Whether you’re looking for the perfect pair of horse riding gloves to wear at shows or on the trail, no matter the season, there are several features to consider, including fit, material, and style. With so many options available that offer exceptional grip or protection from the elements, we created this ultimate guide to help you narrow down the best set of riding gloves that suit your needs.

Key Features to Look for in Riding Gloves

  • Grip: One of the most important design elements in riding gloves is the amount of grip they provide to prevent your reins from slipping out of your fingers. Certain materials, such as synthetic leather or silicone grip patterns, typically feature textured palms and fingers that allow for better hold on the reins than traditional smooth leather.

  • Flexibility and Dexterity: Similar to grip, you’ll want to find gloves that are flexible enough to feel like a “second skin.” They should also grant enough dexterity that you can easily hold and adjust your rein length. Spandex materials are generally great options for appropriate finger movement and control. If a set of gloves feels bulky or cumbersome, you’ll have a hard time riding or performing basic tasks around the barn.

  • Breathability: A must-have during the summer months especially, breathable mesh or ventilated leather gloves are essential to staying comfortable during long rides. Hot weather can make it tempting to forgo riding gloves at home, but many pairs nowadays include breathable, moisture-wicking features that will keep your hands protected from the sun, bugs, and blisters.

  • Waterproofing and Wind Resistance: If you live in a particularly cold climate, the right pair of riding gloves will help you battle the winter months. To keep your hands dry from snow or freezing rain and warm from harsh winds as you hold your reins, opt for a set that is well-insulated with multiple layers of protection.

Exploring the Different Types of Horse Riding Gloves

There are four main types of riding gloves, depending on the occasion or season. Schooling gloves are ideal for casual rides or lessons at home, while you might save an extra pair of show gloves for competitions, so you have a set that remains nice and clean. Most mesh or summer gloves are worn for schooling rides, but certain brands offer pairs that fit competition standards. Likewise, many winter gloves are suited for schooling or trail riding, while some pairs are slim enough to wear at shows with chilly weather.

Schooling Gloves

Schooling gloves are usually lightweight and durable for daily practice and training, with proper grip and breathability during most seasons. They might come in fun colors and various fabrics to match a rider’s preferences or everyday habits. This pair from SSG is a popular choice to put on year-round since they offer the flexibility to ride and do barn chores in various weather conditions.

Show Gloves

In contrast, show gloves are designed with more subtle, professional features that make them suitable for competitions. They typically only come in black, white, or brown to maintain the traditions and standards of certain disciplines, like hunters, show jumping, dressage, eventing, or saddle seat. With synthetic leather materials, essential grip, and a classic fit, many riders reserve their show gloves for competitions so they don’t get dirty or quickly wear out. Kunkle Equestrian’s synthetic leather show gloves are a favorite among riders of various disciplines, with a textured grip, perfect amount of stretch, and touchscreen compatibility.

Winter Riding Gloves

No rider enjoys cold, numb hands while working their horse. Winter riding gloves are uniquely designed with insulated and waterproof layers that ensure your hands remain warm without sacrificing necessary functionality or adding uncomfortable bulk so you can properly grip your reins and carry out barn tasks. Featuring a soft fleece lining, four-way stretch, and durable exterior, this pair from Kerrits is a staple for many cold-weather equestrians.

Mesh or Summer Gloves

To prevent sweaty, slippery hands, mesh or summer gloves are the best option for greater breathability and ventilation in warm weather. The lightweight fabric lets air flow throughout your hands, keeping moisture at bay while you easily grip the reins. LeMeiux’s mesh riding gloves even provide a low profile, close-contact fit, with an anti-slip flexible fabric palm for any warm riding condition.

Gloves for Every Riding Discipline: Find Your Perfect Match

Many riding gloves are designed to meet the standards and styles of various disciplines. Not every pair is meant for multiple disciplines, so be sure to pick gloves that fit your association’s or circuit’s attire requirements but still make you feel comfortable riding in.

Dressage Gloves

Dressage gloves usually feature sleek, elegant details with close-contact grip for precise rein control. They come in black or white, but if you show higher levels of dressage, you will need a set of white gloves. SSG’s Grand Prix Show Glove is the perfect choice for dressage riders who want a classic look with an enhanced grip that still feels comfortable and breathable.

Show Jumping or Eventing Gloves

For show jumpers or eventers, their riding gloves typically feature extra grip, strength, and flexibility to keep up with the horse’s quick, high-energy movements over long periods. Black is the most popular color to match tradition, but brown and white can also be found. With an innovative combination of synthetic leather and durable suede, these riding gloves from LeMieux are a versatile yet durable option to compete and school in.

Trail and Endurance Riding Gloves

Gloves specially designed for trail and endurance riding feature added padding, breathable materials, and durability for long-distance comfort that prevents blisters, chafing, and sores. Without irritating bulk, some trail and endurance riding gloves are strong enough for daily chores, too. The Ride N Ranch Riding Gloves from SSG are a favorite since they’re durable enough for barn work but still feel slim and comfortable for endless days in the saddle.

Best Materials for Riding Gloves: From Leather to Synthetic Options

To meet the needs of a wide variety of riders, the most common materials used in riding gloves encompass leather, synthetic leather, and fabric. Depending on the type of material you prefer, some gloves may last longer than others or have different levels of flexibility, fit, breathability, and grip.

Leather and Synthetic Leather

Regular leather is a classic choice due to its durability, flexibility, and grip, especially in traditional riding gloves. Synthetic leather options have risen in popularity for enhanced flexibility, fit, grip, and breathability. This material is often more functional than some of its bulky predecessors and is favored by some riders who seek closer contact on their reins with a “second skin” feeling. Roeckl’s Roeck-Grip Glove can be universally found across many disciplines due to its polished, breathable design, superior grip, snug fit, and modern touchscreen compatibility.

Fabric Riding Gloves

Fabric riding gloves are known for their flexibility, affordability, and grip. Some riders prefer the soft feel of fabric that doesn’t conform quite as closely to their skin as synthetic leather gloves. Plus, fabric gloves are generally offered at lower price points, without losing important finger or palm grip. The SSG Original All Weather Riding Glove is a go-to for basic riding gloves that absorb sweat, grip onto the reins, and are wearable throughout the changing seasons.

Hybrid Materials

Riding gloves designed with hybrid materials, such as a mixture of synthetic leather, cotton, and mesh, offer both durability and breathability, which is vital to staying comfortable in the saddle during the summertime. By featuring dual materials, each pair of gloves will hold up to regular wear and tear without easily stretching, ripping, or losing grip, but will still keep your hands ventilated and sweat-free. Kunkle Equestrian's Mesh Riding Gloves are an absolute must for competition-ready gloves that combine the best of both worlds and dry completely between rides without any sweaty odors.

Seasonal Riding Gloves: Staying Comfortable Year-Round

Depending on your climate and season, you may need to invest in more than one pair of functional riding gloves if you want your hands to remain comfortable and protected. Summer gloves are usually not warm enough for the colder months, while winter gloves would be way too hot outside of their designated season.

Summer Gloves

Generally made from mesh or moisture-wicking materials to allow for ventilation, summer gloves are lightweight and breathable as they reduce the sweat your hands produce, so you can always maintain a proper grip on your reins. They can also protect your hands from harmful UV rays and pesky bugs that warmer months bring. No summer riding outfit is complete without these grippy knit cotton gloves from SSG, fashioned to keep your hands cool and comfortable.

Winter Gloves

Winter gloves are necessary to add to your riding wardrobe to battle freezing temperatures. Without compromising functionality, they feature insulated layers, waterproof fabrics, and moisture-wicking materials that keep your hands warm and dry as you ride or take on barn chores. The SSG 10 Below Winter Riding Glove will ensure your hands remain toasty and protected from the harsh elements, with five layers of warmth and plenty of stretch.

Even though gloves are not always required for riding, they are a great tool to improve your grip on the reins and protect your hands from the sun, bugs, injuries, frigid temperatures, and water. No riding glove is created equal, but we have many options to help you find a pair that meets your preferences and truly “fits like a glove.”