Winter MTB Gloves — Stay Warm Without Losing Grip or Feel
Cold weather rides can ruin your grip and kill your control. Here’s how to pick the best winter MTB gloves — plus my personal setup for staying warm in SoCal without feeling bulky or losing bar feel.
GEAR
10/10/20255 min read
Best Winter MTB Gloves — Stay Warm Without Losing Grip or Feel
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When it's warm out, I almost never wear gloves. But once winter comes around, my hands can get cold enough that I don't feel like I can grip the bars or brake as well, so that's when the gloves come out. I actually ended up with my favorite winter MTB gloves by accident. I was going through a camo phase and found a pair of Troy Lee Designs gloves in camo that I liked. When they showed up, I realized I'd bought winter gloves. I basically said, well, I don't need these right now, put them away, and pulled them back out when winter came around. I've been using them for cold rides for a couple of years now.
I've ridden in the mountains on days when my hands were still freezing even with gloves on, and when it gets really cold I've even resorted to thicker snow-style gloves. Although "really cold" needs some context—I'm in Southern California. Someone from a genuinely cold climate would probably see me bundled up and wonder what I'm complaining about.
That's the tradeoff I've learned with winter riding gloves. You need enough warmth to keep your hands functioning, but you still need to feel the bars, brakes, and shifter. A huge insulated glove might keep your hands warm, but it's not much good if you can't comfortably control the bike. Here are the things I'd look for in a winter MTB glove, along with a few options for different conditions and budgets.
If you're gearing up for wet weather riding, the right tires matter just as much as gloves — here's what to look for.
What to Look For in Winter MTB Gloves
Windproof material is the most important thing. Cold air cutting through at speed drops your hand temperature fast even if it's not that cold out. A windproof outer layer makes a huge difference.
Water resistance matters for wet winter rides, light rain or mud shouldn't soak through immediately. Full waterproofing isn't necessary for most riding but some water resistance goes a long way.
Dexterity is where a lot of budget winter gloves fall short. You need to shift, brake, and adjust your helmet without taking them off. If a glove is too bulky you'll end up riding without them anyway.
Grip on the palm and fingers keeps your hands secure on the bars even when things get wet. Look for silicone or rubberized grip material.
Fit matters more than people think. Too tight cuts circulation and makes your hands colder. Too loose and they move around on t
Winter MTB Gloves Compared
Fox Racing Ranger — Best for riders who want a familiar MTB-focused option with good bar feel.
GripGrab Ride Windproof — Best for blocking cold wind without adding a lot of bulk.
ROCKBROS Cycling Gloves — Budget option with added knuckle protection.
INBIKE Winter Cycling Gloves — Affordable all-around option for typical cold-weather rides.
MOREOK Waterproof Winter Gloves — Better suited to colder, wetter conditions where warmth matters more than maximum dexterity.
The Best Winter MTB Gloves
Fox Ranger Fire — Best All-Around Winter MTB Glove
The Ranger Fire is Fox's cold-weather version of the Ranger and makes more sense for winter riding than the standard Ranger glove. It's designed to add warmth and weather protection while still being a mountain bike glove, so you don't have to jump straight to a bulky snow-style glove. If you want a winter glove from a familiar MTB brand, this is a good place to start.
GripGrab Ride Windproof — Best for Cutting Wind
GripGrab is a cycling-specific brand, and the Ride Windproof is designed around something that matters a lot on cold rides: blocking wind without adding a ton of bulk. Even when the temperature isn't extremely low, cold air hitting your hands at riding speed can make them uncomfortable fast. If wind protection is your main priority and you still want good feel at the bars and controls, this is one worth considering.
100% Brisker — Best for Bar Feel in Cold Weather
The 100% Brisker is made specifically for cold-weather riding without going all the way to a bulky winter glove. That's useful for mountain biking because you still need good feel at the brakes, shifter, and grips. If you mostly ride in cool conditions and want some extra warmth without giving up too much dexterity, the Brisker is worth considering.
INBIKE Winter Cycling Gloves — Best Budget All-Rounder
INBIKE has some of the highest review counts of any MTB glove on Amazon which tells you something. The winter version is windproof, has a reflective design for visibility, and is warm enough for cold morning rides without being so bulky that you lose feel on the bars. A solid choice if you want something affordable that covers the basics without any frills.
Troy Lee Designs Swelter Basic Pro Plus — Best for Colder Conditions
I've been using an older pair of Troy Lee Designs winter gloves for a couple of years, but I don't see that exact model for sale anymore. The Swelter Basic Pro Plus is one of Troy Lee's current cold-weather options and is a much more insulated glove than the lightweight options above. If you're riding in genuinely cold conditions and warmth matters more than having the thinnest possible glove, this is the type I'd look at.
Tips for Riding With Winter Gloves
If your hands still get cold, try a thin liner glove underneath your winter gloves. It can add a surprising amount of warmth without much extra bulk. On the other hand, I try to avoid thick snow or ski-style gloves unless it's really cold. I've used them before, but the extra bulk makes it harder to feel the bars and controls.
Cold hands aren't just uncomfortable—they can also make it harder to grip the bars and use the brakes normally. If your fingers are getting numb or you feel like you're losing control, it's probably time to warm them up or add another layer. On really cold rides, staying warm matters more than trying to tough it out.
Final Thoughts
Gloves are one of those things you don't think about until you need them. In summer I still go bare handed most of the time and usually regret it after the first crash. But in winter the right gloves make the difference between cutting your ride short and staying out until the sun comes out.
For most riders the Fox Racing Ranger or INBIKE are the easy starting points. If wind is your main enemy go GripGrab. If you're riding in actual wet cold weather the MOREOK is worth the few extra dollars.
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