A pair of good gloves are arguably the most important accessory that you could have as a biker. They serve many purposes including protecting your hands from nicks and cuts should you fall, and they help you to enjoy a comfortable ride overall. That’s why we’ve put together the following guide to help you find the best cycling gloves on the market.
We’ve got all types of different designs and styles, from the fingerless variety to long-fingered, as well as hook-and-loop closure ones. We’ve done quite a lot of research and testing to make sure that we bring you a comprehensive guide that’ll help you to make an informed decision.
What Are the Best Padded Cycling Gloves?
The great thing about buying cycling globes nowadays is that you have a lot of different options to choose from. This is great because there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the best summer cycling gloves.
As you read through our guide, we hope you’ll find somewhere in here an option that makes you go, “Eureka! I’ve found it!”
1. PEARL IZUMI Men’s Elite Gel Glove
Pearl Izumi is a well-known manufacturer of cycling gear and they’re popular for producing only the top products on the market. They certainly don’t disappoint with this pair of versatile and stylish gloves.
The Pearl Izumi open-finger Elite pair are the best road cycling gloves on the market and are available in four different colors. They’re all vibrant and make it easy to see you on the road.
Here you have gloves that are designed for comfort more than anything else. This is evident in the palm gel padding present in the gloves. In fact, they’re so well-cushioned you’ll hardly feel any pressure on your hands from holding your bike during a race.
This, coupled with the reduced number of seams and you have a minimally designed yet cushy glove that’ll take you around the block to the race track with equal ease. The best part is that this pair is available in five different sizes and we feel that they’re the best cold-weather cycling gloves on this list.
2. Zackees LED Turn Signal Gloves
These gloves from Zackees appeal precisely to that consumer who is concerned with safety as she is with style and comfort.
They’re the best winter cycling gloves for arthritis because they come with an LED run signal that’s designed to alert motorists on the road of your presence. This is a real gamechanger, especially if you’re someone that likes to cycle in low-light conditions.
This feature is activated by metal rivets located on the inner part of the thumb panel which sends a signal to the 54 lumens LED lights that are built into the gloves, to alert drivers of your intention to make a turn. All you have to do is press these rivets with your forefinger to instantly activate this mechanism.
Their high-tech design will make sure that you cut a stylish figure while enjoying a smooth ride. This is all integrated within high-quality materials that are made to last.
3. INBIKE Triathlon Short Finger Cycling Gloves
These INBIKE gloves come with a range of great features including shock-absorbent construction from durable terry cloth materials which is known for its sweat-wicking abilities. These gloves are just perfect for riding through rough terrain, particularly in off-road applications.
They’re suitable for use in different weather conditions, no matter how extreme the climate, thanks to the high-performance fabric.
However, it’s important to note that these gloves only cover half of every finger to allow for proper ventilation and to avoid the build-up of moisture in warm and humid conditions. But, this could be an issue in the winter, especially if you’re someone who struggles with arthritis or something similar.
Otherwise, INBIKE has made sure that these gloves are abrasion-resistant and are able to cover your hands sufficiently in the areas that they do provide cover. They do run small, however, so you should probably buy a size up if you want to get the proper fit, especially if you have large hands.
4. Giro Jag Road Bike Gloves
After taking these gloves for a spin, we can assuredly tell you without a shadow of a doubt that they are among the very best on the market.
There are many reasons for this and you’ll find out why as we delve into the various features below. First of all, Giro Jag had the foresight to design these full finger cycling gloves according to biometric engineering methods which means that they fit really well without constricting blood flow or feeling too tight. The elastic material from which they are constructed is abrasion-resistant, breathable, and comfortable.
To ensure guaranteed comfort, Giro Jag has reinforced the palm area with a combination of power mesh, leather, and gel. However, even with these different materials layered over one another, you still have a nice, breathable glove that’s comfortable to wear even in high heat conditions.
Plus, you can always use the Velcro straps located on the wrists to create more ventilation and customize the fit according to your needs and preferences.
5. HTZPLOO Padded Bike Gloves
HTZPLOO’s fingerless gloves are quite the hit with cyclists not just because they’re affordable but because they offer value for money. They’re constructed from 45% nylon and 55% polyester material, with extra padding that provides a more comfortable fit.
The palms are reinforced with a silicone gel to prevent sweating and increase your grip so that you’re always in control. The fingers have small loops integrated into them which you can use to easily remove the gloves.
In addition to this genius feature is a towel cloth thumb that you can use to wipe off sweat when it’s hot. Plus, these most comfortable cycling gloves are available in five different sizes.
6. Cevapro Touchscreen Gloves
These gloves from Cevapro are made from a combination of elastic and rugged materials, namely 5% spandex and 95% polyester. This is one heck of a combination when you consider the benefits they offer.
Not only that but the inside is lined with double fleece to improve ventilation and to keep your fingers nice and toasty in winter. The sweat-wicking materials guarantee that your hands will never get sweaty again. At least not while you’re cycling.
Keeping in mind that most of us like to use our smartphones even when we’re on the road, Cevapro has made provision for that by incorporating sensitive tips on the index finger and thumb, which makes it easy for you to use your smartphone.
You’ll be glad to know that these gloves are also windproof and water-resistant. Plus, they come with a convenient elastic wrist cuff for a customized fit.
7. Louis Garneau Men’s Biogel RX-V Men’s Bike Gloves
These thoughtfully-designed gel bike gloves for summer from Louis Garneau run small by design. They’re specifically made in response to complaints from customers that have small hands.
The brand took these concerns to heart and decided to ditch the “one size fits all” approach in lieu of a more customized design.
While these gloves don’t come with much in the way of fancy features, they are well made. They come with a reinforced Velcro strap to keep them from accidentally coming off, and they’re also made to last from durable materials.
8. Tanluhu Bike Gloves
Tanluhu’s fingerless gloves are the way to go if you’re looking for something that’s convenient and comfortable to use on the road. This is especially so if you plan on cycling during the summer season or in any warm and humid environment.
That’s because they’re designed to offer maximum ventilation thanks to their fingerless construction and they’re made from elastic fabric that provides a customized and comfortable fit.
You can easily adjust them to meet your needs and they make it easier for you to properly grip your bike’s handlebars.
How to Pick the Best Cycling Gloves
Now that you know what the best gloves are, it’s time to find out how we got to this list in the first place.
Below is a list of features that we considered as part of our vetting process when deciding which gloves to recommend.
Type
There are many different types of the most padded cycling gloves. That much is obvious whenever you walk into a bike accessories shop.
Now, each glove serves a different option so it’s important to understand your own needs to figure out what works for you.
There are gloves for bike racing, mountain biking as well as fingerless and short finger gloves. The options are aplenty.
Insulation
Insulation is another important feature for all-year gloves that you can use through cold and warm seasons. Ideally, the gloves should keep you insulated for temperatures of 10 degrees or below.
Keep in mind that in cold weather conditions, blood doesn’t get to the extremities, especially if you’re outside, which is why some people experience cold feet or hands in winter.
That’s why you should insist on gloves with insulation that can handle up to minus 40 F.
Fit
Gloves should fit comfortably but not too tight. There should always be some flex in order to allow your hands some give to move around when riding your senior bicycle. Now, it’s not always easy to find well-fitting gloves.
They’re usually either too tight or too loose. But, we were able to find a few that are comfortable enough to fit nicely.
Grip
Another important feature to look for in the top rated cycling gloves is the grip factor.
This means that the gloves should be designed to ensure that you’re able to maintain a comfortable and firm grip on your handlebars and that your fingers don’t accidentally slip off while you’re riding your fat tire bike.
This can be achieved by importing gel padding or silicone grips onto the gloves, or other measures that improve grip.
Material
There are a few common materials that are utilized in the cycling glove manufacturing industry. These include synthetic fabrics, nylon, lycra, and spandex.
Some brands even use materials that are found in the shoe manufacturing industry or a combination of several materials to create a more fortified and elastic fit.
Padding
Whether you plan on participating in the next triathlon or want to take your step-through bike for a spin around the neighborhood after work, it’s important to ensure that they’re padded so that your hands don’t take the undue strain.
Breathability
Next, you have breathability. Why is this so important? Because you’re bound to get sweaty while performing any exhaustive task, cycling included and no matter the season.
Compatibility
Considering that most of us are practically joined at the hip to our smartphones, it makes sense that some gloves now come with features that make it easy for one to use your phone while wearing them. This includes touchscreen-sensitive fingertips.
Waterproofing
Waterproof gel cycling gloves come highly recommended for anyone who lives and cycles in a cold climate.
They’re typically designed to protect your hands and fingers from the effects of snow and/or rain so that you don’t freeze your fingers off! Some waterproof gloves can even prevent your fingers from slipping off the handlebars.
What Are Extra Padded Cycling Gloves?
Basically, these gloves are specifically designed for cyclists.
They’re made to keep your hands protected and as such, are often constructed from really durable, well-insulated materials that are warm and comfortable. They’re also available in different sizes and styles, including the fingerless variety.
But, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to buying gloves, it all depends on what your needs and preferences are. It depends on whether you ride for fun or if you’re preparing for a race.
Types of Bike Gloves
Here are the available types of gloves that are available and what they have to offer:
Full-Finger Gloves
Although they’re lightweight and slim-fitting, full-finger gloves are also ideal for cold climates. That’s because they cover your entire hands including your fingers.
Some are even lined with a bit of silicone on the inside of the palm as well as fingertip pads with gel padding to ensure a reliable grip.
Mittens
Bike mittens often come with holes for only three fingers or a normal thumb and mit design.
This makes it a little more difficult to move your fingers around but they’re unparalleled when it comes to keeping your fingers warm. They’re perfect for cold weather conditions.
Track Mitts
Track mitts are the best cycling mitts and are designed for use in a professional racing setting. As such, they have a unique, fingerless design that includes lightweight materials and adjustable wrist straps.
Mountain Bike Gloves
Mountain bike gloves are unique in that they’re built to offer improved traction. The manufacturers do this by incorporating a textured palm onto the design of the glove, in addition to other measures that are made to improve your ability to maintain control of your cyclocross bike. This includes shock absorption capabilities and gel padding.
Winter Gloves
Winter gloves don’t necessarily need to have a full-finger design. Some have half fingers but because they’re made with windproof and waterproof materials, they’re considered winter gloves that can handle the rigors of winter weather.
Good quality cycling gloves are also characterized by padded design with enough flexibility for you to easily move your hands.
Benefits of Cycling Gloves
If you haven’t yet made the investment in bike gloves, we highly recommend you read the following section to understand why they’re so important.
Offers Cushion
Long rides can be grueling for a number of reasons.
One of those reasons is the fact that after some time of clutching onto the handlebar, your hands are bound to feel numb and tender, making it impossible to continue riding without feeling sore.
Due to the padding in the best bicycle gloves for numb hands, your hands can handle the pressure for much longer without getting pain.
Keeps Hands Warm
One of the main reasons why cyclists buy gloves in the first place is to keep their hands warm. Full-finger gloves are recommended for this purpose as open-finger ones aren’t designed for warmth.
Even if you feel like you don’t need gloves right now, you have to admit that at some point while cycling at 20mph, the hands start needing gloves, even at relatively high temperatures.
Protects Hands
Oftentimes, there’s no avoiding the occasional spill or bump against a tree branch while riding with a really cheap bicycle through new or even familiar trails.
Gloves can come in handy during these situations by protecting the skin on your hands from the worst effects of these incidents.
Versatile
Cycling gloves can be all things to all cyclists. They can help you out in the least expected instances. For example, let’s say you come across some shards of glass on the road that you end up driving over.
Without your gloves, it’s pretty impossible for you to get rid of the glass unless you have a durable cloth or leaf nearby.
Whereas, with gloves on, you can easily get rid of the glass particles with the fabric and get back to your ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are cycling gloves made of?
The best fingerless cycling gloves are characterized by one particular feature; a lightly padded palm that’s reinforced with materials such as gel or synthetic or natural leather. These gloves are commonly referred to as track mitts and in the past, they used to have strings on the back for you to tighten them with, but now they’re often made from elastane which helps them to maintain elasticity.
How tight should cycling gloves be?
For best results, your gloves should fit well enough to feel comfortable but they shouldn’t be so tight that they end up chafing or scrunching up your hands.
Do cycling gloves make a difference?
If you look at the palm area of your gloves, you’ll notice that there’s padding there, which is designed to keep your hands from the strain of holding onto your handlebars the whole day. Cycling gloves will also keep your hands safe from different weather conditions and they’ll protect your skin from grazing in case you fall.
Are cycling gloves necessary?
Cycling gloves, especially short finger mitts, are as vital to a biker as a cycling jersey or helmet. The palm padding on the gloves is perfect for protecting your hands against the discomfort that may be caused by holding the handlebars for prolonged periods of time.
Why do cyclists wear fingerless gloves?
Fingerless gloves offer the best of both worlds. They protect your hands from abrasions while providing you with the necessary ventilation to keep cool and comfortable in changing weather conditions. Most gloves feature padded palms to cushion your hands and prevent them from getting painful due to long riding hours.
Do I need mountain bike gloves?
Cycling gloves are also important for mountain biking purposes. That’s because they can play a huge role in ensuring that you keep a firm grip on your handlebars and your bike as a whole when going through rough or rocky terrain as well as boulders. For best results, opt for a palm-textured mountain biking glove.
Why do road cyclists wear gloves?
As a road cyclist, you have to wear your gloves during all kinds of different weather conditions, which might cause your palms to sweat. Gloves can be really helpful at preventing this because they have the ability to soak up the sweat from your hands and provide a cushion against abrasions at the main contact points.
What size cycling gloves do I need?
To figure out what your optimal biking glove size is, measure your palm’s circumference starting from the widest point under the knuckles except for the thumb. Thereafter, take a measurement of the distance between the base of your hand and the middle finger. The results from these measurements are the easiest way to determine your glove size.
Are Sealskinz gloves any good?
Sealskinz gloves have a very specific design that makes them feel more like leather biking gloves than anything else. This rigid texture is due to the waterproof membrane that’s built into the glove’s interior.
Do Triathletes wear cycling gloves?
It would seem like cycling gloves would be a triathlon biker’s best friend, because they’re designed to protect the hands against all manner of cycling calamities. But, the truth is that they can take precious time away from your race, especially when you’re putting them on or adjusting them. That’s why most triathletes choose to leave their cycling gloves at home when competing in races.
Conclusion
So, what are the best cycling gloves for all occasions? If it were up to us, we would choose the PEARL IZUMI Elite Gel Glove. In our humble opinion, these are the best cycling gloves for hand numbness as well as all types of biking activities.
They are by far the safest and most useful gloves on this list, and they’re easy to use.