Dion Lewis
How do you feel when your hand gets numb while riding? Actually, you don’t feel anything in this situation and realize that you can’t control your bike properly, right? That’s the worst feeling for cyclists. The fact is, though cycling is good, our body takes a heavy toll on a long ride. The vibration, sitting posture, and grip on the handlebar put pressure on our hand’s nerve. Hand numbness is the result of that.
Factors to consider while buying cycling gloves for hand numbness
Gloves are important wearables to prevent hand numbness. Though ill-fitted gloves can cause problems, well-fitted gloves can bring comfort and dexterity while riding. Now markets are flooded with these types of products. Different design, different purposes gloves are easily available. To find the right kind of gloves we have to use filters in certain areas. Because when we search something for preventing hand numbness the first thing struck in our mind is dexterity. The more flexibility the gloves have the more comfortable it will be and it must prevent numbness also. So, there are other factors to consider while buying this kind of gloves.
- Measurement: The first thing about buying a glove is ensuring its right measurement. A well-fitted glove brings comfort in cycling. Tight gloves can cause numbness while loose gloves mean less control. Your gloves must be compatible with your hands. Otherwise, it may bring discomfort.
- Fabrics: To prevent numbness, the fabrics of the gloves must be durable enough to withstand all the pressure and vibration from road and bars. Different fabrics are available in the market with different features. One thing is common in gloves fabrics, which is comfortability. High-quality gloves are durable and comfortable and built of breathable fabrics.
Whether the gloves are windproof or waterproof, also depends on the fabrics. Fabrics decide how much thermal protection can the glove provide at freezing temperature. Gripping ability is also increased by improving the fabrics on the palm. - Padding: Padding reduces vibration from the road and bar and increases comfort. Thus it protects the ulnar nerves. We have to consider how much protection can it provide if you fall. Minimal padding is good as extra padding means extra weight.
- Weight: Weight is an important factor to consider. You won’t want your hand to feel bulky while riding. Besides this, weight decreases dexterity. Lightweight gloves are always preferable if they fulfill other criteria.
- Weather Feature: If the glove can be used in different weather then why not use it? We should checkout for features like windproof, waterproof, thermal protection, etc. It increases usability.
- Price: There are expensive gloves that have features we don’t need. We may find gloves within an affordable price range, that serve our purpose.
- Other options: The gloves can be cuffed system or fastener systems. You can adjust the glove with a fastener. But too much tightness can cause numbness.
It can be either a full finger or finger-less option. Finger-less gloves have high dexterity where full finger gloves will give you protection against the wind or temperature.
Our Top Pick(s)
In this article, we discussed hand numbness as well as the best gloves to prevent this. A right glove can fix this issue but a wrong glove may trigger this too. After some research and examining the gloves, we came to an understanding that Aerodynamic gloves are better for reducing hand numbness. And we found from our testing that Giro DND Gloves work best to protect you from hand numbness.
It’s one of the best aerodynamic gloves in the market with minimal padding. This glove is lightweight, moisture absorbent, and a wiping surface is included. Best value for your money.
Comparison table
6 best cycling gloves you can buy today for hand numbness
1. Giro DND Gloves: Lightweight
Pros:
- Breathable, Synthetic, and moisture absorbent
- Aero gloves with thin leather cover and Zero padding
- It can be washed by machine
- Lightweight & Affordable
- Unisex gloves.
- Comes in multi-color
Cons:
- Not touchscreen compatible
- Durability is an issue
- Not waterproof
Giro DND is for those who want to prevent numbness but with zero-padded gloves. This glove is a lightweight, unisex glove. Eliminating excess material decreases bulkiness as well as vibration. Overall it’s an effective glove for riders with hand numbness issues.
2. Pearl Izumi Lobster: The best protection from cold and numbness
Pros:
- Finger dexterity and control is increased
- It can be washed by machine
- Lobster built designed
- Windproof and Waterproof
- Wiping material is included on the back of the thumb
Cons:
- Not touchscreen compatible
- Expensive
- Lobster style isn’t suitable for everyone
- Size is an issue
- Slightly bulky
Pearl Izumi lobster gloves provide adequate thermal protection. For preventing hand numbness from cold weather it’s one of the best gloves. This glove is costly but effective.
3. INBIKE 5 mm Gel Padded Cycling Gloves: Breathable, shock-absorbing, & anti-slip
Pros:
- Extra padding provides shock absorption and fatigue relief
- Half-finger gloves with Hook and loop fastener
- Mesh fabric, breathable
- Machine washable
- Cheap and Durable
Cons:
- Not true to its size
- Only for man
- Cheap padding material
Inbike gloves are the best under budget. They are cheap but with a lot of features. They provide padding to reduce vibration. The fabric is breathable. Though pad material is cheap,
4. HTZPLOO Bike Gloves: The value champion
Pros:
- Extra padding provides shock absorption and fatigue relief
- Half-finger gloves with Hook and loop fastener
- Mesh fabric, breathable
- Machine washable
- A Durable glove pair
- Multipurpose gloves
Cons:
- Size isn’t accurate
They are one of the best gloves in an affordable range. Build of padded palm and breathable fabrics. It has an excellent lightweight design. The easy removal of the gloves makes it more interesting. A multipurpose glove with great value.
5. Pearl Izumi – Ride Women’s Select Gloves: Best women’s cycling gloves for numbness
Pros:
- Gel padded, comfortable and durable
- Machine washable
- Wiping surface included
- Half-finger glove
- Hand dexterity increases
Cons:
- Size isn’t accurate. It can be a tight fit for some riders
- Very light padding
- Chafing between fingers may occur
- Only for women
This is a women-specific glove. Build for comfort. Flexible and affordable. Designed for less pressure on the wrist as well as nerves while riding. Hook and loop closure system. Wiping material is included here. It’s overall a good glove.
6. Louis Garneau Air Gel Cycling Gloves: Affordable
Pros:
- Comfortable bio gel padding, with breathable palm design
- Vibration absorbent, put less pressure on nerves
- Good grip and moisture-absorbent features
- Half-finger glove
- Quick removal
Cons:
- Not true too size
- Thin padding
- Not a glove for a long ride
- A bit costly
Louis Garneau has features like palm moisture evacuation, stabilizing hand temperature. The cuff is made of velcro. This glove has a solid construction and an ergonomic design. It’s true that the price is a bit high for the features but this is a pretty good glove.
What causes hand numbness?
Hand numbness is a serious issue while cycling. From amateur to professional cyclists, everyone suffers from it. The root cause of hand numbness is too much pressure upon the nerve and compression of blood vessels. Eventually, this numbness may turn into pain.
Our hand is innervated with 3 nerves- the median, the ulnar, and the radial nerves.
The numbness or tingling feeling comes from the compression of these nerves. Mainly cyclist’s hand numbness is related to the ulnar and the median nerves. Cyclists have a tendency to keep their sitting posture fixed, make a hard grip on the bar, etc while riding. These are the primary stages. Continuity of these works leads to nerve compression. Besides this, there are other factors that are included while the nerve compressed. Let’s see some cause of hand getting numbed.
Positioning/Sitting Position/Sitting Angle: This sitting position is responsible for the hand’s resting and active position. If the position is uncomfortable from the beginning then the whole ride is wasted. Loss of control, movement, and sensation may start after a while. Now let’s think a rider found his suitable position. But still, hand numbness can appear if the cyclist doesn’t move much. Because the same position for a long time may create pressure on the hand nerve. Which causes numbness.
Handlebar position: Some cyclist prefers their handlebar in a lower position than the saddle. It has harmful effects. This position puts stress on your necks, arms, backs, and wrists. Stress on arms and wrists may compress the blood vessel in the hands or put stress on the nerve which leads to numbness.
Uncomfortable Wrist Angle: The cyclist’s wrist angle may not suitable for him always. The ulnar nerve compression happens due to this reason. When the wrist stays in the same position for a long time or at an uncomfortable angle it gets swollen, numb. It might get dislocated also. The ulnar nerve gets affected due to this. It controls our ring and pinky fingers. So, in the time of compression, it gets harder to apply break or shifting the gear.
Fastening wrist closure too tightly: If you fasten your gloves closure too tightly it will cause excessive compression force after extending the wrist. Excess force means too much pressure on the nerve. And also pressure on the blood vessels is the reason for the interruption in blood flow. Nerve gets its nutrients from blood flow. Either way, the nerve is affected which starts numbness
A tight grip on the handlebars: Unnecessary/extra grip means extra response from the handlebar. The too-tight grip may become the reason for the uncomfortable wrist angle. Due to the pressure from handlebars, the ulnar nerve gets affected in the process, and numbness starts.
Road Vibration: A cyclist’s road is never smooth but bumpy. So, constant vibration from the road due to tight handlebars may put a strain on the wrist and shoulders. Let alone the hard grip, only the road vibration may cause this issue. The strain on nerves leads to numbness eventually.
Gloves pressure: If the gloves measurement isn’t right, there might occur pressure just from the gloves. Like our body, the nerves are all connected in the dorsal and palm area in our hands. So extra force in that area causes numbness.
The padding of ill-fitted gloves: Ill-fitted gloves should be avoided if padded. Because the padding may not fall in the right position. This causes pressure on the palm side area. Constant pressure may interrupt the blood flow and make our hands numb.
Riding with unstretched muscle: Before any ride or physical work, we must perform a warm-up exercise. Our muscle needs to get stretched before any strenuous work. Cycling is strenuous, considering a long ride. The unstretched muscle’s nerve can handle less strain than the stretched one.
Temperature: This is one of the most important issues while riding. In subzero temperatures or lower temperatures, it’s impossible to ride without gloves. If the gloves don’t provide adequate protection, the finger nerves may get affected due to cold. These lead to numbness and if it isn’t prevented it may lead to a bigger problem.
The ulnar and the median nerves are mostly affected due to cycling. The ulnar in the wrists get compressed when we apply pressure on the handlebar through our hands from shoulders. And also that time when cyclists rest on the handlebar. Due to this constant resting position, the nerve loses its sensation and this numbness passes from wrist to hand. This thing is called cyclist’s palsy.
When the median nerves get compressed it causes tingling in several fingers. Eventually, those finger gets numb or weak while riding. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why numbness is dangerous?
Numbness, tingling feeling is normal in our daily life. But while riding it’s dangerous. Cycling is all about control and hand numbness is the main reason for getting things out of control while cycling. You can’t operate your hands, wrists, fingers freely if your hand is numb. Applying breaks, moving the handlebar, shifting the gear; every process may get hampered due to this. It can lead to dangerous accidents.
Prevention
Hand numbness while cycling is a serious issue. It affects our motor functions which can lead to accidents. Prevention is generally simple.
- Changing sitting and hand positions from time to time
- Keeping the saddle below or at the same height as the handlebar
- Less strain on the hands and wrists is applied when a drop bar is used. Handlebar width must be suitable for the rider.
- Avoiding flat tire, a damaged suspension which may increase bar vibration.
- Keep a check on the wrist position to eschew unnecessary pressure.
- Remembering to flex arms, shoulders, wrists, and fingers.
- Taking small rests in the middle of the ride.
- Applying bar tape for reducing road vibration.
- Losing the grip a little on handlebars if it’s hard.
- Wearing gloves with the right measurement and right padding. Padding reduces pressure on ulnar nerves.
- Stretching before ride
- Choosing the right gloves for adequate protection in the colder area.
Cycling is fun. But there are also serious kinds of stuff to consider. Like numbness, tingling which leads to long-time injury if not cured. Numbness can be cured but prevention is always better.
Do cycling gloves cause hand numbness?
Whether the gloves cause numbness or not depends on several factors. They cause numbness while-
- Ill-fitted/tight gloves: Ill fitted gloves’ padding may not get adjusted in right place. It will create pressure on the nerves where it is placed. Tight gloves can cause hand numbness by interrupting blood flows in vessels.
- Fastening gloves too tightly: It will put pressure on the wrist. Due to this, interruption in blood flow, ulnar nerve compression can occur which leads to numbness.
- Lack of thermal protection: In the subfreezing or low-temperature area if you don’t put a glove with good thermal protection your hand will go numb because of cold. If it continues you may encounter a frostbite injury.
Simply, if they create pressure on the nerves and blood vessels more than average, hand numbness may occur. But also if you pick the right kind of gloves you can prevent hand numbness.
Conclusion
Hand numbness is a serious issue while cycling. If it is not given proper importance then it might have a long-term effect. It’s crucial to cure or prevent hand numbness as it affects our motor skills. A good pair of gloves might just be the solution.
