Best cycling gloves for grip and protection in 2026

The best cycling gloves protect your hands from the cold, absorb vibrations and could save you a lot of skin if you crash on your road bike.

To make this list of the best cycling gloves, we’ve tested and reviewed a host of options from deep-winter gloves to lightweight mitts, and added a few more options based on our knowledge and research.

A note on sizing, most of the cycling gloves below are unisex and come in a range of sizes.

Best cycling gloves to protect your hands in 2026

1. Madison DTE Waterproof Primaloft Thermal Gloves

Price	£49.99
Weather protection	Waterproof, thermal
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

Given their relatively low cost, these gloves include features usually found in more expensive options, such as Primaloft insulation, waterproof materials, and fully sealed seams.

The fit matches standard sizing, with a soft inner lining that feels comfortable against the skin during use. Subtle padding in the palms and a straightforward Velcro closure improve usability without adding bulk, while finger mobility remains surprisingly good, even when interacting with touchscreen devices.

Wind protection is dependable, and the combination of a membrane and DWR-treated outer fabric provides effective resistance to moisture. In testing, they maintained warmth in temperatures of roughly 5°C (41°F).

2. Maap Winter Glove

Price	$115 / £85
Weather protection	Windproof, waterproof
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	S, M, L, XL, XXL

These gloves from Maap sit at the pricier end of the spectrum, but they ooze class.

They feature a fleece lining for warmth and a waterproof, windproof membrane.

We found them comfortable down to around 5°C, but on higher-intensity rides you’ll get a couple of extra degrees out of them. Beyond that, you’ll be looking at the brand’s Deep Winter gloves instead.

Comfort was generally good, but we did find the seams pushed into our fingertips a bit, so if you’re between sizes consider going for the larger one.

Protection against wind and rain was also decent, while the large Velcro strap delivered a secure fit.

The gloves also offered high levels of grip and dexterity, though similarly-priced competitors just edge these in that regard.

3. Castelli Perfetto Max Gloves

Price	$79.99 / £95
Weather protection	Windproof, water-resistant
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

The Perfetto Max use a beautifully soft, high-loft inner (just a shame about the annoyingly-placed care labels) to deliver warmth, and Castelli recommends a temperature range of between 0-10°C. That feels about right, though obviously this will differ by user.

There’s no waterproof membrane here, but there is Gore-Tex’s Infinium Windstopper tech, which stops cold wind in its tracks.

While they’re not fully waterproof, they did shed light rain well, and it was only in sustained or heavy downpours where our hands got wet, mainly between the thumb and forefinger.

Fit seemed true to size, while dexterity was also impressive for a glove offering this much warmth.

Meanwhile, there’s silicone detailing on the palms, index and middle finger, which works well and makes usual cycling tasks easy enough.

There’s also touchscreen patches on the thumb and forefinger so you can use your phone or bike computer.

Admittedly, $79.95 / £95 is a steep price to pay for gloves that aren’t fully waterproofed, but the fact is you’re getting decent warmth and windproofing, plus fantastic dexterity, in a light, low-profile package.

If you need full waterproof protection for long periods, though, you’ll have to consider another option.

4. Castelli Perfetto Light Gloves

Price	$59.99 / £75
Weather protection	Windproof, water-resistant
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

These Castelli Perfetto Light Gloves are lightweight, windproof options. Gore-Tex Infinium is the tech in question and, as we’ve come to expect from the brand, it does its job impeccably well, stopping chilly breezes in their tracks.

In fact, the gloves offered us just enough protection from the wind and cold down to around 5°C, though that may be pushing it if wind chill is high.

Dexterity is good thanks to the thin materials and they use a material on the thumb and forefinger that allows you to use a touchscreen with accuracy. They also come with some minor padding and decent grip on the palms.

That said, we did find the Castellis bunched up and moved around a little more at the palm, but comfort was generally high.

We also had no issues with grip while using the brakes or gears.

It’s worth noting that the elastic cuff can feel quite tight, so pulling them on and off can be a challenge, particularly with cold hands.

5.Scott Winter Stretch LF Glove

Price	$50 / £44.99
Weather protection	Windproof, water-resistant
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	XS, S, M, L, XL

As we’ve mentioned, these lightweight gloves from Scott are effective wind blockers, with Gore-Tex’s Infinium technology doing its job diligently.

Given their lightweight nature, they’ll be a handy bit of kit to chuck in a pocket through spring and even on cooler summer mornings as well as mild winter days.

Where the Castelli gloves excelled in touchscreen compatibility the Scotts struggled, but one area these gloves do outperform their competitor in is with pulling them on and off.

The Scotts have a handy pull-tab, so it’s a much easier experience than with the Castellis.

We also felt that these gloves stayed in place on the hand slightly better, with less bunching between the hand and handlebar.

That said, grip and dexterity are pretty much on par with Castelli when it comes to the fingers, though there isn’t as much purchase on the palms due to the smaller surface area of the silicone print.

There’s also no dedicated padding, though that’s not a dealbreaker if you’re used to riding without gloves anyway.

The final point of difference between the two is the price, with the Scotts coming out some £30 cheaper.

While the Castellis slightly edge it in terms of the score, the value of the Scotts, combined with similar wind performance, certainly looks appealing.

6.Triban 500 Road Cycling Gloves

Price	$19.99 / £14.99
Weather protection	Windproof, water-resistant
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	XS, S, M, L, 3XL

The Triban 500 Gloves from Decathlon offer bountiful levels of versatility and we’ve happily used them for winter running as well as their intended cycling uses.

Those two-wheeled outings were in spring and autumn conditions, with the fleece lining fairly thin but warmthproducing enough for about 5°C up to the lower teens.

The lengthy cuffs tuck neatly under the arms of a jacket, and they’ll withstand brief showers before water seeps in at the fingers.

The textured areas on the palm help with handlebar grip, and the imprint on the refreshingly dexterous thumb and fingers is touchscreen-friendly.

There’s also a garish but more visible ‘Fluro lime yellow’ colourway if the black here is too conservative, but overall there’s little to fault in these comfy contenders.

7. Van Rysel 900 Winter Cycling Gloves

Price	£29.99 (Europe only)
Weather protection	Water-resistant, thermal
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	S to 2XL

Priced at the lower end of the market, these gloves use a basic water-resistant finish that offers some protection but isn’t designed for prolonged wet conditions.

They are rated for temperatures down to around 3ºC (37ºF) and deliver adequate finger movement, light palm cushioning, and support for touchscreen use, although results can vary.

The Velcro fastening lacks firmness, and making adjustments can be awkward, particularly when hands are cold or already gloved.

8. Endura Deluge cycling gloves

Price	$65 / £55
Weather protection	Windproof, waterproof
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	XS to 2XL

Ideal for autumn and winter rides, the Endura Deluge gloves are one of the thickest pairs on our list. They have multiple layers of fabric, including a waterproof inner and suede-like palm material.

While these cycle gloves have a water-repellent finish, the material doesn’t contain any toxic perfluorochemicals (PFCs). They also come with a sweat (or snot) wipe on the thumb, and touchscreen-friendly fingertips.

As an added bonus, Endura donates 1% of its net profits to good causes.

9. Castelli Perfetto ROS cycling gloves

Price	$70 / £85
Weather protection	Windproof, water-resistant
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	XS to 2XL

Designed for 6-10°C temps, the ROS offer windproofing and water-resistance in a neoprene build that resembles open-water kit. Thanks to the elasticated construction, they’re easy to pull on and off for minimum hassle.

Other clever features include the thermoformed single-seam design, grippy silicone palms and reflective detailing. There’s also a warm fleece lining to keep you comfortable in colder weather.

Like lots of the best cycle gloves, these ones have touchscreen-friendly finger inserts, so you can easily check your phone without having to remove them.

10. Sealskinz Waterproof Insulated Gloves

Price	$70 / £85
Weather protection	Windproof, waterproof
Features	Touchscreen compatible
Sizing	XS to 2XL

These cycle gloves are designed to keep your hands warm in snowy conditions, so they’re perfect for cool days when you need a little extra protection against the elements.

With a goatskin leather palm, they’re also waterproof, yet the materials are breathable for all-day comfort.

Designed with attention to detail, these gloves are cut to suit a relaxed hand position with curved fingers.

You’ll also get touchscreen-compatible fingertips and a PU suede thumb pad for cleaning your sunglasses while you’re on the move.

Best bike gloves for summer grip and protection

11. MAAP Pro Race Mitt

Price	$90 / £70
Padded?	Yes
Sizing	XS to XL

One of the most notable aspects of the MAAP Pro Race Mitt is the level of attention to detail, so let’s get stuck right into it. 

Given there’s no fastening of any sort, it’s vital to pick the right size here, but there’s a wide size range (XS-XL) and a detailed size guide to help you pick. 

Simply grab hold of the handy pull tab, slip on these mitts and you’re ready to go, with my test pair fitting closely with no noticeable bunching. 

The lack of fastening also reduces the number of seams in play here (something that Maap has tried to do throughout the construction), which can only be a good thing in the comfort stakes. At no point during this four-week test period did I experience any irritation from seams, while the elastic fit at the base remains as close-fitting as it did on day one. 

I found the face fabric of the palms very grippy, while three sections of multi-density perforated foams were placed in just the right places to provide decent cushioning. 

Where these mitts really excel, though, is when it comes to dealing with heat and moisture. The upper is made of a superlight mesh fabric that wicks sweat well and has proven highly breathable. Each palm also has almost two dozen holes for ventilation. And this is further enhanced with the ultralight mesh found between the fingers (prime sweaty spots). 

Additional features include a pull tab beside each index finger to help you pull them off easily and reflective logos, plus five colour options. 

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12. Gore Wear C5 Short Finger Gloves

Price	$55 / £34.99
Padded?	Yes
Sizing	XS to 2XL

Gore Wear is another brand to consider if you’re looking for new cycle gloves. This fingerless style is suited to the warmer months when you want something unrestrictive that’ll allow air to escape. The fingerless style will also allow you greater feel and control of the brakes and gears than you’d get with full-length options.

The brand says the materials are also breathable and stretchy, with the design looking ideal to provide comfort over long training sessions.

There’s gel and foam padding across the palm to absorb impact from the road, as well as Velcro closure tabs and reflective strips.

13. Universal Colours Mono Short Finger Gloves

Price	$55 / £40
Padded?	No
Sizing	2XS to 2XL

Helping to reduce waste, Universal Colours repurposes leftover fabric to create these fingerless cycle gloves, and they have plenty of useful features to protect you while you’re on the move.

You’ll get Clarino ‘leather’ through the palms for high shock absorption, as well as silicone detailing for extra grip.

Reflective elements complete the package, helping you increase your visibility in poor weather conditions or after dark.

14. GripGrab Supergel Half-Padded Cycling Gloves

Price	£43 (UK only)
Padded?	Yes
Sizing	2XS to 2XL

With Velcro wrist tabs and 6mm DoctorGel padding, these cycle gloves have several practical elements for fuss-free comfort during long rides.

GripGrab has included a dedicated ‘sweat wiper’ to keep your vision clear during gruelling sessions, while the magnetic detailing is another useful addition, as it’ll keep your gloves together when you’re not using them to avoid you losing one.

There are multiple colours and sizes available, allowing you to get the perfect fit and style, while reflective patches help get the attention of other road users.

Features to look for in winter cycling gloves

Gloves designed to keep your hands warm should combine weatherproofing, grip and flexibility. Ideally they shouldn’t be too bulky otherwise you’ll find it hard to use the brakes and gears.

Long-fingered gloves as opposed to mittens are the best for maintaining dexterity.

Gore-Tex Infinium is a great material for windproofing. But you’ll also want a waterproof membrane if you ride a lot in the rain.

You may also want touchscreen-compatible tips to the gloves if your phone or bike computer have touchscreens.

Fluorescent colours and reflective details are a good bet for winter riding too.

At some stage in your ride, you might want to remove your gloves. Weigh up how easy they are to take off and whether they’ll fit into the pockets of your cycling jacket or cycling jersey; heavy-duty winter gloves can be a tight fit.

Should you wear gloves while cycling?

Wearing bike gloves has a number of different benefits, from keeping you comfortable to protecting against long-term health issues. So, if you’re often on your bike, it may be worth investing in a pair.

The best cycle gloves have well-positioned cushioning, which protects your hands in an accident and reduces the risk of developing blisters, handlebar palsy and potential nerve damage.

Bike gloves also mop up any sweat and help you grip the handlebars for extra safety.

Do you need cycling gloves in summer?

Some cyclists prefer not to wear bike gloves to avoid overheating in warm weather or to maintain a close feel with the bike.

But for keen cyclists, protecting your hands is always a sensible choice if you can tolerate the extra fabric.

Cycling gloves are a great idea for summer gravel riding to keep dust and grime off your hands and add cushioning.

Should cycling gloves be padded?

Cushioning will give you extra protection against muscle strain, nerve damage and everyday blisters and calluses. It’ll also limit any vibration from your bike for extra comfort.

The best cycle gloves have well-positioned cushioning, but it’s worth paying attention to the padding when you buy a new pair, as different gloves will have padding in different areas.

Check our selection of the best cold water swimming gloves to continue outdoor swimming this winter.

Recent updates

• 11 November 2025: we checked everything’s still on sale, included more images and explained which features to look for in cycling gloves.
• 17 January 2026: we updated all of our product deals to find the best possible bargains out there and updated our reccs for 2026, along with adding new reviews for the Madison and Van Rysel gloves.