Four Reasons to Wear Cycling Gloves

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Do you wear gloves? You’re out riding your bike at 1 p.m. and the sun is as hot as it will be all summer. Even though you’ve barely been outside, you’re already sweating bullets just to keep up a moderate pace. It goes without saying that your hands are sweaty and your grip is a little iffy. On top of that, your hands are developing blisters and the cycling has become downright uncomfortable. Wouldn’t a nice pair of cycling gloves solve a lot of your problems? Probably. Here are four reasons to strap them on when you go biking.

Reason #1: Improve your grip. Cycling with just your hands means that moisture on the skin can lead to a slippery grip. Wearing cycling gloves will absorb some of this moisture and keep your grip dry, allowing you to keep a steady course even when it’s humid and hot outside. Protecting your hands will also allow you to hold the grip you want for longer without becoming uncomfortable due to blisters.

Reason #2: Protect against blisters. Speaking of blisters from Reason #1, they’re very easy to get when you haven’t been cycling in a while and decide to use your skin to grip the handles of your bike. You can hold the grip you want for longer if you have a glove to protect your skin against these blisters, not to mention the additional comfort you feel because there’s no blister pain.

Reason #3: Warmth in cool weather. If you’re out biking but it’s not exactly shorts-and-T-shirt weather, having a pair of cycling gloves on can actually help keep you warm. Protecting your hands against the cool air constantly moving past them can help your entire body feel better. It’s always a good idea to keep your extremities protected in cold weather, and having a solid pair of warming cycling gloves can help.

Reason #4: Absorbing shock. Cycling isn’t always a smooth ride, and when you’re riding on different terrains – or simply rough roads – you’ll need a good way to keep things easy on your hands. Bicycling gloves usually come with some padding installed to absorb the shock of a jolting bike, helping you to keep control of your steering.

In addition to these reasons, having a pair of cycling gloves is another way to start viewing yourself as a cyclist, further reinforcing the habit you’re trying to establish.

Photo Credits: Seth W.

Originally posted 2009-09-09 03:41:18.

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