not using gloves, it hurts more when you crash, especially riding natural or gravely thing. instead of having your hands full of tiny stones, or tearing/ripping/cutting your hands when crashing, you can brush the gloves off and ride away. some times i ride in gloves, some times i don't. depends on how i feel. gloves is good for natty, because you do crash and you do use your hands to break the fall.. and it sucks having cuts in your palms.