Cycling Glove - Types of Gloves

Types of Gloves

• Fingerless cycling gloves, also known as track mitts. These have a lightly padded palm of leather (natural or synthetic), gel or other material. Historically track mitts were string-backed but now are almost always made of a man-made textile containing elastane. Leather-palmed track mitts and cork handlebar tape are widely reckoned to work well for drop-bar touring bikes.

• Windproof/waterproof full-finger gloves are useful in spring and autumn, when real warmth is not an issue. The Gore Windstopper brand is a well-known one. These are also generally showerproof but will become soggy in heavy rain. Palms may be treated to improve friction with brake levers.

• Winter gloves tend to be bulkier, perhaps being made in two parts, inner and outer, so that the inner can be washed. They will tend to have longer cuffs, to tuck into jackets and avoid the wrists being chilled, a waterproof exterior and a layer of insulation between that and the liner or inner glove.

• Mittens are good in extreme cold as they allow a single pocket of warm air to form around the fingers. They make use of brakes somewhat awkward. Some riders use a thin inner glove and a skiing mitten over the top when riding in sub-zero (Celsius) temperatures.

• Lobster-claw gloves are a relatively recent innovation, halfway between glove and mitten. Two fingers are placed in each of two wide fingers, giving much of the advantage of mittens but making use of brake levers much easier.

• Weathershields (made by a company called DryBike) are small water- and windproof shields that attach to the handlebars and protect the hands from rain and wind. Though not gloves, they serve a similar purpose.

• Mountain biking has evolved to the point where they have their own style of safety gear. This would include a cycling glove designed for the hazards of off road riding. These cycling gloves now have far more padding to increase shock absorption and overall comfort. This, along with their carbon fiber protective plating and full grained leather palms, provide a glove designed specifically for extreme biking.