smontanaro 

Aside from the cheapo Nashbar gloves, are there any short finger cycling gloves available with leather palms and no gel? I have a pair of Diadoras I like, but they are pretty much worn out. All my other gloves (besides themselves being worn out) have gel in the palms which I don't particularly like.

(Apologies for the extra attachments. I can't figure out how to delete accidental uploads...)

Little Darwin

If you like (or can deal with) crocheted backs, chec these out, they work well for me.

Cycling Gloves Natural Cotton Crochet Leather biking glove

southpier

I've used sailing gloves & weight lifting gloves (only crochet backs). gloves don't seem to notice what they're gripping!

AAZ

Not sure if the padding is gel, or if it is simply padding that does not work for you, but these gloves have been great for me at a low cost.

Bontrager Crochet Glove

RaleighSport

I covet a pair of cheapo Bell gloves that fit the bill for what you describe, also have the knitted backhand pattern of course.
Amazon.com : Bell Comfort Mesh Cycling Gloves : Biking Gloves : Sports & Outdoors
apparently the ones I linked have foam in the palms... mine do not.

smontanaro 

Thanks for the suggestions. It hadn't occurred to look outside of cycling for glove options. @AAZ wondered, "... or if it is simply padding that does not work for you ..."

I decided I really don't like any padding. In my experience, no matter how "high tech" the padding or how it's arranged on the palm, it always bunches up somewhere, creating a new set of problems. I don't ride off-road, I try to fiddle my cockpit so the bike fits me, and I ride with a slight bend at the elbow, so don't really need any shock absorption in my palms, even if all I have is cloth tape on the bars. (I will admit to being fond of Cinelli cork tape.) For me, gloves mostly protect my palms from road debris when I reach down to clean crap off my tires. I have a feeling that the gel in most gloves is really a crutch to compensate for ill-fitting bikes and for the "straight arm" riding style that seems prevalent nowadays.

Ex Pres 

I have two pairs without gel, one is a Pearl Izumi, the other the cheapest Bontrager gloves I could find at my local Trek LBS. Fortunately they had one pair, and it was in my size. All their other gloves were gel, so it's possible I was buying the last of that style for them.

EDIT: looking at PI's current glove offerings, I don't see mine, or one similar

RobbieTunes

I agree, and I like gloves with no padding. The fingerless bunch up and still cause numbness, and my favorites are some crotchet-back leather palm off-brando's. I've had good success with full-finger gloves, and just as much with simple woven winter gloves, but they look pretty gnarly in the summer and are hot. Motorcyle gloves can be pricey, but boy, are they nice, and no padding. I had some deerskin versions that I wore for 20 years, on motorcycles and bikes, until they fell apart.

Perhaps batting gloves, weight-lifting gloves, even driving gloves, etc.

BradH

After 21 years in the military I have a never ending supply of nomex flight gloves. For reasons pointed out above the full fingers are nice. No padding, just a leather palm. They make fantastic cycling (and fishing!) gloves. As a bonus, if I ever catch fire riding my bicycle my hands will be safe.

Bianchigirll 

I like the gel but good ones are hard to find. I love the classic look of the crocheted glove but the terry backing is more practical.

1987

Google "cycling mitts"
https://www.google.se/search?q=cycling+mitts&tbm=isch

Henry III

I'm not a huge glove person but I've got two sets of the crochet'd half fingers and I like them. plus their cheap!

1987

I've got a all white leather pair that I bought at the l'Eroica market. Super plain modern copies, they are labeled COR Sport and made in Pakistan. Actually searching for cycling mitts pakistan got several hits at google. Safeway Pakistan: Safeway Gloves

Cor Sports site:
PRODUCTS » Cor Sport

JBHoren

After five years, I just ordered a new pair of these, from Rivendell. Crocheted, leather palms, no gel, and terrycloth thumbs for nose wiping.

1987

Walmart
Chase Ergonomics Decade Classic Motorcycle Gloves, M/L: ATV, Motorcycle, & RV Accessories : Walmart.com

rootboy 

That's a great link AZZ. Had never seen those before. They look fairly well made and, the price sure is right. Thx.

himespau 

Wow, I really don't need a new pair of gloves, but the looks of those crocheted ones really has me thinking.

rootboy 

Not all of them are created equal, of course. I've found good ones, and ones that fall apart rather quickly. But the good ones are more difficult to find these days. At 15 bucks a pair though, I guess they could be considered "disposable". Though I'm still using a set I bought over 20 years ago.

smontanaro 

Cool, thanks. Opens up a wide range of continental options. Wow, those Dromarti mitts (if they are even still available) look awesome, but talk about a stratospheric price!

rumrunn6

classy. those backs look good for sweat, are they?

Little Darwin

They feel just a touch rough, but they do the job. They aren't very absorbent, but the sweat evaporates off them quickly. The other pair someone showed with a terry cloth thumb interest me.

There is one side effect of crocheted gloves... Here is an image of my hand from a few weeks ago (it still looks about the same). I know cyclists always have tan lines, but these are an interesting variation.

etherhuffer 

Avoid Spenco brand gloves. The gather of the fabric is sewn together right between thumb and forefinger. Hurts like Hades when on the hoods. Not a good design at all.

RPK79

I was thinking tan lines the first time I saw those gloves linked. No way would I wear those!

1987

That's the sign of a hero!

repechage

I have bought a few sets on ebay, traditional type. Some sellers describe them as "mitts"