Running is a great physical activity for gaining fitness. If you want to remain healthy for a long time, running can be a great way to monitor your health. It is a great way to ensure that you start the day with full energy and enthusiasm.
You don’t need loads of equipment to run and that is a part of its draw. But to make your experience more enjoyable, there are some running gear you can use. Running gloves being one of them. We touched on running gear for both men and for women that looked at others.
Running in the winter can be a great way to shrug off the cold. But running with cold hands can be a major obstacle in your road to fitness. It can be very hard to work up your speed when the cold is getting on your nerves. I know that I personally don’t have great blood circulation in my hands and so this was a serious thorn in my backside.
With a pair of good running gloves, you can focus on your legs and forget about any other problem. Running gloves have many uses and are a must if you are running in winter.
So, let us have a look at the reason as to what are running gloves for? After reading this article, we are pretty sure that you would be donning a pair yourself in no time.
Uses Of Running Gloves
Running gloves protect you from extreme temperatures. That is their basic and most desired function. They keep your fingers warm while allowing them to retain their mobility at the same time.
If you haven’t experienced it before, you may be painfully surprised when your hands get cold even when the temperatures are not as low. Running gloves help you to keep all your focus on your running
Running gloves also help you maintain proper hand form while running. The most instinctive form while running in the cold, is to close your hands and make a fist. This is not a good idea.
Running with your hands slightly open (as though you were running with an egg in your hand) and arms swinging along side you, is how you can get the best out of a running session. A pair of good running gloves will help you achieve that.
Your fingers, as they are small and distant from your heart, are more prone to get chilled during the running sessions in winter. Your body wants to preserve blood around the most vital organs, that is why it has to take the blood away from your fingers.
This leaves them more susceptible to cold than any other organ. So, if it is less than 45 F degrees (7 C degrees), you should wear a thin pair of gloves. If it is less than 40 F degrees (4 C degrees), you may need an insulated or thermal pair.
You can keep your hands feeling toasty by slipping on a pair of good quality running gloves. They will have enough warmth to allow you to aim for longer distances.
You can stop worrying about the dropping temperature and keep up with your running streak even in the harsh months of winter. A pair of good quality durable running gloves will help you run long miles without a worry in the world.
Types Of Running Gloves
Running gloves come in different sizes. They are also made to cater for the needs of different kinds of runners. Depending up on your running category, you can choose the running gloves which suit you the most. There are running gloves for men, women, special gloves for tech savvy runners, gloves to be worn in winters and many more. You can choose the type of gloves that caters to your needs.
- Best overall for men- These would be the gloves that can be extended till your wrists. These gloves will provide full coverage of your hands and keep you warm while you go out, running for longer distances. You can choose different fabric as per your whim.
- Best overall for women- There are many new kinds of gloves which have conductive fabric on the thumb and fingers. This allows you to use your smartphone easily if the need arises. You can use any touch screen devices while running, if you wear these gloves.
- Best budget gloves- These are the gloves which would fit in perfectly with you budget and provide your hands, the warmth they deserve. You can run for as long as you want, when you put on these gloves.
- Best light weight running gloves- Many a times, it so happens that your palms are sweaty and the gloves feel more like a commodity than an asset. But using running gloves for conditions such as these, you can have a good run without worrying about your gloves getting wet. You can easily buy such gloves on a local shop or order them online.
- Best for rain- There are many running gloves available nowadays that are made keeping in mind, their use in the rain. These gloves are made in such a fashion that the runners have no discomfort while using them in the rain. They are seam sealed to keep out the wind and water. Yet they are stretchy for providing the perfect comfort.
These are different kinds of running gloves that you can use while running. They are specially designed to cater to the needs of the runners and help them in running for longer periods of time. These running gloves will be a great asset to you when you are out there, running full throttle. You can choose different gloves for different occasions. It is never a bad idea to have too much of a good thing.
How To Choose The Best Running Gloves
Another question that a runner should ask themselves before buying running gloves is – What exactly is it that I am looking for? You should know what your needs are and how the running gloves that you buy, can help you with them.
You should have a clear cut criteria set in your mind that can help you pick up the best running gloves that you would be needing. So, let us have a look at the things to be kept in mind while buying running gloves for your next run.
The material of the running gloves
Running gloves can be made from different materials. Each with its own set of benefits to offer. The most commonly used materials are – Polyester, Acrylic, Fleece and Polypropylene.
A glove with polyester has high breathability and huge sweat-wicking potential. They are comfortable to maintain warmth but do not provide protection in the rain.
Acrylic gloves are also warm and stretchy but do not offer any protection in the rain.
Fleece gloves are super cozy but do not have much to offer in terms of sweat-wicking.
Polypropylene gloves offer wind and water resistance and are used by most runners.
Thickness
Running gloves are thick on the back side of the hand to provide more warmth. The area at the palm of the hand features a thinner mesh fabric to allow breathability.
Warmth
Whether the hands are warm also depends a lot up on the runner’s fitness and circulation. Some runners need a pair of running gloves throughout the length of their run.
While there are many who will have to take the gloves out and stuff them in the back of their pocket. Gloves with liners provide the most warmth. Choosing running gloves on the basis of the warmth they provide is absolutely critical.
Seasonality
Gloves can be worm year round, though they are not recommended in summer season. In fall and winters are the best choice. It is safe to skip the liners in spring. It is also a good idea to go for gloves with water proofing in the rainy season.
Weight
While this might not seem to be a big deal, the weight of the gloves should also be kept in mind while buying a pair. Always aim for lightweight running gloves that won’t hinder you while you go out. Most running gloves nowadays are made with fabric that is pretty light.
These are some of the uses of running gloves, and the criteria that should be kept in mind while buying a pair. Running gloves can be a great asset to you while you continue your running streak. Having them on while running in the winters would help you cover longer distances without worrying about your hands. So, buy a good pair of running gloves- and go running!
