are very good. They are breathable and lightweight, and thanks to the thumb-wiping surface, you can wipe off sweat.

The gel padding is not very well located, so it is not as effective as the padding of the Specialized BG Sport Gel Gloves, for example.

However, these may be a good choice if you are looking for cheap gloves that protect you against abrasions during the fall.

They are available in black, blue, red, and green.

Specialized BG Sport Gel SF (Best Padded Cycling Gloves)

Specialized BG Sport cycling gloves offer gel padding that reduces hand numbness. This makes them a good choice for people with carpal tunnel syndrome (learn more).

Their upper part is made of a mesh upper, and the bottom part is perforated, so they offer good breathability.

Thanks to the micro wipe thumb, you can easily wipe the sweat off your face during hard efforts or hot weather.

Overall, these gloves provide an excellent price-quality ratio. Their main downside is the limited color availability (high visibility red and black only).

LuxoBike Gloves (Best Cycling Gloves For Hot Weather)

The main disadvantage of these gloves is padding. It is relatively thin, so it helps to prevent hand numbness but not as much as the Specialized BG Sport.

You can choose from six colors suitable for both men and women.

Giro Bravo Gel Cycling Gloves (Best Road Cycling Gloves)

The Giro Bravo gloves are well-made gloves offering great comfort for long road rides thanks to optimized gel padding.

Their upper mesh is breathable, so your hands won’t overheat. The bottom side of the gloves is extended. Thanks to it, it is easier to put them on.

Bravo gloves are very similar to the Giro Jag. The main differences are the design, and reflective finger pulls that slightly increase your visibility at night.

TIP: These gloves may feel tight when you try them for the first time. But don’t worry. They will ‘adjust’ to your hands and fit perfectly after a few rides.

Feel free to choose from 8 colors to match your bike and kit.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com, jensonusa.com, and wiggle.com

Htzploo Cycling Gloves (Best Cycling Gloves for Women)

I know the name of these gloves is not easy to pronounce. However, they offer several cool features. Thanks to the loops, it will be easy to take them off even if the gloves stick to your palms.

The padding reduces vibration and also wrist strain. This will increase your comfort, especially during medium to long-distance trips. It’s not too bulky, so it won’t cause you calluses.

Of course, there is also a softened material on the thumb, thanks to which you can easily wipe the sweat.

The pink color will attract women. However, from the 7 available colors and 5 sizes, men will definitely choose as well.

Hikenture Aero Cycling Gloves (Best Aero Cycling Gloves)

If you are looking for aero cycling gloves for a low price, you should consider these by Hikenture. They combine several useful features.

The first is the stretchy material they are made from. These gloves are pleasant and easy to wear. They fit tightly to prevent wrinkles that would increase any drag.

Their cuffs are longer compared to normal cycling gloves to further reduce drag. Although I was not able to find any studies proving how much faster you will be thanks to 2 inches longer cuffs, you will feel like a pro.

The extended leather on the bottom side of the gloves makes putting them on much easier. And it also provides a good grip.

The gel padding is sufficient and helps with your hand numbness (if you experience any). Feel free to choose from several color options.

Best Full Finger Cycling Gloves

These cycling gloves are perfect for mountain bikers because they offer extra protection in case of a crash or scratches caused by branches and objects. Learn more…

Skip to the comparison table…

Troy Lee Designs Ace 2.0 (Best Full Finger Cycling Gloves Overall)

Ace 2.0 gloves are popular thanks to their high build quality. The breathable material ensures your hands will not overheat in the summer. This makes them ideal for the spring and summer months. But you can handle part of autumn with them too.

The index finger is touch screen compatible. So it allows you to control the touchscreen devices. You can receive calls, for example, without taking off your gloves.

Brake fingers are also ‘silicone printed.’ Therefore, your fingers won’t slip off the brake levers.

The wipe thumb is useful for wiping your face from sweat. This is especially useful in the summer if you like to push your pedals hard.

These gloves are not padded, so if you suffer from hand numbness, reach for Grebarley Gloves instead.

Troy Lee Designs Ace 2.0 are available for both – men and women.

POC Resistance Gloves (Best Lightweight Full Finger Cycling Gloves)

If you don’t mind spending more on high-quality gloves, go for POC Resistance Enduro Gloves.

You won’t miss a single stop thanks to the silicone print on the brake fingers. It will give you enough grip so your fingers won’t slip off the brake levers.

The thumb is touch screen compatible. It allows you to control your smartwatch, smartphone, or head unit.

POC Resistances are durable and well-made. They are an excellent choice for Enduro, CX, and other mountain bikers that need gloves they can rely on.

Keep in mind that they are nonpadded. This means they will protect your hands but won’t prevent hand numbness.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com

You may also be interested in the Best Mountain Bike Gloves selection.

Giro DND Bike Gloves (Best Full Finger Gloves Without Velcro)

The Giro DND cycling gloves combine good value for money. They offer all the important features you expect from mountain bike gloves.

The brake fingers have a silicone print, so your fingers won’t slip off the brake levers. Thanks to this, you can avoid a possible crash caused due to high speed.

You will be able to control your smartphone or smartwatch with your thumb. However, this feature is not very reliable, and it is a hit or miss. So if this is important to you, go for other gloves (e.g., POC Resistance Gloves).

The upper part of the thumb is also made of a pleasant material that easily absorbs your sweat, so you can easily wipe it at any time.

These gloves don’t have Velcro. This may be an advantage because they won’t stick to random things. However, they will fit well thanks to a tight fit.

Giro DND are very comfortable and available in more than 10 colors, so it will be easy for you to match them with your bike or kit.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com and jensonusa.com

Nicewin Gloves (Best for Casual Riders)

If you are looking for cheap full finger bike gloves, you should not miss these.

Their main advantages include padding, which will help you prevent hand numbness. This makes them an ideal choice for casual riders.

The absence of silicone print on the brake fingers is probably their main disadvantage. So it is possible that your fingers will slip off the brake levers. Therefore, they are not suitable for mountain bikers.

The gloves don’t lack a wipe thumb for comfortable wiping your face. They are made of breathable material, so your hands won’t overheat in summer. And, thanks to the touchscreen compatibility, you will be able to control your touchscreen devices.

Choose from 10 colors and 4 sizes.

100% Celium Gloves (Most Universal Full Finger Gloves)

100% Celium gloves will appeal to everyone who likes minimalist design but does not want to compromise.

These gloves are versatile, making them suitable for mountain bikers, cyclocross, or road riders.

Thanks to the silicone print on the brake fingers, they won’t slip off the brake levers, so you will have your bike under control.

The thumb is equipped with an absorbent and pleasant material, so you can easily wipe your face.

You can also control your touchscreen devices with your thumb or index finger.

Celiums are available in several highly visible colors, including blue, green, black, and more.

Fox Racing Defend Gloves (Most Protective Full Finger Gloves)

If trails and downhills are your second home, your hands deserve proper protection. These environments are what Fox Defend Gloves have been designed for.

Their upper side acts as armor, thanks to which you will not be stopped by branches or any other obstacles that can appear in your way.

These mountain bike gloves offer a high degree of protection, yet they are well-ventilated; you can wipe your face using a wipe thumb and also control your touch screen devices.

Of course, you will take advantage of an improved grip on all fingers to maximize the ability to control your bike safely.

Feel free to choose from several (mostly men’s) colors.

Also available at wiggle.com

Grebarley Gloves (Best Padded Full Finger Gloves)

The main advantage of Grebarley gloves is their gel padding. Thanks to it, you avoid hand numbness even during longer rides. They are, therefore, ideal for riders who want to ride in their countryside or local forests.

These gloves are compatible with touchscreen devices, so you can control them easily using your index finger or thumb.

You can use your thumb to wipe off sweat because it is made of liquid absorption material.

The main disadvantages include limited color range and lower-quality stitching. Therefore, I do not recommend them for enduro and other demanding mountain bike disciplines.

My Verdict

If you are looking for the best half finger cycling gloves, go for the Giro Jag cycling gloves. They combine an excellent price-value ratio. You will take advantage of their weight, breathability, and features like ‘wipe thumb.’

The Giro Jag are well padded, so they will help you prevent hand numbness. This also makes them one of the best cycling gloves for long rides. Feel free to choose from many colors.

The best full finger cycling gloves for mountain bikers are the Troy Lee Designs Ace 2.0. Not only that they are available for both men and women, but they are well-made, comfortable thanks to the lightweight and breathable material, and of course, touch screen compatible.

You can easily wipe off your face using a thumb made of liquid-absorbing material. Remember, these gloves are not padded. This means they are not very suitable for long rides. On the other hand, they don’t crease, so the wrinkled fabric won’t push you into your palms.

Why Should You Wear Cycling Gloves?

Cycling gloves are useful for 3 main reasons. Below, you will learn more about them.

1. Preventing Injuries

The first main benefit of cycling gloves is preventing hand injuries. If you are unlucky and crash, there is a high chance you will put your hands in front of you to reduce the impact.

In the better case, you hop on your bike and ride on; in the worse case, you will abrade your hands and other body parts (e.g., elbows, knees, hip). Cycling gloves can save you from unpleasant abrasions.

I remember my first crash as it was today. I forgot to take gloves. Yes, you guessed it – I abraded my hands. They healed for over two weeks. I wish I had gloves back then.

2. Improving Comfort & Grip

Have you heard of carpal tunnel syndrome? It can lead to very unpleasant hand numbness. It is caused by many factors, including compressed or overstretched nerves.

This happens if your bike fit is not set properly. Cycling gloves can reduce hand numbness, but they may not be the final solution. I recommend you consult your bike fit with your local bike fitter to prevent further issues in the future.

PRO TIP: Make sure you stretch your hands during long rides. They won’t feel as numb as without stretching.

Especially during warm days, your hands will sweat more. Sweating is a natural process when the body cools itself naturally. However, sweaty hands may slip off the handlebars.

Although grips and handlebar tapes are made of non-slip materials, they can slip off the handlebars more easily if your hands sweat a lot. This can lead to a loss of stability and a fall.

I ride with cycling gloves, especially in summer, when the temperatures rise above 90°F (30°C). The gloves provide me with a better grip, so I feel more confident, for example, when riding out of the saddle.

3. Keep Hands Warm

And, of course, cycling gloves will keep your hands warm. It happened to me a few times that I underestimated the weather, and I had to return home after a few miles because I could not shift gears due to frozen fingers.

As one of the body’s first parts, your hands break through the air when you ride a bike. At higher speeds (especially in winter), they can easily freeze. In addition, the brake levers are often made of metal. This means that they feel colder because they are good thermal conductors and further contribute to freezing fingers.

So if you plan to ride in cold weather during autumn and winter, I recommend you buy winter cycling gloves. I promise you won’t regret it.

TIP: Check my selection of the Best Winter Cycling Gloves.

How To Choose the Best Cycling Gloves?

Before you buy your next cycling gloves, you should consider the following features.

Fit

As with any piece of clothing, gloves must fit well. Too large gloves will be uncomfortable and reduce your ability to change gears. Too small gloves will push you between your fingers, or you won’t be able to put them on at all.

Most gloves are available in different sizes (e.g., S, M, L, XL). These sizes are based on palm width. Each manufacturer has slightly different sizing, so always check the enclosed size chart so you buy the right size.

Half Finger vs. Full Finger Cycling Gloves

Half finger gloves are mostly worn by road or casual cyclists. They are lighter and better ventilated. And because the fabric does not cover the tips of your fingers, you can control your brakes, shifting, smartphone, or head unit. You will also be able to open snacks, gels, etc., easily.

Full finger gloves are more popular among mountain bikers. They provide you with extra protection. They prevent your hands from little scratches that branches or a crash can cause. Some models are also touch screen compatible.

However, both types of gloves have one thing in common – they provide protection and increase your comfort, especially during longer rides.

Comfort and Grip

Another thing you should consider is the comfort and grip that cycling gloves provide. If you can’t try them in person, you must rely on other users’ reviews or my selection above.

Quality cycling gloves are usually comfortable and provide a good grip that allows easy shifting and braking. I chose all cycling gloves for the selection above with these things in mind.

Speaking of comfort, you will appreciate it during longer rides. For example, when I ride without gloves, my hands are sore after 2-3 hours on the bike. It doesn’t happen to me with gloves.

Standard vs. Aero Cycling Gloves

Standard cycling gloves (e.g., Giro Jag) are more durable than aero gloves and provide better protection thanks to a thicker layer of fabric and padding. They are suitable for most types of riders.

Aero cycling gloves (e.g., Hikenture Aero Cycling Gloves) are thinner and lighter than standard half finger cycling gloves. They are made from low-drag fabrics and are used by pro riders for races and time trials.

They feature a longer cuff with a lower drag coefficient than the skin, allowing you to put them on more easily. If you are not a ‘marginal gains’ hunter, get pair of normal cycling gloves.

Other Cycling Gloves Features

Cycling gloves can offer a few useful features. The first is a softened material on the thumb, thanks to which you can wipe the sweat from your face without irritating your skin.

Some models of half finger cycling gloves are equipped with loops between the index finger and middle finger and the ring finger and little finger. Thanks to them, taking off the gloves is much easier.

For some riders, gloves made of high-visibility materials are important. You may also find cycling gloves with reflective strips that increase your visibility at night.

PRO TIP: If you need to ride a bike a night, use a reflective vest with reflectors. A study showed that drivers were able to recognize more cyclists wearing the reflective vest plus reflectors (90%) than the reflective vest alone (50%) or black clothing (2%).

Full finger cycling gloves sometimes offer silicone print on the brake fingers to improve grip so your fingers won’t slip off braking levers. This may help you prevent crashing due to high speed.

If you need to use your smartphone or smartwatch while wearing the gloves, look for ‘touch screen compatible‘ models. These will allow you to control your devices.

Cycling Gloves FAQ

This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please, contact me.