Repechage's reason is a good one, but not why I always wear gloves. Handy to have on if you fall, for sure, and I do tend to reach down and rub my fingers on the tires, despite the fact that I usually have a set of tire savers mounted.

The main reason I wear padded gloves is road shock. A lot of road shock is transported up through the fork into one's hands on a "racing" bike. I find that gloves lessen the shock and help to alleviate damage to the Ulnar nerve, which I had trouble with back in the days when I used to do lots of miles. Now, gloves are just habit more than anything else, I guess. I feel naked without them.

On the Newbaum's, two reasons I like it. It is made from a much more substantial and thicker weave than other cotton tape, and it is longer than any of the European brands.

Ever run out of Tressostar within one inch of finishing your wrap? Argh.