Best Cycling Gloves for Hand Numbness

These may be among the hundreds of questions buzzing through your helmet as you research the reasons and solutions for the numbness and discomfort, or pain, in your hands at the end of a long ride. We’re glad you’ve clicked your way to this article! 

We’re going to talk you through a 7-item analysis and review of the best cycling gloves to relieve pain and numbness! The following sections will give you an idea about why numbness/pain occurs during long cycling trips, and what you can do to prevent it. 

REVIEWING OUR PICKS

Best overall Cycling Gloves

All the cycling mitts analysed on our list are great at what they do – they stabilise your hands and wrists on longer rides, protect from road rash, and keep you dry.

Our favorite: the Hikenture Unisex Cycling Gloves  

These gloves score high for their functional easy-on, easy-off loops, their second-skin fit with high breathability, and 5mm SBR padding with anti-slip silicone strips. These features, along with the below-the-wrist fit, all at a price of $15.98 push the Hikenture Cycling Gloves to top position in our countdown!

Best Biking Gloves for minimising numbness and pain in the hand

Pearl Izumi and Hikenture score very high on this factor in our countdown list. 

Izumi’s strategic 1:1 padding configuration ensures great fit and highly effective stress relief, particularly in the Ulna and Median nerves to prevent numbness and pain in the hands and wrists.

Hikenture Cycling Gloves have the combined effect of elastic fit fabric, 5mm SBR padding, and below-the-wrist fit to stabilise the hands and wrists and dampen extra vibrations and jerks on longer rides.

Biking Mitts with Best Features

Nicewin’s high-level knuckle-protection technology ups the game in stabilisation and crash-protection for the hands. Their breathable spandex 3-layer sandwich fabric technology makes this an all-weather glove that helps your hands stay ventilated, yet protected. The touch-screen feature is also a great bonus.

Hikenture cycling mitts feature great padding, second-skin fit and extension over the wrist for weather-proofing your rides and stabilising your hands on the longer rides. The gloves are compatible with any smart-devices you might use as well. 

Aegend’s Warm weather gloves also have some really cool features for you to check out: thermal thinsulate heat retention fabric, touch-screen enabled finger-tip fabric, zippered pouch on the glove for emergency storage, and high-level padding for minimizing discomfort and maximising comfort are worth a second look. 

Best Budget Gloves for Cycling

Most of the gloves on our list stay at an average below $20 price, and with offers and promotions you could look forward to getting a great deal on any of these products! 

Currently, Firelion Cycling Gloves came out on top as the best budget gloves from our list, while also offering good padding and functionality for a beginner’s biking glove.

HTXPloo, Grebarley, and Hikenture also stay way below the $20 mark and are great budget cycling gloves that offer an impressive combination of features.

Best Value For Money

We like what Nicewin has on offer for around $20. The added protection and padding with all-weather functionality make these gloves feature high in this category.

Here are the 7 cycling gloves for hand numbness we’ve researched and reviewed for you: 

1) Pearl Izumi Women’s Select Glove
2) HTZPLOO Bike Gloves
3) Hikenture Cycling Gloves for Men Women
4) FIRELION Cycling Gloves
5) NICEWIN Cycling Gloves
6) Aegend Touch Screen Warm Cycling Gloves
7) Grebarley Cycling Gloves

Let’s start here:

FAQ:

WHAT IS HAND-NUMBNESS AND WHY DO MY HANDS GO NUMB WHEN I RIDE MY BIKE?

Very simply, hand-numbness, or pain, is a common occurrence experienced by cyclists who go on longer rides. It is similar to when you sit on the floor for too long and your leg(s) or foot goes to sleep, or when you sleep on your arm and experience pain there when you wake up. 

The cause for numbness and pain in your hands on the longer bike rides is the same: your hands have been under stress or pressure for an extended period on your bike. This could be because your bike is not fitted right, might lack in suspension, your posture exerts a lot of pressure on your hands, or you may be holding your hands static for too long.

It is a common occurrence in mountain bikers, road-bikers, or any bike-style rider who goes on longer rides. 

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

There are many ways to relieve stress and pressure over your hands on long rides, but one of the simplest, and most effective ways is to use cycling gloves!

Yes, cycling gloves do a lot more than just make you look ultra cool! In fact, we have a short section in this article that tells you why you should invest in a pair of cycling mitts if you are a frequent biker. 

HOW CYCLING GLOVES RELIEVE PAIN AND NUMBNESS

Cycling mitts relieve stress that result from excessive jerking and vibrations on rough terrain. Most cycling gloves are fitted with padding around the palm to dampen jerks and jolts. They also act as a buffer and protect hands from road rash in case of an accident. 

PEARL IZUMI Women’s Select Glove

• faux leather
• Super-breathable
• Soft
• Durable 

FIT: 

• 1:1 padding configuration eliminates bulkiness, giving you great fit, even for smaller hands
• hook and loop closure for perfect fit

PADDING: 

• gel-foam padding, designed for women’s hands
• pads configured to dampen vibrations, jerks and jolts
• Designed and configured to minimise pain and numbness

HTZPLOO Bike Gloves 

FABRIC: 

• Polyester with ventilation holes
• Mesh fabric for heat dissipation
• elastic lycra

FIT: 

• elastic fit for perfect sizing
• ambidextrous fit for versatility

PADDING: 

• four 5mm padding for effective shock absorption

Pros

Also Read: Trek Bikes for Seniors

Hikenture Cycling Gloves for Men Women

• Spandex
• Breathable holes to keep you cool and dry

FIT: 

• second-skin type fit with lycra material on the back

PADDING: 

• 5mm SBR padding 
• Thick padding, but doesnt get in the way of shifter and brake function

FIRELION Cycling Gloves 

FABRIC:

• Nylon and mixture of other breathable fabrics

FIT:

• Adjustable tightening straps fit the glove to your desired snugness

PADDING:

• Soft, supple gel palm padding
• Anti-slip, shock absorption features

NICEWIN Cycling Gloves

FABRIC:

• Mesh fabrics on front and back allow for comfort 
• Spandex 3-layer glove with ‘sandwich fabric’ design to allow for heightened breathability
• Superior quality injected rubber with stereoscopic patterns

FIT:

• Hook and fastener for perfect fit
• Sizing and measuring guide for ensuring the right size

PADDING:

• Silica gel printing in large-area pattern
• Combined with SBR pattern for damping and shock absorption

Pros

Aegend Warm Cycling Gloves 

FABRIC:

• Polyester fabric
• Thinsulate insulation
• Windproof shell, water-resistant layer

FIT:

• Adaptable hook and loop closure for great fit
• Sizing guide available

PADDING:

• 3mm thick SBR foam for shock absorption
• Additional reinforced microfiber pads between thumb and index for increased flexibility and shock-absorption

Grebarley Cycling Gloves

• Lycra spandex, Microfiber super-gel
• Breathable
• Lightweight  

FIT

• Stretchable elastic wrist band
• Adjustable buckle for best fit

PADDING

• 3-part thick silicon gel SBR pads for effective shock absorption
• Anti Slip microsuede on palms for extra grip and padding

UNDERSTANDING HAND NUMBNESS

WHY DOES NUMBNESS OCCUR

Numbness rarely occurs when rides are short and relaxed. Over longer distances, the way your body is positioned over your bike begins to have an effect on various muscles, nerves and tendons. Everything from your riding posture to handlebar style and grip, the reach and height of your bike frame and even the type of wheels and tires on your bike can exert stress on your muscles in different ways. Stress and long-term pressure on the nerves and tendons running through the underside of your wrist cause numbness in the hands and fingers.

HOW TO PREVENT IT

There may be any number of reasons why undue pressure is being exerted on your hands and wrists. One of the most common is poor bike fitting. Experts always recommend that you invest in a high-end bike with a professional fit and the required mechanics when you plan to go riding over longer distances. The reach distance on your bicycle frame is critical for the desired posture and riding experience

Undamped jerks and vibrations through the wrists and hands over bumpy, mountainous terrain can also cause stress to the nerves near the ulna and lead to numbness during longer rides. So it is a great idea to invest in a good suspension system. Handlebar tapes also act as shock absorbers, to an extent, while ensuring you have a good grip on your bars.

WHY WEAR CYCLING GLOVES?

A lot of times, cycling gloves might look like nothing more than a style statement. Is there anything more to wearing gloves, than looks?

You may be surprised at how functional a pair of gloves can be during a ride! Check out a few of the reasons cyclists wear cycling gloves, especially during the longer rides:

1. Cycling can be an all-weather sport, if we use the appropriate equipment. Cycling gloves can be airy sweat-absorbers during the hot, sweaty weather. That’s a great advantage when sweaty palms can become slippery on handlebars. Gloves can also keep hands warm during the winter, with many functioning well into the subzero temperatures.
2. Biking can also be dangerous, whether you are taking your bike out for a turn around the neighbourhood, or you are crashing down a mountain on a downhill race. Bare hands are easily torn in crashes and tumbles, and warrant a good pair of protective gloves, as Michael Rogers found out during the World Bicycling Championship team time trial races a few years ago.
3. Gloves are great when you need to wipe sweat or snot away during a ride. Many manufacturers fit their products with towel-like patches for great absorption.
4. Padding on palms and other parts of the glove add to the damping function of the suspension during the longer, more bumpier rides so that your hands and wrists are spared the shock to a great extent.      

TIPS FOR RELIEVING HAND NUMBNESS ON THE RIDE 

• Change the position of your wrist
• Change the position of your hands
• Stretch before and after a ride
• Double-wrap your handlebars
• Wear cycling gloves
• Relax!!
• Take the weight off your arms

LONG-TERM ASSURANCE AGAINST HAND NUMBNESS

• Keep to a daily workout schedule including stretches and weights to keep muscles and joints flexible
• Get a professional bike fitting
• Upgrade your tires
• Reduce the reach on your bike

CONCLUSION

Gloves offer a simple solution to a common problem cyclists face. Whether you’re a pro racer, an adventure biker, or even a daily commuter, we’d recommend biking gloves for you! Tell us which your favorites are in the comments below, or whether you’d suggest another brand we haven’t included here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do cycling gloves help with hand numbness?