If you have new cycling gloves or looking for a new pair, you may be wondering how they should fit…
Should cycling gloves be tight?
You’ll want your gloves to be tight, but not too tight. Specifically, you want to make sure that the webbing that is between your fingers is only taut when you are gripping the rail tightly. The gloves also shouldn’t be so tight that they cause chafing, but they SHOULD be tight enough not to ‘scrunch up’.
This will help to ensure that you have a tighter grip, but not so tight as to affect your control while you are maneuvering your bike.
Do cycling gloves stretch out?
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No, cycling gloves should not stretch or shrink, so it’s very important to pick a pair that fits you well. A good pair of gloves should work like a second set of skin without being tight enough to restrict movement or to chafe at your hands.
Be sure to try on a few pairs while you are looking, as they definitely will not ‘stretch out’ later as some footwear will. What you see (and feel) is what you get with cycling gloves, so take your time and choose the ones that fit you the best.
How do I know what size cycling gloves to buy?
Get out your measuring tape and you’ll want to measure the circumference of your hand, just below the knuckles, and be sure to measure both of your hands. If one of the measurements is slightly larger, then this is the one that you’ll want to go with.
The difference won’t be very much, but if you go with the smaller one then one of your gloves will feel noticeably tighter and it might distract you a little while you’re riding, so go with the bigger measurement and you’ll be much happier with your new set of cycling gloves.
Why do some cyclists not wear gloves?
Mostly the folks who don’t wear gloves feel that it gives them better control, although this is not necessarily the case. Yes, there will be a tactile difference, but a well-chosen pair of cycling gloves certainly won’t cost you any control – quite the opposite.
You’ll have a better grip and a small degree of protection if you have an accident. Even so, gloves are always a subject of contention, so you’ll run into a lot of cyclists that never wear them, as well as some cyclists who ‘wear them when they remember them’.
Ultimately, the decision is yours, of course, but we highly recommend a good pair of cycling gloves for added protection and enhanced control. After all, you wouldn’t want to have a slip in handling from sweaty hands and the gloves will prevent that while providing an extra layer to protect your skin.
Why do cycling gloves have loops?
Loops are present as an ingenious little innovation on your cycling gloves and their purpose is simple – helping you to tug the gloves in place or to pull them off, without having to turn your gloves inside out. It’s an excellent, uncomplicated solution and it works a treat!
Should I size up or down for gloves?
That depends on your index finger. If your index finger happens to be shorter than your middle finger, by a factor of ¼ up to 5/16 of an inch, then you should size down when selecting your gloves. If your index finger is shorter by as much as ½ of an inch, then you should size up and go with larger gloves.
This will help to ensure that you’ve got a proper fit for all of your fingers so that you’ll have good control and comfort.
How do I find my glove size?
Take a measuring tape and wrap it around your hand, just below the knuckles, and be sure to leave your thumb out of the equation. Once the tape is all of the ways around, then go ahead and make a fist, and note the measured distance.
This will give you the ‘hand width’ measurement that you need when selecting your gloves.
Do bike gloves help with numbness?
Yes, bike gloves can help with numbness and even eliminate it. You want to look for gloves that have some quality padding to them and for best results, we recommend going with gel padding. Gel padding essentially ‘molds’ to you, providing a soft, cushioning effect that isn’t going to restrict blood flow, but will absorb vibrations.
This will help to keep the numbness at bay and it’s quite comfortable to wear. Aside from gel, sponge-padded options are also quite comfortable and long-lasting and will also absorb a good bit of vibration from your ride, so try out a pair of each type and see what feels the most comfortable for you.
Just make sure to go with a quality pair, however, as cheaper gloves will definitely not last as long and may soon need to be replaced. Check the manufacturer’s warranty and go with something that is guaranteed for at least a year and you should be okay.
What happens if gloves are too big?
If your gloves are too big, then the most common problem is that the slightest tug is likely to remove them. You’ll also have less control since proper gloves should fit tightly – just not tightly enough to restrict your movements.
By contrast, if your gloves are TOO tight, then rather than stretch and conform to your hand your cycling gloves are more likely to break. They are designed not to stretch or to shrink, but to provide reliable comfort and control for the anticipated ‘lifespan’ of the product.
Does bike glove size matter?
Yes, getting the right glove size for cycling is very important. When trying them on, make a fist or better yet, grip a bike handlebar nearby in the shop and the webbing of the glove should only look taut when you are gripping tightly.
If it tightens up before that, then your gloves are a little too tight and you should try another pair. They also should not be loose enough to scrunch up and potentially rib and chafe at your fingers while in use or simply ‘pop off’ whenever they are lightly tugged.