The Best Mountain Bike Grips of 2025

All the good things mountain bike pundits have said about the well-established PNW Components Loam grip ($26) proved true in our experience. These grips are great for any type of riding and come in both regular (30 mm) and XL (34 mm) diameters, so you can be sure to get the size that works best for your hands and preferences.

The balance of these grips is there — both the pattern and the rubber manage to serve multiple functions. The varying pattern has horizontal strips near the thumbs, which add traction and cushioning. A thicker chevron pattern cushions the palm, while two broad ramps (dubbed by the brand as the “fins”) wicked water away while riding in wet conditions.

The lock-on design with a single inboard clamp makes them really easy to install, remove, and adjust, so you can spend less time wrenching and more time riding. They also come in an array of colors to match with other parts on your bike. We did find, however, that the “peanut butter” color we tested got dirty pretty quickly and stayed that way — something to consider if you’re looking at the lighter-colored options.

The PNW Components Loam offers a combination of handling prowess and finger comfort over single track, rock gardens, and fire roads alike. But these aren’t the grips for those looking for the softest compound — they were a touch stiffer than many others in this guide. Still, they are among the most affordable lock-on models on the market and an easy choice with two diameters to choose from.

The ESI Chunky ($20) slide-on grips are our top choice for XC racers who want ample cushioning and a moderate 32 mm diameter at the lowest weight possible. ESI made a name for itself a long time ago with its silicone grips, and they continue to be one of the top choices for the weight-obsessed riders among us.

The Chunky grips aren’t as chunky as the name might suggest. The 32mm diameter will likely work well for all but those with really small hands or super thin grip preferences (who will likely do better with the Racer’s Edge). If you need something bigger, they also make the ESI Extra Chunky ($24) in a 34 mm diameter. The 120 mm width is a touch narrower than most, but it works really well for the narrower bars often found on lightweight XC race bikes.

We recently tested the Chunky grips on a super high-end XC race bike that weighed in at just 23 pounds. While the grips were only a tiny portion of the weight savings, a bike’s weight is the sum of all its components, and that weight adds up. We rode these grips for a month, and they still look good as new. Plus, they kept our hands securely gripped on the handlebar in all conditions with an agreeably moderate level of cushioning.

If you’re a weight-conscious rider looking for a super-light set of grips that doesn’t sacrifice comfort or control, the ESI Chunky is our recommendation. Yes, they are slightly more annoying to install than lock-on grips, but that’s the price you pay for weight savings.

The ergonomics experts at Ergon recently launched a new line of gravity-oriented mountain bike grips, including the Ergon GDH Team ($40). These grips were developed with the help of the women’s World Cup DH Champion Vali Holl and fellow elite racer Troy Brosnan. Made to maintain comfort and control on the roughest downhill tracks in the world, the GDH Team provides a tenacious grip with just enough cushioning to keep your hands feeling fresh.

Ergon hangs its hat on ergonomics, and the GDH Team features a shape intended to reduce hand fatigue and arm pump. The diameter of the grip is thickest in the middle at 32mm, tapering to 29.5 mm on both ends. The thickest part of the grip also includes the most cushioning, positioned on the top where your palms pressure the grips the most. On the bottom, large finger zones give your fingers something to latch onto. Not that you really need it, though — the super soft rubber is incredibly tacky on its own.

The 135 mm width includes the lock ring and the rubber portion of the grip is a great width. The outer end flares slightly along with a small flange on the inside edge that ensures your hand always settles into the sweet spot. While they are marketed as gravity grips, there’s no reason you wouldn’t use these for any other type of riding where you’re after maximum grip and high level of hand comfort.

At $40, the Ergon GDH Team is on the higher end of the price spectrum, but it’s one of the grippiest and most comfortable grips we’ve tried in recent memory. If maintaining maximum control at eye-watering speeds is your priority, they are worth the extra cash.

Sometimes, comfort needs to be king. Wolf Tooth Fat Paw ($27) is designed for those who need something extra to squeeze or, as the name suggests, have a particularly impressive glove size.

With a 9.5 mm thickness, the Fat Paw looks a little chunky on the bike, but for those with large hands, they are a fantastic solution to get a more proportional fit and fight hand fatigue on the trail. Built from a 100% silicone-based foam for vibration damping, the Fat Paw has its own compatible bar end plugs and a 36 mm installed diameter and 119 mm installed circumference. And if this isn’t big enough for you, they make a Mega Fat Paw option 40 mm in diameter.

The added thickness does reduce bar feel a bit, but with minimal tradeoffs in handling ability, the Wolf Tooth Fat Paw was our choice for long efforts and multiple days in the saddle, where the pressures of a thinner, less cushioned grip exponentially increased hand fatigue.

These also might be the last grips you ever buy, partly because the installation was a bit of a chore (even with the suggested use of isopropyl alcohol spray and a heat gun). Want to ride with Fat Paws but don’t want to deal with slide-on grips? Wolf Tooth recently launched a Lock-On version ($35) that simplifies the installation process.

Race Face is well-known in the mountain biking industry for making everything from components to apparel. The brand earns its reputation with the Half Nelson Grip ($27), providing excellent value at a friendly price point. The grip uses a metal lock ring to secure them to your handlebars, making sure they stay put until you’ve worn them out, and they are quick and easy to install.

The logo texturing and super-tacky rubber ensure a solid grip with or without gloved hands. The topographic pattern creates tiny moisture channels that prevent slippage when charging through a creek or on hot days and during big or technical ascents — plus, it looks pretty cool. As a bonus, the soft rubber provides a touch of give, making for a more comfortable ride.

Make no mistake, though, these are thin grips — just 29 mm in diameter — so there isn’t much cushioning. Instead, these grips provide a super precise handling feel that’s best suited to those who prefer thin grips or who have smaller hands.

With grip enhanced mostly by tacky rubber rather than texture, the Half Nelson Grips can wear out a bit more quickly than some others. But if you’re a thin grip fan, then you probably won’t be disappointed by the direct feel and tactility they provide. They also come in a range of vibrant colors, so you can choose your favorite to match your ride, accents, or apparel.

We recently tried the Wolf Tooth Echo Lock-On ($30) grips, and they quickly became one of our new favorites. While they look pretty simple, they provide ample grip and moderate cushioning and work great for any type of riding. And, as is typical of Wolf Tooth Components, you can order them with lock rings in a huge array of anodized colors to match other parts and trick out your bike.

The Echo Lock-On grips have fairly standard dimensions at 132.5 mm long and 32 mm in diameter. That moderate diameter is one that will work for most people with average to slightly above-average size hands. The grips are generally straight and uncontoured, with the surface covered in lots of thin fins that provide a bit of cushioning and help to enhance the grip. Speaking of grip, the rubber is tacky, and we have never had issues with slipping, even with wet, sweaty, gloveless hands.

The standard Echo Lock-On grips come with black grips and your choice of 9 different anodized lock ring colors. They come with plastic bar plugs, but you can also choose to upgrade to alloy bar plugs ($19.95) that come in the same array of colors if you’re looking to get all matchy-matchy. Wolf Tooth also sells the Echo grips in colors, and you can choose from nine grip color options, all of which come with black lock rings.

No matter your color choices, the Wolf Tooth Echo Lock-On Grips provide a great bar feel and well-rounded performance that we feel is worthy of praise. And at $30, they’re a reasonably priced way to add a little bling to your bike if that’s your thing.

The ESI Racer’s Edge grips ($19) are built for a smooth ride, and all-conditions control while being some of the lightest options on the market. Made from vibration-damping silicone, these grips can help prevent numbness and pain in the hands during long rides and cancel out washboard gravel roads or rowdy and rocky singletrack descents ― all for under 20 bucks.

Whether you’re sweaty, muddy, or soaked with rain, the solid construction of the Racer’s Edge offers a reliable hold. These grips don’t just stick to your hands — they also stick to your handlebars, and they won’t slide or spin. Many riders find the silicone also conforms to their hands over time and develops an unbeatable custom feel.

At just 48 grams for the pair, these grips are ideal for XC racers or anyone who is trying to make their bike as light as possible. Also, the Racer’s Edge grips are offset, meaning they’re slightly thicker on one side. You’ll want to make sure the thicker end is facing your palms to maximize performance. Heads up, these are slide-on grips and can be a little more challenging to install than lock-ons — install the bar plugs first.

They are also quite slim at just 30 mm in diameter, meaning they are best for those who prefer thin grips or have smaller hands. There are better silicone options for those with larger hands, including the ESI Chunky and Extra Chunky.

The Ergon GE1 Evo ($35) is the evolution of Ergon’s classic mountain bike grip design. While it retains the same general shape, they’ve tweaked the rubber compounds and textures to provide lots of grip for high-speed enduro and gravity applications. These lock-on grips are right/left hand-specific and have top and bottom markings, so lining them up perfectly is super easy.

The GE1 Evo grips have somewhat of a tapered shape that gets slightly wider on the outboard side. Inboard, they are a bit thinner but flare up to the lock ring, so they keep your hands in the sweet spot. There’s also a bit of bump that lines up perfectly with the tip of the index finger, and the texture is designed to maximize cushioning for the palms and grip for the fingers. The result is a moderate level of cushioning and a tacky grip, no matter the conditions.

At 135 mm wide and with an average diameter of 32 mm, the Ergon GE1 Evo grips are sure to work for a lot of riders. For those with smaller hands or thinner grip preferences, Ergon also makes the GE1 Evo in a Slim version with a 30 mm diameter.

If you’ve tried Ergon grips in the past and felt they were too firm and unforgiving, it’s time to give them another shot. Their latest G-series grips build off their proven shapes while providing enhanced cushioning and excellent grip through new rubber compounds. We think the new GE1 Evo is a big step up.

Supacaz has biking built into their DNA, literally. Started by Anthony Sinyard, the son of Specialized’s founder, the Supacaz line is impressive, with Supacaz Grizips ($25) included.

There’s a reason the brand boasts their grips have won World Cups, Cape Epics, and stages of La Ruta de Conquistadores. And while the pro peloton legs powered those victories, we can say that the grips must have helped.

The aluminum lock rings firmly clamped onto the handlebars while the stylized star pattern channeled moisture away from our hands. The dual-density compound provided some cushion while still being tacky enough for riding barehanded or gloved.

The Grizips, besides being fun to say, were fun to ride. The perfect balance of soft and tacky, they handled well with and without gloves. They lean toward a more minimalist style, better suited for races where handling is more of a priority than comfort. They were exactly what we needed to get the best performance out of the rest of the bike.

Ergon’s GA3 handlebar grips ($35) are built for long-distance hauls, thanks to their grip design. The flared rubber grip is designed to provide additional wrist support and conform to the shape of the rider’s hands.

The grip’s ergonomics and the small wing allowed us to maintain control without a tight grip, which reduced fatigue. The tactful shape was friendlier for riders who needed to manage hand muscle, wrist, or forearm fatigue, strain, overuse injuries, or numbness. And the double-butted inner cores reduced vibration on bumpy singletrack and fire roads.

The soft rubber exterior of the Ergon GA3 adhered well to gloves for great control on trails. Ergon claims the UV-stable design prevents drying out and cracking due to sun exposure.

The grips come in two sizes, so riders with large or small hands can have a perfect fit for maneuvering, pulling the brake levers, or cruising. We see these as best suited to folks doing long days in the saddle, possibly those on extended bikepacking missions, as they add a bit more hand and wrist support than more traditional designs. Note: The design has a designated left and right side, and the unique shape might not be for every rider.

We feel the flared, supportive ergonomic design of these grips is best suited to less aggressive riders and riding styles. Ergon’s GE1 Evo grips are quite similar — without the flared pad — but better for more aggressive riding.

New for 2024, the Strata ($34) joins Lizard Skin’s impressive array of grips. A single clamp lock-on grip, the Strata spacing is akin to Lizard Skin’s Machine grip. But while the Machine grip’s pattern is futuristic, almost a random computer chip design, the Strata uses a crosshatched pattern of thin rubber fins. This provided, in our opinion, a stellar grip in every condition.

Built from synthetic rubber with a 32.25 mm width, the Strata is a relatively standard middle-of-the-road diameter that should work for a wide range of riders. That size, paired with the tactility of the crosshatched design, provided ample grip whether riding gloved or gloveless, and it managed moisture well — pulling sweat away from the hands and keeping them from slipping.

If you’re prone to overgripping, the Strata gives some visual feedback. Checking our hands, if they were lightly crosshatched, it was time to loosen up and trust the bike more. User error aside, the Strata grips add another solid all-around option to Lizard Skins’ growing lineup.