Bike gloves are essential if you are biking regularly or if you go on long rides. When buying gloves, only buy them at a sports store or specialty bike shop. Why? Ordinary gloves have the full finger pattern and will cause more blisters. Also, the seams inside the gloves cause friction on a bike ride and will also cause blisters.

Once you're at the right kind of store, look over the offering of gloves that cover your palm, knuckle, and first finger joints. These might be weight lifting gloves as well as bike gloves. But look at the palms carefully to determine how much padding you will have when grasping the handle bars. Chances are that gloves made for biking give you the best padding and overall comfort.

If you're like me, you'll get the palm padding moist from sweat in a few rides. So be sure to read the label about how to care for the gloves. Remember that leather does not wash well and that, although synthetics look like leather, they are the best for washing machines.

If you're doing a lot of riding in hot weather, do not buy gloves that are black as the solar effect will heat up your hands and keep you uncomfortable. Likewise, if you're riding in cold weather, you'll want black gloves with lots of insulation. In general, the heavier the glove, the more it is adapted to cold weather. Conversely, the lightweight gloves are ideal for hot weather.

Finally, take a good look at how the gloves are secured over the back of your hand. Just pull on? Great, nothing to snag on or rip off. Secured with a velcro tab? This can be ok, but be aware that the tab can be ripped off over time.

Keep these recommendations in mind and you'll get a great pair of bike gloves!

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