First and foremost, the best winter riding gloves will keep your hands sufficiently warm, while also having breathable qualities to help avoid a sweaty palm situation. The best winter riding gloves will strike the perfect balance of insulation and tactility to keep you warm but allow feel on the reins. They should offer a good grip, whatever the weather, to make them suitable for riding in the rain.
Waterproof qualities are not necessarily a must-have, like they might be if you were looking for the best 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.
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.
Best winter riding gloves available right now
Uvex Sportstyle Winter Gloves
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: 5–11
RRP: £37.99
H&H Review: 9/10, H&H Approved
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.
Read H&H’s independent Uvex Sportstyle Winter Gloves review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Equetech Storm Waterproof Riding Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–L
RRP: £39.95
H&H Review: 9/10, H&H Approved
Equetech describe this as their ultimate waterproof winter glove – thin enough to keep good contact when riding with all the latest weatherproof features. The gloves feature a waterproof and windproof outer shell, a mid-layer waterproof membrane, micro fleece lining and complete grip palm with reinforced areas. They fasten with a Velcro tab and the newest version also has touchscreen-compatible finger panels.
In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk
Ariat Insulated Tek Gloves
Colours: Black or bark
Sizes: 6–11
RRP: £43
H&H Review: 8/10
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.
When testing these gloves, we found them to be really warm, even on a cold day on a steady hack. 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.
Read the full Ariat Insulated Tek Gloves review.
In the UK? View now at ariat.com, amazon.co.uk, equus.co.uk or naylors.com
In the US? View now at amazon.com or ariat.com
Just Chaps All Purpose Riding Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
RRP: £25
H&H Review: 9/10, H&H Approved
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.
When testing these gloves, we found that they were really comfortable and kept hands really warm. We wore them for both riding and yard work, and they stood up to regular wear really well.
Read H&H’s independent Just Chaps Riding Gloves review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
Uvex CRX700 Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: 6–10½
RRP: £41.99
These softshell gloves from Uvex are designed to control moisture, retain heat, and are wind and water repellent. The inner fleece material is soft, while the durable and abrasion resistant PU material on the palm offers good grip in damp weather. They also have a small amount of reflective print that helps to enhance visibility.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
Hy Equestrian Polartec Glacial Riding Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
RRP: £26.99
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.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Woof Wear Precision Thermal Glove
Colours: Black or navy
Sizes: 6–9½
RRP: £32.99
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.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Mark Todd ProTouch Winter Gloves
Colours: Black, brown, navy, white, grey/black or caramel
Sizes: 6–10½
RRP: £24.99
These gloves from Mark Todd feature a non-slip palm with added grip, reinforced rein finger and easy touch-tape fastening on the back of the wrist. They are touchscreen and smartphone compatible and offer a warm lining that allows you to keep contact with the reins.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Fouganza 100 Warm Riding Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
RRP: £13.99
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.
In the UK? View now at decathlon.co.uk
Roeckl Wismar Glove
Colours: Black, hi-viz yellow or black/purple
Sizes: 6–11
RRP: £59.95
Warm, windproof and highly water-resistant, these softshell gloves are not bulky and give excellent tactility on the reins. The long knitted cuff for aids heat retention and all colours feature reflective elements. Machine washable.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
SSG Winter Lined Digital 2150 Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: 6–10
RRP: £48.95
Designed for everyday winter wear, these SSG gloves are fleece lined and have a palm that is designed for uncompromising rein control, exceptionable grip and wear.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Coldstream Eccles StormShield Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
RRP: £29.99
These gloves are made with a Polartec fabric that is designed to trap air, which acts as an insulation, while also wicking away moisture to keep you warm when it’s cold and dry when you sweat. They are windproof and have a grippy silicon palms and fingers, and are finished with touchscreen fingertips, which allow you to use your phone without having to take them off.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Hy Equestrian Stalactite Zip Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
RRP: £19.99
These softshell gloves feature a silicone grip palm for superior grip as well as touchscreen compatible fingertips, which allow you to keep using your phone. They are windproof and water repellent and are fastened with a durable zip for ease and practicality.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Harry Hall Riding Glove With Fleece Lining
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: S–L
RRP: £27.95
These gloves have a soft fleece lining that provides great warmth without compromising contact, and a soft and supple PU outer fabric remains soft to aid good fit. They feature glitter detailing on the wraparound cuff closure, which creates a secure fit.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
Elico Polartec Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: 6½–9
RRP: £27.50
Made with Polartec Power Stretch Pro material, these gloves have four-way stretch, and are fast drying, highly breathable and moisture wicking. The palm is covered in the silicon Elico logos to aid grip on the reins.
In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk
Dublin Pro Everyday Riding Gloves
Colours: Black/silver
Sizes: 5–9
RRP: £26.99
Made of a soft, stretch material, these gloves have reflective inserts and detailing on the back of the hand for added visibility. They fasten with an adjustable touch tape closure and have gathered wrists to ensure a snug fit. They are also touchscreen compatible for ease of use.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Shires Aubrion Patterson Winter Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
RRP: £11.99
These everyday riding gloves are designed to be worn in colder weather. The silicone grip palms provide grip, while the fleece inner lining helps to trap warmth.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
You might also like:
Protect your hands this winter with these yard gloves
7 winter riding coats we’ve tried, tested and awarded H&H Approved status
8 pairs of waterproof trousers to keep you warm and dry in the saddle this winter
10 pairs of winter riding boots designed to keep your toes warm
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