FAQ about riding gloves

Felix Bühler Fleece Winter Riding Gloves Polar Touch

1. What should I look for when buying riding gloves?

First and foremost, a riding glove should fit like a second skin to avoid friction and blistering and to provide the necessary sensitivity for rein aids. You can find out how to determine your size together with tips on fitting in our guide.

The wide range of riding gloves is justified by different uses, seasonal conditions and individual preferences. If you are looking for a light riding glove for the summer, you will certainly choose a different model than someone who is looking for a warm working glove for mucking out the stalls. Thus, the material used primarily influences the purchase decision, but useful details such as rein reinforcements, breathability or closures are also important factors when buying riding gloves. Individual preferences and one’s own budget also limit the personal choice of models that come into question.

2. How long do riding gloves last?

The durability of riding gloves is difficult to determine. There are many individual factors that significantly influence the durability of a riding glove. The quality often depends on the material used. For example, a thin cotton glove is much more delicate than a riding glove made of genuine leather due to the natural properties of the material. Riding gloves are exposed to constant friction from the reins, therefore the material wears out over time. Rein reinforcements can extend the durability to a certain extent. In addition, there is also the frequency of use. If you ride a lot and also use your riding gloves frequently for stable work, you will have to replace your riding gloves more often than someone who sits on a horse once per week. In order to enjoy your riding gloves for as long as possible, it is advisable to take care of them properly. You can find out how to do this in our riding glove care guide.

3. How often should you wash riding gloves?

It is not necessary to wash riding gloves after every use. In most cases, coarse dirt can be removed with a soft brush or, depending on the material, with a damp cloth and a mild detergent. Each wash contributes to additional wear and tear on the material, so textile models in particular should not see the inside of the washing drum too often. However, the way riding gloves are cleaned plays a much bigger role. Leather gloves should not be washed in the washing machine at all and should be treated regularly with leather care products. You can find out how to properly care for leather gloves and other riding gloves in our riding glove care guide.

4. How should riding gloves fit?

When it comes to rein aids, you need to have the right instinct. Therefore, riding gloves should fit as perfectly as possible, neither too tight nor too big. When trying on riding gloves, proceed as follows.

1. Putting on the riding glove: can the riding glove be slipped on smoothly or does it already feel tight? Then the riding glove is too small.

2. Movement test: Clench your hand into a fist, spread your fingers, fold your fingers into each other. Do your hands feel constricted and does the material tighten? Is it not possible to stretch your fingers to the full extent? Then the riding glove is too small. Does the riding glove wrinkle unattractively when you move? Do you have the feeling that your hands „swim“ in the glove? Then it might be too big.

3. Check the closures: The hook-and-loop fastener should ideally close flush. If this is not the case, this is also an indication that the riding glove does not fit perfectly.

5. Do riding gloves need to be impregnated?

Not all riding gloves require impregnation. Fibre protection is only recommended for riding gloves made of softshell or for artificial leather and genuine leather gloves. New riding gloves generally do not need to be impregnated, as the material already has an intact protective layer. However, if you notice that moisture is penetrating from the outside and water is no longer beading off, you should re-impregnate the gloves. Commercially available impregnation sprays can be used for this purpose, which you spray on superficially. If you also want to impregnate the corners of the gloves that are difficult to access, you can wash the gloves with an impregnation rinse.

Leather riding gloves do not require impregnation in the form of sprays. Leather gloves require intensive leather care that also protects against water penetration. You can find out how to care for your leather riding gloves in our guide „How do I care for my riding gloves properly?“

6. Are children’s riding gloves allowed to be impregnated?

Small children like to put their fingers in their mouths, which can be a problem with the chemicals of impregnation sprays on the riding glove.

Many children’s riding gloves for very young riders are mostly made of cotton, so impregnation is not an option here. But for riding gloves for the winter, impregnation is definitely recommended. Doctors see no problem in impregnating children’s gloves as long as the spray is not directly inhaled.

If you still want to be on the safe side, you can use water-based impregnation sprays that are also free of PFCs (per- and polyfluorinated chemicals). Sprays of this kind are harmless and free of harmful substances. At the same time, they are not as effective as other impregnations.

7. Can riding gloves be put in the dryer?

No, riding gloves should be dried gently in the air. Leather and synthetic leather riding gloves in particular should be handled with care. Riding gloves can lose their fit due to the heat and spinning in the dryer. You can find detailed care instructions for the different materials of riding gloves in our guide „How do I care for my riding gloves properly?“

8. I measured the glove size exactly, but the gloves still don’t fit. What could be the reason for this?

The manufacturer’s specifications for glove sizes are guidelines, as gloves are not standardised according to size. In addition, the ergonomic cut and the elasticity of the material play a decisive role in the accuracy of fit. Furthermore, hands vary from rider to rider. For example, one broad hand may have short, thick fingers, while another broad hand may have long, thin fingers. Measuring the circumference of the hand is an important step in finding the right fit for the riding glove. However, the rider cannot avoid a detailed fitting of different models.

9. Are expensive riding gloves of better quality than inexpensive models?

This question cannot be answered with a blanket yes. The price certainly has a decisive role in indicating the quality. Of course, robust materials such as genuine leather cost more than a synthetic material. Nevertheless, there are definitely affordable models below the average of £20 that last over a long period of time even with intensive use.

10. How should riding gloves fit?

A suitable riding glove should fit snugly in order to remain wrinkle-free and not hinder sensitivity, but at the same time it should not cause a feeling of being pinched.

If you can slip into the glove without any problems (width check) and your spread fingers only slightly touch the front of the glove with the fingertip (length check) without any unpleasant tightening, the riding glove fits correctly.

You can read about how to correctly measure your hand circumference for the right glove size in our guide „What is important in a good riding glove?“

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