i’m thinking about investing in a set of gloves. any recommendations?
As you already probably know, I’m a (urban) trials rider.
Keep in mind:
I live in Michigan…those of you who went to NAUCC in Bowling Green (1.5hrs from my house in Adrian) know what I’m talking about when I say that the humidity in the summer is a killer! Which means, although they are good (I hear), I probably won’t be picking up a set of KH gloves, being that word around the campfire is that they’re warm (which in Michigan’s case, would make a decent winter riding glove instead)…
There is one more rarely considered option for quality riding gloves! The Home Depot.
I have a pair of Harbingers and to me they are like leather-elastic ovens. As a distance runner, I was never able to keep a pair of gloves on for more than 1/2 mile because I always found them too hot, no matter what the temperature.
However, I took some leather work gloves, cut off the fingers, and I can wear these without a problem. They provide no wrist protection but I never all anyway. (OK. I lied. Sometimes I fall down.)
Some people have had the audacity to suggest they lack aesthetic appeal. (Not mentioning any names in reverse, namguB & dnommurD.) So, if you need to look the part, these aren’t for you. But for the unicyclist who doesn’t need to conform to any style, these are all that, and some. I love them!
Plus, you can use old broken-in and worn out gloves, because you are cutting off the fingers anyway.
Hey, maybe I’ll market them. I think I have a couple more worn-out pair in the truck.
Fox sidewinders are my favorite. Although the modle I like is about 4 years old. Things I look for in a glove is comfort, a snot rag on the thumb and a padded palm for when you fall.
I use Fox Digit gloves, they’re comfortable in summer and winter, even though you will need to wash them very regularly, as they begin to smell quite badly, quite quickly. (Mainly due to the fact that I wipe my forehead with them, it has a special area for that) It has saved my hands from severe bruising more then once, and it makes my KH seat handle much more comfortable to hold.
A friend of mine had the very expensive 661 wrist guards, they were junk, they didn’t cover the hand much and he destroyed them in a single fall on some scree, also resulting in several nasty cuts to his hands. I can’t be bothered to resize the photo to show it here but you get the idea. Just goes to show that 661 aren’t infallible as a brand, shame cos the 4x4, 2x4 and mullet are great.
