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Cycling gloves fulfill three functions: warmth, comfort and protection.
Gloves are frequently used to keep the hands warm, a function that is particularly necessary when cycling in cold weather. The design of most modern bicycles is such that the rider's hands remain on the handlebars while cycling, a position that leaves them exposed to weather. The hands are also relatively inactive, and do not have a great deal of muscle mass, which also contributes to the possibility of chill. Gloves are therefore vital for insulating the hands from cold, wind, and evaporative cooling while riding a bicycle.
Cycling places a good deal of stress on the hands, in the form of prolonged pressure on the hands by the handlebars and the transmission of sudden road shocks through the handlebars to the hands. The severity of discomfort can be mitigated somewhat by riding position, but is essentially inherent in most designs of upright bicycle. However, choice of weight distribution between the saddle and handlebars is usually determined by other factors, such as aerodynamics, control and long-term comfort. Padded gloves or handlebar grips are therefore useful to increase comfort for a given geometry.
However, excess padding can lead to other problems. Normally the hands will rest on the bones in the heel of the hand - too much padding will tend to press on the soft tissues between these and can compress the nerves in the hands, causing something akin to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Choose gloves with take off hooks - they will help you after a long ride. If you are having a tough workout, and sweat during it, look at the gloves with fleece thumbs.
Putting a hand out to break a fall is a natural and desirable reaction. However, the hands are one of the more difficult parts of the body to repair. There is little or no spare skin, and immobilising the hands sufficiently to promote healing involves significant inconvenience to the patient. So many cyclists choose to wear gloves all year round to help avoid skin damage in a fall.
If you ride on the paved roads alongside with cars, you may want to choose gloves with reflective piping.
Gloves should fit snugly but not be tight. Pay particular attention to the length of the fingers as the fingertips can become very cold if the glove's fingers are not long enough. Ideally the glove should be loose on the fingers and fit comfortable round the palm. Very tight glove will tend to restrict blood flow and make the hand cold. Try to choose a seller which allows a full refund if you don't like your gloves.
In very cold weather it is often advisable to follow the skier's practice of thin inner gloves and outer padded waterproof mittens. Silk inner gloves are exceptionally warm and can usually be sourced from mountaineering and other outdoor sports shops.
Most gloves have a lightly padded palm of leather (natural or synthetic), gel, foam or other material. Historically track mitts were string-backed but now are almost always made of a man-made textile like nylon. Leather-palmed track mitts and cork handlebar tape are widely reckoned to work well for drop-bar touring bikes.
Pearl Izumi, and Fox gloves, for example, are made in China. Canari, REI, and BASH are from Pakistan.
One of the eBay stores offering affordable BASH brand gloves is Afford2Ride
Sweat from hands can make one's gloves become unpleasant quite quickly, so it is best to store them so that air can circulate inside if at all possible. After a wet or hard ride it may be best to turn them inside-out to dry. Some modern fabrics react poorly to heat so do not place them on a radiator or heater, but hang them in a warm dry place. Leather gloves can be washed in cool water and are reportedly best dried out on the hands.
Have fun!
Warmth
Gloves are frequently used to keep the hands warm, a function that is particularly necessary when cycling in cold weather. The design of most modern bicycles is such that the rider's hands remain on the handlebars while cycling, a position that leaves them exposed to weather. The hands are also relatively inactive, and do not have a great deal of muscle mass, which also contributes to the possibility of chill. Gloves are therefore vital for insulating the hands from cold, wind, and evaporative cooling while riding a bicycle.
Comfort
Cycling places a good deal of stress on the hands, in the form of prolonged pressure on the hands by the handlebars and the transmission of sudden road shocks through the handlebars to the hands. The severity of discomfort can be mitigated somewhat by riding position, but is essentially inherent in most designs of upright bicycle. However, choice of weight distribution between the saddle and handlebars is usually determined by other factors, such as aerodynamics, control and long-term comfort. Padded gloves or handlebar grips are therefore useful to increase comfort for a given geometry.
However, excess padding can lead to other problems. Normally the hands will rest on the bones in the heel of the hand - too much padding will tend to press on the soft tissues between these and can compress the nerves in the hands, causing something akin to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Choose gloves with take off hooks - they will help you after a long ride. If you are having a tough workout, and sweat during it, look at the gloves with fleece thumbs.
Protection
Putting a hand out to break a fall is a natural and desirable reaction. However, the hands are one of the more difficult parts of the body to repair. There is little or no spare skin, and immobilising the hands sufficiently to promote healing involves significant inconvenience to the patient. So many cyclists choose to wear gloves all year round to help avoid skin damage in a fall.
If you ride on the paved roads alongside with cars, you may want to choose gloves with reflective piping.
Buying gloves
Gloves should fit snugly but not be tight. Pay particular attention to the length of the fingers as the fingertips can become very cold if the glove's fingers are not long enough. Ideally the glove should be loose on the fingers and fit comfortable round the palm. Very tight glove will tend to restrict blood flow and make the hand cold. Try to choose a seller which allows a full refund if you don't like your gloves.
In very cold weather it is often advisable to follow the skier's practice of thin inner gloves and outer padded waterproof mittens. Silk inner gloves are exceptionally warm and can usually be sourced from mountaineering and other outdoor sports shops.
Most gloves have a lightly padded palm of leather (natural or synthetic), gel, foam or other material. Historically track mitts were string-backed but now are almost always made of a man-made textile like nylon. Leather-palmed track mitts and cork handlebar tape are widely reckoned to work well for drop-bar touring bikes.
Brand
You'll be surprised how many different brads are manufactured at the same factories. Mostly China, Thailand, and Pakistan ones. Because of that, most gloves feature the same protection, comfort, and sometimes design, and it's your choice if you want to pay premium for the brand name.Pearl Izumi, and Fox gloves, for example, are made in China. Canari, REI, and BASH are from Pakistan.
One of the eBay stores offering affordable BASH brand gloves is Afford2Ride
Sizing
- Measure your hand with a tape measure around the knuckles of your hand.
- Measure your dominant hand - the right if you are right-handed, and the left if you are left-handed.
- Look in the seller's store for the sizing table, and find your size.
Care of gloves
Sweat from hands can make one's gloves become unpleasant quite quickly, so it is best to store them so that air can circulate inside if at all possible. After a wet or hard ride it may be best to turn them inside-out to dry. Some modern fabrics react poorly to heat so do not place them on a radiator or heater, but hang them in a warm dry place. Leather gloves can be washed in cool water and are reportedly best dried out on the hands.
Have fun!
Guide created: 06/30/07 (updated 10/07/09)
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