Best MTB Grips of 2024

As one of the three contact points with your bike, you want to ensure that you have a good pair of grips. The best mountain bike grips allow you to ride for many hours without getting hand fatigue. As their name suggests, grips should help keep your hands on the handlebars. The best MTB grips will keep you in control when steering or carrying out other maneuvers.

A good pair of grips can be the difference between painful hands and many hours of happy riding. But, there are many different types of grip on the market. Here at The Adventure Junkies, we want you to enjoy mountain biking as much as possible. So, we offer this guide to help you decide which grips are best for you. We also show you our selection of the best MTB grips available.

For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out the Best Mountain Bike Handlebars.

Reviews - The Best Grips for MTB

Ergon GA2

Specs

• Length: 136 mm
• Style: Single Clamp

BEST FOR: OVERALL

PROS: Ergonomic fit prevents hand fatigue on natural trails, shape promotes good riding technique, flatter than the GE1

CONS: Without gloves, the grips feel too smooth so it can be slippery when wet

View at REI

View at Backcountry

ODI Ruffian

Specs

• Length: 130 mm
• Style: Double Clamp

BEST FOR: OVERALL

PROS: The original lock-on grips, light, slim

CONS: Locking bolt is thin

View at Backcountry

ESI Chunky

Specs

• Length: 130 mm
• Style: Slide On

BEST FOR: BUDGET

PROS: Light, grippy especially when wet

CONS: Easily damaged

View at Backcountry

Ergon GE1

Specs

• Length: 135 mm
• Style: Single Clamp

BEST FOR: TRAIL

PROS: Ergonomic fit prevents numbness on natural trails, ridge for index finger grip, promote good riding technique, thicker than GA2, slim version available

CONS: Can be tricky to get set up in right position, lots of vibration on fast trails or at trail centers

View at Backcountry

Lizard Skins Moab

Specs

• Length: 130 mm
• Style: Double Clamp

BEST FOR: TRAIL

PROS: Grippy with or without gloves even when wet, sales benefit the Moab Trails Alliance

CONS: Not much vibration damping

View at Backcountry

Race Face Half Nelson

Specs

• Length: 133 mm
• Style: Single Clamp

BEST FOR: TRAIL

PROS: Firm but tacky, ridges where fingers grip on underside, good grip when wet

CONS: Plugs do not keep dirt out, can move under lots of force

View at Backcountry

Chromag Palmskin

Specs

• Length: 142 mm
• Style: Double Clamp

BEST FOR: TRAIL

PROS: Perfect for gloveless riding

CONS: Sweat makes grip slippery on warm days

View at Jenson USA

Lizard Skins Peaty

Specs

• Length: 130 mm
• Style: Double Clamp

BEST FOR: DOWNHILL

PROS: Good grip with or without gloves, durable

CONS: None that we could find

View at Backcountry

DMR Brendog Death Grip

Specs

• Length: 130 mm
• Style: Single Clamp

BEST FOR: DOWNHILL

PROS: Very tacky, three different profiles create perfect grip and cushioning, thin and thick versions available as well as hard and soft compounds

CONS: None that we could find

View at Jenson USA

Schwinn Tri-Layer Gel Comfort

Specs

• Length: 150 mm
• Style: Slide On

BEST FOR: BUDGET

PROS: Multiple layers ensure grip and comfort, ergonomic shape

CONS: Not particularly durable

View at Amazon

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MTB GRIPS

FIXING METHOD

There are two types of grip. Slide on grips stay in place with friction alone or are wired on. Lock-on grips have one (single clamp) or two (double clamp) locking rings and plastic sleeves under the grip to hold them securely in place.

Slide on grips have a tendency to rotate if rain or dirt gets under them. Lock-on grips are very unlikely to rotate unexpectedly but weigh more due to the extra material. The bolts can get blocked up with mud and dirt, making it hard to insert a hex key to remove them, although this is only a problem if you need to remove your grips regularly and is no less hassle than the standard removal of slide on grips.

Bike Radar has a very informative video if you need instructions on how to install grips. Due to the extra security it can offer, lock-on grips are by far the most popular choice among riders.

MATERIAL OR COMPOUND

Silicon grips are light. However, these are not particularly durable and are prone to get damaged in crashes. Just like tires, softer compounds will be tackier. Although these may give you more control, they will wear out faster.

Harder compounds have less vibration damping and may cause hand fatigue. Lock-on grips have a hard plastic sleeve under the grip.

Some riders prefer the feeling of slide on grips with no material between the grip and handlebars. Not having a plastic sleeve also allows slide on grips to have lots of grip material for vibration damping while maintaining a slim overall diameter.

Do not assume that a very thick grip, which can absorb all vibrations, is the best choice. You still want to be able to “feel” what is happening under your tires and get feedback from the trail through your hands.

PROFILE

There is a wide selection available in the market. Some work with gloves, while others are designed to be used with bare hands. You can find thin waffle, ridges or blocks of various thicknesses. Each gives a different feel and absorbs more or less vibration based on the compound.

The classic waffle profile is generally the best performer in wet weather. Some use different profiles on various parts of the grip for optimum performance. Everyone has different sized hands and preferences, so it is worth trying out various types before purchasing.

SHAPE & LENGTH

Some grips are straight. Others have an ergonomic shape to fit your hand. It is also possible to find long and short grips.

If you have small hands, do not get long grips as these may push your brake and gear levers too far away from your hands. Using grips that are too short will force the end of your hand over the end of the bars or onto the outside lock-ring. Again, it pays to try different types to find what suits you best.

BAR PLUGS

The best grips will come with bar plugs. Their design will cover the ends of your handlebars. This prevents serious injury in a crash and protects carbon bars. If none are supplied or they get damaged in a crash, you can use a wine cork until you can get some replacements.