Cycling gloves: types and choices

Cycling has become very popular lately. When traveling long distances, cyclists must wear helmets on their heads, but complete and reliable equipment includes the presence of cycling gloves.

Cycling gloves have several important protective functions for cyclists.

• Sweat and weather resistant... The handlebars are equipped with rubber grips. At high speed and for a long ride, the palms of an athlete can sweat, and if you accidentally hit a bump or a small hole, the likelihood of it slipping out of your hands increases. Cycling gloves are made of a special material that provides a secure grip. Gloves help your hands to hold the steering wheel firmly. If the cyclist gets caught in the rain, they prevent the palms from getting wet and slipping on the handlebars.
• Preventing the formation of corns. Riding without gloves increases the friction between the handlebars and palms, which can lead to calluses. This will cause inconvenience when driving. An attribute such as cycling gloves will reliably protect against this problem.
• Reduced stress on the hands... Long periods of riding and keeping the hands in one position can cause fatigue and numbness in the hands, which can lead to falling off the bike. On the inside of the accessory there are gel inserts that reduce the level of stress from this part of the hand when holding the steering wheel for a long time.
• Wiping the sweat off your face... Sweat build-up increases with vigorous pedaling.It is very unpleasant if he starts to drip from his forehead, and you don't want to waste time and waste crucial minutes (especially during the competition period) on stops. In this case, cycling gloves will help wipe away sweat, as there are inserts of soft fabric in the area of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe palms and thumb.
• Protection of hands in case of falling... Unfortunately, there may be falling situations when driving at high speed. Gloves will reliably protect your hands from abrasions and wounds in such troubles.

Cycling gloves come in a variety of styles and can be tailored to suit the weather and riding style. They differ in both the air throughput and the degree of protection. Male and female versions do not differ much from each other in appearance (the only difference is the color scheme).

Cycling gloves are divided into the types described below.

• Mitts (without fingers)... Summer version, ideal for use in warm weather. Made from breathable protective material that only covers the palms, and the fingers remain completely open. Hands do not sweat, but gloves do not provide effective fall protection. This option is more suitable for riding on city roads.

• Classic. Standard with finger pockets. They are breathable and are subdivided into models depending on the season. Demi-season cycling gloves are quite warm, waterproof and at the same time good air permeability. Made of synthetic textiles with leather inserts.

• Winter options are multi-layered: foam rubber is laid inside the material, which provides warmth. Despite their high density, they are comfortable and allow the fingers to flex freely. Any model of classic gloves fully protects hands in case of falls. This option is indispensable for cycling fans who ride at any time of the year.

• Reinforced. These models are equipped with an additional level of protection in the form of inserts, clips and patches made of thick material or plastic. They guarantee a high degree of protection of the hands from injury. They are used in professional cycling and extreme riding.

For sewing this outfit accessory, the materials presented below are most often used.

• Lycra and Spandex. Stretch synthetic fabrics that are quite popular in sportswear. Provides maximum grip and excellent moisture absorption. Summer gloves are made of them.

• Neoprene and fleece. These are compacted types of fabrics that effectively protect against low temperatures and moisture. They are used in the production of demi-season and winter specimens.

• Membrane tissue (gortex). Used in insulated models. It has excellent waterproof and water-repellent properties, prevents the palms from fogging.

• Leatherette... Artificial turf resembling natural leather. Separate inserts and stripes for autumn and spring options are made from it.

• Air-mesh... It is a three-layer knitted mesh. It is used in sewing summer models or as inserts in warm versions of accessories.

• Gel and carbon fabric (carbon). It is an optional element. It is used in reinforced models as separate protective inserts.

• Leather... It is used for patches on fingers in the area of ​​the folds of the palms from the inside, in any model of gloves (depending on the design). Leather inserts provide better grip and protect hands from chafing.

It is better to buy gloves in specialized sports stores so that you can try them on, and not place an order in the online store right away, since you can make a mistake in the size.

You can independently determine the size of cycling gloves using the table below. To do this, you need to measure the width of the palm under 4 fingers (from the index to the little finger) or the length of the middle finger - with the correct shape of the hand, these values ​​coincide. Then correlate the obtained data with the dimensions from the table.

Cycling gloves from leading brands are stylishly designed with a comfortable fit and good air permeability. They will prevent your hand from slipping off the steering wheel and partially reduce unpleasant vibrations during intense riding.

Below are the brands that have gained the highest popularity among athletes and cycling enthusiasts.

• Fox. Cycling gloves from this company are rightfully considered one of the best. They are presented in a wide range and in different price ranges. A great advantage is the variety of children's and adolescent models that take into account the peculiarities of the age structure of the hand. In summer models, the outer side is made of perforated types of fabrics, thanks to which a good air flow comes in. The interdigital compartments have easy-stretch knitted inserts for maximum comfort.

• Cube. A distinctive feature is a catchy and fashionable design. Each model has 6-7 color variations. Gloves combine comfort of use with high functionality. They are compact, practical, comfortable to wear and easy to clean.

• Giro... This company provides a large selection of products for all seasons of the year. Summer versions have a classic design, but meet all the requirements: breathable, moisture-absorbing fabrics with perforated nylon inserts. Winter counterparts are made from different materials: membranes, fleece or natural wool.

• Scott... Cycling gloves from this brand are a combination of convenience and practicality. They have a good degree of wind protection. The cuffs are very comfortable, in which special loops are thought out for tight fixation, preventing the ingress of moisture and cold air.

• Stark. The company offers a variety of models: from simple textile options to reinforced with additional inserts to protect the joints. A huge selection of mitts made from a knitted base with gel and silicone pads will appeal to cycling enthusiasts and professional athletes.

• Stels... The company lures buyers with pleasant and affordable prices. The most popular are bright youth models made of Italian non-slip fabrics of serino and lycra. Gloves provide a snug fit and a firm grip on the handlebars.

When choosing such a sports accessory, first of all, one should be guided by convenience, durability and functionality. Design is a secondary component of the outfit.

When choosing, the following rules should be observed:

• it is advisable to choose a winter model larger by size - this will make it possible to put on additional gloves (under the bottom of bicycle accessories) made of thin knitwear for better insulation at low temperatures or too cold wind;
• it is better to choose gloves in the afternoon (preferably in the evening), since at this time of day the limbs may be slightly larger due to possible swelling;
• the guideline of the correct size should be not only the length of the fingers, but also the location of the stripes and inserts, since they provide optimal grip on the steering wheel;
• comfortable to use gloves with cuffs made of soft fabrics (knitwear or suede);
• the clasp on the wrist cuff should be firmly fixed and have a small margin;
• the compartments for the fingers should not fit snugly against the skin or be too loose in volume - an increase of 3-5 mm is sufficient;
• it is better to give preference to models with genuine leather inserts, which are located between the thumb and forefinger, since this part is more prone to wear and tear;
• it is undesirable for the cold period to acquire too dense models - they contribute to profuse sweating;
• the upper part of the cycling gloves should be made of breathable synthetic fabrics;
• for summer skiing, models with perforation made of leather and mesh materials are better;
• for extreme driving or in mountainous terrain, you should choose options with rubber inserts and patches for better hand protection;
• the presence of reflective elements on gloves is necessary for those who like to ride in the dark;
• attributes with anti-slip coating will be appreciated by owners of bicycles with rigid handlebar grips;
• models with two fingers sewn together (index and ring) will protect against injury during a fall.

It is recommended to wash cycling gloves as often as possible, taking the necessary precautions. Washing by hand is more efficient. In extreme cases, you can use the washing machine, but only with the hand wash program.

Due to frequent use and washing, the accessory is prone to wear and tear (especially in the area of ​​the thumb, palm and wrist). After washing, the product should be blotted with a terry towel and hung away from heat sources (drying in a horizontal position on a battery is not allowed).

Leather inserts shrink and become rough during use - for prevention, you can moisturize them with special creams.

The clasp requires careful handling - it must not be overtightened so as not to be damaged in a short time.

Gloves should be used for seasonal use. Knitted options should not be worn in the rain or in cold weather, and reinforced ones in summer.

Manufacturers establish a warranty on their products. The usual warranty period for cycling gloves is 1 month, but in some cases (depending on the type of model and brand) it may be longer. For products made of genuine leather, the minimum warranty is 40 days.

For information on how to choose cycling gloves, see the next video.