5 Best Horse Riding Gloves for Grip and Safety

Last Updated: October 26, 2026

Table of Contents

• Quick Comparison: Best Horse Riding Gloves for Grip and Safety
• How We Evaluated These Riding Gloves
• 1. HKM Riding Gloves - Grip Style: Best for Rein Control
• 2. SSG Gloves 8600 All Weather Universal: Best for Wet or Dry Grip
• 3. Heritage Pro Show Fit Riding Gloves: Best for the Show Ring
• 4. Aubrion GlowUp Reflective Winter Riding Gloves: Best Winter Horse Riding Gloves
• 5. HORZE Kids Riding Gloves with Silicone Palm Print: Best for Young Riders
• Horse Riding Glove Sizing and Fit: Getting the Right Pair
• Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Comparison: Best Horse Riding Gloves for Grip and Safety

Finding the best horse riding gloves for grip and safety comes down to matching the palm material and closure to how and when you ride. At Air Capital Tack, we have spent decades fitting riders with gear that holds up in real barn conditions, and the five pairs below cover every discipline and budget. Prices run from $12.99 to $49.99.

Here is the short version:

Glove	Price	Palm Material	Best For
HKM Grip Style	$25.99	Imitation leather	Rein control
SSG 8600 All Weather	$27.95	Aquasuede Plus	Wet or dry grip
Heritage Pro Show Fit	$20.99	Natural leather	The show ring
Aubrion GlowUp Reflective	$49.99	Lavalan wool insulation	Winter riding
HORZE Kids Silicone Palm	$12.99	Silicone print	Young riders

Rein grip is the whole point of a riding glove. A slick rein in a sweaty hand is how riders lose feel, and in the worst case, a horse. The five pairs we cover below each solve that problem differently, and one of them will fit how you ride.

How We Evaluated These Riding Gloves

We judged each pair on four things: palm grip, fit and closure, durability, and value for the money. Our benchmark is simple. A riding glove should let you feel the rein without fighting for traction, and it should stay put at the wrist through a full ride.

Grip matters most. The American Hippotherapy Association and other riding safety bodies treat secure rein handling as a core safety skill, and glove choice feeds directly into it. Beyond grip, we looked at whether the closure holds, whether seams sit where the rein crosses the hand, and whether the materials survive regular washing.

A common mistake is buying gloves that fit snug in the store but bind once your hands warm up. Size up when a brand runs small, and always check the palm, not just the fingers.

1. HKM Riding Gloves - Grip Style: Best for Rein Control

The HKM Grip Style is our top pick for riders who want a secure feel on the reins without paying leather prices. The grip-style palm is built for rein control, and the imitation leather delivers a polished look that works for schooling or the show ring.

The button closure at the wrist keeps the fit tailored, and the crisp white finish reads clean and classic. HKM is a German equestrian brand known for precise construction, and these gloves reflect that.

Pros:

• Rein-focused grip palm
• Easy-care polyurethane, so no leather conditioning
• Button closure holds a secure fit

Cons:

• Sizing runs small, so size up if you are between sizes
• Delicate wash only

Best for: riders who want reliable rein grip and a clean show-ready look. Skip if: you need a heavy winter glove.

You can shop the HKM Grip Style riding gloves in the size that fits your hand.

2. SSG Gloves 8600 All Weather Universal: Best for Wet or Dry Grip

SSG built the 8600 around its Aquasuede Plus palm, and that is the reason it earns a spot here. The palm holds grip whether your hands are dry or damp, which matters on humid days, in light rain, or after a long hack.

The elasticized back keeps the fit cool and comfortable, and the hook-and-loop wrist closure adjusts fast. Machine washable and air dry, these are the pair you can throw in the wash without a second thought. They come in teal, purple, horseshoe, and black.

Pros:

• Aquasuede Plus palm grips wet or dry
• Breathable, elasticized back
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Hook-and-loop closures can wear over time
• Listed as a women's fit

Best for: everyday riders in changeable weather. Skip if: you want a traditional leather show glove.

See the SSG 8600 All Weather gloves in all four colors.

3. Heritage Pro Show Fit Riding Gloves: Best for the Show Ring

Soft natural leather and a patented Rein Cut design make the Heritage Pro Show Fit the glove we point hunter/jumper and dressage riders toward. The reinforced index finger and double-stitched critical seams take the wear that rein contact creates.

Ventilation holes keep hands comfortable through a long show day, and the colorfast leather holds its polished look. This is a size 5, so check the fit before you commit.

Pros:

• Supple natural leather with good rein feel
• Patented Rein Cut and reinforced index finger
• Colorfast finish for the ring

Cons:

HKM Riding Gloves - Grip Style →

• Leather needs care to stay supple
• Single size listed

Best for: show-ring riders who want a classic leather glove. Skip if: you want a machine-washable everyday pair.

Get the Heritage Pro Show Fit gloves in size 5.

4. Aubrion GlowUp Reflective Winter Riding Gloves: Best Winter Horse Riding Gloves

Cold hands lose feel, and that is where the Aubrion GlowUp earns its place. Lavalan wool insulation, made from European virgin wool, keeps hands warm without overheating, and the fiberfill regulates temperature as conditions shift.

The water-repellent finish handles light rain and damp mornings, and reflective details improve visibility on early or evening rides. Lavalan wool is breathable, odor-neutralizing, and quick-drying, so these work for barn chores as well as the saddle (Functional Benefits).

Pros:

• Warm without overheating
• Water-repellent and quick-drying
• Reflective details for low light

Cons:

• The highest-priced pair on this list
• Bulkier feel than a summer glove

Best for: winter riding, early-morning turnouts, and barn work. Skip if: you ride in heat and want a thin summer glove.

Shop the Aubrion GlowUp winter riding gloves for cold-weather comfort.

5. HORZE Kids Riding Gloves with Silicone Palm Print: Best for Young Riders

Parents buying for a child's lessons need one thing above all: a glove that grips. The HORZE kids glove uses a silicone palm print for solid rein grip and a breathable build that keeps small hands comfortable.

At $12.99, it is an easy entry point for a growing rider, and the silicone print gives beginners the confidence that comes with a hand that does not slip. If you are new to tack buying, our team can help you match a size to your child's hand.

Pros:

• Silicone palm print for reliable grip
• Breathable and comfortable
• Affordable for growing riders

Cons:

• Kids sizing only
• Less durable than leather for heavy use

Best for: young riders and lesson programs. Skip if: you need an adult size.

Buy the HORZE kids riding gloves with the silicone palm print.

Horse Riding Glove Sizing and Fit: Getting the Right Pair

Horse riding glove sizing and fit decide whether a glove helps or hurts your rein feel. Measure around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, and match that to the brand's chart. When a brand runs small, size up.

Leather vs. synthetic riding gloves is the other big choice. Leather molds to your hand and gives a classic feel, but it needs care. Synthetic palms like polyurethane and Aquasuede resist water and wash easily, which suits everyday barn work.

A few fit rules we stand by:

• Try gloves on in the afternoon, when hands are at their largest
• Make a fist; the glove should not pull across the palm
• Check that seams sit off the rein line
• Break leather in before a show, never on the day

For winter, allow a little room for insulation. For summer, a snug fit keeps feel sharp. Getting this right is the difference between a glove you forget you are wearing and one you fight all ride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do horse riding gloves improve safety?

Yes. Riding gloves protect your hands from rope burns and rein friction, and a secure grip helps you keep contact if a horse spooks or pulls. Grip-style gloves like the HKM Grip Style and the SSG 8600 give a more confident hold on the reins in wet or dry conditions. Winter options such as the Aubrion GlowUp add reflective details for visibility during early morning or evening rides, which matters on roads and in low light.

How should horse riding gloves fit?

Gloves should be snug across the palm with no fabric bunching at the fingers, and the wrist closure should sit flat without pinching. You want enough room to make a fist and hold reins without the glove pulling tight across the knuckles. Check sizing charts before ordering: HKM gloves may run small, so sizing up is recommended if you are between sizes. Trying a pair on in person removes the guesswork.

Are leather or synthetic riding gloves better?

It depends on your priorities. Leather gloves like the Heritage Pro Show Fit offer a supple feel and a polished look for hunter/jumper and dressage shows, with a reinforced index finger and double-stitched seams. Synthetic options such as the HKM Grip Style (100% polyurethane) are easy to care for and hold up to regular schooling. Synthetic palms also handle wet weather well, as with the SSG 8600's Aquasuede Plus Palm.

How do you keep riding gloves from slipping on the reins?

Start with a glove that has a purpose-built grip surface, such as a silicone palm print or a grip-style palm, and make sure the fit is snug so the glove does not rotate on your hand. Keep the palm clean and dry, since sweat and dirt reduce friction. Replace gloves once the palm surface smooths out or hardens, because worn grip material is the most common reason riders lose rein feel.

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Grip and safety start with the right pair on your hands, and the wrong fit will undercut even the best glove. Air Capital Tack carries all five pairs above, backed by an owner with more than 42 years in the equine industry and a selection curated for real riders, not just catalog pages. Shop online with shipping six days a week, or stop into our Derby, KS store for a hands-on fit. Get started with Air Capital Tack and put a secure grip on the reins this season.