Lizard Skins Gloves
Lizard Skins cycling gloves carry the same grip obsession that made the brand's bar tape and lock-on grips a fixture on bikes from trail centres to sportive start lines. If you already run their Lizard Skins grips or bar tape, you'll know the thinking: tactile connection between you and the bike matters, and that philosophy runs straight through to their gloves.
The full-finger range is built around three core promises. First, AX Suede palms that bring real leather's feel and durability without the moisture-trapping drawbacks. Second, articulated finger joints that move with your hand rather than bunching up across the knuckles when you're deep into the brakes. Third, silicone grip exactly where it counts - across the braking fingers - so lever feel stays sharp whether you're on dry hardpack or slicked-up roots after a Welsh shower.
MTB riders, gravel riders, road riders who want a glove that doesn't compromise bar feel for padding - this range covers the lot. The Monitor series sits at the centre of it, but there's enough breadth across the line to match fit preferences and seasonal needs. Here's what to know before you pick.
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.
The AX Suede Palm and What It Actually Does
Lizard Skins MTB gloves lean heavily on AX Suede as their palm material of choice, and it's worth understanding why rather than just taking the spec sheet at face value. AX Suede is a synthetic microfibre engineered to replicate the tactile qualities of natural leather - that slightly grippy, slightly textured feel that lets you sense exactly what the bar is doing beneath you - without leather's tendency to stiffen, crack, or hold onto sweat after a long climb.
In practice, it wicks moisture away from the palm during humid summer efforts, which keeps your grip consistent rather than letting things get clammy mid-ride. On a greasy trail day in the Peak District or a damp gravel loop through the Forest of Dean, that matters more than you'd think. Wet palms lose feedback; AX Suede doesn't let it get that far.
The silicone print on the braking fingers is the other piece of the puzzle. It's not decorative - those raised silicone patches create friction between your fingertips and the lever blade, so when you're dragging the rear brake through a loose, off-camber section, the lever doesn't slip through your fingers. It's a small detail that pays off at exactly the wrong moment if it's missing. Fox gloves use a similar approach on their higher-end trail models, but Lizard Skins combine it with AX Suede across a broader price range. Moisture-wicking mesh panels on the back of the hand complete the picture - breathable enough for sweaty UK summer climbs without feeling flimsy.
The Monitor Series and How the Range Fits Together
The Monitor name covers the core of what Lizard Skins offers in full-finger form. The Monitor Ignite and Monitor Traverse sit within this family, and while the details vary, the fit philosophy is consistent: snug and articulated rather than boxy and generous. Articulated finger joints are pre-curved to follow the natural grip position of your hand on the bars, which cuts down significantly on that irritating bunching you get across the palm when cheaper gloves pull tight under load.
Cuff closure splits the range in two directions. Slip-on neoprene cuffs give a cleaner, more aero profile and suit riders who want to get the gloves on and off quickly - no fiddling with velcro at 6am in a cold car park. TPR hook-and-loop closures offer a more dialled fit across the wrist, useful if you want to fine-tune the snugness or if your wrist sits between sizes. Neither is objectively better; it comes down to how you use the gloves and how much fit adjustability you actually need.
Touchscreen-compatible threading is woven into the fingertips across the range, which sounds like a minor checkbox feature until you're trying to unlock your phone for a route check without peeling gloves off in the rain. Worth having. Endura gloves and Giro gloves both offer touchscreen-compatible options at similar price points, so it's a fair fight in that respect - but Lizard Skins' grip tech on the braking fingers is a genuine differentiator for trail riding specifically.
Looking for fingerless summer options? Explore our dedicated range of Lizard Skins Mitts for hot weather road riding.
Keeping Them Clean After UK Trails
AX Suede and silicone grippers are durable, but they do need a bit of care to stay that way. After a muddy Scottish singletrack session or a wet commute, resist the urge to bung them in the washing machine. Hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent - this preserves both the touchscreen threads and the silicone grip patterns, which can degrade or peel with repeated hot machine cycles.
Reshape the fingers while the gloves are still damp, then leave them to air dry away from direct heat. No radiators, no tumble dryer. The synthetic suede can harden and shrink if it dries too fast or too hot, and once it goes stiff, the tactile feedback you paid for is gone. Flat on a towel or hung loosely works fine. It's a two-minute job that extends glove life significantly - worth doing every few rides rather than waiting until they're genuinely grimy.
One more thing: if the velcro closure picks up trail debris, clear it out before washing. Mud-packed velcro loses its hold and can snag the mesh backing during hand washing if you're not careful.
Lizard Skins Gloves FAQs
Are Lizard Skins gloves true to size?
Generally, yes. Lizard Skins gloves are cut to a snug, articulated profile that fits true to size for most riders. If you're between sizes or prefer a bit more room across the knuckles, go up one - the fit is designed to be close rather than relaxed.
Can you wash Lizard Skins cycling gloves?
Yes, but hand wash only in cold water with a mild detergent. This keeps the AX Suede, silicone grippers, and touchscreen threads in good shape. Always air dry away from direct heat - tumble drying or leaving them on a radiator can cause the synthetic suede to harden and shrink.
Are Lizard Skins Monitor gloves good for winter riding?
The standard Monitor models use breathable mesh backings, so they suit spring through autumn comfortably. For deep UK winter - think sub-5°C with wind and rain - you'll want a dedicated thermal or waterproof glove rather than relying on these to do a job they're not built for.