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.
Best winter riding gloves: H&H’s quick guide
Most durable winter horse riding gloves: Uvex Sportstyle Winter
Best horse riding gloves for cold temperatures: Ariat Insulated Tek Grip
Best waterproof horse riding gloves: Roeckl Winsford Weatherproof
Most stylish horse riding winter gloves: eGlove eQuest GripPro Winter Edition
Most versatile winter gloves: Just Chaps All Purpose Riding
Best winter horse riding gloves
Uvex Sportstyle Winter Gloves
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: 5–11
H&H Review: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Good grip
- Warm
Reasons to avoid
- Sporty look might not suit everyone
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.”
Read H&H’s independent Uvex Sportstyle Winter Gloves review.
Ariat Insulated Tek Grip Gloves
Colours: Black or bark
Sizes: 6–11
H&H Review: 8/10
Reasons to buy
- Water resistant
- Fleece lining for added warmth
Reasons to avoid
- Higher price tag but has added technical features
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.
Read the full Ariat Insulated Tek Gloves review.
Roeckl Winsford Weatherproof Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: 6–11
Reasons to buy
- Waterproof and windproof
- Reduced bulk around the fingers
Reasons to avoid
- Higher price range but worth the investment if you ride regularly during the winter
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.
eGlove eQuest GripPro Winter Edition Gloves
Colours: Black, brown, navy, grey, caramel or white
Sizes: XXS–XXL
Reasons to buy
- Classic design with a robust modern technical fabric
- Thermal lined for warmth
Reasons to avoid
- These gloves size differently to other eGlove designs so make sure you check the size chart
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.
Just Chaps All Purpose Riding Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
H&H Review: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Can be used for both riding and yard work
- Silicone palm offered a good grip
Reasons to avoid
- Style might not suit everyone
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.
Read H&H’s independent Just Chaps Riding Gloves review.
Dublin Synthetic Leather Thinsulate Waterproof Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
Reasons to buy
- Thinsulate waterproof lining
- Extended elastic cuff
Reasons to avoid
- If you don’t feel the cold these may be too warm
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.
Woof Wear Precision Thermal Gloves
Colours: Black or navy
Sizes: 6–9½
Reasons to buy
- Material offers a close comfortable fit
- Palm offers a good grip and feel on the reins
Reasons to avoid
- If you don’t like a close fitting glove
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.
LeMieux Polartec Pro Water-Resistant Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
Reasons to buy
- Refined fit
- Reinforced sections for improved rein contact and close contact feel
Reasons to avoid
- Material may be too warm if you don’t feel the cold
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.
Harry Hall Waterproof Riding Gloves
Colours: Navy blue or yellow
Sizes: S–L
Reasons to buy
- Waterproof outer
- Soft and supple material to maintain feel
Reasons to avoid
- velcro cuff style might not suit everyone
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.
Hy Equestrian Polartec Glacial Riding Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
Reasons to buy
- Warm
- Stretchy material
Reasons to avoid
- They style might not be suitable
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.
SSG Winter Lined Digital 2150 Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: 6–10
Reasons to buy
- Very warm
- Durable
Reasons to avoid
- If you don’t feel the cold these gloves may not be suitable for you
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.
Fouganza 100 Warm Riding Gloves
Colours: Black
Sizes: XS–XL
Reasons to buy
- Fleece lining for warmth
- Reinforced areas for added durability
Reasons to avoid
- The longer style cuff might not suit you
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.
In the UK? View now at decathlon.co.uk
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.
You might also like:
Protect your hands this winter with these yard gloves
8 winter riding coats we’ve tried, tested and awarded H&H Approved status
6 pairs of waterproof trousers to keep you warm and dry in the saddle this winter
7 pairs of winter riding boots designed to keep your toes warm
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