Choosing the right horse riding gloves can make a real difference to your comfort and grip on the reins.
With so many different types available, it isn’t always obvious which gloves will suit you best.
In this guide, we’ll explain what to look for when choosing riding gloves, how they should fit and the differences between summer, winter, waterproof and competition riding gloves.
Why wear horse riding gloves?
Riding gloves aren’t simply about keeping your hands warm.
A good pair of riding gloves can help you maintain a secure grip on the reins and protect your hands from rubbing and chafing. They can also make riding much more comfortable in cold, wet or hot weather.
The important thing is choosing gloves that suit both the conditions and the type of riding you do.
What should you look for in horse riding gloves?
When choosing riding gloves, there are a few things worth considering: fit, grip, flexibility and the weather conditions you’ll be riding in.
A good riding glove should fit closely without restricting the movement of your hands. It should give you a secure feel on the reins without being bulky, and be suitable for the conditions in which you intend to use it.
Fit
Riding gloves should fit closely without feeling tight.
Too much excess material can make the reins feel bulky in your hands, while gloves that are too tight can restrict movement and become uncomfortable.
You should be able to bend your fingers freely and close your hand comfortably around the reins.
Grip
Good grip is particularly important when you’re riding, as you need to be able to hold the reins securely without gripping more tightly than necessary.
Look for riding gloves with non-slip material or reinforcement across the palms and fingers, particularly in the areas that are in contact with the reins.
Feel and flexibility
Your riding gloves should allow you to move your hands and fingers naturally and maintain a good feel on the reins.
Very thick or bulky gloves can make this more difficult, so when choosing warmer gloves, look for a pair that provides insulation without adding unnecessary bulk.
Weather conditions
Think about when you are most likely to wear your gloves.
Lightweight, breathable gloves are more comfortable in warmer weather, while colder conditions may call for insulated gloves. If you regularly ride in prolonged rain, look specifically for waterproof gloves rather than assuming that water-resistant gloves will provide the same protection.
For many riders, having different gloves for summer and winter is more practical than expecting one pair to work well throughout the year.
Which horse riding gloves are right for you?
The best riding gloves for you will depend on when and where you ride, as well as what you need most from your gloves.
For everyday riding you may want a versatile, hard-wearing pair, while summer, winter and wet weather can all call for something more specific.
Let’s look at the different options and when each is most useful.
Everyday riding and yard work
For everyday riding and jobs around the yard, look for a comfortable, hard-wearing glove with good grip and enough flexibility to use your hands easily.
Our All Purpose Horse Riding Gloves are made from stretch softshell with a Thinsulate lining to provide warmth without too much bulk. They also have grippy palm and finger patches to help provide a secure hold on the reins.
They are water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, making them a good general-purpose option for everyday riding and yard work. Read more about why our All Purpose Riding Gloves are such a practical everyday choice for riders.
Summer riding gloves
In warmer weather, lightweight and breathable gloves can help keep your hands comfortable while still providing the grip and protection you need when riding.
Our Summer Weight Horse Riding Gloves have a lightweight stretch-mesh upper to allow air to circulate, with faux leather palms and reinforced fingers for grip.
They are designed for warmer-weather riding and are also a useful option for competitions and riding holidays. They are also touchscreen compatible.
Winter riding gloves
Cold hands can make riding uncomfortable, but very thick gloves can make it harder to maintain a good feel on the reins.
Our Winter Horse Riding Gloves have a Thinsulate lining to provide warmth without too much bulk, together with non-slip palms and fingers for grip. The longer elasticated cuff helps keep out draughts, while the Hi-Viz panels provide extra visibility when riding on the road.
They are water-resistant rather than waterproof, so for prolonged wet weather a fully waterproof glove would be the better choice.
Waterproof riding gloves
If you regularly ride or work on the yard in cold, wet weather, a fully waterproof glove can make a real difference to your comfort.
Our Waterproof Horse Riding Gloves have a microporous waterproof membrane together with a Thinsulate lining for warmth. They also have non-slip palms and fingers for grip and a longer cuff to help keep out draughts.
Unlike our All Purpose and Winter gloves, these are fully waterproof, making them the better choice for prolonged wet weather.
Competition riding gloves
For competition, many riders prefer a smart, close-fitting glove that still provides good grip and feel on the reins.
Our Competition Horse Riding Gloves are made from lightweight faux leather and have reinforced palms and fingers to provide grip, including in wet conditions. They are designed to give a close, comfortable fit without unnecessary bulk.
They are also touchscreen compatible, which can be particularly handy on competition days.
How should horse riding gloves fit?
Riding gloves should feel snug without being restrictive. There shouldn’t be too much spare material at the ends of the fingers, and you should be able to move and bend your fingers comfortably.
Most importantly, think about how the gloves feel when your hands are in a riding position. A well-fitting glove should allow you to hold the reins naturally without bunching, pulling or restricting your movement.
How do you measure your hand for riding gloves?
To find your Just Chaps glove size, measure around the widest part of your hand, across the knuckles, using a tape measure.
Keep the tape comfortably snug rather than pulling it tightly.
Sizing varies slightly between our different glove styles, so always check the size guide on the individual product page before ordering rather than assuming you will need the same size in every style.
Can you wash horse riding gloves?
This depends on the material, so always check the care instructions for your particular gloves.
All of the Just Chaps riding gloves featured in this guide are washable. Our waterproof gloves need a little extra care because of their waterproof membrane. They can be washed at 40°C using non-bio detergent, but fabric softener should not be used as it can clog the membrane.
Always allow your gloves to dry away from direct heat.
Do you need more than one pair of riding gloves?
Not necessarily, but if you ride throughout the year, having more than one pair can be practical.
A lightweight, breathable glove will be more comfortable in hot weather, while insulated or waterproof gloves are better suited to winter conditions.
Rather than looking for one pair of gloves to do everything, think about the conditions you ride in most often and choose accordingly.
Choosing the right horse riding gloves
There isn’t one pair of riding gloves that will suit every rider and every situation.
The key is to choose gloves that fit well, feel comfortable on the reins and are suitable for the conditions in which you ride.