How much time do you spend on the bike. 

When choosing a glove start with the length of your rides and match that up to the features a glove needs to have.

Regular shorter distance riders will need minimal padding compared to those who are riding for longer.The padding through the palm of the hand of Bike Gloves helps protect your hands from the pressure as your weight is transfered through the handlebars and handlebar grips. This pressure can cause issues such as discomfort, numbness and tingling.

If you ride for longer adding more padding as in an endurance glove will help to alleviate the pressure.

Recreation Glove = short distance riding. Endurance Glove = longer distance riding

What surface do you ride on?

Where you ride is important because the type of surface you ride on directly effects the levels of vibration & energy that your hands have to absorb.  There is a real difference to the amount of vibration felt through the handlebars when riding on a smooth well sealed road surface compared to  stoney and bumpy surfaces

Padding helps absorbs the vibration. If you ride on varied terrain adding more padding as in an endurance glove will help reduce the vibration felt and absorbed.

Recreation Glove = smooth surface riding. Endurance Glove = riding on varied terrain including gravel, stoney, and bumpy surfaces.

Summer vs Winter Riding

Another thing to consider when buying is ventilation vs warmth.  Good ventilation will help reduce sweat on the hand and help keep your connection between your hand and the handlebar grip strong. Helping you maintain good bike control. Warmth will help keep your hands/fingers at a comfortable temperature and support you to be comfortable riding in cooler temperatures.

This is solved by either a full fingered or fingerless glove?

In the hot months of summer it’s better for temperature control to have air flow around your fingers so this is why your best solution is a fingerless glove.

As it gets colder you will want more coverage and the insulation that a pair of full fingered gloves gives you.  If it’s really cold then a purpose specific winter riding glove should be considered. Don’t be put off by this covering up of the fingers.  If you are still exercising hard look for wicking fabrics and mesh panels that will help with moisture control.

Fingerless Glove = Warmer Riding. Full Finger Glove = Cooler Riding

Grip

One of the important functions of a Bike Glove is to support a good grip between your hand and the handlebar grip so you can maintain good control of the bike.

A glove should be made from flexible material and not too bulky so you can create this connection. Temperature control as mentioned above is important for this connection. 

Certain types of riding e.g. mountain biking  rely on a good connection more than other riding as you negotiate the trail. There are some riders that prefer minimal padding to help support the feel and connection between hand and grip. 

Riding Position

Upright riders (those at 90 degrees) have less pressure being transferred through the handlebars compared to those riding in a forward lean position. Upright riders should be fine with a glove with minimal padding (recreation glove).

When you ride how much pressure do you feel go through your hands and handlebars? If you feel a lot of pressure then a glove with more padding (an endurance glove) will be helpful.

Protection

Providing protection through coverage to their hands, bike gloves will protect palms and fingers from skin abrasions and bruises when they connect with different surfaces if you fall from the bike or brush close to obstacles. 

Full finger gloves offer additional protection to the fingers though majority of impacts occur to the palm area of the hand and therefore are protected with both a full finger and fingerless glove.

Other considerations

Some additional features that may be important to you. If wearing a full finger glove finger articulation and  touch screen technology can allow to be able to use eg a mobile phone while still wearing the bike glove

If you hand function and movement is a little compromised paying attention to wrist closures is important. You will need a good opening to get your hand in and out of a bike glove. A fingerless glove is easier to get on than a full finger glove.

Heavy Riders may benefit from the extra padding in an endurance glove even if biking short distances as they may experience increased pressure through the hands. 

Kids

Don’t forget the kids.  Kids bike gloves are about protecting their hands when they fall off their bikes which, unfortunately, is a bit more often than us adults.  It’s also a great idea for kids that bike tour/multi-day ride to have a good pair of gloves for all the reasons mentioned above.

Learn More: Kids Bike Gloves: Do they need them

MAKE YOUR PURCHASE A SUCCESS…

Glove Fit.

You must have the right size glove for it to fit your hand correctly.  Gloves should not interfere with your grip on the handlebars.   Make sure you measure before you buy…see Sizing Information – Bike Gloves

Riding stories, support & solutions that will make you & your family SMILE.