Best summer cycling gloves 2025 : Low-profile and high comfort mitts for road and gravel riding

The Cubo got our vote as the best overall summer glove due to its blend of performance and price. While Santni kit can be a little pricey at times that’s not the case here.

But being affordable doesn’t mean they are basic in design. We found that the thin backing did a great job of reducing a build of heat, which along with the open foam and suede material combine to create gloves that are pretty breathable and prevent our hands from feeling overly clammy.

The gloves aren't heavily padded, making them a great choice for shorter riders and for racing. We found them plenty comfortable during our testing, while also delivering plenty of grip and bar feel., something that heavily padded gloves can sometimes lack.

In short, these are a great all-round option that won’t break the bank.

If grip is your priority then the Aerolite InsideGrip gloves from the aptly named GripGrab are worthy of closer attention.

They use the UK brand’s InsideGrip technology, which is essentially a series of silicone grippers placed on the inside surface of the gloves to prevent them from moving around on your hands.

Feel and grip are the cornerstones of the Aerolite, which means they eschew padding. That’s not to say they aren’t comfortable, with the soft artificial suede palms and minimal seams combining to create gloves that are pleasant to wear. But if you’re after something for long, endurance rides then you’re probably best to look elsewhere.

As you might expect from ‘aero’ summer gloves, there’s no closure to get in the way of airflow - you just pull your hands through the stretchy cuff.

As the name suggests, this offering from Castelli is designed to deliver plenty of comfort over the most arduous terrain; the Arenberg is the notorious stretch of pavé that helps to give the Paris-Roubaix race its ‘Hell of the North’ moniker.

To help absorb serious road chatter they gloves rely on the Italian brand’s Castelli Damping System or CDS. It comprises gel inserts placed on the palm, designed to deliver comfort and control, even when the going gets rough. Castelli says the system helps prevent damaging the main padding on your hand (pronator teres muscle), which, when subjected to prolonged and excessive impact, can compress the median nerve, often known as the labourer's nerve.

Other features include a mesh backing for breathability and a handy microsuede nose wipe placed on the thumb.

Summer temperatures can fluctuate and if you’re riding in very warm conditions then you’ll likely be wanting a pair of lightweight gloves. And the Sling from 100% is just that.

This is another minimal glove that places a premium on feel and grip, delivering feedback from the road rather than dampening every bump. In fact, there’s no padding here so look elsewhere if you’re after gloves that reduce discomfort on long rides.

But if you’re after gloves that are suited to racing and training in hot climes then the Sling is a great match, with the perforated upper adds additional breathability to the lightweight design.

The Monaco II mitts from Giro are certainly luxurious. The palm is made from soft sheep leather that we found to be extremely comfortable, moulding to our hands, with the perforations on the palm adding some ventilation.

To provide comfort, Technogel padding is used. During our testing it proved to be effective, helping to absorb vibrations from the road. Coupled with the aforementioned leather palm it makes for a high-quality, durable and comfortable glove that’s well suited to long days in the saddle.

Given the colourful nature of the brand’s bar tape, it’s unsurprising that Supercaz’s SupaG gloves are equally vibrant. The ‘oil slick’ finish is matched to the distinctive pattern that’s used on the tape. The result is a pair of gloves that just scream ‘summer’.

The SupaG is another minimal affair, with low weight, grip and bar feel the result of a minimal design. Again, there’s no padding here to reduce vibrations making them best matched for shore training rides and racing rather than long, endurance rides where comfort takes precedence. That said, the build quality is still good.

Altura has been making its Progel mitts for some time now and this latest version boasts some nice upgrades. There are now less seams in the palms which helps with comfort, while the degree of gel padding has been increased. Fortunately, the gloves remain as keenly priced as ever.

Other noteworthy features include a silicone grip for increased grip, a stretch lycra upper and synthetic suede palm. While the build quality doesn’t match some of the pricer gloves featured here, if you’re shopping on a budget then the Progel mitts shouldn’t disappoint.

Gravel riding can place certain demands on a rider, and the more challenging the terrain, the more control is required. Certainly having a secure grip on the bars is crucial to this, and Sportful has designed its Giara glove with this in mind.

The thumb and first two fingers of the glove fully cover the digits, aimed at adding grip when braking and shifting gear over uneven surfaces. The rest of the fingers remained uncovered to help with bar feel and general dexterity, as well as helping to keep the hands cool. It makes for a rather odd looking pair of gloves but the design is effective.

Additional grip and comfort comes courtesy of two gel inserts and a silicone palm print.

Assos is known for producing high-quality, durable cycling kits. And that’s just how we;’d describe the GT Gloves C2.

All of the fabrics look and feel great. The overall design is simple, with a small amount of padding on the palm matched with a breathable back and raw cut fingers. The minimalist theme continues with the gloves having no wrist closure or pull loops. The idea is that the six available sizes should allow anyone to find a snug fit.

The price and lack of colour choice are a downside, but as we’ve already mentioned Assos gear usually stands the test of time both with regards to the design and the longevity of the materials used.