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I found the most wonderful pair of ventilated Olympia's w/ gel-padding, shaped to your hand, and very flexible--no binding or cutting off circulation. ~$45 IIRC.
Always leather gloves. I went down once wearing fingerless leather Harley gloves with the gel palm. Ruined the glove palm but absolutely no hand or finger damage. I now usually wear full finger perforated leather gloves and occasionally some new fingerless leather ones. I have some really nice Vanson perforated as well as some cheaper ones. I also have a pair of Fox Creek elkskin gloves that I wear when it is a little cooler and some Tourmaster Winter Elite for when it is really cold. These are new so I have not tried them yet.
If you don't want to spend a lot go to WalMart. They have Decade by Chase Ergonomics and they are surprisingly decent quality. Check their (Chase) website. Fingerless for about $15 and full finger perforated for about $20 or $25. These perfs don't let in as much air as the Vanson but the Vanson list for $79.
I figure that any time I go down my hands are probably going to be the first thing to hit the pavement. Usually the heel or palm of the hand takes the brunt so don't make jokes about those that wear fingerless gloves. They once protected my hands.
I've used Tour Master Mesh gloves for the last 5 + years, but they are wearing out. I just bought a pair of Church Hill Deerskin gloves from Eagle Leather last weekend. Made in Centraila, WA. and have a very nice feel. A little tight across the back of the left hand, but I'm told they will stretch out just fine after a few rides. Verdict still out, but I think I'm going to like them.
After two rides they are strecthed out. I Like 'Em
I have a pair i got from our local Renagade Dealer, deerskin with gel palm, and they've held up for about 5 years now. Of course they are a little faded on the top to where they are almost grey and black on the underside. Bought an extra pair as back up cause i thought for sure they would need replacing because of some finger tip/thump tip wear, but they are still kicking. I use the Fox Creek Elk Gauntlet glove for winter riding. Fox Creek is a little on the high side, but you can't beat the quality or service. I have a leather jacket from them also. To heavy to wear over about 75 degrees but a quality item.
Full fingered deerskin with the gel palm. Also got a heavy gauntlet glove for winter riding. I never ride without gloves even with temps in the 90s. I work in a hospital, xrayed a guy once who went down with no gloves. Road rash plus ground/snapped off several of his fingernails!! Yikes, that was 30 years ago and have not been without gloves since.
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