Prendas Ciclismo Deluxe Track Mitts/Summer Gloves

There's nothing fancy about these Italian-made gloves but they do a straightforward job well and they're cheap to boot.

The lowers are hugely breathable polyester mesh with foam padding across much of the palm, the base of the fingers, and the area between the thumb and the forefinger. The padding is low profile and low tech but it has provided enough cushioning to avoid numb fingers throughout testing. You might want deeper padding for extra comfort on long rides.

The textured polyurethane finish over the padded areas adds to the durability and improves grip so your hands won't slip on the bars even in damp conditions, and it hardly affects breathability. I half expected the little dots to start peeling off after a few rides but that hasn't happened at all.

The backs are stretchy polyester/elastane, and although they're not quite as breathable as mesh there's really not much in it; they still let a good amount of air through to keep your hands cool and dry. You also get a large towelling area over the back of the thumb for wiping away sweat.

There's no wrist closure but I prefer it that way; these are stretchy enough to pull on easily and fit snugly without. It also keeps them fuss-free and there's no Velcro to catch on your clothing. Two unobtrusive loops on the fingers make them a cinch to get off too.

As far as sizing goes, I usually take a large but the mediums fitted fine here, so check out the size chart on the Prendas site before you order.

These gloves don't break down any barriers in terms of technology or performance but they're durable, breathable and reasonably well padded. If you want no-nonsense summer mitts and don't want to spend much cash, they do a fine job.

Available in various colours and delivery is free in the UK.

Verdict

Cool and airy summer gloves with reasonable padding at a good price