I need new gloves

[Lifesgreat]

My gloves' foam inserts have died and I am in need of new gloves. The fat part of my hand right below my thumbs needs more cushion than they have been getting. I am interested in your opinion in what kind of gloves you like and don't like.

Thanks!

Karen

[Cari]

Are you looking for gloves to wear on a road biking or a mtb? Do you want full-finger gloves, or fingerless?

[Lifesgreat]

Fingerless road

[RoadRaven]

Um... I shop by expedience and cost, not by brand...I look for the cheapest one in my size and get that - we tend to pick them up by the 'handful' in sales...

I only have one pair of winter gloves, but have/have had a few pairs of fingerless (including the three pairs, only one of which has been worn, that we picked up in my size in an end of line internet sale for almost $NZ3 each...)

[AuntieK]

My PI gloves are getting a bit thin as well, but still seem to have plenty left in the fatty area below the thumbs... I guess I don't tend to use that part much.
Anyway, since we both need gloves...we should go shopping! Nothing lifts my spirits than a trip to a bike shop with a friend!

[Dogmama]

I swear by P.I.'s. Great fit, you can wash them & they wear quite well. The padding is good - not big & thick but definitely enough to cushion your hands.

Another thought - you can try wrapping your handlebars with cushioned tape. That helps too. Just don't get the real fat tape unless you have big hands.

[Cari]

On the road bike I use some Nike fingerless gloves which sell for $25 at the LBS. They're all black, thin and stretchy on top with a velcro closure and well padded on the bottom.

I started using Pearl Izumi Gel Lites for road rides but I felt like I needed something more cushy. (The full finger version of the Gel Lites is still my top choice for mountain biking.) They're kind of expensive, but I always got them on sale from R.E.I. or on eBay.

Have any of you tried PI's Carbon Pittards gloves? They look nice and cushy...

[Squirrel 2]

I have the PI Carbon Pittards, which I use indoors for riding on the trainer. I like them very much for that because they are so cushy on the palm. I do not like using them for riding outdoors because there is no leather or padding extending around the side of the forefinger. I need that to keep from getting blisters from rubbing up against the hoods. Also, the palm is very thick & has no ventilation, so my hands get really sweaty.

Nanci recently talked about another PI glove, which I just got based on her recommendation. It is the PI Gel Vent Pro, and it's terrific. I need lots of padding on the palm, and this one delivers. Looks to me like the padding is of varying thicknesses, with the thickest part directly on the palm. It felt strange initially, in fact, I thought of sending it back when I first put it on. The palm padding is separated, & I thought that might be a problem leaving the center unprotected. It's not because when you have your hand bent, the gel pads move closer together. I was also worried because there was no velcro tab. I've had trouble with gloves that were pull-on before as they were kind of loose & would move around. No problem with the new PI's, they grip very securely. My initial ride with them today was very positive. Nanci - a big thank-you for that one!

I ordered up 2 other pair as well. I already know & like the Descente Women's Air Gel. The '06 version is better than the previous year's. The gel sections are better placed anatomically & separated, which helps over time because gel hardens. The old ones had large sections of gel that got really hard & stiff. These are nicely padded & feel really soft.

The other pair I ordered is the Louis Garneau Women's Air Stream. I liked them right away when I put them on, they are very light-weight. The palm has mesh to breathe, and the padding seems very nice, supportive without being hard. I can't wait to try them, but I will have to wait until the rains & the thunderstorms move on.

[Nanci]

I'm glad you like the PI Gel Vent Pros. I was suspicious about the lack of velcro fasteners at first, too, but now I love that!! No more gloves attacking other things in the laundry!! No weird tan spots on the back of the hands. I love how they are so stylish and feminine. Mine are holding up well in the wash, and the gel is perfectly unmarked after a _bad_ full-force on the palm of my hand crash landing/skid on asphalt.

I interpreted that slot down the center with no gel as pressure relief for the ulnar nerves. Whatever it was designed for- it's different than the norm, and not a problem.

I don't seem to get sweaty smelly palms in these gloves- the breathable gel must work!

Nanci

[Trekhawk]

After reading Nanci's post on gloves I also got a pair of the Gel Vent Pro. At first I wasnt convinced they were for me so I got a pair of the LG Air Stream gloves as a back up.

Well it ends up that I really like the Gel Vent Pro but the LG Air Stream ones just annoy me and make my hands sweaty. I will be using those only for super short rides.