One of the most important kit items for cyclists of any variety, is a good pair of gloves. Whether you’re a commuter, road racer or off-road shredder, you will need to protect your hands – that could be from cold and wet weather or the hard-packed dirt of the trail that rises up to meet you when you spill. The right pair of gloves can also improve your dexterity and confidence on the bike, particularly on the trail, where the contact between hands and bars is so vitally important. Here’s our guide to the various types of glove you might consider adding to your wardrobe:
Mitts
Mitts are one of the enduring symbols of cycling, that flash of colour wrapping the hands which rest on the bars of a road bike. These fingerless gloves are not designed to keep your hands warm, rather to protect them from wear and tear and prevent them from slipping from the bars. Nearly every cycling brand ever conceived, even bike manufacturers, have applied their branding to a cycling mitt, so there is a wide range to choose from with varying degrees of padding and weights of material.
{: 36006, 33326, 14671}
Light full finger
Full finger gloves are not exclusively used during the winter months. Mountain bikers prefer kit like the Endura MT500 gloves for their impact-friendly comfort, breathability and protection, and wear them all year round. Road cyclists can also find some merit in a light full fingered pair on cooler evenings and autumn riding before the bite of winter sets in.
{: 40636, 34259, 31837}
Thermal
Thermal gloves vary in design and material. Some incorporate very little in the way of padding and can be made of anything from fleece to neoprene. The latter is a popular option for cold and dry days when what is essentially wetsuit material insulates brilliantly against the chill. Endura’s FS260 Nemo gloves feature a wicking layer inside the Superstretch neoprene outer, which serves to reduce the absorbent qualities of the glove, so you won’t reach the end of your ride with damp hands. Gloves like these may not suit on the coldest and wettest days, but will keep you comfortable on those pleasant crisp winter rides.
{: 17367, 22579, 32290}
Waterproof
Finally, we come to the heavy-duty end of the scale and the thermal waterproof gloves. If you’re planning on embarking on any long winter base miles, particularly when the mercury drops to its lowest around February, you’ll need a glove that’s fit for purpose. The aptly named Endura Deluge gloves feature a Cordura stretch outer, thermal inner and waterproof membrane. With its stretch snug double cuff, silicone printed palm and durable tri-gel padding, this glove ticks all the boxes. What’s more, it benefits from a low bulk design which maximises dexterity.
{: 23672, 23672, 39595}
It is of course not necessary for you to own every type of glove listed here. Indeed, some people find the absorbent nature of neoprene gloves to be unpleasant, and others will not ride with anything that doesn’t provide a bit of padding for your palms. However, you’ll know, or soon find out, what your hands are going to need. That might just be a pair of mitts for summer and some nice thermal gloves for the winter commute. If you haven’t found what you’re after in this list, there’s plenty more to choose from on our site, and if you still need some advice, just ask us in store.
