We Tested the Best Padded Bike Gloves—These 7 Will Keep You Comfy As You Ride (2024)

Activewear

• Our Picks

  See Also

  Best Cycling Gloves in 2024: Top Models Reviewed [Buyers' Guide]5 Best Tactical Gloves for Protection and Dexterity6 Best Sun Protection Gloves [2024 Reviews]

• We Also Tested

• How We Tested

• What to Look For

• FAQs

• Why Trust Verywell Fit

MOREOK’s Cycling Gloves stand out for their consistent comfort, moisture-wicking capabilities, solid grip, and overall value—we think they’re worth their budget-friendly price and then some. These gloves never let us down when riding—they kept hands protected, dry, and pain-free even after two hours or more of cycling.

Featuring shock-proof gel pads, an anti-slip coating, and reinforced micro-fiber cloth, the gloves are durable enough for years of rugged rides to come. We appreciate the adjustable hook and loop closure for a customized fit, as well as the standard fingerless design that makes reaching for your phone, water, or a mid-ride snack even easier. But we do wish this somewhat bulky pair of gloves had a more streamlined look, like Specialized’s Women's Body Geometry Gloves (our best gel pick). However, this pair is a great, affordable option for those who don’t mind some extra bulk for added protection.

^{Key Specs:
Materials: Spandex | Sizes: S-XXL | Reflective Details: None | Care: Machine wash, air dry}

In order to reap the many benefits of outdoor cycling, you need comfortable and durable gear to keep you in the zone. We love Giro’s SIV Men’s Road Cycling Gloves because they kept us comfortable, secure, and focused during each ride throughout testing. And we specifically recommend this pair for warm weather wear, thanks to its breathable, moisture-wicking fabric.

Unlike our plush best overall pick, these gloves are thin with minimal padding—making them a better pick for hot and sweaty days but not ideal for cold weather or very bumpy rides on rugged terrain.

We appreciate the microfiber suede palm that provided a tacky grip, regardless of how much sweat sneaks between your hand and handlebars. This pick will cost you a little bit more than MOREOK’s Cycling Gloves Bike Gloves, but we think it’s well worth it for outdoor cyclists with sweaty hands that need grip and protection without the bulk.

^{Key Specs:
Materials: Polyester | Sizes: XS-XL | Reflective Details: No | Care: Not listed}

When testing, we had total control of our rides in this pair of padded bike gloves, thanks to their advanced anti-slip grip. The pair features a similar level of padding and comfort toMOREOK’s Cycling Gloves(our best overall pick) but with two layers of gel pads for optimal shock absorption and vibration damping.

Our only complaint, the Specialized Women's Body Geometry Dual-Gel Short Finger Gloves might run a bit small. While we found them to be super comfortable and protective during our test, one of our testers did complain about feeling a bit constricted and needed to size up for a more freeing fit.

This pair is a bit pricer than other options on our list, but we think it’s worth it for frequent cyclists who prefer thick gel padding to get them through tough rides like mountain biking.

^{Key Specs:
Materials: Synthetic suede | Sizes: XS-XL | Reflective Details: Yes | Care: Not listed}

GEARONIC’s Shockproof Short Gloves are, like most other picks on our list, a fingerless padded bike glove that will protect your hands while riding on all types of terrains. But what sets this pair apart is their super budget-friendly price.

During test rides, we found the gloves to fit well and provide a really solid grip. And at the start of rides, they felt super breathable, keeping our hands comfortable and dry. But the longer we rode, the more sweat built up inside the gloves—causing the velcro closure to loosen and the gloves to move around.

While we still think these are a great option for a 30-minute to hour-long bike ride, if you plan on riding for longer distances, we recommend spending just a little bit more on MOREOK’s Cycling Gloves for longer-lasting sweat-wicking capabilities.

^{Key Specs:
Materials: Suede | Sizes: M-XXL | Reflective Details: Yes | Care: Machine wash, air dry}

Whether you ride outside in cool climates or warm weather, PEARL IZUMI’s Elite Gel Cycling Gloves will keep your hands protected, dry, and comfortable. The generously padded palm features a cooling gel and ventilation holes for optimal breathability. We especially appreciate the extra padding on the balls of the hand and at the base of the thumb for added shock absorption when riding on rough terrains.

While testing, we completed long and sweaty rides on an indoor cycling bike and had no issues with sweat retention or overheating when wearing these gloves. It’s important to note that because of the additional padding, this pair feels somewhat bulkier than some other options on our list. So if you're going for a more streamlined, versatile look, we recommend opting for our best gel pick, Specialized’s Women's Body Geometry Dual-Gel Short Finger Gloves.

^{Key Specs:
Materials: Suede, synthetic leather | Sizes: S-XXL | Reflective Details: No | Care: Machine wash, air dry}

PEARL IZUMI’s Women’s Select Gloves are great for beginners because they provide comfort, protection, and good grip—all at a low-stakes price. We tested this pair outdoors in warm and cool climates and even completed one test ride on an indoor cycling bike. During all of our test rides, these gloves never slipped due to excess moisture retention, thanks to their breathable, sweat-wicking material.

Similar to Giro’s SIV Men’s Road Cycling Gloves, this pick features less padding than some other options on our list. The minimal padding gives these gloves a more streamlined look that’s suitable for a variety of activities and great for warm-weather riding. But you may want to opt for something with more padding, like our best overall pick, if you’re planning on biking on off-trail, rugged terrain.

We recommend this pick for beginner cyclists, recreational road bikers, commuters, or those who want extra grip on their stationary bike.

^{Key Specs:
Materials: Polyester, leather | Sizes: S-XL | Reflective Details: Yes | Care: Machine wash, air dry}

Aero Tech’s Cycling Gloves feature thick gel padding on the palm that provides great shock absorption and protection without sacrificing range of motion and comfort. We appreciate that even though this pair is heavily padded, it doesn't feel bulky like other similarly padded options on our list. We found these gloves to be super comfortable and enjoyed their stylish front crochet design.

But when it comes to moisture-wicking, there are better options out there. On longer, sweaty rides we did notice that some heat got trapped inside the gloves causing excess sweat to accumulate, especially for those of us with particularly sweaty hands. If you're looking for a more breathable, sweat-wicking option, we recommendPEARL IZUMI’s Elite Gel Cycling Glove(the most breathable option on our list).

^{Key Specs:
Materials: Leather, cotton | Sizes: XS-3XL | Reflective Details: No | Care: Not listed}

How We Rated the Padded Bike Gloves

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the benefits of padded bike gloves?

  Padded bike gloves can help prevent hand pain and strain. They can also provide a barrier between the handlebars and your skin to prevent calluses and blisters. And if you tend to sweat while you ride, grippy gloves can improve your grasp on the handlebars.

• Should cycling gloves be tight or loose?

  The most important thing is comfort—you want to ride freely and without distraction. It’s important to choose a pair of padded bike gloves fitted to your hands without a lot of excess room. But they should also not restrict movement or feel too snug, says Mohn.

• How do you clean padded bike gloves?

  To clean bike gloves, use mild soapy water and allow the gloves to air dry. Cleaning them after each use can help prevent bacterial growth that may deteriorate the gloves. Always be sure to wash your gloves according to manufacturer instructions.

• Why do bikers wear gloves?

  Bikers wear gloves for comfort and protection. Padded bike gloves add an extra layer of cushion between the hands and handlebars, preventing pain and strain. And a quality pair of gloves will provide good grip to avoid slippage when sweating—they also offer great protection against the sun, says Mohn.Frequent bikers also appreciate that gloves can limit the formation of painful calluses and blisters over time.