First and foremost, the best winter horse riding gloves will keep your hands sufficiently warm, while also having breathable qualities to help avoid a sweaty palm situation. The best gloves will strike the perfect balance of insulation and tactility to keep you warm while offering good feel on the reins. They should offer excellent grip, whatever the weather, to make them suitable for riding in the rain.
Waterproof qualities are not necessarily a must-have as like they might be if you were looking for a pair of the best winter yard gloves, but they are certainly a bonus if you’re likely to be riding outdoors. Similarly, touchscreen compatibility will make your day-to-day life considerably easier if you need quick, easy and regular access to your phone. A good, snug fit is really important as no one likes an uncomfy, restrictive or poorly fitting glove.
These highly elastic riding gloves have excellent grip, while being breathable, durable and comfortable. They have a Thinsulate fleece lining and are machine washable at 30°C.
We put these gloves to the test and thought the design and comfort was excellent — they look both sporty and stylish. They provided plenty of protection in the cooler weather, particularly from the wind, and kept hands really warm. They also had really good grip.
Keith Robertson tested these gloves for H&H and this is what he had to say after using these gloves “I would recommend these gloves to anyone riding multiple horses a day in the winter.”
These gloves have been popular for a long time. They are constructed with Polartec Wind Pro stretch fleece for maximum insulation, with a hardface coating on the fleece for abrasion and water resistance.
H&H Art editor Emily Secrett-Hill tested these gloves and found them to be really warm, even on cold days hacking. They are water-resistant rather than waterproof, but are perfect for use in light rain, keeping hands dry. They offer a good amount of movement and grip, making them suitable for both hacking and schooling, where more feel is often desired.
These highly breathable gloves are waterproof and windproof with a durable palm offering a great grip in all weathers. With a neoprene cuff and velcro closure. Touchscreen compatible and machine washable.
Specifications
Colours:: Black
Sizes:: 6–11
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Higher price range but worth the investment if you ride regularly during the winter
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eGlove eQuest GripPro Winter Edition Gloves
eGlove eQuest GripPro Winter Edition Gloves
These synthetic leather gloves from eglove are lightweight but warm. They feature a Thinsulate lining and are designed to control moisture, retain heat, and are water resistant. The flexible grip offers a great second skin feel in all weathers, coupled with forefinger and thumb conductive fabric for smartphone use. They have also launched a waterproof version of these gloves.
Specifications
Colours:: Black, brown, navy, grey, caramel or white
Sizes:: XXS–XXL
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Just Chaps All Purpose Riding Gloves
Described as perfect for winter riding yet tough enough also to cope yard life, these gloves from Just Chaps are double layered. They have a Thinsulate lining that adds warmth and a long enough cuff to keep out the drafts. They are touchscreen compatible and washable, while the palm and fingers are super grippy and reinforce.
Keith Robertson tested these Just Chaps gloves, he found that they were really comfortable and kept hands really warm. Keith wore them for both riding and yard work, and they stood up to regular wear really well.
These leather-look gloves have a waterproof lining that helps to keep in the warmth. They are touch-screen compatible and have an extended elastic cuff to prevent draughts and offer a snug fit.
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Woof Wear Precision Thermal Gloves
Specifications
Colours:: Black or navy
Sizes:: 6–9½
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These gloves from Woof Wear offer warmth and grip with the help of a Reintex thermal palm. They feature reinforcement between the rein fingers, have a stretchy back for added comfort and are fastened with an easy-to-adjust wrist tab. Machine washable.
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LeMieux Polartec Pro Water-Resistant Gloves
LeMieux Polartec Pro Water-Resistant Gloves
These LeMieux gloves benefit from a water-resistant Polartec material for warmth, a breathable and abrasion-resistant outer material with reinforced sections for improved rein grip and feel without bulk or restriction. They have a silicone grip, so can be used for riding and around the yard.
Specifications
Colours:: Black
Sizes:: XS–XL
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Harry Hall Waterproof Riding Gloves
The fabric on these gloves remains soft and supple with a waterproof outer and soft brushed lining to ensure your hands are always kept warm and dry. They’re suitable for riding in, wearing around the yard. They feature a thinsulate lining, waterproof outer and a wraparound cuff closure, for a secure fit.
Specifications
Colours:: Navy blue or yellow
Sizes:: S–L
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Hy Equestrian Polartec Glacial Riding Gloves
Specifications
Colours:: Black
Sizes:: XS–XL
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These non-bulky gloves from Hy are made from Polartec material, which makes them wind resistant, soft, warm and highly elastic. They have excellent wicking properties as well as grippy siliconised palms and fingers for extra grip on the reins.
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SSG Winter Lined Digital 2150 Gloves
Designed for everyday winter wear, these SSG gloves are fleece lined and have a palm that is designed for uncompromising rein control, exceptional grip and wear. I have a pair of these gloves and they are my warmest pair of gloves and only really need to use them when it’s very cold. They offer great grip on the reins and are easy to get on and off. The perfect gloves if your hands get cold.
Specifications
Colours:: Black
Sizes:: 6–10
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Fouganza 100 Warm Riding Gloves
These gloves have a brushed fleece lining for warmth and comfort, while the long cuffs keep cold air out and make them easier to put on. A great option if you’re on a budget.
Specifications
Colours:: Black
Sizes:: XS–XL
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How to choose the best winter horse riding gloves
When you are looking to buy your next pair of gloves I have a few handy things to think about for getting the best match for you.
Material – make sure you look for materials that suit your needs. Technical materials mean you no longer have to wear a bulky pair of gloves to keep warm. You may want to consider waterproof or water-resistant outers and fleece-lined options for those colder days. Some materials will off more stretch than others so take this into account when thinking about sizing.
Use – consider what riding you’ll wear them for as schooling, hacking and competing will all have different demands. Do you want them to be multi-purpose so you can wear them in and out of the saddle and still be able to tie up haynets and change rugs without taking them off?
Grip – silicone, leather, synthetic suede are all designed to give a better feel on the reins but which one do you prefer?
Fastening – some gloves simply slip on and off with elastic round the wrist while others have a Velcro fastening to give a more secure feeling. Make sure you try different styles so you can find out which one suits you best.
How to measure your glove size
Gloves are measured in inches. Using a tape measure, measure around the widest part of your hand (at your knuckles) without including your thumb. This measurement (in inches) is your glove size – most brands offer sizes 6–11 and include half sizes. Some brands sell their gloves in universal small, medium or large sizes, but usually have a size guide that will convert to glove sizes.
Should riding gloves feel tight?
Riding gloves should feel snug on your hands, but not tight. If they are too tight your fingers will cramp and make it difficult to move. To loose and your hands will be sliding around inside the gloves making it hard to grip the reins.
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Franchesca is Horse & Hound’s Products Editor. She produces all of our buying guides and gift guides, as well as organising product testing and bringing you news about the latest products to hit the market. If there’s a new launch, Franchesca is the first person to hear about it. She brings you the best deals and is passionate about arming Horse & Hound’s readers with honest, unbiased product reviews. Franchesca loves letting riders and horse owners know what products are coming out, how to make their lives easier and how to spend their money wisely.
