Aero gloves can save aero drag and time by making it a closer fitting without having velcro straps flapping in wind. When searching for aero gloves, I struggled to find much choice on internet. There’s obviously not a huge market for aero gloves, but it’s one of those relatively cheap things that is worth doing. It doesn’t have to be exclusively for time trials, there’s no harm saving aerodrag even in road races.
Mavic Aero Gloves
I bought these Mavic aero gloves (size L) from Chain Reaction cycles for £23.99. I have large fingers and slim wrists. They are a tight fit and it’s hard work getting them on and off, but that is what you want – a nice aero fit without anything straggling in the wind. They are also comfortable when riding. The padding is very good and they were a nice fit. In many ways they are a better fit than the standard cycle gloves that I have tried over the years.
I never really considered gloves for their aerodynamic properties, but when I look at the other cycle gloves I have they are quite loose and flap around in wind, especially the velcro strap. Test in wind tunnels that a good aero glove could save 4-5 watts.
Mavic aero gloves at Chain reaction cycles – £24
Giro LTZ Aero/Tri Short Finger Gloves
The Giro LTZ Aero/Tri Short Finger Gloves look to be very similar build and material to the Mavic aero glove, I have not tested these, but will probably do a very similar job.
Smart Aero Gloves
The other ones I considered were the Aero gloves by Smart Technology. Smart Technology work with Drag2Zero on wind tunnel testing. They charge £60 for their gloves. I didn’t want to spend this when I wasn’t sure if they would be any better. I will soon be going for wind tunnel testing so I may get to compare the ones I have with the more aerodynamic ones.
Related
- Gloves at Wiggle
Another choice is Sportful’s gloves. You can find them in Wiggle. I bought the 2010 ones that were on sales. Nice and not difficult to take them off (at least for me).