Best cycling gloves: We test 12 of the best short and long fingered options

A collage of the best cycling gloves
(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)

The best cycling gloves, or track mitts, as they are commonly known, have been worn by cyclists for decades to protect their hands and provide extra comfort on the bike. The humble track mitt or short-fingered glove is one of the few pieces of cycling equipment that has stayed the same over the years. 

We use our hands constantly when cycling. When gripping the handlebar tape and gear and brake levers, wiping our faces, drinking, repairing mechanicals, and wrenching on the bars when sprinting or climbing a steep hill. Cycling gloves can also protect the skin on our hands, particularly in the event of a crash, and add grip and comfort. Winter cycling gloves do the job of keeping our hands warm in the cold, but when summer arrives, gloves are still very valuable. 

Recent updates

Last updated on 06th of March 2025

We added an in-depth review for the best overall Rapha Core mitts gloves. We also added a new pair of gloves in the form of the Velocio Signature gloves, which replace the Galibier Specialissima.

Tom Wieckowski
Tech writer

Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as a tech writer. Despite having a degree in English Literature he has spent his entire working life in the cycling industry in one form or another. He has over 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last five years before joining Cyclingnews being spent running an independent workshop. This means he is just as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike, and he isn’t afraid to pull a bike apart or get hands-on with it when testing to really see what it’s made of. 

He has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines. He has a keen eye for pro-team tech and enjoys spotting new or interesting components in the wild. During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has already interviewed some of the sport's biggest names including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar and Alberto Contador. He's also covered various launches from brands such as Pinarello, Ridley, Specialized and more, tackled the Roubaix Challenge sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale SuperSix Evo, tested over 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and has created helpful in-depth buying advice relating to countless categories from torque wrenches to winter clothing. 

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