What gloves actually do
Two things, and neither is warmth on most rides here.
They stop your hands going numb. Body weight on the bars presses on the ulnar nerve where it runs through the heel of the hand. Sustained pressure over an hour or two is what causes the pins and needles and dead little finger that riders often blame on their bars. Gel padding placed over that spot is the fix.
They save skin. Hands go down first in a fall, every time. A pair of gloves is the difference between a graze and a week of not being able to hold a coffee cup.
Short or long finger
Short finger is the summer default here — cooler, and you can still work a phone or a zip.
Long finger is for winter mornings and, importantly, for mountain biking in any weather. Fynbos and thorn scrub on the singletrack around Silvermine and Tokai will take skin off your knuckles that a short-finger glove leaves exposed.
Fit and padding
Gloves should be snug with no bunching across the palm. Loose material folds under pressure and becomes a hot spot, which is worse than no padding at all.
More gel is not automatically better. Heavy padding reduces the feel you have for the bars, and some riders genuinely prefer a thin unpadded glove — particularly on a mountain bike where you want feedback. Try both.
Common questions
Do I need different gloves for MTB and road?
Not necessarily, but the emphases differ: road gloves prioritise padding over long-distance comfort, MTB gloves prioritise protection and grip. If you do both seriously, two pairs is not extravagant.
Anything for kids?
There is a junior pair in the range. Bring them past the shop in Scott Estate to get the fit right — children's hands vary far more than sizes suggest.
See also clothing and bar grips, which solve the same numbness problem from the other end.
