Look at all the features available in a riding glove, like the palm and wrist protection, or riding gloves that feature a touchscreen-friendly material and assess what features you want most.
It’s important to know what features you value the most when buying riding gloves. If you’re going to be riding in cold weather, then insulated gloves may be a priority for you. If you’re going to be riding in warm weather, then ventilated gloves might be more important.
As you review your options, think about which features are most important to you. Do you need wrist or palm protection? Do you want a touchscreen-friendly material so that your glove won’t limit how often and efficiently you can use your phone? Do certain sports require specific features? For example, golfers might appreciate fingerless golfing gloves that allow them to maintain their grip on the club while protecting the back of their hands from sun exposure. Fishermen need a good grip on both their rods and reels.
Make sure the gloves are made of durable material and that they are well fitted, with a velcro strap to keep them on your hands.
Durability and a good fit are the first things to consider when buying riding gloves. Leather is the most durable material, but it’s also the most expensive. It can be a better investment in the long run for your hands, but you may want to go for a synthetic leather if you’re on a budget (or if you just don’t want to spend money).
When measuring your hand size, use a measuring tape around your knuckles, making sure not to include your thumb. This will give you an accurate measurement of the circumference of your palm.
When choosing an appropriate size according to manufacturer charts, be sure not to select one that is too small or else it will hinder movement and feel uncomfortable. If they are too big, there should be an adjustable velcro strap at the wrist so that they stay on during activities such as horseback riding or bike riding.
Do you want a warm glove, or something more summery? How much breathability do you want from your gloves?
- Do you need other features?
There are a few other important factors to consider when deciding on the right gloves for your needs. Breathability is always important for comfort, and can be an even bigger factor if you ride in very hot weather. If you want a warm glove or one that’s ideal for wet weather, waterproofing can be crucial. Ventilation and waterproofing can sometimes be combined in one glove, and it’s also possible to get a heated glove if you need more warmth than what your normal gear will provide.
If you ride in competition, you may need to get second set of gloves in the appropriate color for showing.
If you ride in competition and show your horse, it is best to get a second pair of gloves that are appropriate for showing. The color should match your horse’s coat color. For example, if you have a chestnut or bay horse, brown gloves would be most appropriate. If you had a paint or pinto, dark brown or black would coordinate well with the white markings on their coat.
Remember: if your horse has a mostly-white coat, do not wear white gloves. Your glove matching should be subtle, as obvious coordination between you and your horse is distracting in the show ring.
Most riding gloves are machine washable, so be sure to check the care instructions before trying to clean them.
Most riding gloves are machine washable, so be sure to check the care instructions before trying to clean them. If the label says “machine washable” or “hand wash only” then you can proceed with cleaning your gloves. Leather gloves should never be put in a washing machine because they need more delicate care.
When you decide to clean your riding gloves, fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a mild detergent or soap that’s specifically made for cleaning leather products. Avoid using liquid dish soap as this may alter the color of the leather.
Riding gloves come in many forms and levels of technology – make sure you choose the right one for how you ride.
The first step in finding the right pair of gloves is to think about how you want to use them. Everybody’s hands are different, and they perform differently while riding. Do you like having your fingers free to move? Do you need your fingers bunched together, or do you like separators? Do you ride better with a lot of feeling, or do you want to dull that feedback and feel more comfortable? These questions will help determine what kind of glove works best for YOU.
Secondly, think about the features that matter most to you. We’ve covered the basics pretty extensively above, but there are plenty more beyond those! If controlling airflow is important to you, make sure your gloves have vents or some way to cool off when it gets hot out there. If using mobile devices is key for work or play, make sure your gloves can handle touch screens without issue. If keeping warm in cold weather matters most to you, look for a glove that can handle a wide temperature range without being too bulky when it’s not needed. You get the idea: know what features are important before making a purchase!
Once again – nobody knows what matters most to YOU better than YOU do!