Best sticky, lightweight gloves for arthritic hands

[Dr_Doolittle]

My hands are swollen with arthritis and my fingers are stiff and painful, so gloves are necessity for riding - and I prefer lightweight, flexible gloves with generous room for the fingers (I don’t have big hands but have to wear a size 9 to accommodate the swelling), and of course they need to be grippy for x-country and jumping in general.

I’ve been wearing a pair for a year and a half that I ordered online; I don’t even remember the brand at this point!, but they are growing pretty threadbare.

I ordered some Roekle summer Chester gloves from TOTD, but it’s been almost THREE WEEKS! and they haven’t arrived yet (my husband actually ordered them for me, and has left a couple of increasingly terse voice messages for TOTD), :rolleyes: so I’m thinking I should just bite the bullet and get something else in the interim.

I usually ride with the light brown gloves with the crocheted backs (SUPER comfortable) but prefer not to show in them, and they aren’t that grippy after a month or two of wearings.

Anyone have recommendations that won’t break the bank? I do like the Roekles in general, but they are $$ (hence the TOTD order since they had them at a significant discount), TIA!

[mellsmom]

Have you thought about the correct connect reins? Not sure if they would help you, but they might be something to consider.

[Dr_Doolittle]

@mellsmom

Have you thought about the correct connect reins? Not sure if they would help you, but they might be something to consider.

Well that’s an interesting concept!

I don’t have issues with rein shortening (though it looks like this “system” would help with several issues), and after trying different types of reins I have found that the Soft Grip rubber reins are perfect in terms of comfort for my hands; not too thick and not too stiff so I can easily close my hands around them - for riding in the rain I have web/rubber reins.

So not interesting in changing reins (though I would certainly try this if it were available!), just finding gloves that “hit that sweet spot” of grippy enough for x-country but flexible and thin - with generously sized fingers. I hate thick gloves, though of course in winter one kind of has to deal with that to get the warmth.

[horsepoor]

I love my bionic gloves. I can’t ride in anything else. They have both a leather version and a synthetic that is grippy even when wet (AquaGrip, I think they call them). I prefer the synthetic so I can wash them out often and they don’t get stiff. They had a supply issue for a while and were out of stock for a long time, so when they got them back in, I ordered multiple pairs to have as backup, that’s how much I like them. Not sure about the large sizes, but since they do mens gloves as well, they might have bigger ones. I’m a medium in the womens and I generally wear a 7 in sized gloves. Google bionic riding gloves to find the site (afraid to add a link or my post won’t go through).

[jvk8]

I love these SSG Technical Coolmax/Aquasuede Plus Riding Gloves.

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/SSG_Technical_CoolmaxAquasuede_Plus_Riding_Gloves/descpage-STRG.html

Very thin, durable, comfortable, grippy, and my hands don’t sweat. Plenty of room in the fingers (I have fat fingers). I cant stop wearing them going on a year now and they still look new.

[GutsNGlory]

@horsepoor

I love my bionic gloves. I can’t ride in anything else. They have both a leather version and a synthetic that is grippy even when wet (AquaGrip, I think they call them). I prefer the synthetic so I can wash them out often and they don’t get stiff. They had a supply issue for a while and were out of stock for a long time, so when they got them back in, I ordered multiple pairs to have as backup, that’s how much I like them. Not sure about the large sizes, but since they do mens gloves as well, they might have bigger ones. I’m a medium in the womens and I generally wear a 7 in sized gloves. Google bionic riding gloves to find the site (afraid to add a link or my post won’t go through).

I highly recommend the Bionic gloves as well. I have only worn the AquaGrip (haven’t tried the other riding versions) but I absolutely LOVE them. I still have my original pair I bought 5 years ago that I wear only for xc. In addition to those, I’m on my second pair for every day riding. So they hold up pretty darn well. I have RA as a component with my MCTD so I understand the joint swelling. Bionic gloves are specifically designed for this type of issue by an orthopedic hand surgeon.

For sizing, I am normally a numbered size 8 in other brands and wear a women’s large in the Bionic. Also, just a warning that there are two different websites - one specifically for the riding gloves only and another that includes weight lifting, golf, work gloves, etc. The second site has a much smaller selection of riding gloves (and higher prices!). So make sure to order off the equestrian specific site if you do! https://thebionicstore.com/womens-equestrian-gloves

[NMK]

Any of these gloves NOT STINKY? Worse than helmet stink, IMHO

[gardenie]

Correct Connect! Give them a try, you don’t have to grip, so you relax those arthritic hands. Takes a bit of an open mind, but once I started using them, nothing else will do.

[Equisis]

The Correct Connect gloves can be fairly stiff due to the Velcro hooks , so I imagine those might be difficult for you. They definitely help you keep a grip, but I would try to find a set of gloves to try on before investing in the system.

Do you use rubber reins? If so, check out football gloves (I think they are technically linebacker gloves, but I’m not a football person so that might be wrong). Super lightweight and flexible, and they are insanely grippy. You can check them out in any sporting foods stores. I like Roeckls for competition because of the grip, but I keep a set of the football gloves for XC in the pouring rain.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!

FTR, I don’t generally have trouble holding onto/gripping the reins - obviously when it’s wet that’s a different story (@Equisis - I use web reins with interwoven rubber and stops for rain, otherwise I use the Nunn Finer soft rubber reins since they are VERY easy on my hands.)

Football gloves?!? Wow! :lol: Now there’s an out of the box thought! I guess if it works for those guys…

I used to have a pair of the Bionic gloves (15-20 years ago) and they were good and grippy; I remember them being more on the thicker side but maybe they’re different now? My hands weren’t as stiff back then so that was a non-issue :-/

The SSGs sound good, but they kind of look like Sci Fi gloves with the silver knuckles! I DO love Riding Warehouse, so I’m sure with their excellent customer service I would have no trouble returning them.

Will have to look into the Bionics…

[Manahmanah]

Bionics all the way.

Before I left professional horse business to go back to an office job I developed a real issue with my hands. I would wake up and they would be curled into a shape of holding a roll of quarters. I’d have to run them under hot water to get them moving again. It was really bad. Bionics were the only thing that I could tolerate.

I’ve since figured out that I am super sensitive to vibrating tools, and especially handheld blowers.

[SeeSpotEvent]

I love Roekle gloves but find them to get quite slippery in wet or sweaty conditions. My go to sticky gloves (that are also quite light and breathable) are MacWet. I used to have to order them from the UK but the tack shop, “I Love My Horse,” now carries them. You can message them on Facebook or email them through their website and they can get to you pretty fast. I’m incredibly picky on gloves for XC and these are by far the best IMHO. I’ll also add ThinLine reins might help. I finally got some and they are very grippy and gentle on hands. I don’t find them too thick either.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Thanks @SeeSpotEvent !

I poked around Amazon and found the MacWets AND the Bionic gloves - both at a good price.

They didn’t have the Bionic Gloves in black for women, but they DID have the men’s: I looked up the dimensions on the Bionic website and men’s small are the same size as women’s large.

The nice thing is that A) I can get them quickly, and B) returns are a breeze. I am reluctant to buy gloves online because I like to try them on first; but this way I can get both and decide which feel better. Bonus if they both fit well, I’ll keep them!

For @horsepoor and @GutsNGlory - how is the sizing in the Bionics?

They have the men’s small and medium available. The problem with larger gloves is that the fingers tend to be too long (I don’t have long fingers, they are medium), but I will live with that in order to have room in the fingers so I can bend them - and they aren’t tight in the knuckles.

I actually tried out the ThinLine reins (courtesy of a COTHer ), and found them too stiff…

(I really AM happy with my reins, LOL!)

[GutsNGlory]

@Dr. Doolittle I wear a Women’s Large in Bionics and they fit the most perfect of any glove I’ve ever had. Typically in other brands (SSG, Roekle, BOT), I wear a size 8 to fit my palm and knuckles but they often have a bit of room at the end of the fingers. I do not have that issue with the Bionics. I too thought about trying the Men’s small when Bionic was backordered on sizes not long ago. So if you order those, do update on the fit! Are the ones you found on Amazon the AquaGrip? Those are what I wear and I think they are likely a bit lighter/more flexible than the original leather ones (at least from what I can tell in pictures).

[Dr_Doolittle]

@GutsNGlory

@Dr. Doolittle I wear a Women’s Large in Bionics and they fit the most perfect of any glove I’ve ever had. Typically in other brands (SSG, Roekle, BOT), I wear a size 8 to fit my palm and knuckles but they often have a bit of room at the end of the fingers. I do not have that issue with the Bionics. I too thought about trying the Men’s small when Bionic was backordered on sizes not long ago. So if you order those, do update on the fit! Are the ones you found on Amazon the AquaGrip? Those are what I wear and I think they are likely a bit lighter/more flexible than the original leather ones (at least from what I can tell in pictures).

Based on that I think I should order the men’s medium (8 in women’s is too tight for my swollen knuckles ), alas they don’t have the Aquagrip, but they did have the “Relax grip”; only $27!

[horsepoor]

For me, I wear a 7 usually and the women’s medium fits well, without too much room at the end of my fingers (which is a problem in a lot of gloves for me as well). Haven’t tried the mens except when I bought some off ebay that were supposed to be womens medium but turned out to be mens medium and were way too big and had to go back. The aquagrip is lighter than the leather. I have both but prefer the aquagrip now.

[Equibrit]

These are good; https://www.sealskinzusa.com/chester…erm=equestrian

I love these; https://www.samsclub.com/p/plainsman-leather-gloves-2-pair/113105

[Ponylady27]

Jumping in here - I was a big fan of Neuman’s gloves and sad when they were discontinued but found the Samshield V Skin gloves last year and love them. They’ve been great for damp days or when reins get sweaty - they always keep their grip. Very lightweight as well.
I can also second the receivers gloves for Football - I had a pair of those for awhile from Adidas (DH is a coach and DS is a player) and they were just like the Neuman’s.

[dps]

@Equisis

The Correct Connect gloves can be fairly stiff due to the Velcro hooks , so I imagine those might be difficult for you. They definitely help you keep a grip, but I would try to find a set of gloves to try on before investing in the system.

Do you use rubber reins? If so, check out football gloves (I think they are technically linebacker gloves, but I’m not a football person so that might be wrong). Super lightweight and flexible, and they are insanely grippy. You can check them out in any sporting foods stores. I like Roeckls for competition because of the grip, but I keep a set of the football gloves for XC in the pouring rain.

Yes Yes!!! I buy the Under Armor Heat Gear football gloves, you can find them at Ross and TJ Maxx for $9.99 in white and black. I love them and the extra grip is super nice especially in the rain and the heat series wicks sweat away keeping you hands comfortable. In regular riding gloves they would be soaked in sweat and slippery when I was riding, not any more. Check them out!!! But I also plan to try the Correct Connect system for I am always letting the reins slip and it drives me nuts.

[caevent]

Mac wet. They are extremely lightweight and have been amazingly tough. Never lose grip and very breathable for summer