The Complete Riding Glove Buying Guide

Your hands are how you talk to your horse. Every rein cue, every half-halt, every steadying contact runs through your fingers — so the glove you choose has a real effect on how well you ride, not just how comfortable you are. This guide walks through everything that matters when buying riding gloves: what makes a good one, the different types, materials, how to choose for your discipline, and how to get the fit right.

What makes a riding glove actually work

Five things decide whether a riding glove is worth wearing:

Grip. Reins communicate through your hands, and a glove that slips when your palms sweat — or when it starts to rain — breaks that connection. Look for reinforced material where the reins run: the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers.
Fit. A glove should feel like a second skin, snug with no spare fabric bunching at the fingertips. Loose gloves twist, blister and dull your feel.
Breathability. Sweaty hands lose grip and get uncomfortable fast. A breathable mesh or perforated back keeps hands dry through long sessions.
Dexterity. A low-bulk build lets you make small rein adjustments — and open a gate or check your phone — without pulling the glove off.
Durability. Rein friction wears gloves out exactly at the contact points. Reinforcement there is what makes a glove last more than a season.

The main types of riding gloves

Type	Best for	Key strength	Watch out for
Mesh hybrid / all-rounder	Everyday schooling, trail, barn work	All-weather grip plus airflow	Check the palm reinforcement is real, not just printed dots
Summer mesh	Hot weather	Maximum ventilation	Thin palms can wear quickly
Winter insulated	Cold-climate riding	Warmth without bulk	Extra bulk can reduce rein feel
Leather show glove	Formal competition	Traditional, polished look	Can slip when wet and often needs breaking in

Materials: synthetic, leather or mesh?

The two most common materials are leather and synthetic, usually paired with a mesh back for breathability.

Synthetic (vegan) leather gives you consistent grip, is easy to care for, dries quickly, and doesn't stiffen the way real leather can. It's the go-to for schooling and daily riding.
Real leather offers a classic look favoured in the show ring, but it needs breaking in, can slip when wet, and requires more care.
Mesh on the back of the hand keeps air moving so your hands stay cool and dry — ideal for warm weather and long rides.

Choosing by discipline

Dressage: prioritise a close, low-bulk fit and precise feel for subtle rein aids.
Jumping & eventing: you want extra grip and strength to keep up with quick, high-energy movement.
Trail & endurance: look for added padding and breathability for long-distance comfort that prevents blisters and chafing.
Schooling & barn work: a durable all-rounder that handles daily use and chores as well as riding.

Grip and the four contact points

The reins are really only held at four points: the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. The best-performing gloves reinforce exactly those points with high-friction material, so your grip survives sweat, heat and light rain — while the rest of the glove stays thin enough to preserve the "feel" that connects you to your horse. This is the single biggest difference between a glove that helps your riding and one that just covers your hands.

Getting the fit right

Even the best glove underperforms in the wrong size. Measure around the widest part of your hand (excluding the thumb) and match it to a size chart. It should fit snugly like a second skin, with no loose fabric at the fingertips. If you're between sizes, size up. See our riding glove size guide for a 30-second measuring method and full fit chart.

Caring for your gloves

Most synthetic riding gloves can be cold-washed with similar colours and left to air dry — never tumble dry, which breaks down grip material and elastic. Washing after dusty or sweaty rides keeps the palm grippy and the glove lasting longer.

Your 5-point buying checklist

Reinforced grip at the four rein contact points
Breathable back (mesh or perforated) for dry, cool hands
A snug, low-bulk fit that preserves feel
Touchscreen-compatible fingertips if you ride with your phone
Tagless construction and a comfortable wrist closure that stays put

Where Farris fits in

The Farris Flexigrip glove is built around exactly these principles: a reinforced grip palm at the four contact points, a 4-way stretch mesh back for airflow, touchscreen fingertips, and a tagless, all-day-comfort build. If you want a schooling and all-weather glove that keeps you connected to the reins, shop the Flexigrip riding gloves — every pair comes with a free size exchange if the fit isn't perfect.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need riding-specific gloves?
You can ride without them, but purpose-built gloves add reinforced grip where the reins run and protect against blisters and rein burn — something general work or sport gloves aren't designed for.

Leather or synthetic — which is better?
Synthetic is the more practical all-rounder for schooling and daily riding; leather is traditional for the show ring but needs more care and can slip when wet.

Will riding gloves work in the rain?
A reinforced grip palm holds up in sweat and light rain. In heavy, sustained wet you'll always lose some grip — that's true of any glove — but a good grip palm holds far better than smooth leather.