Review: Handup Gloves

Oct 9, 2018 at 9:19
by Daniel Sapp  
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Eastern Tennessee is home to the western flank of the Appalachian Mountains, bluegrass music, whiskey, and Chattanooga based company Handup Gloves. They've been in the glove business for some time now, developing a strong regional following for their functional and affordable gloves.

They do collaborations and limited runs, with most seeming to be based around a "ride bikes and have a good time" mantra. Their gloves are free of any unnecessary frills, with a mesh back, synthetic leather palm, an elastic cuff, and a $28 USD price tag. There's also a 'Lite' version that's intended for those extra-hot days. Color options range from mild to wild - they're available with everything from flamingo to flannel patterns.

Handup Gloves Details
• Four way stretch mesh back
• Elastic cuff
• Clarino leather palm
• Colors: rotating
• Soft sweat wipe on thumb area
• Sizes: XS-XL
• MSRP: $28 USD
handupgloves.com


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The gloves all have appropriate "stoke signals" on the palms.


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The sweat wipe on the thumb is functional and soft.


Performance

My preference for gloves is for something as simple as possible - no padding and fancy technology required, I want the most basic, minimalist, affordable, and functional gloves I can find that also fit well and don't bunch up while riding. There are options out there but not many tick all of the boxes, especially the "affordable" category.

Handup's gloves hit the mark. They're reasonably priced, comfortable, minimal, don't bunch up, and are easy to pull on and off. The thin design allows your hands to keep a lot of dexterity and doesn't compromise the feel of handlebars or controls. The mesh back keeps things cool when it's hot out, and the soft wipe on the thumb won't scratch your face when you're wiping off sweat or snot. The gloves fit true to size - I wear a medium in almost every glove made and these are no exception.

Ignoring the washing instructions on the tag, I've thrown these gloves in the washing machine and dryer and they're still fine. They've outlasted multiple pairs of more expensive gloves, and the fit has remained consistent. That longevity means I've ended up using the gloves for not just riding but trail building, yard work, and car work, and they've somehow survived it all.



Pinkbike's Take
bigquotesHandup Gloves are my go-to when it comes to a good all-around mountain bike glove, and have been for a number of seasons. It's refreshing to see a product that simply works as it should, is available in a variety of styles, and offers what I consider to be a great value.Daniel Sapp






Author Info:
danielsapp avatar

Member since Jan 18, 2007
476 articles

93 Comments
  • 63 1
 I once asked their rep at an event which was the plainest pair they sold. I've never seen such a cold dead stare. He looked into my soul.
  • 38 2
 But for real. Do like a "Paint it Black" edition or something. I'm way too depressed for all those colors.
  • 1 3
 i have oskar blues ones, they're dope
  • 2 0
 @defineindecline:

Thats why I picked up these( handupgloves.com/handup-gloves/send-it-lite-starry-night ), their basically all blacks. Pretty much my favorite pair of gloves at the moment, they are well made!
  • 58 1
 Pit vipers for your hands!!
  • 2 0
 Gotta love em
  • 3 0
 Nailed it!! Top comment right there.
  • 28 0
 Pretty sure the "sweat wipe" is actually more a snot wipe.
  • 4 0
 depending on season, obvs.
  • 10 0
 Gotta learn the art of the snot rocket, broski.
  • 1 0
 Give that booger a good ole Farmer john!
  • 3 0
 I wipe my ball sweat with them. Last thing i want is my sack getting stuck to my legs while riding
  • 26 2
 Do they do a pair that says “looks like a session”?
  • 20 2
 I wear these when making sex
  • 99 0
 pinned or wide open ?
  • 7 0
 @optimumnotmaximum: hahahahaha, made my day!
  • 20 0
 Use protection or else you'll end up with a CTD on your bike. Trust me, it aint pretty.
  • 4 0
 @Boardlife69: he uses gloves, what more protection do you need?
  • 3 0
 @enej46: knee pads and neck protection?
  • 6 2
 @enej46: Maybe his boyfriend wears a leatt brace to reduce whiplash
  • 3 0
 No glove - no love
  • 4 0
 Does your mate find it odd you yell "Droppin' in!" before love makin?
  • 6 0
 "Pegged"
  • 3 0
 @allthegoodusrnamesaretaken: i ll try the rampage meme: "rider 1 optimumnotmaximum, droppin in" and keep you informed about my wifes reaction
  • 1 0
 @optimumnotmaximum: we'll pray for you. Don't drop in the brown diamond line without telling her first.
  • 12 1
 I really wanted to like these, they are very comfortable and grip well. I had two pair of these, both didn't survive minor crashes, both only lasted a few months, both failed in the webbing between the fingers. They have very good customer support and were willing to help me out on the first pair. After I destroyed the second pair I gave up and switched to Giro Remedy X2 and haven't looked back.
  • 9 0
 Troy Lee Ace 2.0 ftw
  • 1 0
 I bought two pairs of Giro gloves that looked like these (minimalist with no Velcro and a snot wipe) at least 5 years ago. I don’t know where I put one pair, but my other pair still count as gloves (I’d call them fairly destroyed at this point though) after multiple bike park seasons and many many km of pedaling.
  • 2 0
 I've had the opposite experience. I only bought one pair, and the color is so loud I'd like another few pairs to mix it up, but can't justify extra $ while these are holding up so well.
  • 1 0
 @mmoon: Current Giro gloves last maybe a few months for me before tearing at the finger seams. Same with some Specialized gloves that were too expensive and didn't have a snot wiper (WTF?). Seems to be an epidemic right now in the glove world.
  • 2 0
 @dvcpinkbike: Agreed. Hard to beat this and the cheaper troy lee air. One piece palms > everything else.
  • 1 0
 @dvcpinkbike: or AIR gloves, our 2 best bike sellers.
  • 6 1
 I have had mine for almost a year now. When I bought them I was worried about how they would hold up but decided the comfort was worth it even if they only lasted 6 months. Now at 12 months they still look new even with washing them. Either these are going to last longer than any other glove I have owned or I need to ride more.
  • 4 0
 They definitely have the best customer service i will ever experience! I live over seas in Germany, and they were a huge help with getting my first pair. Sadly on the first ride. They ripped. So I contacted them, and they said they will send out a new pair no problem. I also asked if i could size up and they did that without a problem as well! So sick! But when they came they were the wrong colour scheme. Contacted them and they told me to keep them, give them to a buddy or keep them as a spare and they'll ship out the right colour scheme. Beyond stoked with their customer service and hopefully these will last more than one ride!
  • 5 2
 The main thing in gloves is the material on the palm. I fell down from my bike couple of days ago and totally destroyed palm material both on my gloves and handSmile Smile Smile . I gave those gloves to the repairing shop to put extra durable material on palm (price like the new gloves), because all the gloves with light (not hot) upper usually have weak palm material. The gloves I currently use are fox gloves airline. So basically there no difference what gloves to choose for me I will destroy palm material after first fell down and then I would need to give them to the repairing shopSmile Smile Smile
  • 2 0
 FYI to any, there are a lot of gloves you should NOT throw in the dryer as the palm will go from grape to raisin. If you're a rider who gets gloves all the time, you can do that. But if you use the same pair for multiple seasons, dryers will ruin the palm and cause them to break down. Not saying it would happen to these, but also the extensive use of football style glove grip graphics on a HandUp palm will hold some of the material in shape for a while longer, but if it's just straight up synthetic material...you can murder it. More sepcifically, the golf glove style thin stretch palmed styles that fit like a 2nd skin. That being said, gotta get myself a set of the Lumberjack flannel fall gloves from Handup this year before they sell out again.
  • 8 0
 Dryer? Just lay them out or hang them to dry like you do with pads.
  • 2 0
 @Rubberelli: some people get free stuff or buy so often they don't have to worry about care and maintenance. Wink
  • 2 0
 I've thrown my HandUps in the dryer after every ride and I've never had a problem. They seem to hold up really well. I did have a stitch blow out on one pair between the thumb and forefinger, but besides that they've been bombproof. Good value for $28 gloves, and more comfortable than most. I'm interested to try the "lite" version as I do find the regular ones are a bit heavy for summer, even in the Northwest.
  • 1 0
 I have a half dozen or so pair of Handups that I keep in rotation, but I do wash them after every few rides and hang them to dry (just like the rest of my bike gear). Haven't had a pair wear out yet after a couple years of use... and likely hundreds of washings.
  • 4 0
 @Rubberelli: Wait, you can wash bike pads? No wonder no one will go on group rides with me!
  • 3 0
 The first pair I tried was during the Fruita Fat Tire festival during a photoshoot for Compelwear and I instantly fell in love with them....... Best gloves in the bizness handsdown or up......
  • 2 0
 I never heard of these gloves before seeing this review, but I found a place in the uk called - mtb riders ltd that stock them, so I ordered a pair based on the review and readers feedback, hope they fit and last as good as ppl say, thanks PB
  • 4 3
 Best gloves in the game! I've always thought of gloves as a "consumable" like brake pads and chains, it's just something you replace every so often. At $28 and multiple styles, I got a couple pair and they all are holding up really well, even my oldest part that are now dedicated "mechanic's" gloves. Also, Chattanooga is rad AF.
  • 3 2
 Where are these made?
I am done with made in china gloves, they last one season before falling apart...
I have a pair of Santini golves since 2009 that outlasted 6 pairs of various 0.10 cents gloves.... giro, 666, the one, fox you name it...
  • 2 0
 My only complaint with these gloves is the slick rubber graphic on the palms do not have grip when they get wet. Love the gloves but will buy ones without the large 'Meria graphic in the middle next time hahaha
  • 2 0
 I picked up a pair of these gloves a few years back and its the only glove i have used since. Great price, excellent fit and fun designs - What else do you need?
  • 4 0
 I wear mine for spring ski tours, too.
  • 1 0
 100% Brisker winter gloves work great too for touring when temps are a bit too cold for something without insulation.
  • 1 0
 Great vibe and choice with tons of styles. I really tried to like them being a local company. Their signature graphics have a major flaw, they have zero grip when wet from sweat or rain!
  • 1 0
 I have a pair of the 'Merica gloves I use while shooting PRS...they've actually become one of my favorite shooting gloves. The thumbs are wearing out after a year of competing, but they've been great otherwise!
  • 1 0
 I bought my first pair when they came out with the xxs! Pretty excited to have a pair that aren't too long for my hands! The designs are so awesome!
  • 1 1
 nice gloves...

Hi Friends.
V.H.S Enterprises manufacturer and exporter of Cycling Gloves,MTB Gloves and all type of Gloves
www.vhs.com.pk/gloves-/cycling-gloves/1_29_0_0.html
  • 4 2
 All the people in the back, put your handup, now wave them like you just dont care.
  • 2 0
 Looks like my old Sombrio gloves.
  • 3 1
 Love em but they only last 4-6 months for me
  • 1 1
 I need gloves w/ a sweat stopper so all my sweat doesn’t drip down my arms and soak my gloves. My hands are pruning at the end of a ride in the summer
  • 1 1
 Have three pairs, 2 summer 1 winter. Extremely durable, only bought my second pair of summer gloves because of the SMEASH logo. My gloves for life.
  • 1 0
 Their style looks fun. I've been using Dakine gloves for years. Usually get 2-3 seasons out of them. $30.
  • 2 0
 Best gloves in the game
  • 1 0
 like these but DHaRCO has never failed me for gloves
  • 2 2
 Late model 661 raji for half the price on eBay all day long.
  • 1 1
 26 or die / looks like a session
  • 2 4
 I've wanted to try a pair forever, love some of the designs, but can't get past paying for shipping...even though $4.50 isn't horrible (Amazon has ruined me)...
  • 1 0
 I like gloves
  • 1 1
 These are fashion gloves and not much more
  • 1 2
 Hand me downs
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