Gloves: open finger, best buy/comfort?!

[Batbike]

In the market for new cycling gloves. Always used PI's, but they keep minimizing the comfort pads and increasing the cost. Myabe they're still good, but wondered what other women are using. Any one have a favorite?!

Thanks!

[beetle]

I just bough a pair of Specialized fingerless gloves which I like. I've had no numbness etc but my longest ride is only 50 mins though so they have not been thouroughly tested yet. The pad thickness and placement seems pretty good but be aware that the pair I am replacing were 15yrs old so my contentment might be something to do with how bad the previous pair was.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've tried on several dozen different gloves in bike shops, and the only ones I've found to be really comfortable are these:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=12604
My hands are pretty small, and the medium fits me well. The smalls were a bit too snug. They hold up well, are well made and have sufficient padding for me.

[Batbike]

I've tried on several dozen different gloves in bike shops, and the only ones I've found to be really comfortable are these:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=12604
My hands are pretty small, and the medium fits me well. The smalls were a bit too snug. They hold up well, are well made and have sufficient padding for me.

I appreciate you saying that you liked those gloves because I have been "wondering about them". I have the full finger winter glove version and like them. GLAD you find them comfortable ... good good to know!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Glad it's helpful!
Incidentally, I have read several people who have said that the other style, the PI "Gel-Lite" has very little padding and wasn't cushy enough for them. I like mine so I haven't tried that one and don't plan to. I guess the gel-lite ones would maybe be good for people who only do short rides or for really hot weather or something.

[Batbike]

I ordered those gloves! I am sure they will be here within the week -- can't wait to try them!! THANKS for the recommendation!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wow, you're welcome!

They seem to run a bit snug- remember I mentioned I have rather small hands for a woman but the size Small were too snug for me. The mediums fit me...well, "like a glove".

So hopefully you ordered the right size- keep the tags on til you are sure they fit nicely, otherwise you can exchange the size. If they are TOO snug your fingers might get numb after an hour or two riding. They should feel just pleasantly snug but not "tight".

Hope they work out for you!

And hey- if you wind up with mediums and ever lose one- I might have the other half of the pair since some creep stole ONE of my first pair of them last year! So I have an extra spare single one. If we're lucky we can make a new whole pair if you ever lose one.

[indysteel]

I actually like the PI Gel-Vents and find the padding to be sufficient and I've worn them with success on long rides. I like that my hands don't get too hot with them on.

I, too, find that the PI's run small.

[indysteel]

Oops, my bad. I confused the PI Gel-Lite with the Gel-Vent Pro. I've tried on and didn't like the former and wear and like the latter.

Here's a link to the ones I wear:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17288

[annisk2000]

I'm lost on the whole sizing thing. If something runs small, is that in general terms or compared to what they have in their own size chart? I measured my hands so that I could look for new gloves for the spring. It measures 7.5. I've been comparing the PI Pittards with Specialized Pro-gel. I decided to order the PI's in the medium and see how they fit. My artist hands are rather knotty and everything I try on pulls in between the fingers.

Getting ready for a nice Saturday ride...
Staci

[spokewench]

I have fairly small hands. I like the Specialized gloves with the ulnar nerve pads.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Gloves are tricky to size, and it's best to try them on in person. I tend to fall between sizes for a lot of things. Sometimes when I order stuff over the internet, I'll place an order with more than one item (gloves and a pair of tights maybe) and I'll order the gloves in both small and medium, and I'll order the tights in both medium and large (oops there's that pear shape!). Then I'll just pay the extra shipping to return the items that don't fit right. Return shipping can go parcel post, which is pretty cheap, and you can get delivery conformation cheap too.

[caligurl]

i like specialized gloves! i have PI and descente gloves which i like, too.... but i mostly wear one of my specializeds.....

[Fredwina]

I also like the Specialized gloves

[bmccasland]

This thread came just in time. It'll be riding season after work when we switch to DST in a week. Too soon for DST if you ask me, but we digress.

One of my biking "successes" was pinching my ulnar nerve in my hand... So ladies - how are those pads in the Specialized? Especially when I ride in my drops. Somehow my hand placement in my drops puts pressure on the nerve in my hand. I've been using PI gel-lites and would like something different. Since they were the gloves that "allowed" the pinched nerve.

Riding the levee (most riding in the near future), my hands don't get beat up too much, but when we start the MS training rides on roads, I'll need better gloves.