Answer "Fall Line XC" Gloves

I have a confession to make: I don't really like cycling gloves. Well, it isn't that I don't like to wear gloves while cycling. No, please understand, I don't like gloves designed specifically for cycling.

You see, they generally are very uncomfortable, hard to get on and off, and usually make my hands go numb. That is why for years I have been using work gloves, or casual winter gloves for cycling. Maybe some actual two wheeled motorsport gloves, once in awhile, but mostly I have worn and employed "civilian" hand attire. It was almost always more comfortable, and almost without a doubt much cheaper to buy.

The Answer Fall Line XC Gloves are going a long way to converting me over though. I recently was sent a pair, via Grannygear, and found that there were a few things I liked right away, and a couple of things I found out I liked after a few rides.

Answer isn't any stranger to apparel, and they have done gloves for years. So, it isn't something they've just jumped into. The design of the "Fall Line XC" gloves shows they have done their homework too.

Following are the features Answer has packed into these gloves. Afterward, I'll give my impressions on the gloves with some more fine details.

Curved palm

• Comfort, reduced hand fatigue

Silicone palm graphic

• Non slip grip

2-Way stretch nylon

• Breathable, durable, comfortable

Okay, pretty simple, but there is more. I always can pretty much tell you within 30 seconds if I will remotely like a pair of gloves, or if I will eternally hate them. Well, "hate" may be a bit harsh, but.... I simply pull them on, and flex my hands, grip, and release. The Fall Line XC's passed with flying colors. First, I think Answer has given these a generous fit. I usually wear a "Large" in most gloves, and the Answer Fall Line XC's are not tight against the skin, but don't bunch up either. They are sewn into a very "cycling friendly" shape that Answer calls "Curved palm". While the palm is curved, the two way stretch fabric works with your hand to perform most cycling duties really well. Like shifting, wiping your nose, or, well....gripping the handle bars. Just a few minor things, really!

But maybe the biggest thing for me is the wrist opening. It isn't made with a Velcro closure, like a lot of gloves have, but rather the glove is split slightly at the inside of the wrist and held together with some stretchy, elastic material that isn't too tight on the skin. In fact, it is what I would term as "comfortably loose". That's a big deal for me, because wrist sections on most gloves make my hands go numb. In fact, I usually don't use Velcro closures, preferring to leave the ends undone.

I should add that the wrist section is stretchy, and short. It doesn't come down far on the wrist anyway, thus enhancing comfort and breathability to some degree. Speaking of "breathabilty", I was concerned upon talking with Grannygear that these wouldn't work well for me in the hot, humid weather which we are headed straight for here in the Mid-West. Well, my fears were not allayed when I layed eyes, and hands, on these gloves either. They have a very "Mechanix"-like look and thickness to them. I have often used those automotive gloves as cycling gloves, and while they are comfortable enough, they are very hot! Not so with these Fall Line XC's. They are not going to give your hands that "skin in the breeze" feel, but they are not stifling either. Sweat gets absorbed into these, and not contained within, so the fabric has a modicum of wicking that does okay for me. It may not suit those who have to have the coolest mitts though.

The business end of these have a silicone logo that is repeated several times across the inner figers and palm. The grip provided is excellent. The curvature of the glove's construction also enhances grip by avoiding bunching up in any way. Very nicely executed desgn here.

The overall construction of the gloves is a bit of a negative, as I noticed a few places where threading was not clipped back and was fraying a tad, but otherwise, these look like they would do okay in the longevity department. Everything else about the construction and look was very good.

I like the generous terry cloth patch on the back of the thumb area, and the little logoed rubberized grippers were placed just right for pulling on these gloves. Taking the gloves off isn't a huge chore either, so I was pleased to find that out.

MSRP on these is $30.00, street prices are running 5-7 dollars less than that. The Fall Line XC comes in seven different colors and is available in most bike shops or from online retailers.

I'll keep on riding with these and report back with my thoughts on their long term use later.

Grannygear's impressions:

I began with a set of size LG just like GT, but found that I had a bit too much material and they just slighty bunched up on me.  I am always a LG, so I went to the Answer site and looked at the sizing info.

What I found was I fell right at the border between the Med and the LG sizes with a measurement of '9"'.  So, I requested a Med and that ended up being absolutely perfect.  Kudos to Answer for being so on the mark with sizing.  They do take a bit of hand wiggling to get in past the cuff, but once on, they felt custom fit to me.  I have never seen a sizing chart for gloves before.  Someone obviously put some thought into these things as they are the best fitting and most comfortable gloves I have had.  Not a seam out of place, the curved fit allows the glove to be longer over the top of that hand then at the palm and the end of fingers and thumb sections never press on my fingertips during long DH sections when you are braking hard.  I find them to be good to about the mid 50s in temps and into the 80s just fine.  Over that high temp, I might like a thinner glove but I could still wear these even then.  They have a great snot-wipey section and the rubber grippy material on the fingers seems very effective.  These are a very nice glove so far and have found a permanent place in my gear-bag.