Almost all experts agree that a pair of padded gloves can really dial down the numbness, so today, we’re reviewing the five best cycling gloves for hand numbness to help you find the perfect match for your needs.
If you’re into cycling, chances are you experienced the annoying hand numbness that follows riding for longer periods. Being unable to feel anything when numbness strikes heavily compromises your ability to control your bike, which is the worst situation for a cyclist to encounter.
Quick Comparison: Best Cycling Gloves for Numb Hands
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1. LuxoBike Cycling Gloves Half Finger |
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2. HTZPLOO Bike Gloves Half Finger for Men/Women |
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3. ATD Gel Padded Leather Cotton Crochet Half Finger Cycling Gloves |
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4. Tanluhu Cycling Gloves Half Finger for Men and Women |
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5. Pearl Izumi Men’s Select Glove |
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Best Cycling Gloves for Hand Numbness: Reviews and Buying Guide
1. LuxoBike Cycling Gloves Half Finger
Description
Kicking off our list with a highly rated candidate, these half finger gloves from LuxoBike are praised by hundreds of cyclists for their sturdy yet comfortable construction.
The back of these stylish gloves is made using soft, breathable fabric to keep your hands cool and dry under the sun. The stretchable Lycra material and the fitted elastic band help minimize slippage and discomfort. Moreover, the streamlined Velcro strap allows you better to customize the fit for extra flexibility and sensitivity.
The LuxoBike Cycling Gloves offer ample room at the thumb for free rotation, while the smart finger loops provide an easy way to take off the gloves after you’re done.
The palm of these gloves features an exclusive 4-zone silicone gel pad that’s strategically placed to support your hands during terrain vibrations. The flexible material gives you a wide range of motion while gripping, whereas the durable microsuede layer offers long-lasting performance. The durability of these gloves is boosted by double stitching to resist breakage.
The LuxoBike Cycling Gloves are machine washable and available in 6 vibrant colors.
Features
- Breathable back with Velcro closure
- Smart finger loops
- Exclusive 4-zone silicone gel padding
- Microsuede palm
- Double-stitched
- Machine washable
- Thumb towel
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to remove
- Easy to clean
- Very comfortable
- Good grip
- Great design
- Lightweight
Cons
- Padding could be thicker
- Not suitable for very hot climates
Video: 3 Great Reasons to Wear Cycling Gloves
2. HTZPLOO Bike Gloves Half Finger for Men/Women
Description
The HTZPLOO Bike Gloves are the go-to option for thousands of cyclists on the hunt for excellent durability, unbeatable comfort, and great value for money.
The back of the gloves is made out of 55% polyester and 45% nylon, which means it’s soft, smooth, and highly flexible. The gloves conform to the shape of your hands, providing an outstanding skin-like feel for maximum comfort and focus. Additionally, the Velcro closure ensures you get a snug fit.
The palm design of the HTZPLOO Bike Gloves offers effective control over the handlebar, so your experience is more sensitive and accurate. It’s made using microfiber with black gel silicone to give you a strong grip, resist slippage, and avoid injuries. The shock-absorbing padding relieves hand numbness and fatigue by reducing road vibration.
The HTZPLOO Bike Gloves come with two small finger loops to let pull off the gloves quickly and easily. The overall lightweight construction spares your hands some stress, while the towel cloth on the thumb helps you wipe sweat and saliva.
Features
- 55% polyester and 45% nylon
- Microfiber palm
- Shock-absorbing padding
- Anti-slip silicone gel
- Two handy finger loops
- Thumb towel cloth
- Velcro closure
Pros
- Quick to take off
- Good fit and very comfortable
- Light to wear
- Provides skin-like feel
- They work for the absorption of vibrations
- Well-made
Cons
- A little hot to wear
Video: How To Prevent Numbness Or Pain In Your Hands Whilst Cycling
3. ATD Gel Padded Leather Cotton Crochet Half Finger Cycling Gloves
Description
Manufactured by AERO|TECH|DESIGNS, the ATD Leather Fingerless Cycling Gloves are ideal for cyclists who prefer a more authentic route when it comes to design, material, and style.
The ATD gloves are made using genuine natural goatskin leather, which conforms to the shape of your hands for maximum protection against abrasion and road vibration. In fact, the palm of these gloves is a double layer of leather construction with gel padding that provides effective cushioning and durability.
The back of the ATD Cycling Gloves is an open design with a cotton crochet pattern that offers flexibility, comfort, and a cool look. The cotton crochet pattern also promotes breathability for a cooling effect. Additionally, the Velcro closure allows you to adjust the sizing of the gloves for a perfect fit.
The premium quality goatskin leather works great to wipe debris from your tires or remove small pebbles from the palms in case you accidentally touch the road. Also, the cotton thumb is very soft and absorbent to help you dab sweat from your face.
The ATD Leather Cycling Gloves come in sizes ranging from Small to 3X- Large, but they’re only available in a beige color.
Features
- Genuine natural goatskin leather construction
- Gel padding
- Double layer palm
- Cotton crochet upper
- Velcro closure
- Retro design
Pros
- Genuine leather build
- Classic design
- Breathable back
- Well-padded
- Good price
Cons
- Some cyclists may consider the design too old
- The color tends to fade
Video: Should I Wear Cycling Gloves?
4. Tanluhu Cycling Gloves Half Finger for Men and Women
Description
If you’re in the market for a pair of reliable half finger cycling gloves that won’t cost you a fortune, you may want to consider the Tanluhu Cycling Gloves Half Finger for Men and Women.
These bike gloves are made out of super elastic Lycra and durable mesh fabric, providing breathability and comfort to your cycling experience. They’re specially built to give cyclists snug compression without strangling your hands.
There’s a sticky adjustable buckle that helps you alter the gloves’ tension according to your unique needs. Also, the elastic mesh layer on the surface wicks moisture to eliminate discomfort and slippage.
The Tanluhu Cycling Gloves feature highly absorbent microfiber terry cloth at the thumb to help you wipe off the sweat and avoid accidents. The gloves are lightweight to boost comfort, and they come with pull tabs to help you take them off faster after riding.
These gloves are equipped with powerful shock absorption protection to reduce road vibration and hand fatigue. They’re available in 5 color options so you can pick your favorite.
Features
- Elastic Lycra and knitted mesh fabric
- Sticky adjustable buckle
- Moisture-wicking
- Shock absorption protection
- Anti-slip padding
- Pull tabs
- Sweat terry cloth
Pros
- Quality and budget-friendly gloves
- Tough construction
- Quick removal loops
- Easy to put on/off
- Quick-drying
Cons
- Tends to pilling
Video: Why Do Cyclists Wear Gloves?
5. Pearl Izumi Men’s Select Glove
Description
Last but definitely not least, the Pearl Izumi Men’s Select Glove is a value-packed candidate, designed to alleviate pressure on sensitive nerves for reduced hand numbness.
It features gel-foam padding to relieve the compression on Ulnar and Median nerves, which directly translates to more comfort and less pain. The synthetic leather construction of the palm is soft yet durable for long-term service.
These gloves are equipped with hook and loop closure for better size adjustment. The soft, low-profile towel section on the thumb does an excellent job of removing sweat, snot, and saliva.
The overall look of the Pearl Izumi gloves is quite stylish, available in 5 colors to please all tastes.
Features
- Polyamide, Polyurethane, and Spandex construction
- Soft, low-profile thumb towel
- Gel-foam padding
- Hook and loop closure
Pros
- Impressive shock absorption
- Good visibility in the dark
- Tight grip
- Nice fit
Cons
- A bit pricey
Video: How To Wash Bike Gloves
FAQs
Why do cyclists wear gloves?
There are several reasons why cyclists wear gloves:
- Reduce blisters and calluses. Gloves protect your hands from developing blisters and calluses resulting from friction between your skin and the bar tape by providing a barrier layer.
- Prevent hand numbness. Most cycling gloves are padded to reduce nerve compression, which happens when you press your hands against the handlebars for a long time. By decreasing compression, hand numbness can be avoided.
- Protect from cuts and scratches. Although no cyclist starts a ride planning to crash, the risk of such accidents is always there. Since it’s very likely that you stick your hands out to break the fall by reflex, it’s a good idea to wear a protective layer of gloves to prevent cuts and abrasions.
- Provide a firm grip. When riding warm, humid, or rainy weather, cyclists will often feel their hands get quite sweaty and slippery, which makes it tricky to grab the handlebar properly. Gloves can soak up the wetness to keep your hands dry and give you a firm grip in such conditions.
- Add more comfort. Over time, small vibrations passing through the bike and handlebar to your hands can easily build up and start being painful. Gloves can dampen the vibrations when you’re going over bumps by absorbing some of the force and delivering a cushioning effect.
- Wipe bodily secretions. Cycling gloves typically have a towel section located across the thumb. This soft part allows cyclists to wipe off any sweat, snot, or saliva quickly without having to stop riding.
Why does my hand go numb when cycling?
According to the Central Vermont Medical Center, hand numbness while cycling is caused by excessive stress or pressure on nerves, particularly the median and the ulnar nerves.The median nerve, as well as several tendons, run through a tunnel-like passage across the underside of the wrist. As you keep your hands bent and pressed against the handlebars for extended periods, the excess pressure on this area leads to tingling, numbness, and weakness in the thumb and fingers.As for the ulnar nerve, it runs through the pinky side of the wrist and hand. When cyclists grip the handlebars, they’re placing direct pressure on this region, which also causes tingling and numbness. These symptoms may go away shortly after you relieve the pressure on the nerves, or they may persist and cause muscle weakness.
How tight should cycling gloves be?
Figuring out the right size for your cycling gloves is crucial to deliver maximum comfort and reliability. Cycling gloves should have a snug fit without being constricting. For full-finger models, they should extend to cover the fingertips, without leaving too much extra room at the top.If your cycling gloves are made of leather, they should fit snugly but not tightly, kind of like how a leather jacket would fit your body. You should be able to comfortably clench a fist, but not have too much empty space around your fingers that the grip is compromised. Remember that leather will somewhat stretch with use.As for cycling gloves made out of technical fabrics, such as neoprene, they’ll definitely stretch. However, you still don’t want to start out with gloves that are suffocating your hands.
Why do my hands hurt when cycling?
There are two main reasons why you may be experiencing pain or discomfort in your hands and wrists when cycling:Handlebar palsy – medically known as Ulnar neuropathy, handlebar palsy is a prevalent complaint among cyclists. This condition results from putting constant pressure on the ulnar nerve in your wrists and hands, which leads to sensations of pain and numbness.Besides compression, hyperextension of the same never when you spend long periods riding down the drops can also cause painful symptoms and muscle weakness.Carpal tunnel syndrome – this is another common condition among dedicated cyclists. It’s caused by the compression of the median nerve in the wrist (when riding with flat bars or on the bar tops) and leads to pain, numbness, or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and ring finger, as well as weakness in the hand.
Can you get carpal tunnel from cycling?
Yes, you can. Carpal tunnel syndrome is actually one of the most common conditions that cyclists suffer from. The carpal tunnel is a path underneath the wrist where the median nerve, along with tendons and blood vessels, run. This area is pretty packed, so the structures inside it are highly affected by any inflammation or continuous compression.The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, sensations of pins and needles into the hands and fingers, and pain throughout the hand that may spread into the arm and shoulder, as well as the muscles. However, the little finger is usually unaffected by this condition.
Conclusion and Best Offer
Bike gloves may be the smallest piece of equipment in your cycling gear, but it’s also one of the most important items to wear when riding. They offer comfort, style, and above all, protection.
Our recommended for the best cycling gloves for hand numbness is the HTZPLOO Bike Gloves Half Finger for Men/Women.
Best Offer
These gloves provide ample padding without being too heavy. They’re durable, easy to wear, and also stylish. They do seem to run a bit too big, so you may want to go for a size down.
The Alternative
If you’re not one for synthetic fabrics, then the ATD Gel Padded Leather Cotton Crochet Half Finger Cycling Gloves is an excellent alternative to consider. Not only is the genuine leather construction durable and flexible, but the cotton crochet upper also adds comfort and breathability.
ATD Gel Padded Leather Cotton Crochet Half Finger Cycling Gloves
The classic design of these gloves doesn’t exactly sit well with cyclists who prefer cooler and brighter modern looks. Also, the color of the leather seems to fade rather fast, making them look worn out only after a couple of uses.
However, they received many positive reviews from those who bought them.
