Pearl Izumi Women's Elite Gel Vent Glove

The Elite Gel Vents are Pearl Izumi's mid-high end cycling mitt, with only the P.R.O Pittards Gel Gloves coming with more bells and whistles, and a higher price tag. At this price they are competing with most of the better featured gloves in the marketplace, short of tackling the specialist, handmade and race arenas.

These are good looking gloves, with a pleasing choice of two attractive but not overly girly colours and some swirly patterns to cheer things up a bit. The overall effect though isn't too in your face, and should keep most women happy. These are fully featured gloves, with complex gel pads to protect the ulnar and median nerves, mesh vented synthetic leather palms, mesh fabric backs to keep ventilation to a max, a soft nose wipe and a tab to pull on to help get the gloves off more easily. The fastening at the wrist is Velcro and there's a reflective logo on each index finger.

When riding, they are very comfortable indeed, with just the right amount of padding and really well located protection for the nerves. They are grippy enough, well ventilated and don't let your hands get too sticky, and would happily suit energetic riding throughout the spring, summer and early autumn. They're definitely better suited to warmer temperatures though. Sizing is pretty much spot on, with the mediums being very, well, medium.

It's hard to find fault with a pair of really comfortable riding mitts at this price. The quality isn't entirely 100%, with some of the stitching at the fingers on the pair I tried threatening to start the unraveling process within a few rides, but they're made from such light meshy fabric that that's not too surprising, and pretty easily fixed.

Verdict

Comfortable, good value for money, warm weather riding mitt. Available in men's version too.