Best Equestrian Gloves for Summer 2024

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 your hands to maintain 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 harmful sun 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 horseback riding.

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 further narrow down the right pair of summer gloves, the RW Crew has put together a list of our favorites!

Our Top Equestrian Summer Glove Picks:

Kunkle Premium Mesh Riding Gloves

Newer 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, plus it offers touch screen capabilities to 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 even 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 while ensuring glove longevity. We also appreciate the touch screen-friendly finger pads that allow us to stay connected with our mobile devices as needed, without taking off our gloves!

LeMieux Spring Pro Mesh Riding Gloves

The LeMieux Spring Pro Mesh Riding Gloves are both lightweight and ultra breathable with a full mesh back. The stretchable material ensures a snug yet flexible fit. The full palm grip helps you maintain a secure grip, and a special perk is the double rein grip for those riders needing one. The reinforced fingers provide durability and longevity, making them perfect for long summer days at the barn. We are also loving the fact that you can mix and match these gloves with other Lemieux Spring colors to show off your personal style. Finished off with an angled and contoured velcro closure, these gloves won't interfere with wrist movement. These gloves by LeMieux 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 continue to be one of our best-sellers at RW year after year! 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 well for a dry feel all day long. The stretchy, elasticized back is comfortable against the skin and offers a customized feel—all at a great price too!

SSG Technical Coolmax/Aquasuede Plus Riding Gloves

If you are looking for a versatile glove with a "second skin" feel, the Technical Coolmax/Aquasuede Plus Riding Gloves by SSG have just that! Great for the show ring or at home, the Coolmax Lycra® back gives you a lightweight yet flexible fit that is both moisture-wicking and breathable—ideal for warm weather. Specifically designed to keep its grip when wet or dry, this glove is a great choice for cross-country; you don't have to worry about the reins slipping if you get caught in a pesky summer shower. The Aquasuede Plus® palm with strategically placed reinforcement areas gives you a soft skin-like feel while also absorbing sweat, ensuring durability and breathability. To top it all off, we love that you can just throw these gloves in the wash when they get dirty. They will retain their shape and not stiffen or shrink!

Ariat Cool Grip Washable Riding Gloves

Are you looking for a low-maintenance yet durable glove? The Cool Grip Washable Riding Gloves by Ariat give you all that and more! With their innovative ClimateTEK technology on the back of hand, these gloves have temperature regulating properties to keep your hands cool and dry during even the hottest of summer days. Plus, the washable fabric means you can keep them fresh ride after ride—making these a sustainable choice for summer riding. The comfort wrist closure is velcro free with an elastic opening instead for easy slipping on-and-off. The full grip, synthetic palm with abrasion resistance and reinforced stress-points give you superior grip and control, so you can handle the reins with confidence whether out on the trail or jumping a course!

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 neutral and fun color options. If you're headed to a competition, opt for more traditional colors (ie. 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, typically without too much bulk. Check out our Best Winter Horse Riding Gloves if you're reading this article as fall and winter approach.

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

A: The picture 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, since 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. Happy riding!

Shop the Best Equestrian Summer Gloves of the Year: