Cycling gloves make a world of difference to your riding experience. Sore hands, wrists and friction burns can all be avoided by investing a good pair of gloves.
We all know that protecting your hands is vital. We’ve been on the hunt to find the best value cycling gloves around, and we have some exciting discoveries to share with you. As it turns out, a good pair of gloves doesn’t need to cost the world.
Don’t waste money on big brands just for the sake of it; there are plenty of cycling gloves from renowned brands that are terrible in comparison to some of the cheaper ones. We’ve put more than a handful to the test to see which come out on top.
The Best Cycling Gloves
Let’s get down to business. Though personal preference plays a part in the level and type of padding the glove has, we’re pretty confident our selections cater to the vast majority of cyclists.
We’ve kept value for money at the forefront of our search criteria, and haven’t been afraid to drift away from major brand names to seek the best value. Here are the best cycling gloves for cyclists of all ages, skill levels, and disciplines.
- 1 The Best Cycling Gloves
- 2 Louis Garneau Men’s Biogel RX-V Cycling Gloves
- 3 Giro DND Full-Fingered Cycling Gloves
- 4 Gearonic Half Finger Cycling Gloves
- 5 Giro Men’s Strate Dure Supergel Cycling Gloves
- 6 Fox Racing Ranger Mountain Bike Gloves
- 7 Pearl Izumi Men’s Select Glove
- 8 A Guide To Buying The Best Cycling Gloves
- 9 Final Thoughts
Louis Garneau Men’s Biogel RX-V Cycling Gloves
The Biogel RX-V gloves from Louis Garneau are, in our humble opinion, some of the highest quality cycling gloves ever made. The vibration absorption achieved by the gel padding makes light work of even the bumpiest of roads, with only very little rattling making it past the palm of your hands.
In the past, we’ve shied away from gel-padded gloves due to a lack of breathability. Here though, the X-shaped vents present in these gloves alleviate this almost entirely. They are comfortable beyond all expectations and allow ample airflow at a price that isn’t too far above the average for cycling gloves. If you can stretch a little further to afford these, you’d be silly not to.
Giro DND Full-Fingered Cycling Gloves
On the hunt for full-fingered cycling gloves? Look no further than Giro’s DND (Down and Dirty) gloves. Four-way stretch construction allows these gloves to have one of the snuggest fits while remaining comfortable and allowing plenty of mobility. Coupled with a suede palm to reduce annoying bunching, these genuinely push the bar higher than most other manufacturers manage to achieve today.
These gloves feature flex zones at the knuckles and reinforced fingertips make for a durable cycling glove that’s suitable even for mild off-roading. Despite this, they truly excel on the road, where they feel as light and airy as half-fingered gloves even in warmer months. A truly impressive glove that leaves you hard-pressed to find a single fault.
Gearonic Half Finger Cycling Gloves
Stray a little further from the cycling gloves of established brand names and you can end up with either a total bargain or a total catastrophe. Thankfully, we’re happy to mark these as an absolute bargain.
They feel as sturdy as any half-fingered cycling glove we’ve ever used. Plenty of padding on the top of the palm allows for a firm grip that feels effortless to maintain, and elasticized microfibre makes them incredibly comfortable even in flex zones. At a fraction of the price of their main brand competitors, it’s not hard to see why these are some of the best selling cycling gloves around today.
Giro Men’s Strate Dure Supergel Cycling Gloves
We’ve raved about Giro’s full-fingered gloves plenty of times; they’re one of our favorite gloves around. Naturally then, we had very high hopes indeed for their Strate Dure Supergel half-fingered gloves.
Thankfully, the padding is excellent here, taking away annoying jolts and shunts almost effortlessly. The breathability is second to none, and we think you’d have trouble finding a more comfortable cycling glove for long rides. The downsides? There are few, but one small gripe is that they honestly don’t feel that much more durable than some of the budget picks, and that’s a little disappointing from a glove that carried a significantly higher price tag.
Fox Racing Ranger Mountain Bike Gloves
Fox’s Ranger Mountain Bike gloves might seem an odd choice for a list that has been so far focused around road cycling gloves. In our opinion, they’d have been better off marketing them at road cyclists or more casual mountain bikers. They excel on roads, where their apparent lack of padding is a clear benefit rather than a concern out on the trails.
They feel more like a soft latex glove than a heavy-duty mountain bike glove, which is ideal for long, smooth trips where you’re unlikely to be thrown over the handlebars. Despite their misguided marketing, these are fantastic gloves that you can pick up for considerably less money than some of the front-runners in this market.
Pearl Izumi Men’s Select Glove
The Pearl Izumi Men’s select glove comes highly recommended. These gloves offer grip, a variety of cool designs and most importantly; they provide excellent comfort. The great padding means these things are going to keep your hands comfortable on long rides thanks to gel padding and foam. These gloves come with synthetic leather which help them to be durable as well as a pleasure to wear.
If you want a pair of half finger gloves built to last, but comfortable on the palm thanks to gel padding and synthetic leather then look no further. You’ll be very pleased with what the Pearl Izumi Select has to offer.
A Guide To Buying The Best Cycling Gloves
Whether you are a seasoned pro or a new cyclist just starting, you could almost definitely benefit from a good pair of bicycling gloves. As with any item of apparel, the number of options on the market can be overwhelming, to say the least.
This article is designed to help guide you through the available options and hopefully match features to your individual preferences. The right gloves for you will depend on how you ride your bike, the weather conditions you ride in, and your budget.
Advantages of Good Cycling Gloves
In many ways, having a good pair of bike gloves is just as important as having a great helmet, a comfortable road bike saddle, or the proper padded riding shorts. Here are just a few ways that they help you out:
An accident on a bicycle can be incredibly dangerous, any amount of protection is welcome, and your hands are certainly worth protecting.
They prevent your grip from slipping on the handlebars, helping you retain control of the bike during light impacts; keeping you safe from accidents.
They stop blisters. When your hands are rubbing up against a metal surface for long periods, blisters become inevitable. A good pair of bike gloves can save you from that pain and ensure you don’t ease off on gripping the bar.
They help your stay hands warm. Your average pair of winter gloves may not be safe to use when riding. A full-fingered pair of gloves can help keep your hands nice and toasty during the cold months. Numb fingers lead to a lack of control.
Parts of Cycling Gloves
There are four main parts of cycling gloves. They are:
Fingers
Cycling loves can either be full-fingered or partial finger gloves. It may be a good idea to have one of each for different weather conditions.
Full fingered gloves are great for winter riding while partial fingered ones can offer the protection and grip while not overheating your hands. Half fingered gloves for cycling allow lots of air through the glove to counteract the heat generated by friction between your hands and the glove’s padding. The benefits of this airflow are especially noticeable in heavily padded cycling gloves.
Cuffs
The cuff refers to the part of the glove that goes around your wrist. In a good pair of gloves, this will be adjustable so that the fit can be customized to you personally.
If the fight is too tight, it can cut off circulation and limit mobility significantly. On the other hand, if the fit is too loose, you will not have the snug fit that most cyclists desire to get good coverage on the handlebars.
Uppers
The back of cycle gloves is known as the upper. Here, you’ll find extra protection from the elements, and usually, durable fabric to protect the hands during impacts.
Palm
For many cyclists, the palm is the most critical part of the gloves. The padding here can help you not get blisters or sore hands. It is also where any material to help with grip, such as gel padding gets added. Getting the palm of your glove right makes a world of difference, you should aim to find a balance between padding and airflow should.
Features to Look for in Cycling Glove
There is a lot of variety with regards to build-quality in the biking gloves on the market today. There are several things you should pay attention to when shopping for yours to be sure you are getting something that will last:
- Grip: One of the biggest reasons for having gloves is to improve your grip on the handlebars. Most gloves have leather or synthetic palms. Some gloves even feature additional silicone grippers on the fingers to help with shifting and braking. Not everyone likes this, so don’t assume that having silicone grippers is a wholly positive thing.
- Breathability: This refers to how well the material of the gloves allows airflow in through the glove, and water vapor to escape. Breathability is essential to help keep your hands dry during your ride. On a hot day, non-breathable fabrics can cause your hands to get sweaty and uncomfortable. On a cold day, the moisture might make your hands feel clammy.
- Wicking: Wicking refers to how well your gloves draw moisture away from your hands. It’s mostly important for those who ride in wet conditions or tend to sweat heavily.
- Waterproofing: If you are going to be biking in the rain, you may want waterproof gloves. Keep in mind that gloves that don’t allow water to pass through them will also trap sweat against your skin.
- Protection: Another reason for wearing gloves is to protect your hands in the event of a fall. All gloves will offer some protection from scrapes. Some are more heavy-duty and rigid to help protect your wrist and hand in the event of an impact.
- Padding: Don’t underestimate the importance of padding. Technology such as gel pads can often help your hands stay comfortable for the long haul. Gloves aren’t just used in road cycling for example when mountain biking you will deal with plenty of rough terrain, in which case you’ll be thankful you opted for a well padded glove. That said, if you prefer that style of riding we’d recommend investing in specialist mountain biking gloves.
- Easy Removal: You’ll want to find a glove that’s easy to put on as well as take off. If you’re finding difficulty with this it’s likely you may need to either down size or up size.
- Warmth: All gloves will offer a certain degree of warmth. When shopping for your new gloves, it can help to know the weather conditions you will be using them in. Some are designed specifically for hot or cold weather, and many cyclists will have a pair for each season.
Types of Cycling Gloves
Depending on your intended use for your gloves, there are a few different options available to you. It might be advantageous to buy two or more pairs for your rides. Here are the most popular types:
Full Finger Gloves
These are usually associated with winter riding, but more breathable summer versions do exist. A good pair of winter cycling gloves will be light and flexible while still providing all of the protection you need to stay safe.
Silicone fingers are a great feature here, given you’re more likely to have wet hands in the winter. Some have reflective pieces to help with safety at night.
Summer Mitts
To qualify as “mitts,” the gloves must be finger-less. They give you the extra padding to help with comfort and gripping. They also offer some protection in the event of a fall. You can even get some that have a special pad on the back for wiping the sweat off.
Winter Gloves
If you plan on riding in freezing temperatures, you will need to find authentic winter gloves. Look for thermal gloves that are windproof and waterproof.
For winter gloves to be effective, they are typically comprised of a few layers.
A microporous membrane will help your hands breathe during a long ride. Keep in mind that winter gloves will have to be bulkier than others.
Materials for Cycling Gloves
Gloves designed for bike riding are frequently made using synthetic materials. Different materials have different advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Acrylic: This material is quite warm while still being breathable. It st
- retches for a custom fit. On the other hand, it doesn’t offer much resistance from the weather.
- Polyester: Popular due to the breathability and sweat-wicking abilities, this is an excellent material for bike gloves. It is suitable for gloves worn in the warmer months.
- Polypropylene: Probably the best material for wind and other weather resistance, this material is gaining in popularity for bicycling gloves. The significant drawback here is they don’t let moisture out.
- Fleece: Generally speaking, only winter biking gloves will be made entirely of fleece. It is a hot material that has no real breathability. Some gloves will have a patch of fleece on the back for wiping the sweat off.
- Lycra: This material is very breathable but not very warm. How well it allows for moisture wicking will depend on the quality of the gloves.
Sweaty hands can lead to losing your grip on your handlebars, which in turn leads to disaster. Unprotected hands on the pavement will result in quite a lot of pain. Hours of riding with nothing between your skin and your handlebars can lead to blisters.
All of these things can are avoidable with the right pair of gloves. Ultimately, it may take more than one pair to fit all of your needs. Cycling gloves provide full finger and palm protection
Final Thoughts
A good pair of cycling gloves can add to the comfort and enjoyment of your rides. Doing your research and reading bike glove reviews can make sure you end up with gloves that will last you for many rides to come.
Hopefully, this article gave you a good starting point for finding the right ones for you and suggested some suitable cycling gloves to fit your needs.