Hillbilly gloves vs. Kris Holm gloves (or anything else?)

[aracer]

Thinking of getting myself some uni specific gloves. Currently using some Troy Lee DH MTB gloves, but they don't have any wrist support, which seems like it might be important given the way I'm falling. What puts me off the Hillbilly gloves a bit is the suggestion that they're a bit warm - I want full finger gloves as where I've lost skin when not using gloves is beyond where half-fingers would protect me, but my current TL ones are fairly well vented whilst still providing protection. I can also get KH gloves a bit cheaper.

Any comments from those who've used either or both - or anything else similar?

[Nurse Ben]

I've worn work gloves and skating wrist guards, tried the KH Pulse (not enogh protection) but nothing compares with Hillbilly. I started using Hillbilly long fingers when I rode dirt boards, then switched over to muni with the long fingers and later switched to short fingers. Yeah, they can be hot, depends on the time of year. The short fingers have a palm side stiffener, the long fingers have stiffeners on both side; I remove the stiffener on the back of the hand cuz it's an overkill.

I sweat a lot, salty sweat eats leather, so I burn up a pair of short fingers every two to three months during the warm months; thats 35-40 muni sessions in the humid Southeast. The long fingers are warm, but that's good for cold weather riding. I now ride exclusively in the short fingers year round, when it gets cold I add a nylon over mitt to hold heat and break the wind.

The most breathable wrist protection would be a basic skating wrist guard without a glove, which would work fine if you don't sweat much.

Where I ride it's all roots and rocks, so it can get ugly! I've broken a bunch of fingers falling while wearing Hillbillys, but I haven't even sprained a wrist.

Enjoy

[mbalmer]

I always used Hillbilly 1/2 fingered gloves. I have had cut fingers a couple of times from a couple of hard falls. I switched to KH Pulse. They don't have comparable wrist protection, but I feel safe enough in them. I don't like my fingers covered, but it beats cutting my fingers should I fall. I may cut the tip of my right index finger (glove) off so I can operate my iPod more easily. KH are way better for the sweat problem that Ben mentioned. They breathe better, but still get hot when it's warm out. In my opinion, the best protection would be Hillbilly full fingers; the best comfort would be Pulse.

[Tucson Uni]

I wear Hillbilly full fingers for muni, because there are lots of thorny plants in the desert to run your fingers through. The warmth doesn't really bother me. It is a dry heat here, so the sweat evaporates quickly. The brown leather in my first pair eventually got stiff and crumbled. The new black leather ones seem to be holding up better. I use half-fingers for riding my 36 guni. I took a spill and slid a ways on the gloves, and my hands and wrists were not injured in any way.

[Grizoo]

What are these Hillbilly gloves is it possible to post a link or a picture Please?

[bouin-bouin]

Originally Posted by Grizoo

What are these Hillbilly gloves is it possible to post a link or a picture Please?

http://shop.mbs.com/protective-gear/...ll-finger.html
I had the previous version (brown) and now I'm using new version (black), both 1/2 fingers

[Grizoo]

They look alot better than anything I've seen so far. in the summer I was using short fingered sailing gloves that are realy cool and have very strong leather palms and have just found some armoured leather work gloves for the winter. But I like the idea of the intergrated wrist protections, I must live a sheltered life Thanks for the link and who sells those in europe?

[bouin-bouin]

I have been using them since I broke my wrist ...

[DavidHood]

My post in the KH Pulse gloves thread shows operating the brake lever way out on the very tip end of my shadow handlebar is awkward with a big bulky skid plate in the palm of my hand. My Hillbilly half finger fit my b*cycle. On the 36er my left handles all braking, fidgeting with head light, and cycle computer duties. It wears KH Pulse and rarely leaves it's post. I trust my right "disc golf" hand to snowboarding wrist guards like ProDesign and DocMeter Flexmeter guards. They sit more atop the grip when I'm tucked in at speed.

[munkmunk]

I also have full fingered Hillbilly gloves. They give you less wrist flexibility, but more protection (no surprise there). Because of the wrist guard on the palm side, I sometimes have to grip the seat in an odd way when riding Muni. I don't think I would wear them if I was doing much trials. Luckily, I'm not doing no trails riding. yet.

[Philippe]

something else

I wear heavy leather working gloves and under them Docmeter Flexmeter Double Sided Wrist Guards

Link to the maker 1, 2, description .pdf nice vendor site. Other vendor : 4. The solid protection of the inner hand is removable and you still have the "soft" armor. I use with the rigid protection and have no problem to hold he saddle handle and play with the brake lever.

I'm totally satisfied with this combination (working gloves + Flexmeter). It work well, I try several time a ride !

[Nurse Ben]

The only problem with Hillbillys are the bulky palm protector which can make it hard to get at a brake lever and hold onto a grab handle.

I modify all of my Hillbilly wrist guards as follows:

Open up the glove and you'll see a rivet. You need to pry the rivet out of the stiffener using a screwdriver and some vise grips. Once the rivet is removed, then pull out the stiffener.

The idea is to flatten the stiffener. I use a pair of vise grips and a vice, but you could do it with two vise grips. The key is to warm up the plastic first toi keep it from cracking. Knowing when to stop is the key; I broke a couple so I know now

With the stiffener flattened so it conforms with your hand, the glove fits better and will not impede your grip.