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Gloves are part of the essential elements of a cycling outfit, no matter what discipline you practice. After discovering what equipment was needed for gravel riding, today we offer a short guide to how to properly choose gloves for gravel riding.
Why you should wear gloves
When cycling, gloves are not just for keeping your hands warm in winter: they are useful all year round. Indeed, in case of a fall, the hands are often the first to be exposed: you must therefore think about protecting them. And for that, nothing better than a good pair of gloves. And a good pair of gloves is chosen according to your practice: road cycling, mountain biking, velotaf, etc.
In addition to the safety side in case of a fall, gloves are also useful to ensure comfort on the bike by, for example, reducing vibrations and reducing friction. In case of rain or perspiration during the effort, they will also prevent you from slipping on the handlebars.
In short, wearing a pair of gloves will prevent you from getting blisters from friction or even scrapes on the palms of your hands if you fall.
Which gloves to choose for gravel riding?
As gravel is a hybrid and versatile sport, where you ride both paved and trail portions, the choice may be a bit more complicated than for other disciplines, but we'll try to help you make the right choice.
Aside from a few manufacturers that have a range of cycling apparel and accessories specifically dedicated to gravel riding, you'll have the choice of either the road bike range or the mountain bike range to select the pair that will fit you like a glove.
If you ride mostly on roads and trails, you'll need a pair of gloves with more padding to absorb vibrations due to the varying terrain you encounter. Indeed, a gravel bike - unlike a mountain bike - does not have a shock absorber: your hands will therefore take more shocks on the handlebars.
In this case, you will therefore have to opt for mountain bike gloves instead, or at least for reinforced or padded gloves at the level of the palms of the hands with, for example, gel inserts intended to absorb vibrations. Within these models, you are then free to choose between models with velcro for a perfect fit of the glove or without velcro for a second skin effect.
If you ride mostly on paved portions and occasionally hit the trails, road bike gloves might suffice. They're generally softer and lighter, so you have a better grip on the handlebars, but offer a little less comfort on the less rolling portions because they're less padded.
Finally, if you use your gravel to commute to work and, as a result, ride in an urban environment amidst heavy traffic, consider equipping yourself with flashy gloves - choosing fluorescent colors, for example - or reflective ones in order to be clearly visible to motorists, especially when changing direction.
The choice between the two types of models will thus mostly depend on your preferences, but also on the types of pavement you ride with your gravel.
Short or long gloves?
The debate between wearing short gloves and long gloves has been around for a long time. One might think that short gloves are reserved for the warm weather and long gloves for winter temperatures, but the debate is much broader than that.
For example, some cyclists who are particularly adept at mountain biking prefer to wear long gloves all year round to protect themselves from external aggressions such as branches or thorns depending on the terrain they ride on.
If your preferred terrains are mainly concentrated on the road or paths without too much vegetation, you can easily opt for short gloves (otherwise known as mitts) in the nice days.
Except if your outing is mostly on asphalt, remember to check that they offer good cushioning in the palm of the hands (foam or gel) to avoid shaking and numbness on forest trails or rocky paths.
If you live in an area where it's hot in the summer, opt for a well-ventilated fabric (mesh, for example) on the tops of your hands to allow air circulation and sweat to escape, while effectively protecting your hands in case of a fall.
In the winter, during the colder months of the year, you'll want to opt for thermal gloves that can keep your hands warm during your rides. Some are great for the mid-season, while others are reserved for the most extreme temperatures as can be found in some areas in the winter. If it's really cold, you can even supplement with a pair of silk undergloves.
Similarly, if you're adept at going out in the rain, some gloves have a waterproof membrane to keep your hands dry during your workout.
As with short gloves, you'll find more or less padded glove models (i.e., with gel inserts or not), to be selected according to your exploration terrains.
And for the more chilly among you or those who use their gravel on a daily basis, for example, to go to work, don't hesitate to turn to a heated glove model.
Men's gloves and women's gloves, what's the difference?
As with most cycling clothing and accessories, there are men's gloves and women's gloves. Don't think of it - just - as a fashion statement: the distinction between men's and women's models, beyond the colors, is made to fit everyone's body type, which is why there are models for men and others for women.
Even if, at the level of a pair of gloves the differences are less marked than on a shorts for example which has a specific skin, ladies, do not hesitate to turn to a pair of women's gloves if you find one that suits you because it will then be perfectly adjusted to your hands.
Choosing the right glove size
For gloves to protect you effectively, they need to fit your hands perfectly, meaning not too small and not too big. Most brands offer sizes ranging from XS to XL.
So, to choose the right size, if you can't try them on before you buy, measure the circumference of your hand with a tape measure and refer to the size chart provided by the brand to make your choice.
Now that you know how to choose your gravel gloves, how about finding out how to choose your gravel helmet, how to choose your gravel jersey or how to choose your gravel shoes?
