There are so many cycling gloves on the market, how do you choose? What are the recommendations for cycling gloves at different prices? What is the difference between the different materials of cycling gloves? Let’s take a look.
Table of contents
- Why wear gloves when riding
- What are the functions of cycling gloves
- Wearing and washing cycling gloves
- Key points of purchase
I. Why do you wear gloves when riding?
Wearing cycling gloves when riding is mainly considered from two aspects of safety and comfort.
Wearing gloves can reduce the danger caused by sweaty and slippery palms, and can also provide certain protection in the event of an accidental crash.
The grips of mountain bikes usually have uneven anti-skid structures. Wearing gloves will make our riding experience more comfortable.
The thick padded part of the palm can absorb shock and cushion and relieve hand numbness caused by long-term riding. It can be used to wipe sweat in summer, to protect hands from sun protection, and to keep out the cold in winter.
II. What are the functions of riding gloves
Gloves are small, but depending on where they are worn, the material will vary accordingly. For example, the back of the hand is generally made of sweat-absorbing, breathable, sun-proof, or cold-proof materials; while the palm is more anti-skid, wear-resistant, and shock-absorbing. Therefore, although the glove is small, every design is thoughtful and considerate.
1. Breathable
In order to avoid stuffiness, the surface material of cycling gloves is usually Lycra, nylon, polyester, and a three-layer laminated cloth composed of three layers of cloth.
Among them, the Lycra material has good elasticity and elasticity, and can be said to be the most widely used.
Three-layer laminated fabric, the outermost layer is mesh, the middle is a waterproof and breathable membrane, and the inner layer is brushed cloth, which is both water-repellent and cold-proof. It is a more commonly used material in severe cold areas or winter cold-proof gloves.
2. wipe sweat
In the thumb area of cycling gloves, there is usually a terry cloth, which can wipe away the small amount of sweat that affects the vision during the ride.
3. Non-slip and wear-resistant
The main material of the palm part of the cycling glove is in constant contact with the grip, so the anti-slip and wear-resistant performance is very important. Now the most used is PU imitation leather material.
4. Shock absorption
The palm part of cycling gloves usually has a thickened thick pad part, which is made of sponge, EVA foam (rubber foam material made of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer), SBR foam (styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene ethylene and styrene copolymer), TPE foam (thermoplastic elastomer, also known as artificial rubber or synthetic rubber), memory foam, shock-absorbing gel (Gel), etc.
According to the shock-absorbing effect, it is probably shock-absorbing gel (Gel) > memory foam > TPE > SBR > EVA > sponge.
Among them, the memory foam will slowly spring up after being pressed, and it can hold the grip better during use. Although the shock absorption effect is weaker than that of the shock-absorbing gel, it is more suitable for riding on flat terrain and general Shock-absorbing material for pavement, road and recreational vehicle riding gloves.
III. Wearing and cleaning of cycling gloves
Wearing: Because cycling gloves are more suitable for the hands, there are usually some special designs on the fingers or wrists to facilitate putting on and taking off.
If these easy-off designs are not easy to use, it is recommended to pull the palm part to take off the gloves, because the design of the palm part is more wear-resistant and more resistant to pulling, while the back part of the hand is thinner.
Cleaning: After riding, soak in soapy water and rub it clean, then place it in a cool place to dry. Avoid exposure to the sun, and try not to use hot water, bleach, etc. to wash, as it is easy to make the gloves pill and the fabric becomes loose. It can even cause the gloves to deform.
IV. The focus of purchase
1. Full finger, or half finger
Generally speaking, full-finger gloves are only necessary after the temperature drops to single digits. Half-fingered gloves will suffice most of the time.
The advantages of half-finger gloves are coolness and flexibility. It’s handy to have energy gels, cell phones, wallets and the like in your pocket. The disadvantage is that it is not waterproof, not cold.
2. Size
Generally speaking, glove size is related to height. But there are some subtle differences in the size of each manufacturer, and there are even differences in the proportions of palms and fingers between men and women, adults and children. So the key point in this aspect of size is fit.
Due to the material of cycling gloves, proper cleaning will not mak e the gloves loose or shrink tight, so you don’t need to buy a smaller size or a larger size.
Rider friends with fatter fingers can choose gloves with the back of the hand as a whole piece or with vertical stitching. The vertical seam can maintain the horizontal extension elasticity when wearing, and it will not be tight.
3. Demand
If the usual riding is mainly cycling, there is no need to spend a lot of money to buy more functional cycling gloves.
For children, when choosing children’s gloves, apart from the size, you don’t need too many functions such as shock absorption and ventilation. What needs to be emphasized is the anti-skid and wear-resistant functions. Safety first.
Now on the market, there are still some gloves with reflective strips, which are more suitable for children and commuting parties.
4. collocation
For the color, style, brand, etc. of the gloves, you still need to refer to the cycling clothes you often wear, daily clothes, and the paint of the vehicle, etc., and choose products that match the overall look and feel.
