10 Best Cycling Gloves in the Philippines 2021 (Rockbros, Fox, POC, and More)

There are many benefits of wearing gloves as compared to not wearing them. Below are some of the facts for you to know how gloves affect your biking experience.

When cycling, you tend to sweat a lotーand that includes your hands. They can slip from the handle grip when wet and cause accidents. Also, the sweat from your hands can drip into the shifter or brake lever and cause deterioration since perspiration has high mineral content. 

A pair of gloves with good wicking technology can help keep your hands dry and trap all the moisture when your sweat.

A pair of gloves create an extra barrier between the palm and the handle grip, so it lessens the pressure and the development of blisters or calluses from constant friction. This may affect the way a rider controls the handlebar and make it uneasy. Some gloves are made of breathable materials that quickly evaporates the sweat from the hands.

You may notice that some gloves in the market have some type of cushion built into the palms and over the knuckle part. The padding on the palm part could serve as a shock absorber, which dampens most of the energy coming from the bike before it gets into the rider. This reduces the aches after biking and will make the ride much smoother than usual.

Most cyclists are susceptible to handlebar palsy, where the nerve in the wrist is injured by prolonged compression. Wearing a padded glove will help disperse the force, thus reducing the risk of nerve damage and severe pain. 

Also, cyclists put their arms out and try to catch themselves before crashing to decrease the impact. Without gloves, the palms could get punctured or torn by gravel or dirt.

Most long rides would always start at the break of dawn when it's quite cold, so a pair of gloves can keep your hands warmer and be comfortable. 

On night rides, a well-insulated hand allows you to grip the handlebars and work the gear shifters or brake levers normally. After all, bike gloves are still gloves, no matter what the material may be.

Apart from being protected and comfortable, the feeling of confidence and being cool is what a stylish pair of gloves present. It's like being a kid with a new pair of sneakers, suddenly you feel like you can run faster or jump twice as high with your new kicks. Also, gloves can be available in different colors and styles so there's no shortage when it comes to your personal preference.

Now that we know how cycling gloves can make a difference when we ride our bikes, let's get to discover how we may be able to choose a product to suit our preferences.

To begin with, there are two types of cycling glovesーfull finger and half finger. If you have a specific riding style and preference, there is an appropriate pair of gloves that you can use to make the ride more enjoyable.

Full-fingered gloves provide cover from the tip of the fingers up to the wrist. This type of design is generally used for mountain biking, enduro, or trick riding because it helps protect the cyclist from trees, rocks, and other elements that might be present during the ride. 

These riding styles are crash-prone so a pair of gloves that features heavier-gauge material is needed to withstand use and abuse.

Half finger gloves or "fingerless" gloves have breathable fabric to maximize air circulation and moisture dissipation. 

The palm has a thicker and more durable material with a layer of gel or foam padding to reduce pressure and to help compensate for the bike's lack of suspension. It is typically used by road cyclists or cross-country mountain bike riders that spend a longer time on the road.

Maximizing your comfort and enjoyment is one of the main purposes that biking gloves bring. Here are some of the most common materials that you may encounter during your gloves hunting, some of which you can also find on biking socks. 

• Polyester- a sturdy and durable fabric that can withstand the wear caused by daily use and repeated movements. 
• Leather- with holes, whether real or synthetic, provide durability and grip on the palm. 

• Nylon- is another synthetic material found on many clothing that is durable and water-resistant, which is also used on bike gloves.
• Spandex or Elastane- a type of polyurethane fabric is a material that can stretch and return to its original shape without distortion.

• Gel or foam - usually added to the palm part for improved shock absorption.
• Rubber or a rubberized material - is also used for better palm or finger grip.
• Neoprene - a kind of synthetic rubber that is also able to remain stable and flexible even at different temperatures and weather conditions.
• Polyurethane - is a coating added to fabrics to remain soft and breathable, which provides abrasion resistance.

Purchasing a glove too small or too big for your hand will only result in chafing, added pressure, or discomfort. If you don't have measuring tape around and you're in a glove shop, wear the glove on your dominant hand and make a fist -- if it bunches up in the palms, it may be too loose; if you can't make a fist, it is too tight. 

Glove manufacturers have their own sizing charts, so it's important to know your own hand size in order for you to have a ballpark idea of which size to pick from their chart. It is notable to remember that if you have an in-between size, get the larger size. 

How to take your hand measurement? With your dominant hand, lay it flat on a surface. Use a measuring tape to get your palm's circumference just below the knuckles (the widest part), and use the list below to find your correct size.

• X-Small- 7-8 inches
• Small- 8-9 inches
• Medium- 9-10 inches
• Large- 10-11 inches
• X-Large- 11-12 inches
• XX-Large- 12+ inches

As promised, here is the list of our recommended cycling gloves that are available for purchase online. Who knows, you might find the right gloves for your needs.

Like a piece of clothing, biking gloves also get dirty and smelly. That is why you need to wash it too regularly. Here's a simple guide from Bikingbro.com on how to wash your cycling gloves in five easy steps and not ruin them while washing.

1. Find the gloves tag. This tag will tell you how long to wash for and other information on how to keep the gloves in the best condition as long as possible.
2. Use cold water. In some cases that you don't have any instructions to follow, just use cold water in washing. Also, use a mild detergent on a mild setting in a machine wash setting.
3. Close all Velcro straps. Like any other loose straps or long laces, Velcro straps on gloves can get tangled with other items inside the washing machine. Prevent this by closing all the straps.
4. Hang the gloves to dry. Never dry your gloves in the dryer, especially leather gloves, since it will crack if left in the machine dryer.
5. Wash with your hands. It will let your gloves last longer. Use cold water and mild detergent when washing. Let it air dry or sundry.

Be active and start pumping that pedal everyday to keep your heart healthy. Check out some of our latest cycling articles to find the right gear and accessories to satisfy your biking needs.

Choosing a pair of cycling gloves may not be too difficult, but finding the one that suits your style and level of comfort may take a bit of trial and error. If you’re not fully confident about the cycling gloves that you’ve been eyeing online for a long time, our handy guide might be able to help you choose your perfect match. 

Author: C. Lacson

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