Overthinking my gloves

[Iminquarantine]

I had a year off biking and put my gloves in a 'safe place'. Obvs now I can't find them, so have been using a 10 yo pair which I could find, but have just bought a new pair.

I like Held brand gloves. I've bought a size 9 and a size 10 Held Rain Cloud 2 gloves, one of which I return. But which one? The size 9 feels a bit tight around the palm of my hand. Not uncomfortable, but I know I'm wearing gloves. The size 10 is ok around the palm, but the fingers and thumb are slightly too long.

Do you think the smaller pair will break in enough that I won't notice I'm wearing them?

[Krikkit]

No experience of Held gloves directly, but all of mine I've bought where they're slightly too small and they've stretched just enough to make them a perfect fit now.

[Alex@POD]

Have you tried them on the bike for a short ride? I had a pair of gloves which fitted fine in the shop, they were almost a perfect fit, but after riding a while the fingers proved to be too short and too tight.

[snagzie]

Yeah my size 10 helds were a bit tight at first but have stretched considerably such that they're perfect now (maybe 200 miles?)

Held SR-X kangaroo leather btw

Edited by snagzie on Tuesday 22 September 09:59

[black-k1]

I have used Held gloves for about the last 10 to 12 years because they make gloves with long fingers so they actually fit me. I've not noticed any significant "give" in the gloves I've used.

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

I'd only ever buy gloves that fit from the off. They're such an important thing to get right regarding confidence.

[MajorMantra]

I'd imagine leather gloves will break in a bit, but if they're mostly synthetic material they probably won't.

[_Neal_]

Alex@POD said:

Have you tried them on the bike for a short ride? I had a pair of gloves which fitted fine in the shop, they were almost a perfect fit, but after riding a while the fingers proved to be too short and too tight.

Definitely this - I've had exactly the same thing, and have bought and returned multiple pairs of gloves during lockdown for that reason (and also because sizing varies substantially between brands).

I think holding the bars in your normal riding posture puts the gloves/fingers in a different position, and it's very hard to simulate that other than on the bike.

[Mr Dendrite]

I struggle with getting gloves To fit well as my palms are longer than my fingers, usually if the glove palm fits the fingers are too long and if the fingers fit the palms are way to short. The one make that always seems to be a good fit for me is Knox. Maybe worth a try for you from your description. I agree that if gloves don’t feel right from the start they’re usually the wrong choice!

[Iminquarantine]

I tried the size 9s sitting on the bike and I think they are too small, as you have to curl your hands to fit the bars so that makes the gloves tighter. The size 10s feel great, except the fingers are too long. Maybe I just need to return both and get something that fits better.

[NITO]

I have this a lot as I'm kind of between 9 and 10.

Usually I end up with 9, they felt a bit tight to begin and a pain to take on and off at first but in very little time they fit like a glove

10's usually are a little baggy at the ends of the finger, whereas the 9 breaks in and moulds perfectly to your hand, the 10 can't shrink and leather is very forgiving anyway.

On a seperate note, Held are a fabulous brand, I bought a race suit this year, I've always gone with Dainese or Furygan for jackets and gloves, but Held is another level I'd say, very very pleased with the quality!!

[Cestrian]

Personally i'd go with the larger pair, based on what's is comfortable now rather than what might be comfortable in a few months time. Also another consideration, coming up to winter, is a larger pair will allow you to wear inner gloves for extra insulation. I wear silk walking inner gloves in the winter.

[LookAtMyCat]

You can't overthink gloves. They're a pain in the arse and to this day I still don't have a pair I fully like the fit on. Either they're too tight, or too short/long in the fingers. I've got 6 pairs.