We always tell our children to wear a helmet, and perhaps even elbow and knee pads when riding their bike. We do this to keep them safe, but what about their hands? Holding on to a handlebar, especially for small children or those riding aggressively, can lead to blisters.
Biking gloves can eliminate those potential blisters and protect the hands from being scraped up in case your child wipes out. So how do you find the best biking gloves for kids, and does your youngster really need them? Let’s find out.
- Adorable design
- Lots of padding
- Soft and absorbent material
- Incredible durability, yet ultra-soft
- Allows room for ventilation
- Includes anti-slip foam pads
- Includes shock-absorbing materials
- Ergonomically designed
- Breathable material
- Great big-kid design
- Easy hook and loop closure
- One year warranty
- Breathable material keeps hands dry
- Touch screen design
- Thick padding on palm
The Best Kids Bike Gloves of 2023
Here are the top five bike gloves for kids.
ZippyRooz Toddler & Little Kids’ Bike Gloves
Best Overall
Arriving with a warning that your little one might get superhero powers from wearing them, these gloves are fantastic. For starters, they’re available in adorable, colorful prints, suitable for both boys and girls.
Besides the ultra-cute design, the gloves offer ample padding around the palm and fingers. The material on the thumb is extra soft and absorbent, there to serve as a nose wipe for the constant runny noses kids seem to have. These are ideal for young children riding on balance bikes — the padding protects their hands during falls.
The gloves are a half-finger style, excellent for summer use. On the fingers are hoops to assist your little one when putting them on and taking them off.
Various sizes are available, suitable for children ranging between 1- to 8-years-old. The materials used are a mix of nylon and polyester, plus they’re machine washable.
Pros
- Adorable design, with various prints to choose from.
- Lots of padding for extra protection.
- Soft and absorbent material.
- Easy for your child to take on and off independently.
Cons
- The sizes run large.
- A little slippery, so they won’t help when a good grip is needed.
Product Specs
| Style | Half-finger |
| Sizes available for ages | 1 to 8 years |
| Material | Nylon and polyester |
| Machine washable | Yes |
Our Ratings
Finger Ten Kids’ Junior Cycling Gloves
Best for Active Kids
Designed for tough sports such as mountain biking or BMX, these gloves from Finger Ten are a solid pick. They’ve received stellar reviews from parents, praising their durability and their support for small hands.
There’s a special material on the palm area allowing cool air in while warmth and moisture escape. It’s terrific in the summer to prevent sweaty and uncomfortable hands.
Around the palm and fingers is anti-slip gripper foam, helping your little one keep their hands on the handles. It’s comfy, too, being made from soft lycra material which is stretchy and flexible.
Around the thumb sits a large microfiber patch, there to wipe a snotty nose or some tears after a spill. The half-finger gloves are available in green, blue, and pink.
Pros
- Incredible durability, yet ultra-soft and flexible.
- Special perforated material allowing for ventilation.
- Includes anti-slip foam pads.
- Microfiber patch for drying noses and tears.
Cons
- The sizes tend to run small, but there’s a helpful guide.
Product Specs
| Style | Half-finger |
| Sizes available for ages | 2 to 10 years |
| Material | Lycra and microfiber |
| Machine washable | N/A |
Our Ratings
Nature Ann Children’s Fingerless Glove
Best Urban Street-Cred Gloves
These half-finger gloves are excellent for urban boys and girls with tough-looking designs like army green and blue wolf. They work great for sports such as biking, skateboarding, and roller-skating.
The thick, shock-absorbing material around the palm area reduces the chance of painful accidents. The gloves are ergonomically designed to hug the natural curves of the fingers, ensuring flexibility and comfort. They’re made from a stretchy blend of spandex and microfiber to create a hand-hugging glove.
The material is fully breathable, allowing moisture to escape while cool air can enter. This material is also quick to dry, which is ideal since the gloves should only be washed by hand, then dried in the shade.
These gloves come in one size, suitable for palms measuring 1.97 to 2.79 inches across. Many reviewers said they were excellent for 8- to 10-year-olds.
Pros
- Includes shock-absorbing materials.
- Ergonomically designed to hug the hand and fingers.
- Breathable material, allowing moisture to escape.
Cons
- The rubber on the palms is stiff.
- Only one size.
Product Specs
| Style | Half-finger |
| Sizes | One size for 1.97 to 2.79-inch palms |
| Material | Spandex and microfiber |
| Machine washable | No |
Our Ratings
Giro DND Jr II Youth Mountain Cycling Gloves
Best Full-Finger Gloves
For the child who prefers a “big-kid” glove, we recommend this pair from Giro. Without playing into the cuteness factor with great colors and toddler-friendly prints, these have a professional look. And their performance matches their appearance.
The gloves are available as full fingers in multifarious sizes. With a well-proportioned design, the gloves will hug the rider’s hands without being too snug.
Across the hand sits a hook and loop closure, easy to operate for children. Putting them on may take some getting used to due to the full-fingers, if you choose that type, they provide an all-around shield.
There are high-quality cycling pads, specifically designed to suit children to provide some cushioning during falls. They also work to enhance the rider’s grip across the handles, giving them the confidence to go faster. Furthermore, using touch screens on mobile phones would be easy without the need to remove the gloves as it’s been designed with a conductive fabric on both the thumb and index finger.
Pros
- A good “big-kid” design.
- Excellent material that will hug the hands.
- Easy hook and loop closure.
- Full protection.
- One year warranty.
Cons
- Sizing may run a little small.
Product Specs
| Style | Full-finger |
| Sizes available for ages | Not stated |
| Material | Faux leather, suede |
| Machine washable | Not stated |
Our Ratings
Finger Ten Cycling Gloves
Best Touch Screen Gloves
If your youngster uses their phone for maps or Strava while cycling, they need the Finger Ten Cycling Gloves. These gloves have a touch screen design, so they work on smartphones, smartwatches, and other electric devices through the material.
The gloves themselves are comfortable and breathable. So your little one’s hands can stay dry and comfy while they’re cycling. No more slipping and sliding as they try to grip handlebars. The non-slip and thick material keeps the gloves super reliable. Plus, the extra padding reduces vibrations which is ideal if you’re doing cross country bike rides.
You’ll find the perfect fit for your child with four different sizes and adjustable wrist straps. Plus, the gloves come in six different designs to suit your child’s personal style.
Pros
- Double leather over finger and thumb.
- Breathable material keeps hands dry.
- Touch screen design.
- Thick padding on palm.
Cons
- Sizing is off, usually running too small.
- Not warm enough for cold days.
Product Specs
| Style | Full-finger |
| Sizes available for ages | 2 to 11 years |
| Material | Silicone |
| Machine washable | N/A |
Our Ratings
| Product | Best | Style | Sizes available for ages | Material | Machine washable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZippyRooz Bike Gloves | Overall | Half-finger | 1 – 8 yrs | Nylon & polyester | Yes |
| Finger Ten Cycling Gloves | Active Kids | Half-finger | 2 – 10 yrs | Lycra & microfiber | N/A |
| Nature Ann Fingerless Glove | Urban Street-Cred | Half-finger | 1 size (1.97″ – 2.79″) | Spandex & microfiber | No |
| Giro DND Jr II Youth | Full-Finger Gloves | Full-finger | No | Faux leather, suede | N/A |
| Finger Ten Cycling Gloves | Touchscreen | Full-finger | 2 – 11 yrs | Silicone | N/A |
Why Buy Bike Gloves for Kids
Bike gloves may seem like a fun accessory, but they can be a crucial safety feature. It all depends on your child’s age and purpose of riding.
If your little one is riding their first balance bike where tumbles and falls are bound to happen, gloves are essential. Toddlers tend to fall with their hands first, so gloves keep their palms safe from cuts and scrapes (1). At this age, all it takes is one wipeout with injuries to convince your child they don’t want to ride anymore (2).
When your youngster becomes older and more serious about a specific riding style, gloves will serve a different purpose. If your child is into mountain biking or BMX, gloves absorb impacts from bumps in the road. They also enhance the rider’s grip by repelling moisture and easing the strain caused by a tight hold.
How to Choose Kids Bike Gloves
Size
For bike gloves, sizes generally come in small, medium, and large. Manufacturers tend to give rough age ranges for each size, but we recommend measuring your child’s palm before buying.
Half Finger or Full?
Biking gloves are available with full finger coverage or half. Full fingers are a little trickier to size since they tend to be long at the fingertips.
But full fingers are best for older children who ride more aggressively or are into a bike sport. They offer extra comfort and will enhance their grip while they wrap their hands fully around the handles.
Half fingers are fantastic for toddlers or young children who are riding their first bike. Full-finger gloves are a hassle to put on small wiggly fingers, and the protection needed for their fingertips is minimal.
Closure
Biking gloves for children generally have a hook and loop closure, which is the one to look for with toddlers. These closures are easy for them to put on and take off independently. They also allow you to adjust the size a bit should it be too big.
For older kids, there are gloves without a hook and loop closure. These have elastic around the wrist to keep the gloves from falling off.
Fits like a Glove
Just like helmets and knee pads, gloves will help protect your youngster during a fall. You must measure your kid’s hands to make sure you get the right size before looking for the best biking gloves for them.
Then consider whether they need a full-finger or half style — for toddlers, we recommend fingerless.
Ensure it has a closure right for your child, and maybe even a fun design. Now, your little one is ready to ride, so grab your camera and document these memories.
