Cycling Gloves — Quick Review

Fingerless Gloves

I have a pro-deal with Pearl Izumi, so I tend to buy perhaps more apparel than I need…(yet, much of it, I unload on eBay or Amazon if it doesn’t work for me). Earlier this summer (2015), I picked up a pair of the Pearl Izumi’s top-of-the-line fingerless cycling glove called the Men’s ELITE Gel Glove. What a mistake. Look at the pads—they are SOOOO thick! And the pads seem to be in the wrong location anyway yielding hot spots.

So then I picked up a pair of the XXL Lizard Skins LaSal 2.0 gloves. What a difference. They have just the right amount padding, but not too much. And also, the finger part of the gloves actually extends down more than 3 or 4mm like others do. This is my top pick for a fingerless. The runner up is the Chiba Gel Comfort glove (not shown).

Full Finger Gloves

I believe a full-finger glove’s purpose is to get your hands warm in cooler weather, but yet many have so much mesh that it doesn’t fulfill that purpose.

For several seasons, my go-to glove for moderate temperatures (my recommendation is 40-60F & light rain) is the XL Outdoor Designs Cycleflex gloves. They have a Polartec Power Shield liner which is windproof, but yet breathes enough. The build quality on these gloves is top notch, esp. the detail in the “fake” leather palm area. I just wish my U.S.-distributor imported in the U.S. the XXL version as the XL is tad too small for me. This company is big in the U.K. where they are based, but obscure in the U.S. so this product is hard to find. Lately (2017) I have been using the Pearl Izumi Cool Weather Glove in an XXL size. It does not have the robust construction of the Cycleflex gloves, but squishes down smaller in my bag when I switch to fingerless gloves. It is a good slope season full-figure glove.

I tried the Lizard Skins Monitor 1.0, their top-of-the-line full-finger glove. What a joke. Mostly mesh. Doesn’t keep anything warm. Send em back! The Craft Control Bike glove is similar — mostly mesh and little added warmth.

For cooler temperatures (my recommendation is 25-50F), I have been using the Pearl Izumi ELITE Softshell glove. Despite having thick gel pads like the fingerless model, I didn’t notice that pads, due to the 100 g Primaloft insulation in them. This glove has been very nice for temperatures from just below freezing to 45F, or sometimes in the mid 50s. The dexterity is reasonable, considering the insulative value. Since I’m 6’4″ most jacket sleeves don’t extend down far enough to cover my wrists while in the aero position, so I am always looking for a cold-weather glove with a longer-than-average gauntlet. These have a long gauntlet which works well in my attempts to stay warm.

For more extreme temperatures, I have gone to using full-on mountaineering gloves. I have used an XL 2013 version of the Outdoor Designs McKinley Mountain Gauntlet which has a 100 g DuPont Thermolite Active insulation sewn into the outer glove plus an Event waterproof/breathable membrane. It has a removable insulated liner glove, which I frequently replace with the Outdoor Designs Cycleflex, or better yet, the XXL Craft Storm glove. (The stock liner is just too bulky for cycling). The Storm is a nice mid-weight glove made from a combination of fleece and neoprene type fabric. It works well in a light rain too and by itself, and is useful in temps from about 40-60F. I also use the Storm a lot for randonnée or backcountry skiing (with the Denali in my backpack for sub-freezing temps [0-40F] or extreme winds found at above-timberline elevations).

Full Finger Gloves for Rain

Earlier this year, on a spring ride (a 400K which we all DNFed due to the cold), we had temps around 40-45F with a constant downpouring of rain. I had a pair of Outdoor Designs Summitlite gloves with a liner, but I just couldn’t stay warm. Besides, the bemberg liner on those gloves would come up when I removed my hands (if I forget to pinch the glove finger ends) and then it was near impossible to insert them back in. Needless to say, my fingers were cold. Since then, I picked up a pair of the XXL Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Barrier WxB gloves, which are a mid-weight glove with Outdry, a waterproof/breathable membrane. I plan to line them with a lighter fleece glove or the Storm Craft. I have yet to use these. I plan to take them on long trips where there is expected to be cold and rainy conditions.

I have also used the Seirus All Weather Xtreme™ Glove for rainy conditions. It is OK down to about 45-50F and rain. But like I mentioned above, the liner has a tendency to come out when your hand is removed.

Another style I have used are scuba-diver/river runner neoprene gloves (& socks too) for super rainy conditions. They work well, until the temps drop below 45F, then, for me, my fingers just don’t stay warm.

I have heard that for super wet and cold conditions, the only glove is a PVC seamless rubber glove…the type used by fisherman working in the arctic (or those to clean your oven). Then line it with a tight-fitting fleece or wool glove, which can be replaced every few hours, if it gets too sweat-saturated. In 2016 I purchased the Atlas Vinylove 620 for this purpose, but our season was remarkably dry so I did not get a chance to use them (I spent most of that spring rando skiing instead of cycling). They are bulky enough to slip a liner inside them — I will report in after using them.

Author: Rando Richard

I’m an old guy (age 69 in 2023) who enjoys aerobic, endurance sports. I call myself a cardio-junkie. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be “ultra” endurance sports. Since I was a teenager I have always enjoyed “slow twitch” outdoor sports like backpacking, ice climbing, running, mountaineering, hiking, alpine skiing and randonnée skiing (alpine touring, backcountry skiing or skimo). In 2005 I starting running with more regularity — except this time it was not for the intent of getting ready for a mountaineering trip, but as an end to itself. From 2005 to 2007 I managed to eek out two seasons of ultramarathons — that is competitive trail runs up to 50 or 100 miles. Due to a nagging ankle injury from the 80s (an accident while ice climbing in the 1980s where my lower tib and fib were badly broken), I had to cease that grueling, but rewarding activity. I then migrated into ultra distance road cycling or randonneuring. The rides are called brevets (pronounced bruh-VAY, it’s French) and are minimally supported — they are similar to ultrarunning and backpacking where one must be self reliant. Although brevets are non-competitive, they do have have cut off times to qualify as a finisher. They are usually are done in groups, which can have a competitive slant to them. Today, I continue to participate in long distance cycling including some ultra-racing, randonnée skiing (a blend of cross country and downhill disciplines) and still get out on an occasional mountaineering trip. Since 1996 I have been designing, manufacturing and selling camera bags. That is Kinesis Photo Gear (kgear.com). In 2005 I started selling cycling bags under the Kinesis label and eventually expanded it to including other sports like SUP (stand-up paddle boarding and some skimo). Consequently, it become eoGEAR — the “eo” stands for endurance outdoor. My wife and I are empty-nesters now and we live and work out in the boondocks of central Utah, half way between Salt Lake City (great powder) and Moab (great red rocks). Well, I guess that is all for now. Safe travels mate! Perhaps I’ll see you on the road or trail. — Richard Stum View all posts by Rando Richard