Getting Started
Alright so last month my old gloves got wrecked when I low-sided at like 20mph. Palm stitching just shredded like wet paper. Figured it’s time to test leather vs textile gloves properly this time since my hands ain’t growin’ back.
Dropping Cash First
Went down to Cycle Gear and grabbed two mid-range pairs:
- Textile ones with those squishy gel palm pads
- Leather joints with knuckle armor
Made sure both fit stupid tight – sales dude kept sayin’ “they’ll stretch” but my fingers looked like sausages.
The Break-In Pain
Wore the leather gloves doing weekend errands first. Holy hell – felt like squeezing into concrete boots for my hands. Could barely work the turn signals. Textile gloves? Slapped ’em on and could wipe my ass no problem same minute.
Real Riding Tests
Took both pairs through this madness:
- 90° highway blast for sweaty grip check
- Cold 6am commute with fog so thick I couldn’t see my mirrors
- Poured half my water bottle over my hands at stoplights pretending it’s rain
Gross Discoveries
Textile gloves soaked up water like a damn sponge. Leather ones? Water beaded right off. But three hours into highway riding, my leather gloves felt like microwaved burritos – sweaty as hell inside.
Dumb Safety Test
Grabbed my wife’s cheese grater and “accidentally” brushed both gloves against it. Textile palm got fuzzy strings pullin’ out immediately. Leather? Tiny scuff you gotta squint to see. Pretty clear which one survives pavement better.
The Ugly Truth
Here’s where it gets annoying:
- Textile wins for summer commuting and if you switch bikes constantly
- Leather wins when you actually need protection that doesn’t disintegrate
Ended up keeping both like an idiot. Textile for grocery runs, leather for canyon carving. My wallet’s crying but at least my knuckles aren’t.
