Gloves are one of the accessories of your cycling equipment that give protection to one of the most exposed parts to falls and other possible mishaps. In addition, they facilitate the management of the bike. But is it essential to take them? Is it possible to make cycling without them? We solve your doubts and help you choose the right ones for you.
Reasons for wearing cycling gloves
And fit the possibility of not using them? At the outset, it is not recommended, unless the bike for short or sporadic paths is taken. Practice cycling as a sport if it implies, in any circumstance, the use of gloves, for the following reasons:
Security
The gloves protect the hands, one of the most sensitive body parts and exposed to falls, blows or friction with the handlebar. They protect from skin abrasion, the appearance of calluses or sores, cuts and other mishaps.
Coat
In adverse weather conditions, when it rains or is very cold, it is essential to wear gloves, if they are long and with additional lining, much better. The hands are one of the most sensitive body parts, easily can be numb or block and this can cause from falls to the appearance of hypothermia.
Driving
Getting gloves will better grab the handlebars and not fatigue too much fingers and palm of the hand. This will translate into a better management of the bike and more precise management of the passage through technical or obstacle sections.
How to choose appropriate cycling gloves
In the market, glove models can be divided into two large groups: short or without long or complete gloves. Depending on the weather conditions and cycling modality, we will have to choose one or the other.
If you still do not have specific cycling gloves or want to renew or replace what you have, several factors must be taken into account to choose the right ones.
MTB and road gloves: differences
If you do MTB, the use of gloves is essential. In this modality, bicycle handling has, if possible, more relevance than on the road. And good gloves provide extra comfort in this regard.
Mountain Bike gloves have to be long, both for summer and winter. It will be convenient to have two pairs. Some finer and with breathable fabrics for heat days and other thicker, but without exceeding, for the coldest days. We do not recommend the use of shorts for mountain cycling, these are limited to the road or to the Grave.
Finally, a Mountain Bike glove has reinforcements in the palm of the hand (of rubber, usually) to improve the grip unleaded in comfort. Also gel or silicone inserts in key points, which provide an extra point of absorption of handlebar vibrations and impacts.
The wide variety of fabrics and models available has made long gloves have been imposed at the Mountain Bike for any time of the year
Choose gloves according to the weather
The second factor you should attend to find the ideal gloves is the climate that is usually in your area. If it is usually hot or soft temperatures, you must discard gloves with lining, neoprene or very thick, opting for breathable and flexible tissues.
On the road, for high mountain port routes, where time is more unstable, it is advisable to have long, but somewhat further and more flexible gloves than those of MTB. Although, as a general rule and with a soft climate, a short glove will always be the most intelligent choice to make road.
How to choose gloves according to the modality you practice
Within each modality, the type of route will also influence the choice of one model or another of gloves. For cross country or marathon, a light and breathable long glove along with gel inserts and reinforcement in the palm will be the perfect combination.
Meanwhile, for more radical trail or enduro tours, gloves must sacrifice ventilation and enhance protection, with rubber reinforcements to improve grip and a reinforcement layer in the palm to increase protection against falls or friction.
On the road if you are going to roll in Llano without the presence of technical sections, opt for the lightest and most breathable glove possible. But for mountain port routes, look for gloves with some type of reinforcement in the palm and gel inserts.
Personal preferences
Finally, keep in mind more personal aspects such as sweating. If you usually sweat your hands you should orient yourself towards gloves with breathable properties. Or if you are one of those who are already cold in the first kilometers, you can purchase some gloves with double layer or high protection, which will serve you to practically, any time of the year, except for the summer.
Also, do not forget the touch of gloves to take other objects or handle touch screens, such as those of a cyclocomputer or mobile phone. Look well in the characteristics of the model, where they usually indicate compatibility or not with touch screens. Or see if the fabric of the index or heart fingers is harder than that of the rest or have silicone inserts. Before buying them, try to play your mobile screen with them to make sure it works.
CONCLUSIONS: Essential gloves
Gloves are an economic garment that ends only benefits for the practice of cycling. Currently, the wide variety of models and fabrics make a model for virtually any use and type of cyclist, so there is no excuse for not putting them on.
That is why they become an essential accessory for your exits. Always remember to have two pairs. Fine and light for heat days and others with lining or reinforced for the most complicated days of rain or cold, in addition to attending other aspects, such as fingers or the management of other objects, such as mobile phone, spare parts , keys, etc.
