My first pair of beekeeping gloves were leather hands, thick cotton up the arms, a ventilation gap, and elastic at the arm opening. I had stitched a hole up in them once, and when I saw these gloves on clearance I ordered 2 pairs. I wear XL gloves, and when I first used them they were very, very snug. But, like good leather will do, they loosened up just enough that the second time I used them they fit, as they say, like a glove. And so I appreciate the quality leather. They have no ventilation opening, but what they do have is a combination of elastic and Velcro at the arm opening. This is extremely nice, because I have always had trouble pulling my second glove on over my beekeeping jacket, as the elastic is always getting stuck. With these gloves I open the Velcro, slip both gloves on easily, and then tighten them up with the Velcro strap.
