7protection Gloves
7Protection Gloves sit at the point where bar feel, durability, and no-nonsense protection actually meet - which is rarer than it sounds in this category. The brand, widely recognised under the 7iDP label, has built its glove range around a straightforward idea: keep the hands connected to the bike and out of trouble, without wrapping them in unnecessary bulk.
The foundation of that idea is a Clarino synthetic leather palm - a material that breaks in quickly, holds its shape over a full season, and gives you honest feedback from the grips rather than that slightly numb, cushioned feel some gloves introduce. Pair that with a 4-way stretch mesh backhand and perforated palm panels, and you've got a glove that breathes on those muggy late-summer climbs without turning into a soggy sponge when the heavens open.
The range spans from stripped-back slip-on cuff designs - where dexterity is the whole point - through to gravity-focused models with knuckle protection for riders who spend most of their time pointing downhill. Whichever end of that spectrum suits your riding, the pre-curved fit profile and silicone grip print on the braking fingers mean you're not fighting your gloves to hold a line. That matters on a wet Welsh root section just as much as a dry alpine trail.
Prices and availability can change quickly. Delivery charges are not always included in listed prices.
Final price, stock status and delivery terms are set by retailer. We may receive a commission on purchases made.
What the Materials Actually Do on a Wet Tuesday
7Protection MTB gloves are built around a Clarino synthetic leather palm, and it's worth understanding why that choice matters. Clarino is a Japanese microfibre material - think of it as synthetic suede that's engineered specifically for grip and abrasion resistance rather than just feel. On the bar, it produces a close, almost direct contact sensation that genuine leather eventually delivers but only after weeks of use. Out of the box, Clarino is already there. It also handles sweat better than natural leather, resisting stretch and stiffening when it dries out after a soaking ride.
The 4-way stretch mesh backhand works alongside that by allowing the glove to move with your hand rather than against it. No bunching between the knuckles when you're gripping hard, and genuine airflow during a sweaty moorland climb. The perforated palm panels reinforce that - heat builds fast when you're grinding uphill with a tight grip, and those perforations give it somewhere to go. In humid UK summer conditions, the difference is noticeable within the first ten minutes.
Where 7iDP mountain bike gloves genuinely earn their place in wet British riding, though, is the silicone gripper print on the index and middle fingers. These are your braking fingers. When a brake lever is coated in Peak District grit and autumn rain, a smooth palm simply doesn't cut it - the silicone print bites and holds, keeping modulation consistent rather than forcing you to squeeze harder to compensate. It's a small detail that pays off every time the trail gets slippery. The micro-suede thumb wipe is another practical touch - a quick swipe clears your goggles or your nose without taking your eyes off the trail for longer than necessary. If you're comparing at this level, Fox gloves and Leatt gloves offer similar palm constructions, but 7iDP's silicone placement tends to be more focused on the contact points that actually matter during braking.
Picking Your Model: Dexterity vs Protection
The 7Protection Transition gloves sit at the lightweight end - a slip-on neoprene cuff means there's no velcro strap to bulk things up or dig into your wrist under a jacket cuff. That low-profile approach suits XC riders, trail riders who prioritise feel, and anyone doing long days where hand fatigue is a real consideration. The pre-curved fit profile is worth highlighting here: the glove is shaped to sit naturally around a grip, so you're not fighting a flat, uncurved palm into position every time you wrap your hands around the bars. Over a four-hour ride, that reduction in micro-tension adds up.
Step up to something like the 7Protection Control gloves and the proposition shifts. TPR knuckle protection comes into the picture - a moulded rubber overlay across the knuckles that absorbs low-speed impacts and deflects trail debris without adding the rigid, inflexible feel of harder armour. These are aimed at enduro and gravity riders who are willing to carry a little extra weight in exchange for peace of mind on technical descents. The fit is still snug and pre-curved, and the Clarino palm carries over, so you're not sacrificing bar feel for protection.
On sizing: 7Protection slip-on gloves run broadly true to size, but the pre-curved profile means they feel snug initially. If you're between sizes, stay with your measurement for a race-tight feel that settles in quickly. Size up only if you genuinely prefer a relaxed fit or plan to layer under them in winter. Going too large introduces the palm bunching that the pre-curved design is specifically trying to avoid. For context, riders moving across from 100% gloves sometimes find 7iDP runs slightly narrower through the hand - worth checking the size guide if you're on the boundary. Rounding out your protection setup? The 7Protection knee pads and 7Protection elbow pads are designed with the same fit philosophy, so they work well together as a matched system.
Keeping Them Rideable Through a Full UK Winter
Clarino and silicone both have weak points, and most of them involve heat and the wrong detergent. After a gritty winter ride - the sort where you've pushed through a flooded bridleway and the gloves are more brown than their original colour - rinse them under cold water first to shift the bulk of the abrasive mud before it starts working into the material fibres. Machine washing is fine on a gentle, cold cycle at 30°C with a mild detergent. No fabric softener. Softener coats the silicone gripper print and kills its tack; after a couple of washes with softener you'll notice the braking fingers feel slicker than they should.
Tumble drying is out entirely. The heat warps the neoprene cuff and can cause the silicone print to lift at the edges - and once that starts, it doesn't stop. Same logic applies to leaving them draped over a hot radiator after a ride. Room temperature, laid flat or hung loosely, and they'll dry overnight without any structural damage. The touchscreen-compatible conductive threads in the fingertips are also worth protecting - aggressive wringing or twisting when wet can stress those threads over time. Turn them inside out gently, give them a squeeze, and let gravity do the work. Looked after properly, a pair of 7Protection MTB gloves will run through a full UK winter season without the palm delaminating or the grip wearing smooth. That's not nothing when you're riding in conditions that genuinely test materials week after week. Pair them with a 7Protection helmet and you've got a coherent protection setup from a brand that sweats the details on every contact point.
7protection Gloves FAQs
Are 7Protection gloves true to size?
Generally, yes - 7Protection gloves fit true to size with a snug, pre-curved profile that's designed to sit naturally around the grip without bunching. If you're between sizes, stick to your measurement for the best bar feel. Only size up if you actively prefer a looser fit, as going too large undermines the pre-curved shaping.
Do 7Protection gloves work with touchscreens?
Most current 7Protection models include conductive threads on the index finger and thumb, so you can operate a phone or GPS unit without pulling the gloves off. It works reliably on capacitive screens in dry conditions; wet screens can reduce responsiveness, but that's a screen issue rather than a glove one.
How should I wash my 7Protection MTB gloves?
Machine wash on a gentle cold cycle at 30°C with a mild detergent - no fabric softener, as it degrades the silicone grip print. Hand washing works well for heavily soiled gloves. Never tumble dry or leave them on a hot radiator; room-temperature air drying keeps the Clarino palm and neoprene cuff in good shape.