Gloves
Used road cycling gloves on Cranxs come from private sellers across the UK, in short-finger mitts and full-finger winter pairs. Gloves are one of the few kit items where a second-hand buy is easy to judge, because the palm tells you most of what you need to know before you commit.
Mitts or full-finger gloves?
Short-finger mitts are the summer default: they pad the palm, save your hands in a slide, and leave you plenty of feel at the levers. Full-finger gloves come in two very different weights, and they are not substitutes for each other. Thin autumn gloves have a windproof back and grippy fingertips; insulated winter gloves are built to keep working around freezing point and are far too warm in April. Most riders end up owning both rather than one pair that half-suits every month.
How much palm padding do I want?
Padding comes either as gel inserts or as closed-cell foam. Gel feels plush on the first ride but can shift under load, while foam is thinner and holds its shape for longer. Placement matters more than volume: pressure on the outer edge of the palm is what causes numbness in the ring and little fingers, so look for padding sited around that area rather than a thick pad in the middle. If your hands still go numb, bar tape and riding position deserve as much attention as the gloves do.
What size should I buy?
Glove sizing is based on the circumference of your palm just below the knuckles, measured with a tape and excluding the thumb. They should sit snug with no bunched fabric across the palm, because a loose glove folds under your hand and creates a pressure point of its own. Sizes vary noticeably between brands, so ask the seller for the measurement rather than trusting the letter on the label.
What should I check buying used?
Turn the palm over first: thinning fabric, flattened padding and worn stitching between thumb and forefinger all point to a pair near the end of its life. Scuffing on the heel of the hand usually means a crash, which is fine if the seams held but worth asking about. Check the wrist closure still grips properly, and that any touchscreen fingertip panels have not worn through, as that coating is always the first thing to go.
What else should I buy alongside gloves?
Gloves only really matter when something goes wrong, and they are rarely the only gap in a winter kit list. Cycling eyewear keeps grit and spray out of your eyes on the same wet roads, while reflective gear handles the visibility side of dark commutes. Both sit alongside gloves in the wider road protection listings.