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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Also Read: Trek Bikes for Seniors
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.
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.
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:
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!
Do cycling gloves help with hand numbness?
Ans. Along with tweaking your riding posture, the fit of your bike, and adjusting other parts for maximum comfort on your longer rides, a good pair of cycling gloves will give you the kind of support and shock-absorption you will need to ensure a pain-free, tingle-free ride.
Ans. We’ve provided some great long-term and short-term tips to prevent numbing of hands during a cycle ride in the TIPS AND TRICKS section.Do try them out and let us know what worked for you. Leave any tips or advice you may have for our audience, as well!
Ans. The nerves and tendons in the hands and wrist face a lot of stress and pressure on longer rides. Riding position, excessive shocks and frame-to-body alignment on your bike have a combined effect on your wrists and hands, causing numbness, pain, and other discomfort.
Ans. Many pro cyclists feel bare-skin riding gives them greater control over the bike. This can be important in sports like mountain biking where control over the bike is crucial.
Other pro cyclists have said that gear tape on the handlebars are more important for grip than cycling gloves.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of choice! There are some pro cyclists who like the thrill of racing on a bike without any hand-protection, and others who wear cycling gloves just to look cool!
Ans. Cycling gloves do a lot more than just make you look cool. They offer shock absorption to your palms and wrists over longer rides, act as sweat absorbers and protect you from the weather. They also protect you from road rash in case of an unexpected tumble.
Ans. This is a matter of personal choice. In most cases, people like to wear biking mitts that are breathable, yet snug.
Tight gloves are never desirable – these could do more harm than good.
It is important to follow the sizing and measuring guide, and to look through reviews to see whether sizes may run a few sizes small or big, depending on the brand.
Ans. When shopping for a good pair of cycling gloves, look for fabric, fit, padding, and other features based on your specific needs.
Ans. We love the padding and protection on Nicewin Cycling Gloves – you get an all-round protection and padding.
Grebarley Cycling Gloves also feature competitive 3-part palm padding.
Ans. Aegend Warm Cycling Gloves, at No.6 on our list, feature ‘thinsulate insulation’, and ‘thermal polar fleece’ – very effective at trapping body heat in cold weather.
Here are a few excellent options for very low-temperature rides:
Ans. Our research and analysis have found that Hikenture’s cycling gloves are one of the best in the market.
Pearl Izumi Cycling Gloves are also a very dependable brand, as well as Nicewin Cycling Gloves.
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