Bicycling Gloves - For Safety and Comfort

If you are to follow the classic track - you will start bicycle riding without wearing any cyclist gloves at all, but eventually you will end up buying one, two or even some pairs of bike riding gloves.

Bicycling gloves come in different styles and designs. Their functionality also varies and is improved with each type of gloves. Though it may be tempting to buy the most expensive brand on the market, the purpose should primarily be stated so that you would know what type of cycling gloves to purchase.

Functions of Cycling Gloves

Its uses are of the most basic necessities, and these are mainly comfort, protection, and thermoregulation.

Comfort

Long bicycle rides will definitely create strain on hands of the avid bicycle rider. Cyclist gloves are useful in a number of ways and comfort is one of them. Depending on the cyclist's posture or bicycle specifications, the strain can be placed on bony prominences or soft tissues.

Protection

Another function of bicycling gloves is protection. This will, when the time comes, protect the cyclist from scratches or abrasions in the case of a bicycle crash or accident. This will also maintain the skins integrity when it comes to tissue composition.

Thermoregulation

It usually is cold day in and day out, and the position of the hands, in front of the bicycle handlebars, do not have much choice but to be exposed to the cold and to be in a stagnant position, which reduces muscle activity - which in turn does not produce any heat. Cycling gloves are designed for thermoregulation, or warming up the hands.

Types of Cycling Gloves

The types of bicycling gloves vary with design and additional functions and each type usually has different applications.

Finger-less Cycling Gloves

These bicycle gloves are also known as track mitts. They provide the three basic functions of gloves and they are usually worn during summer. The fabric used to make finger-less gloves also varies. These are my favorite bike riding gloves (actually all year around)

Winter Bike Riding Gloves

These are a bit bulkier than normal cycling gloves. These types of gloves provide extra warmth as they are made of a different fabric. To warm your hands even further, an inner glove may be used together with winter gloves. This is mainly important if you are into snow biking

Heated Cycling Gloves

If winter gloves are not enough to provide the heat that you expect, then go for heated cycling gloves, which are made with a built-in heating mechanism.

Cycling Mitts

These are also known as lobster mitts as they only have three pockets for fingers. This allows the fingers of the cyclist to stick together thus providing more heat.

Cycling gloves have served the purpose of cyclists for many years and have continued to evolve with both design and function. A distinction between women's cycling gloves and men's gloves is also evident. Bicycle gloves will always remain as a necessity in bicycle riding for safety, security, and for style