Gloves with no padding / unpadded glove
#1
.
Thread Starter
Gloves with no padding / unpadded glove
This thread is several years old, now, so I figured it’s time for a new one.
I hate padded gloves. The padding never sits where I want it and ends up just being uncomfortable. I want something to give my sweaty hands a little extra grip and to wipe the snot and sweat off my face.
Recently, I bought a pair of Giro Zero CS gloves. I love them: they’re thin, breathable, wick moisture, cool, WHITE (see: cool), and they are completely UNPADDED! But, they’re already starting to fall apart. Based on the reviews I’ve read, this seems to be a common issue with this glove.
So, I’m looking for recommendations. An UNPADDED glove made of a thin material that is available in white or a light color. Must have some kind of terry cloth or similar snot absorber on the thumbs. Something than won’t fall apart in two months is a huge plus.
I hate padded gloves. The padding never sits where I want it and ends up just being uncomfortable. I want something to give my sweaty hands a little extra grip and to wipe the snot and sweat off my face.
Recently, I bought a pair of Giro Zero CS gloves. I love them: they’re thin, breathable, wick moisture, cool, WHITE (see: cool), and they are completely UNPADDED! But, they’re already starting to fall apart. Based on the reviews I’ve read, this seems to be a common issue with this glove.
So, I’m looking for recommendations. An UNPADDED glove made of a thin material that is available in white or a light color. Must have some kind of terry cloth or similar snot absorber on the thumbs. Something than won’t fall apart in two months is a huge plus.
#2
Member
I've had really good luck with Pedal Industries gloves. Very light and for me, have lasted 2 seasons. Good Luck
Pedal Industries Gloves
Pedal Industries Gloves
#3
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,613
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times
in
997 Posts
Maybe at your local Trek store?
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...glove/p/22779/
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...glove/p/22779/
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,436 Times
in
4,663 Posts
They're not cheap and I haven't used them, but the Rapha Pro Team Mitts fill the bill - https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/shop/m...uct/PTM07XXDGN
I do have some of the full-fingered Classic Gloves - they do have some minimal padding, but they're awesome.
I do have some of the full-fingered Classic Gloves - they do have some minimal padding, but they're awesome.
#6
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Golf cloves. Cut the fingers off yourself (unless you want full-finger gloves).
Dan
Dan
Likes For _ForceD_:
Likes For noodle soup:
#8
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,662
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10247 Post(s)
Liked 11,601 Times
in
5,946 Posts
I know from my own recent experience that unpadded gloves are hard to find, and paradoxically, more expensive than the overpadded kind that I actually find CAUSE numbing, for me anyway. I spent the last few days checking every online bike store I could think of, going through every glove maker, and unpadded gloves these days are like hen's teeth. Louis Garneau doesn't seem to make unpadded gloves anymore, for example. Everything's got gel these days.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
Likes For genejockey:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,922
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,882 Times
in
998 Posts
[QUOTE=genejockey;21599146]I love these, and in fact just ordered two more pair, because during the Pandemic we're prohibited from spitting or snot-rocketing on rides, so I need to switch off and not wear the same pair all week. However, the OP mentioned that's what he has now and they're falling apart, so he wanted suggestions for other gloves./QUOTE]I've had a totally different experience with these gloves. I even machine wash and dry them weekly, and they have about 14k miles of use.
#11
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,662
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10247 Post(s)
Liked 11,601 Times
in
5,946 Posts
[QUOTE=noodle soup;21599385]
Yeah, so far mine seem to be holding up okay, though there is a seam splitting where the thumb joins the back. Not enough to stop me wearing them!
I love these, and in fact just ordered two more pair, because during the Pandemic we're prohibited from spitting or snot-rocketing on rides, so I need to switch off and not wear the same pair all week. However, the OP mentioned that's what he has now and they're falling apart, so he wanted suggestions for other gloves./QUOTE]I've had a totally different experience with these gloves. I even machine wash and dry them weekly, and they have about 14k miles of use.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#12
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,501
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times
in
1,369 Posts
I've been using Bontrager RXL for long hot rides, but they're not made anymore. The replacement seems to be their Volocis: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...olorCode=black
My RXLs are great gloves, have held up very well.
My RXLs are great gloves, have held up very well.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#13
Non omnino gravis
Have been browsing for decent unpadded gloves for several months now, as my old Giro Zeroes, Zero CS, etc. are all pretty much worn out and/or falling apart.
#14
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,662
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10247 Post(s)
Liked 11,601 Times
in
5,946 Posts
Nice to know I'm not alone in liking gloves with no padding!
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,501
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 42 Times
in
22 Posts
I stumbled on some Craft summer gloves at one time and loved them. They are thin with minimal padding and are very well built. I can wear a pair of these for several years even with washing machine cleaning regularly. I eventually saw that eBay had a bunch of the best Craft gloves from the Novo Nordisc cycling team for sale at a reduced price. I have stocked on these for my future use. I couldn't care less if they have the team logo on them. They sell multiple sizes.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2017-Mens-Craft-Team-Novo-Nordisk-Tresiba-EBC-Summer-Gloves-White-Size-XL/192863467715?hash=item2ce78ef8c3:gC8AAOSwt8JZ3fns
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2017-Mens-Craft-Team-Novo-Nordisk-Tresiba-EBC-Summer-Gloves-White-Size-XL/192863467715?hash=item2ce78ef8c3:gC8AAOSwt8JZ3fns
Likes For jrobe:
#16
Senior Member
Specialized GRAIL gloves have very little padding, almost none . . . and they're not expensive, I think I paid about $30.
I've had them over 3 years and they're in great shape. I don't wear them for every ride, but really happy with them.
I've had them over 3 years and they're in great shape. I don't wear them for every ride, but really happy with them.
#17
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times
in
1,798 Posts
I've gotten good wear from the Giro Zero CS gloves after more than a year of a lot of use. A frayed hem that I could have stopped if I wasn't so lazy and caught the loose thread earlier. But nothing serious. The hi-vis yellow wrist faded to white, which suits me anyway. I'm surprised they lasted this long. They seemed flimsy when I bought 'em for half price at the LBS -- I forget if it was a demo, or because nobody really likes hi-vis yellow anything. They'll probably last another year.
Ditto, Bontrager RXL. Little or no padding, just a tough material on the contact surface. Really durable. The full finger RXL Thermal gloves were great, too bad they discontinued them. Maybe too well made and nobody needed replacements. Mine are going on five years of regular wear, including some sliding falls with minimal abrasion to the palm.
But I might order a pair of those PI Pro Aero gloves too. I just want the little added grip when my hands are sweaty, I don't need the padding. I use "cork" foam wrap on one bike, and Arundel Synth Gecko grippy rubber wrap on the other.
Ditto, Bontrager RXL. Little or no padding, just a tough material on the contact surface. Really durable. The full finger RXL Thermal gloves were great, too bad they discontinued them. Maybe too well made and nobody needed replacements. Mine are going on five years of regular wear, including some sliding falls with minimal abrasion to the palm.
But I might order a pair of those PI Pro Aero gloves too. I just want the little added grip when my hands are sweaty, I don't need the padding. I use "cork" foam wrap on one bike, and Arundel Synth Gecko grippy rubber wrap on the other.
#18
.
Thread Starter
Thanks for the suggestions. Interesting that y’all have had better luck with the Giro gloves. Only one of mine has an issue so perhaps it’s defective. I’ll check with Giro about a warranty replacement.
Someone suggested the Specialized Grail glove. I tried it, really liked it, but the padding in the palm bunched up after one ride. Reading online, it seems they used to stitch the padding in place but have since moved to a cheaper adhesive method which doesn’t seem to work too well. I contacted Specialized about my issue and what my research showed, they basically told me, “sucks, feel free to return them.”
I like the Pearl Izumi. I’ll check those out if I don’t have any luck with Giro.
Someone suggested the Specialized Grail glove. I tried it, really liked it, but the padding in the palm bunched up after one ride. Reading online, it seems they used to stitch the padding in place but have since moved to a cheaper adhesive method which doesn’t seem to work too well. I contacted Specialized about my issue and what my research showed, they basically told me, “sucks, feel free to return them.”
I like the Pearl Izumi. I’ll check those out if I don’t have any luck with Giro.
#19
Member
I’m also looking for non padded gloves. In warmer months I usually ride without gloves but sometimes on longer rides they’re nice to have. I’ve been eyeing the Castelli Competizione gloves, another one to add to the list here.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Castelli Aero Race gloves. No velcro either, so that’s a double bonus for me.
Likes For caloso:
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,830
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 128 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4745 Post(s)
Liked 3,861 Times
in
2,510 Posts
I keep my eyes out for unpadded long fingered gloves for fix gear mountain riding. (For protection for my fingers under the brake levers when I am pulling hard, maybe for miles.) Good thing is that I am not fussy about color. The MTB crowd uses exactly what I need. I've used the Dankines and Giants and can say both are good gloves. Sometimes I see black but they are usually camouflage.
Likes For noodle soup:
Likes For blacknbluebikes:
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Claremont, CA
Posts: 69
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL5 Comp Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 36 Times
in
13 Posts
I second these gloves. I don't like gloves with padding either, and these were a nice inexpensive compromise. Padding is very light and is not intrusive.