Gauntlet Gloves

Leather Gauntlet Gloves

A gauntlet glove keeps going past the wrist, with a long leather cuff that covers the gap between your glove and your sleeve. Chaps Fit gauntlet gloves are made for the saddle, the arena and the ranch yard. They come in classic browns and grays, and in bold red, blue, yellow, green and white that stand out at a rodeo, in sizes S to XXL.

What Makes a Glove a Gauntlet?

It comes down to the cuff. A standard glove stops at the wrist. A gauntlet adds a wide leather cuff that extends up the forearm.

• Full gauntlet: the cuff covers much of the lower forearm and usually flares out so it can sit over a jacket or shirt sleeve.
• Half gauntlet: a shorter cuff that just clears the wrist bone.

The flare matters. It lets the cuff slide over a sleeve instead of bunching under it, which is what keeps out wind, dust, chaff and sparks.

Where Gauntlet Gloves Earn Their Keep

Horseback Riding and Ranch Work

Reins, lead ropes, wire and brush are all hard on bare wrists. The long cuff covers the gap that opens up when your arm reaches forward and your sleeve rides up. Earthy tones like our Dark Brown Full Gauntlet Gloves are the traditional working choice.

Rodeo, Arena and Parade

In the arena, gloves are part of the outfit. Bright colors read from the stands and can be matched to a shirt or a pair of chaps. Our Blue Full Gauntlet Rodeo Gloves, Red Gauntlet Gloves and White Gauntlet Riding Gloves are made for exactly that.

Farm and Shop Work

Leather copes with heat, sparks and rough materials better than fabric, and a long cuff keeps debris out of your sleeve. The Brown Leather Full Gauntlet Work Gloves are cut for ranch chores, shop work and general labor. For sustained arc welding, choose gloves specifically rated for welding.

Motorcycle Riding

On a bike, a gauntlet cuff over your jacket sleeve stops cold air from rushing up your arm at speed. Our gauntlets are western and work gloves, not armored motorcycle gloves, so they suit relaxed cruising more than high-speed riding.

From Cavalry to Cowboys: Why the Gauntlet Lasted

Long-cuffed leather gloves were standard issue for 19th-century cavalry. They protected a rider's wrists from reins and from cold when the sleeve pulled back. Cowboys and ranch hands adopted the same design for roping and brush country, and Wild West shows made the fringed, decorated gauntlet an icon of western dress. The reason it lasted is practical: a sleeve always rides up when you reach forward, and the gauntlet covers that gap.

Choosing Your Gauntlet Gloves

• Leather. Cowhide is durable and holds its shape, which suits work and repeated arena use. Our Blue rodeo and Brown work gauntlets are both cowhide, and the Brown work pair is full-grain.
• Lining. A soft inner lining adds comfort and some warmth. Unlined gloves give a closer feel for reins and ropes.
• Cuff. Check the cuff opening is wide enough to fit over the sleeves you wear most often.
• Color. Brown and gray hide wear and suit daily work. Bright colors are best kept for the arena, where they'll be seen and don't need to hide dirt.

Specifications vary by style, so check each product page for exact details.

How to Find Your Glove Size

1. Measure your dominant hand. Wrap a soft tape around your palm at the knuckles, not including your thumb.
2. Measure your hand length. Measure from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger.
3. Compare both numbers with the size guide on the product page. Chaps Fit gauntlets come in S to XXL.

If you fall between sizes, choose the larger size for work and for use over liner gloves. Choose the smaller size for a close feel on the reins. Leather gloves ease slightly with wear, but they don't stretch in length.

Matching Gauntlets with Your Chaps

Chaps Fit makes both gloves and chaps, so you can match leather colors and style across your outfit:

• Pair bright gauntlets with western chaps for the arena.
• Pair brown work gauntlets with work chaps for the ranch yard.
• Pair darker gauntlets with motorcycle chaps for a coordinated riding look.

For a set built around your color choice, see custom chaps.

Keeping Leather Gauntlets in Shape

• After use: knock off dust and chaff, and wipe away sweat and grime with a barely damp cloth. Salt from sweat stiffens leather over time.
• After they get wet: put them on and flex your hands to reshape them, then let them air-dry at room temperature. Never dry them on a heater.
• When they feel dry: apply a light leather conditioner. Test it on the back of the cuff first, because conditioners can darken light colors like white and yellow.
• Storage: store them flat, not crushed in a pocket, so the cuffs keep their flare.