Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
I don't really know the anatomical details, but you got me curious - I've only skimmed these links. All I know is that if I try to wear most men's gloves, there's a huge patch of empty fabric between my thumb joint and the gloves' thumb joint, that makes it really difficult to grip things like handlebars, tools, etc., and that women's gloves usually fit me.

http://lib.bioinfo.pl/pmid:1517255

http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publication...aspx?id=145748

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...ltNvLOZuH5IQlQ

Apparently there are significant racial differences, too.

http://www.mendeley.com/research/sex...he-human-hand/



I should add that I really prefer a secure wrist closure. I've got small wrists even for the size of my hands, and cuffs tend to slide and drive me crazy (and I worry about them pulling off in a crash). Which is another reason I can't wear men's gloves ... wrist closures just don't adjust small enough.
This one is written in a bit more accessible style:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digit_ratio