Friction, injuries and vibration: experienced cyclists know very well that your bicycle is not always gentle on your hands and wrists! Bicycle gloves do much more than just protect you from the cold: they are an accessory that will make your bike rides more comfortable. They can even help you have better grip on your handlebar and levers.
Are you looking for a new pair? You’ve come to the right place. Our team talks about various different glove models and gives you some advice to help you choose the right pair, and how to keep it in tip top shape.
Different types of bicycle gloves
Choosing the right gloves depends on several different factors; mainly season and use. There are two main glove categories: short finger gloves (or half finger) or long finger cycling gloves, which will cover the full length of your fingers.
One might think that short finger gloves are for the summer and that long finger gloves are for winter, but it is not that simple. Long finger gloves are often used in the summer as well. Just like for most bicycle accessories, it is also determined by the discipline you practice.
Short finger cycling gloves –also called cycling mitts- offer the advantage of being better ventilated. They will allow for a natural grip of the brakes and good protection from the wind and humidity. These gloves are also practical for taking pictures or texting your friends! It is an excellent choice if you ride in the city or on easy, even trails.
For mountain bike gloves, long finger cycling gloves are a better choice, given that they offer better protection. Branches, plants and gravel can hurt!
Long finger gloves are also a better choice for cooler days. Winter gloves also add an internal layer like fleece, for example, to keep your hands warm.
Downhill cycling gloves also have specific features. Given that this is considered an extreme sport, you should opt for a glove with added protection for your joints, and with more padding than regular gloves. DH biking is a sport that requires more equipment: find out more about our protection equipment that will help you enjoy your cycling adventures safely.
Depending on the model, they offer features such as:
- A palm padded with gel or foam
- A thermal lining, wind braking and/or waterproof
- A sponge on the top of the glove
- Reflective strips (so that you are easy to spot in the dark)
- Compatibility with touch screens (long finger gloves)
All in all, you should choose your gloves according to temperature, the discipline you practice and your needs.
What will your gloves be made with?
For better control, you will be looking for a glove that is flexible and offers good grip. The materials used have an impact on the glove’s general properties, like resistance, waterproofness and weight.
Among the available synthetic fibers, polyester is very common, used for the great resistance to abrasions it offers and the capacity to maintain its shape. Nylon, polyurethane and elastane are also often used because of their light weight and capacity to stretch, which are both very useful to improve dexterity while riding your bike. Polyurethane is also waterproof, which makes it an interesting fabric for several different types of sports equipment.
On some models, you might also find stretching mesh, a light and well ventilated material that adds to the glove’s flexibility and maneuverability.
Winter gloves will also integrate neoprene, a synthetic rubber that combines both rigidity and flexibility while also keeping your hands warm. If you are looking for waterproof cycling gloves, Gore-Tex is a great fabric, given that it has both waterproof and wind breaking properties. Winter gloves will also generally have a polar fleece or Thinsulate insulation layer.
Some gloves will utilize leather or faux-leather, or even suede. On top of comfort, these materials are mostly appreciated for the grip they offer. They will help prevent your hands from sliding on the handlebar, which will improve control. For better grip, silicone sections are also very efficient.
It is also important to choose products that are very resistant and durable, by opting for quality equipment. When you are out riding your bike, your gloves will definitely be put to the test!
Choosing the right cycling gloves
For good hand protection on your bike, it is essential to have gloves of the right size and that are well adjusted.
On the one hand, if your gloves are too big, your hands will have a tendency to slip inside the glove. Not only will this cause friction and discomfort, it can also become dangerous. Your grip on the handlebar will be less than optimal and your gloves could even slip out of your hands if they are not properly adjusted.
On the other hand, a model that is too small or too tight will cause compression. Once more, this will compromise your comfort and safety, given that it can cut off blood flow and affect your dexterity, which is certainly not ideal!
If you are shopping online, you can measure your hand (the right one if you are right-handed and vice versa) with a measuring tape, under the joints, by closing your hand. This number will help you find the right size, no matter if you are looking for men’s cycling gloves or women’s cycling gloves.
The best thing to do remains trying them out physically, which is also the case for our bicycle helmets. Even with the same size hand, the length of the palm and fingers will differ from one person to another! If you opt for long finger gloves, your finger should reach the tip of the glove and be completely straight. It is also important that your gloves not have any folds or creases.
You should also opt for an adjustable model, either with Velcro or elastic, if you want to have a glove… that fits like a glove!
Star Product Recommendations
If you are looking for quality gloves that will keep your hands warm in the winter, Fox Racing Defend Fire gloves are perfect for you! This model includes a polar fleece lining and will keep your hands dry thanks to a DWR treatment. The Clarino palm will also allow you to have better grip and to be able to feel the handlebar in your hands for a maximum of control and performance. With the gripping closure, the glove remains well adjusted and safe. A bonus is that it is compatible with touch screens! It is a durable model that comes highly recommended.
Another Fox Racing model, the Ranger, is also among our most popular and sold models. These cycling gloves for kids, women and men offer an exceptional price-quality ratio and will be perfectly suited to most cycling disciplines. Comfortable, easy to adjust and with a good grip, we also love them for how durable they are. For even greater performance and thermal insulation, you could also opt for the Ranger Fire model.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for more suggestions: we’re here to help!
Expert Advice – maintaining your cycling gloves in tip top shape
We would all agree that good cycling gloves don’t come cheap! If you want to be able to keep them looking like new for a long time, then you should follow this maintenance advice.
To clean your gloves, there are generally specific instructions for each model. Some can be washed in cold water in a delicate cycle, but generally, they should be hand washed. One thing you should never do is have them dry cleaned, cleaned with bleach or fabric softener.
After they have been washed, you can press on them gently to expel most of the water, but without wringing them out, and then lay them flat to dry or hang them with the wrists down. Be sure to avoid direct sunlight and electric heating! Yes, it might help dry them faster, but it might also have a negative impact on some materials.
If your gloves are treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR), make sure to apply the product only once your gloves begin to absorb water. Once they are treated, water should form drops over the surface of the glove and simply slide off.
If you want to try on some gloves or any other type of cycling equipment, come and visit us in Beaupré! We sell bicycles and cycling accessories for all of the different disciplines and we will be happy to provide you with more expert advice.
