Cycling Gloves

Cycling gloves protect your hands while cycling in three ways: they absorb vibrations from the road surface, give a better grip on the handlebars in sweat or rain and protect your palms in a fall. For road cyclists, gloves are also essential on longer rides where the constant pressure on the handlebars without cushioning quickly leads to tingling or painful palms.

The range consists of summer gloves for the warmer months and winter gloves for cold and wet weather, each available for road cycling and mountain biking. The most important selection criteria are the season, the type of cycling you do and whether you want short fingers (fingerless) or full fingers.

Which cycling gloves suit you?

The right choice depends on when you cycle, which discipline you practise and what your priority is: comfort, protection or warmth. The following scenarios help you quickly find the right direction.

You road cycle in summer and want to protect your hands against vibrations on longer rides: Choose light road cycling gloves with a padded palm for vibration absorption. The padding is specifically placed on the pressure points that rest on the handlebars. Thin, breathable fabric and mesh inserts keep your hands cool. Road cycling gloves are generally fingerless models for maximum precision and feel on the brakes and gears.

You mountain bike and want to protect your hands during technical riding and potential falls: MTB gloves are more robust than road cycling gloves. They have extra padding on the palm for shock absorption on rough terrain and reinforced panels on the knuckles and outside of the hand for protection in a fall. Many MTB gloves have full fingers for more protection than the fingerless variants.

You cycle in winter at cold temperatures and want warm, windproof gloves: Choose winter cycling gloves with a thermal lining and windstop material. Models with Gore-Tex or comparable membrane are also waterproof in wet conditions. In extreme cold, heated cycling gloves are available: gloves with heating elements based on a battery for extra warmth at temperatures where even thick thermal gloves are not sufficient.

You mountain bike in winter in mud and rain and want protected but agile hands: MTB winter gloves combine the robust construction of MTB gloves with thermal material and water resistance. Full fingers are standard for maximum protection during winter off-road riding. Look for models with a waterproof membrane and sufficient grip at the fingertips for operating brakes and gears with wet gloves.

You cycle in changeable spring weather or autumn and want a versatile glove: A thin full-finger glove of lightweight windproof fabric is the best choice. Protects against wind and light cold but is thin enough for feel on the brakes. Can be put in a back pocket as it gets warmer.

What to look for when purchasing?

Fingerless or full fingers

Fingerless gloves give more feel and precision on brakes and gears and are the standard choice for road cycling in summer. Full fingers give more protection with MTB, in falls and in cold or wet weather. With winter cycling, full fingers are almost always the better choice; with summer road cycling, fingerless gloves are the norm.

Padding and cushioning

Padding absorbs vibrations from the road surface and distributes the pressure on your palm. Road cycling gloves have thinner, precisely placed padding on the main pressure points of the riding position. MTB gloves have wider and thicker padding for shock absorption on rough terrain. Too thick padding reduces your feel on the brakes; too little gives insufficient comfort on longer rides. Choose based on your discipline and ride duration.

Material and season

Summer gloves are made of light, breathable fabrics with mesh inserts for ventilation. Winter gloves have a thermal or fleece lining and a windstop or waterproof outer layer. Also look at the closure at the wrist: gloves with velcro are easier to put on and take off; gloves without velcro or with a stretch cuff fit more snugly.

Grip and operating sensitivity

Check whether the palm gives sufficient grip on a wet or sweaty handlebar. Silicone grip or print elements on the palm help with holding the handlebar. With full-finger gloves also check whether the fingertips are thin enough for a good feel on touchscreens of cycling computers and smartphones — many modern cycling gloves are specifically designed for this.

Size

Measure the circumference of your hand over the knuckles (without thumb) and compare it with the brand's size chart. A glove that is too large folds at the palm which creates pressure and irritation points; a glove that is too small restricts blood circulation with prolonged wear. Sizing differs per brand, always check the specific table.

Our advice: Buy at least two pairs of gloves: a summer pair for dry and warm weather and a winter pair for the colder months. One glove that covers both seasons without compromise does not exist. For year-round cycling, three pairs — summer, transitional season and winter — are the most comfortable solution.

Road cycling gloves or MTB gloves?

Road cycling gloves are lightweight, close-fitting and optimised for the riding position of a road cyclist. The padding is aimed at the specific pressure points of the handlebar top or drops. They are generally fingerless models for maximum precision and feel.

MTB gloves are more robust and prioritise protection over aerodynamics. Extra padding over the knuckles and reinforced outside of the hand give protection with technical riding and falls. Full fingers are common with MTB for more protection. The material is more wear-resistant for use in wet, muddy terrain.

Always use the type that matches your discipline for the best combination of comfort, protection and function.

Who are cycling gloves suitable for?

• Road cyclists who want vibration absorption on longer rides and want to prevent tingling or pressure on the palm.
• Mountain bikers who ride technically and want extra protection on hands and knuckles in rough terrain and falls.
• Cyclists who also ride outdoors in autumn and winter and want to keep their hands warm, dry and comfortable.
• Athletes who want extra grip on the handlebar in sweaty or wet conditions for more safety and control.

Need help with your choice?

Would you like to buy cycling gloves but are not sure which type suits your riding style and season best? Then we are happy to help. You can reach our specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our triathlon store in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about cycling gloves

Why are cycling gloves useful for road cycling?

With road cycling your palm rests continuously on the handlebars. The vibrations from the road surface arrive directly via the handlebars at your hands and can on longer rides lead to tingling, loss of feeling or pain. The padding in road cycling gloves absorbs those vibrations and distributes the pressure more evenly across your palm. In addition gloves give grip with sweaty hands and protect your palms in a fall.

What is the difference between summer and winter cycling gloves?

Summer cycling gloves are light, thin and breathable with mesh inserts for ventilation. They are generally fingerless models. Winter gloves have a thermal lining for warmth and a windstop or waterproof outer layer for protection in cold and wet conditions. They are thicker, heavier and always have full fingers. Padding is present in both cases but thermal insulation is the biggest difference.

Are heated cycling gloves worth it?

For cyclists who ride in extreme cold — temperatures below minus five degrees or with sensitive hands — heated gloves are a serious option. They have heating elements in the palm and fingers that work via a battery. The disadvantage is the extra weight of the battery and a limited battery life of generally three to eight hours depending on the power level. For normal winter temperatures above zero, good thermal gloves are generally sufficient.

How do I choose the right size cycling gloves?

Measure the circumference of your hand over the knuckles without including your thumb. Compare that size with the size chart of the specific brand. Sizing differs per manufacturer, so always check the table. The glove must fit snugly without constricting: too large causes folds in the palm that irritate when holding the handlebar; too tight restricts blood circulation.

Can I use road cycling gloves for mountain biking?

That is possible, but not optimal. Road cycling gloves have less padding for the shocks of off-road riding and less protection on the knuckles in a fall. For incidental MTB use a road cycling glove suffices, but for regular technical riding MTB-specific gloves are more comfortable and safer.