mountain bike gloves

[Catrin]

I am trying to find a pair of long-fingered gloves for mountain biking - and while I have found several nice pair (PI, Giro, and Luna) - I can't afford $40 gloves. Does anyone know of less expensive full-finger gloves appropriate for summer riding? I can't tolerate much padding...

[Owlie]

Check Performance. You might be able to find something at a substantial discount, or their house-brand stuff. Never used anything of theirs, so I can't comment.

[Catrin]

Of course (slapping self on forehead) I NEVER think about them for some reason and there is a local store. I think that REI is also opening a store here as well, though unsure when.

[Becky]

Watch steepandcheap.com or chainlove.com. Gloves of all varieties pop up there all the time...

I bought a pair of Pearl Izumi Pittard leather long-fingers ~3 years ago, and they still haven't given up the ghost after hundreds of mountain miles (and thousands of road ones). $40 is a lot to swallow up front, but it's worth it if they last longer, IMO....

[Catrin]

Thanks for the links Becky, for assorted reasons I just can't swing $40 gloves right now so am looking for something to protect my hands until I can afford better ones.

[Becky]

I totally understand. Don't forget about regular old work gloves or mechanic's gloves. They're durable, generally unpadded, and work well as bike gloves (though less vented) as long as the seams don't hit in any weird places. I think my last pair were ~$10 from Home Depot.