Best cycling gloves: We test 12 of the best short and long fingered options

A collage of the best cycling gloves
(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)

The best cycling gloves, or track mitts, as they are commonly known, have been worn by cyclists for decades to protect t♉heir hands and provide extra comfort on the bike. The humble track mitt or short-fingered glove is one of the fe𒀰w pieces of cycling equipment that has stayed the same over the years. 

We use ou🌼r hands constantly when cycling. When gripping the handlebar tape and gear and brake levers, wiping our faces, drinking, repairing mechanicals, and wrenching on the bars when sprinting or climbing a steep hill. Cycling gloves can also protect the skin on our hands, particularly in the event of a crash, and add grip and comfort. Winter cycling gloves do the job of keeping our hands warm in the cold, but when summer arrives, gloves are still very valuable. 

Best Overall

➕ Very comfortable design
➕ Simple, classic styling
➖ No dedicated thumb wipe panel

The Rapha C🐎ore Mitts are $50/£40, cheaper than the top-end Pro Tram mitts, but they pack a real punch. They are available in black and navy, i🍸n XS-XXL sizes, and each glove features a simple, classic white Rapha logo. The styling work for on or off-road riding.  

A perforated meshꦰ fabric on the back provides great comfort and cooling, whilst a synthetic, lightly padded suede palm provides solid levels of comfort and grip. The gloves are lightly compressive but remain really comfy everywhere, which isn't always the case. 

澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:Rapha Core Mitts in-depth review.

Best budget gloves

➕ Great value for the features included
➕ Nice Terry cloth thumb wipe panel
➕ Ample Gel palm padding

The Xtract mitts from the Scottish♔ brand Endura꧑ are good quality mitts that have some design features I value. 

The Xtract mitts come in four bright colou♛rs and are competitively priced. They are the only gloves in the test to feature a velcro wrist closure strap. Seemingly a rare design choice 🉐of late for brands but one that makes getting the gloves on and off really easy. 

There's a generous Terry nose wipe panel on the thumb, which really helps if you need to wipe your nose or face. There's also ge🧸l palm padding overlaid with a silicone grip. If you want⛄ a solid pair of gloves that won't break the bank, look no further.