Updated December, 2023. I am no longer a CA equestrian. I’m back in the Midwest, so winter hand warmth is paramount. As a California equestrian, I haven’t thought about winter riding gloves in years–not since I lived in the Midwest. That all changed when I took up riding to hounds last year. The hunt club I am a part of rides at elevation and that makes a difference! Last weekend when I hunted at the cattle ranch in the mountains, it was 29 degrees when we parked the trailer! I realize for some riders that would be balmy this time of year, but the reality is it’s still below freezing! Here I share the the styles of winter riding gloves I’m currently using as well as some of the top picks of friends of Saddle Seeks Horse. Click on any of the gloves that interest you to peruse more details or purchase.
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1. SSG Polartec All Sport Riding Gloves
I bought the SSG Polartec gloves specifically for hunting near Chicago Thanksgiving Day 2019. I shopped at a local tack shop in Illinois and this model was the one the sales lady said she rides in. I was concerned they looked too technical and not fox-hunting-proper enough, but then I thought if the equestrian fashion police were out in force critiquing my gloves I didn’t really care. Function over fashion! I needed to stay warm. And stay warm I did!
It was in the mid-30s the day of the hunt in Illinois, and paired with the hot hands, my fingers felt comfy and cozy. I really liked the maneuverability of these gloves–my fingers didn’t feel caged and the grippy silicone was fantastic. It’s shaped in little horse heads–the SSG logo–super cute. I also liked the fact they can be thrown in the washing machine with cold water and they come out perfect. Fellow equestrian author/blogger Heather Wallace from The Timid Rider also is a fan of SSG gloves. She’s in New Jersey where winter is no joke, so that’s further evidence how amazing these gloves are.
(I actually placed these beauties inside my gloves to make sure toastiness prevailed during the long winter ride.)
12/26/20 Update on the SSG Polartec gloves
I have been Christmasing outside of Chicago where the temperature was about 10 degrees Farenheit. I wore these gloves outside, walking around the neighborhood in windy conditions and my hands were cold. I was not riding, and I didn’t have the HotHands inside. I wanted to add in this little bit of extra info to help you make sure you are selecting the perfect gloves for your circumstances.
These were the closest things I could find to a winter glove last year when I shopped local in California. They are beefier than the Roeckl I wear in spring, summer and fall, and paired with HotHands Hand Warmers, I wore them on a recent hunt in California that was in the 30s to start. I love the brown color and more classic look. If you’re wondering why there are green trees in the background for this winter riding glove post, this is winter in California. That picture was taken January 17, 2020. 🙂 So to clarify, this particular model I ride in is good for California winter riding conditions or a colder location when paired with hand warmers.
Heritage has an even warmer glove, the Heritage Performance Fleece Glove. I haven’t tested these out, but read in the reviews someone rode in them in 20 degree Colorado weather for two hours and her hands were comfortable. That’s a good sign!
For even more winter warmth, read The Ultimate Guide to Winter Horse Riding Gear!
3. Ovation Deluxe Winter Show Gloves
These Ovation Deluxe Winter Show Gloves are on my wish list. I saw a woman from my fox hunt wearing them and I had to stop and have a conversation. They look like regular black show gloves only thicker. She said she was sold on them because of the sleeve part–the extended knit wrist. She said how her arms are long and with regular gloves there’s a small section on her wrist that is exposed–the space where the glove ends and before her jacket begins. (I tend to have the same problem as a fellow long-armed gal.)
She rides in first field on a huge, strong horse and she said these winter riding gloves are great. I infer that she is able to have dexterity even though the gloves possess a certain thickness for warmth. The reviews made it sound like you should order a size up for this model.
4. Heritage Arctic Winter Gloves
Susan, a blog reader from upstate New York, swears by the Heritage Arctic Winter Gloves: “I have Raynauds Syndrome, not enough circulation in my extremities. My fingers turn white and painful in the winter cold. BUT, not with these mittens! They even have a zippered pocket for hand warmers. We all know mittens work better than gloves when it comes to warmth, and these are the absolute best. It takes a little getting used to riding with them, but well worth the time invested in that, to have warm and comfy fingers through my frigid northeast rides.”
5. Isabelle, Instagram’s @modernequestrian, is a fan of the Heated Horse Cold Weather gloves. She loves them for around the barn and says you can easily flip the mitten part off and put it back on. And you can put hand heaters in a little zippered pocket they have on the back of the hand. The flip-over finger tips and mitten top are held out of the way from your fingers by magnets.
There’s a silicone pattern on the palms and fingers for grip and the glove’s material is meant to provide insulation from cold. Heated Horse Cold Weather gloves also have an elastic cuff that provides a secure fit around the wrist keeping the brisk breezes or winter winds away.
Blog follower Lisa S. said, “My favorite are the SSG trainers glove. I use them for a variety of activities. They keep my fingers toasty and I can grab those stray pieces of hay from the water tough without my fingers getting wet. They dry nicely. I can actually feel what my fingers are grabbing.
7. Roeckl Fleece-Lined Winter Riding Gloves
I’m a big fan of Roeckl gloves (see my review here), and PJ of the brand Botori Life shared that she has been riding in the Roeckl winter gloves and loves them. I will definitely need to check those out.
These light winter gloves are perfect for Southern winters in climates like Georgia and the Carolinas. They’re slim and fitted while grippy to help hold the reins. You can also use your phone with them! Kaitlin B. from Red Ribbon Tack who describes herself as “not a gloves person,” wears these most days November through March in Georgia.
What Winter Riding Gloves do You Love?
From fox hunting to indoor arena riding, hitting the trail to dressage schooling, what gloves have you found work best for you in your unique climate and discipline? Let us know your top recommendation in the comments section so we can have a robust list of excellent winter riding gloves. Thank you for your help!
Thanks for reading and tally ho!
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I'm Susan and this is my horse Knight. We have been a blogging team since 2015 and we're glad you're here. Tally ho!
