Road cycling gloves recommendations

[kaian]

I recently had to replace my PI gel lite gloves because they were pretty nasty. I thought they worked fine, so I bought a new pair of PI gel lite gloves that have a slightly different design. I've used these probably 10 times and have found that these new ones feel thin and flimsy. There's barely any gel padding at all! Anyway, I'm wondering what gloves people use around here? Any recommendations? I would like something a little more padded and a little thicker in the palm region, but also something that breathes well.

I noticed that some of the gloves that have leather palms look more padded - is this the case? Thanks!

[Grog]

I have a pair of Specialized BG gloves. Don't remember the exact model, but scarily expensive. But they're great. Lots of gel, very comfy, have been washed times and times again (about 25 times so far I guess) and still holding on fine. I have a pair of long-fingered from Specialized that are also great. Less padded but quite comfy nonetheless. (And I seldom ride 4 hours and more in colder weather...)

[SadieKate]

Here is some more discussion.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6614&highlight=assos+gloves

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=3282&highlight=assos+gloves

[KnottedYet]

I have Specialized BG gloves, too. $18. Big pad over the ulnar nerve. Washed by hand a few times. No complaints.

[Squirrel 2]

I had the same complaints about the PI Gel Lite. The Specialized BG did not make the cut. The padding was in the wrong place on my hand, and they did not breathe at all. My hands sweat a lot, and they got hotter than hell in those gloves. Louis Garneaus are nice if they fit right, for me, again, the padding is in the wrong place, it pulls down way too low. My current favorites are by Descente. The women's Air Gel is great. The padding is thicker so I get great protection, it is in all the right places for my hand. Plus, they made a major breakthrough in how they pad -- the gel used to be one long piece on the palm, which got stiff & hard as time went on. Now it is a bunch of smaller sections all linked together which bend easily but still protect well. Plus, it breathes well. The back vents & the leather palm is perforated. That is my best glove for serious long-distance rides.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Don't forget there's a reason they were called gel-LITE (lite as in not overly padded).
I have tired on at least a dozen brands and styles, and this is the only style that feels COMFY for me:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=12604
They are the PI Pittards Carbon Glove. I LOVE them- supportive yet not binding anywhere or weird shifting. Plenty of padding, but not overdone.

[kaian]

Yeah, but the new PI gel lites are way too "lite". My other ones were fine, but these are soooo thin! Hmmm...I'll have to look into the PI pittard gloves and also the Louis Garneau. I know of a couple of shops that carry each of those. Thanks!

[Cari]

Maybe this is what happened to you, or maybe not, but...

I had a similar experience with Pearl Izumi Gel Lites. I bought some men's smalls on eBay and they worked pretty well for me. Then I ordered a pair of the women's version, and found that the padding was thin, flimsy, and in ALL the wrong places.

Cari

[LisaB]

I have a pair of Castellis that I love, mainly because of the loops between the ring & pinkie and index and middle fingers - easy pull off!

[nature_girl]

I've tried the Descente which have good gel cover across palm but the synthetic leather disintegrated after 12-15 wears and a few gentle hand washes. Agree with the Pearl Gel Lite comments... not for me.

Looking for a tough half finger glove that can handle commuting with hands on hoods, fingers close to brake levers going over bumps a lot. Need a good solid thumb gusset and gel all the way to the thumb edge which is why the descente's were good. It's mighty hot here in sunny Qld so maybe the Louis Garneau M-Vents or the Air Stream - are they new? Any suggestions/experiences appreciated.

[Offthegrid]

I have Nike gloves that I don't like, so I guess that can help you eliminate one. I know eventually I'll lose 'em, so then they'll get replaced.

I have a hard time finding comfortable gloves because I have large hands for a woman. In fact, my winter (noncycling) gloves are actually men's gloves because the women's extra large the store had didn't come close to fitting. :eek: