Best Equestrian Gloves for Summer 2023

Our hands are one of our most important tools for communicating with our horses, whether we're riding, mucking stalls, or loving on our favorite equine. Yet many of us do not adequately protect our hands while at the barn or in the saddle. We encourage you to care for that vital connection with summer riding gloves.

When shopping for gloves, we suggest focusing on key features, such as UV protection and technical materials. Consider selecting gloves with a high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). A fabric's UPF indicates how much UV radiation it allows to reach your skin. For example, a UPF 50 fabric blocks 98% of the sun's rays and allows 2% to penetrate, thus reducing your exposure risk significantly. Put simply, the higher the UPF, the greater the protection from the sun's harmful rays.

Look for lightweight, breathable fabrics that wick away moisture and allow air to circulate. Materials like polyester, spandex, and mesh are great options. In addition to keeping you cool, these technical fabrics provide better UPF protection than natural fabrics like cotton. Technical fabrics are typically thin but durable, making them ideal for summer riding gloves.

With these important features in mind, it shouldn't be hard to find the perfect pair of gloves to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the warmer months. To help you choose the right pair of gloves, the RW Crew has put together a list of our favorites!

Our Top Glove Picks:

Kunkle Premium Mesh Riding Gloves

New to Riding Warehouse, the Kunkle Mesh Riding Gloves have become a fast favorite among the staff. Designed with premium features often seen in more expensive gloves, these Kunkle gloves are comfortable and impressively durable. The mesh backing keeps air flowing throughout the glove and provides that "second-skin" feel for minimal interference between you, the reins, and the horse. A pebbled texture along the fingers and palms prevents slippage as the touch screen capabilities allow you to access your phone at any point during your ride!

EGO7 Air Mesh Riding Show Gloves

We found the versatile EGO7 Air Mesh Gloves perfect for warm-weather showing or everyday schooling. The full mesh back allows air to penetrate the glove, keeping you cool through hot days and hotter competition! The synthetic leather palm is designed to provide an optimal connection with your equine partner so you can focus on the ride and not on bulky gloves. Reinforcement patches around where the reins pass through your fingers offer a secure grip and ensure glove longevity. We also appreciate the touch screen-friendly finger pads that allow us to stay connected with our mobile devices.

LeMieux 3D Mesh Riding Gloves

The LeMieux 3D Mesh Riding Gloves are both lightweight and breathable, with a 3D mesh back panel design. We appreciate the close-contact feel provided by the anti-slip stretch fabric on the palm area, keeping our hands secure on the reins. The comfort and coolness provided by breathable fabrics make these gloves a great choice for everyday use, while their subtle look makes them suitable for the show ring. And touch screen-compatible fingers are always convenient. These gloves are a summer favorite for many of us!

SSG "The Original One" All Weather Riding Gloves

We know why "The Original One" All Weather Gloves by SSG are one of our best-sellers at RW! Suitable for any equestrian discipline, The Original One is designed with an Aquasuede Plus palm that offers exceptional grip and will not shrink or stiffen after drying. Breathable and comfortable, the faux suede material wears better than leather and absorbs moisture and sweat for a dry fit all day long. The stretchy elasticized back is comfortable against the skin and offers a customized feel. All at a great price too!

Ariat Air Grip Riding Gloves

We especially like the security provided by the Ariat Air Grip Gloves' grippy synthetic suede palms. The back panels are oh-so-cool, constructed with breathable Stretch Tek Twill for superior flexibility and a comfortable fit. And the articulated fingers allow close contact for optimal feel. To round out this impressive package, reinforcement panels on high-wear areas ensure that you'll be using these gloves for years to come.

Q: Do I need to wear riding gloves in the summer? Won't I be cooler with bare hands?

A: Many equestrians opt for gloves year-round. Focusing on the riding element, gloves will typically provide a more secure grip on the reins than bare hands, especially if you or your horse is sweating. No one wants to be fumbling with their reins at a critical moment. If only for you and your horse's safety, consider wearing gloves.

Many of the latest gloves use technical fabrics like polyester, elastane, and spandex. These fabrics are moisture-wicking and provide a cooling effect. Don't assume that going bare-handed will be cooler than wearing gloves. Try a pair of summer-specific gloves; you may be surprised how comfortable your hands feel!

Gloves with a high UPF rating will protect your hands from sun damage, including sunspots and wrinkles. No one wants hands that look older than our face or arms!

Many equestrians must wear gloves in cooler seasons. In certain parts of the United States and Europe, it's simply too cold to ride in bare hands for much of the year. In such cases, it may be best to continue to wear gloves through summer for a consistent feel.

Q: What are the best gloves for horseback riding?

A: The best glove for you comes down to your personal preferences. Key considerations include the time of year and the weather in your location. Look for summer gloves that are lightweight and breathable. If you wear gloves consistently, you'll want gloves you can wash as they'll get soiled quickly.

Like all apparel, gloves also provide an opportunity for you to show your individual style. Perhaps you love color; if so, many brands offer both subdued and fun, colorful options. If you're headed to a competition, opt for more traditional colors (for example, black gloves for the hunter/jumper show ring and white or light-colored gloves for the dressage court).

If you've gotten comfortable in your summer gloves, be prepared to switch to their warmer cousins when the leaves begin to drop. Winter gloves provide warmth, hopefully without bulk. Check out our best winter gloves article if you're reading this as fall and winter approach.

Q: How do I know what size gloves to wear?

A: The guide below can help you determine your glove size. As noted toward the bottom, sizing tends to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Use your measurement as a general guide, taking into account any brand-specific differences.

We hope this article has encouraged you to treat your hands with care. They are the only pair we get! As fellow equestrians, we understand how important it is to protect ourselves from the harmful effects of the sun, high temperatures, and humidity. Failure to do so can lead to a range of negative health effects that may impact us and our ability to care for our equine companions.

Riding glove options are numerous and ever-changing; however, if you focus on key features, such as UV protection and technical materials, you're certain to find a summer glove that will keep you cool and comfortable. If you are in need of further assistance, please feel free to reach out to our helpful customer service team at info@ridingwarehouse.com or at 1-800-620-9145.

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