Shrinking gloves in the cold? Remedy?

["Dangerous" Dan K]

This last weekend was cold, obviously. I could barely move my hands in my gloves, and it sucked. Testing them now in my bedroom, where they've been sitting since Monday night, they fit like normal which is snug but not restrictive to ride. I could handle them being a HAIR bigger, so the cold thing wasn't an issue, but no way do I want them a full size bigger.

They are many years old. Will the wearing wet trick stretch them any? Anything at all I can do, or should I just accept that when it's miserably cold they will be a little too tight?

They're god-knows-how-old, crashed many times, god-knows-how-many-owners Held Phantoms, if that makes any difference.

Yeah, yeah, too much and my hands got bigger. Now that we have that out of the way, any constructive input would be appreciated.

[KB]

I work chamois butter into my gloves about 6 times a year.

Yes CHAMOIS BUTTER used for cycling. It's got a high concentration on Lanolin in it and keeps the leather buttery soft.

I have a pair of deathrage gloves that are almost 10 years ols. Still like brand new!

["Dangerous" Dan K]

I work chamois butter into my gloves about 6 times a year.

Yes CHAMOIS BUTTER used for cycling. It's got a high concentration on Lanolin in it and keeps the leather buttery soft.

I have a pair of deathrage gloves that are almost 10 years ols. Still like brand new!

Thanks KB! As a cyclist, I'm familiar with the chamois butter even if I don't use it. Do you think this may help with my cold weather fit issue, or is this just a way to keep them in better shape? I'm assuming that you find this works better than leather conditioner?

To be honest I've never done anything with these gloves other than wear them or leave them on a table waiting for the next weekend. Between races they may live on the bike or a bench in the garage. I suppose ANY TLC would be beneficial.

[The Snowman]

It's not that the gloves shrink. It's when your hands get cold, they swell.

Well, maybe it's both. I tried to get my gloves in front of the space heater we had before I went out onto the track.

[camhabib]

It's not that the gloves shrink. It's when your hands get cold, they swell.

Unless I'm mistaken, cold reduces swelling. The skin, in an attempt to retain heat, closes many of the capillary beds, allowing less blood to come into contact with the cold, and thereby less blood in the skin. They may feel swollen from the lack of sensation, similar to how novocain during dental procedures gives the impression of a fat lip.

Leather does get a bit stiffer with the colder temps. Maybe it's not any smaller, just less able to give and take extra material where it's needed.

[slammp]

lots of things shrink in the cold - perhaps they're foreskin leather??

[xrocket21]

if the glove dont fit, you must acquit