Help with glove selection
What are the functions of gloves?
The gloves serve several important functions. The first function is to protect the hands from the cold, which is particularly useful in winter to prevent them from freezing. However, protection against the cold is not their only function.
Another essential function of gloves is protection in case of a fall. When you fall off a scooter or moped, your natural reflexes make you instinctively put your hands forward to cushion the fall. This means that your hands, especially the palms, are the first to touch the ground. By wearing gloves, you significantly reduce the risk of hand injuries in such situations. That is why, in some countries, approved motorcycle gloves are mandatory, even in summer!
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How do I find my right glove size?
To measure your size, use a tape measure and wrap it around your hand according to the picture below.Then, refer to the table below to find the correspondence between the measured size and the appropriate glove size.
Different types of gloves
Due to the various functions and weather conditions, different types of gloves are available.
All-Season Gloves.
The name says it all -All-Season gloves can be used throughout the seasons. They provide protection in case of a fall. However, they may not be the best choice for winter. While they do offer some protection against the cold, they are not designed for extreme winter conditions and temperatures below freezing.
Summer Gloves.
Summer gloves are designed primarily for protection in case of a fall but are not intended to provide warmth during riding. They are lightweight and typically made from breathable materials to keep hands cool and comfortable in hot weather. While they offer protection, they may not provide insulation in cooler temperatures. In summer, it is unlikely that warmth will be necessary.
Winter Gloves.
Winter gloves typically serve a dual purpose: keeping hands warm during riding in winter conditions and providing reinforced panels on the palms for protection in case of a fall. They often feature additional reinforcements on the knuckles to offer enhanced hand protection in the event of an accident. While winter gloves are designed to protect hands from the cold, it does not guarantee that your hands will be completely immune to the cold. In extremely cold weather, especially during long rides, your fingers can still become quite cold. Keep this in mind
Motocross Gloves
Motocross gloves are designed to provide a high level of grip, allowing for better control of levers and the throttle. They often feature reinforced panels on the back of the hand to provide protection in case of a fall or collision. As the name suggests, these gloves are primarily designed for motocross use. While they can be used off the motocross track as well, they do not offer adequate protection against low temperatures.
Mittens
Mittens may not be the most stylish gloves, but they are by far the warmest. Mittens are warmer than gloves because your fingers are not separated from each other. If keeping your hands warm in winter is the most important thing for you, more important than appearance or protection against falls, opt for mittens. The downside is that you can no longer use your hands as you were used to. Closing a zipper can be very difficult.
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Different Materials
Most gloves are made of leather or technical materials such as polyamide and polyurethane. The advantage of leather is that it is a natural product. It is soft and remains beautiful for a long time. It is also considered stylish by most people. The downside is that leather absorbs water, so they are less suitable for rainy conditions. This can be solved by treating them with a water-repellent spray. The best leather gloves have already been factory-treated to make them waterproof. Textile gloves are often waterproof, but make sure this is indicated.
Inner lining
The material used on the inside (the inner lining) is also important. Wool is very warm. Thinsulate is also a good option if you are looking for gloves that perform well in cold weather. It is a patented 3M fabric specially developed to provide better insulation for garments, preventing cold from reaching the skin.
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Tip:
There is also the option of a hand heater for scooters. Combine this with a good pair of winter gloves or, even better, mittens. There's a high chance that your hands will stay warm even in freezing temperatures.