Horse Riding Gloves for Women: How to Choose the Right Pair

Riding with Farris

Fit and grip first; everything else is a tie-breaker.

The right riding glove isn't an accessory — it's equipment. Get it wrong and you lose feel on the reins at exactly the wrong moment. Here's how to choose women's riding gloves that fit, grip, and last, minus the marketing fluff.

Does "women's" actually matter?

The glove doesn't need a gender, but the fit does. Most women have narrower palms and slimmer fingers than the "unisex medium" a lot of brands quietly size for men. A glove cut for a broader hand bags at the fingertips and twists on the palm, robbing you of feel. So "women's riding gloves" is less about the colour on the label and more about a size run that goes small enough and sits snug.

What to look for

• Fit first. Snug like a second skin — no empty space at the fingertips, no bunching across the palm. Between sizes? Size down.
• Grip that holds when wet. Sweat and rain finish off a cheap palm. Look for a tacky, textured surface or silicone detailing across the palm and fingers.
• The right material. Leather (deerskin or goatskin) feels lovely and lasts but needs care; modern four-way-stretch synthetics are lighter, breathe, dry fast, and wash easily. For everyday riding, a good synthetic palm is hard to beat.
• A breathable back for summer, and a low-bulk, windproof option for the cold.
• Touchscreen fingertips if you ride with your phone.

Get the size right (30 seconds)

Wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, without your thumb. Read it in inches — that's roughly your glove size. Measuring in centimetres? An 18.8 cm palm is about 7.4 inches, a small-to-medium, around a size 7½. Sizing runs differ between brands, so always cross-check our sizing chart before you order.

A few common mistakes

• Buying too big because snug felt strange in the shop. Riding gloves are meant to feel snug — trust the fit, not the first impression.
• Shopping the back of the glove. You feel the reins through the palm; that's the part that matters.
• Machine-drying leather. That's how a good pair turns stiff and shrunken. Air-dry, always.

Frequently asked questions

How should horse riding gloves fit?

Snugly, like a second skin. There should be no empty space at the fingertips and no bunching across the palm. You should be able to make a relaxed fist and pick up the reins easily. If you're between sizes, size down.

How do I measure my hand for riding gloves?

Wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, without including your thumb. Read the measurement in inches — that number is roughly your glove size. Always check it against the brand's own sizing chart.

Are leather or synthetic riding gloves better for women?

Both work well. Leather such as deerskin or goatskin offers a broken-in feel and excellent durability but needs more care. Modern synthetics are lighter, breathe well, dry faster, and are easier to wash. For an everyday all-rounder, a quality synthetic-palmed glove is hard to beat.

Farris · shopfarris.ca · #RideWithFarris