Winter Horse Riding Gloves: Warm Hands Without Losing Feel
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Warmth and rein feel pull in opposite directions. Here's how to balance them.
Cold fingers and clean rein contact pull in opposite directions. The whole trick to winter riding gloves is keeping enough warmth without turning your hands into oven mitts. Here's how to strike that balance.
The warmth-vs-feel tradeoff
A thick, padded glove keeps your fingers toasty but muffles your contact. The fix is simple: buy the least bulky glove that's still warm enough for your climate, not the warmest one on the shelf. You'll keep more feel and ride better for it.
What to look for
- A windproof, insulated back. This is where the cold gets in. A wind-resistant, lightly insulated back does most of the work without adding bulk to the palm.
- Dexterity. You should still be able to make a fist and pick up the reins easily. If you can't, it's too much glove.
- Grip in the cold and wet. Frosty, damp reins are slick — a textured or silicone palm matters even more in winter.
- A snug cuff that keeps drafts out and sits under your jacket sleeve.
- Touchscreen fingertips so you're not bare-handing your phone in freezing weather.
When heated gloves make sense
If you ride somewhere genuinely brutal, heated or heavily insulated gloves are worth considering — just go in knowing you're trading away some feel for the extra warmth. For most riders in most winters, a good windproof glove plus keeping your hands moving between efforts is enough.
Two pairs beat one
Most regular riders end up with two: a light, breathable pair for warm weather and a warmer pair for the cold months. It's the combination that keeps you riding year-round. Air-dry your winter gloves fully between rides, too — damp gloves get cold fast and stop gripping.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best riding gloves for cold weather?
Choose the least bulky glove that still keeps you warm enough for your climate, since warmth and rein feel work against each other. Look for a windproof, insulated back that keeps dexterity. In very harsh conditions, heated or heavily insulated gloves are worth considering.
Are heated riding gloves worth it?
For most riders, a good windproof, lightly insulated glove plus keeping your hands moving is enough. Heated gloves make sense if you regularly ride in genuinely severe cold — just expect to trade away some rein feel for the extra warmth.
Can I ride in normal gloves in winter?
You can, but thin everyday gloves leave your hands cold and stiff, which dulls your aids. A dedicated winter pair with a windproof back keeps your fingers working without much extra bulk.
From the makers
Built around feel
We design and ride in our own gear. The Farris Flexigrip riding gloves are lightweight, grippy, and tough — and as a Canadian brand we ship free with 30-day risk-free returns, so if a pair doesn't fit, send it back.
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