Buyer's Guide · Gloves

How to Choose Horse Riding Gloves: The Complete Buyer's Guide

The right pair of horse riding gloves protects your hands, sharpens your contact with the reins, and keeps you comfortable in every season. The wrong pair slips, bunches, and wears out in weeks. This guide walks you through everything that matters — fit, materials, grip, and more — so you can choose with confidence.

---

Why riding gloves matter

Gloves do more than keep your hands clean. They protect against rein friction, blisters, sun, and rope burn, while giving you a steadier, more consistent feel on the reins. A good pair improves your communication with your horse; a bad pair gets in the way of it.

What to look for

1. Fit above all

A riding glove should fit like a second skin — snug, with no loose fabric at the fingertips and no pinching across the palm. Measure around your hand just below the knuckles and check the size chart. Fit is what gives you feel.

2. Material

Common options each suit different needs:

• Synthetic leather — durable, grippy, and easy to care for; a great all-rounder.
• Mesh / lightweight fabric — breathable and cool, ideal for summer riding.
• Leather — classic feel and durability, often chosen for showing.

3. Grip

Look for textured palms or silicone grip patterns and reinforced zones where your fingers wrap the reins. This is what keeps your contact secure when hands or reins get sweaty.

4. Breathability and season

Choose lightweight, ventilated gloves for summer and insulated, water-resistant gloves for winter. Many riders keep one pair for each season rather than compromising with a single all-purpose glove.

5. Touchscreen fingertips

A small but welcome feature: touchscreen-compatible fingertips let you use your phone without peeling off a glove.

Matching gloves to how you ride

• Schooling & everyday: prioritise comfort, breathability and durability.
• Showing: keep it traditional — neutral black or brown.
• Trail & jumping: favour maximum grip and weather resistance.

Caring for your gloves

Air-dry away from direct heat, hand-wash gently when needed, store them flat, and rotate two pairs in peak season. Treat them well and a good pair lasts seasons, not months.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need riding-specific gloves?

Yes. They're reinforced for rein contact and grip even when wet — ordinary gloves wear fast and offer far less control.

How should riding gloves fit?

Snugly, like a second skin, with no loose fabric at the fingertips.

What's the best material for summer?

Lightweight mesh or ventilated synthetic fabric to keep hands cool and dry.

---

The bottom line: nail the fit, choose the right material and grip for your season and discipline, and care for your gloves — and they'll quietly do their job every ride.

Find your pair — Shop Farris Gloves →