Person wearing black riding gloves near a horse's face

Riding gloves are an essential piece of your riding outfit. They protect your hands from friction against the reins or lunge line and from the elements. Riding gloves are designed specifically to aid riders and often have reinforced areas for durability where reins come in contact with the gloves. Features vary between styles, but may include added grip, ventilation panels, flexible fabrics, and weather resistance.

Glove manufacturers offer sizing in either half-inch increments or in universal sizing from extra small to extra large. Riding gloves should fit snugly, but not feel tight or binding.

To determine your glove size:

1) Use a soft fabric tape measure with inch increments.

2) Measure around the widest part of your hand, excluding your thumb. The tape measure should be snug and straight, but not tight.

How to measure for gloves using a tape measure

3) The number of inches around your hand represents your glove size. In the photo, the glove size is determined as 7 inches. If the tape measure showed 6¾ as the measurement, then the recommended glove size would be rounded up to 7 inches.

If the riding gloves you like are offered in universal sizes, refer to the size charts provided here to determine your size.

Glove Size Charts
Helpful Tip: Leather gloves may be cared for in much the same way as your leather tack. If they become wet, allow them to dry naturally and away from artificial heat sources. Condition them lightly with a leather conditioner to prevent them from cracking. Always check the manufacturer's care label, but in general, synthetic riding gloves may be washed by hand with a mild soap and allowed to air dry.