Should you wear gloves (mittens) when riding a bike?

For a long time, they were an essential part of the perfect cyclist’s gear, and yet we see in photos and on TV that more and more pros are riding without gloves. So are these stylish mittens or fingerless gloves—which add to a cyclist’s charm—truly necessary, or just a fashion statement?

By Jean-François Tatard – Photos: depositphotos.com

Even though they aren’t strictly required for cycling, wearing gloves or mittens actually has several benefits, and as we’ll see in this article, this accessory can very quickly become indispensable…

Essential in the Event of a Fall

Gloves are essential in the event of a fall. We certainly hope you never need them, but you’ll be grateful for them when you break your fall with your hands—as is usually the case when you lose control of your bike and hit the ground. But safety in the event of an accident isn’t the only reason to wear them. In fact, gloves also help absorb shocks and improve your grip on the handlebars and overall comfort.

The famous mittens

When we talk about gloves in this article—let’s be clear—we’re not talking about winter gloves, but rather those famous mittens that cyclists wear in the summer or when it’s hot. By the way, why mittens? Well, quite simply because they’re lightweight, comfortable, and breathable. You’ll also notice that mountain bikers tend to prefer long gloves. Why? Because they offer full coverage of the hands and excellent protection against forest hazards like brambles, stinging nettles, and branches… And some of these models are even made with extremely thin, breathable materials that combine this protection with great comfort, even in intense heat—as is sometimes the case in mountain bike races.

As for traditional mittens, they can provide varying degrees of protection against the cold and wind, but are generally not suitable for sub-freezing temperatures. That said, there’s a wide variety of styles available: the mittens you’re familiar with, as well as those with thick gel padding, ultra-lightweight options, or even unpadded “aero” mittens—ideal for time trials—which pair wonderfully with those famous high-top socks.

What about you? Which team are you on? Team No Gloves? Or Team With Gloves?

Here are a few reasons to ride without gloves:

Better feel on the handlebars
A closer connection between you and your bike
Avoids tan lines
Prevents sweating
Style
Look like Mathieu van der Poel

So, why ride with them?

Grip
Comfort
Safety
Shock absorption
Protecting your hands in case of a fall
Blowing your nose (yes, I really did write “blowing your nose”)
Get a little protection from the cold
Preventing calluses in the palms of your hands

In short, according to 3bikes.fr, “do as I say, not as I do”—but after weighing the pros and cons of wearing them or not, we’d still tend to recommend that you wear them. Nevertheless, for those who choose to ride barehanded, we simply hope you stay upright and continue to freely enjoy your passion for a long time to come.

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