Winter Gloves

Blonde Cyclist

So, I'm sure this isn't a new topic... (Sorry!) - I suffer from Raynauds which basically means my hands get painfully cold very easily. In the cold it can make training a misery and after last winter I don't want to be in tears on descents again.

So, does anyone have any recommendations for winter gloves that really do keep your hands warm? Is the Assos winter glove system worth it? I have quite small (female hands) so am wary of anything too bulky as I still want to be able to shift gears, break etc.

Thanks!

desweller

The Specialized Sub-Zero gloves are supposed to be pretty good. I have a pair of Sealskinz myself but they do let the cold in after a while. On the plus side they are pretty good at keeping the water out.

fleshtuxedo

Not used them, but I bet Mavic Inferno gloves are incredibly warm if the jacket is anything to go by. I happened to notice they're on sale here:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/m-ma ... aid:441214

neeb

The best solution, if you can put up with it, is mittens - something completely windproof and fur (or faux fur) lined, with a very thin pair of woollen or silk gloves inside. You can get the hang of shifting with mittens on, but it's not easy at first.

crankycrank

Something that works for some people is to wear latex or nitrile surgical gloves under your winter gloves. You'de be surprised at how much warmer your hands will be. Can get a bit clammy but if that doesn't bother you it's cheap and worth trying.

Raffaz

DesWeller wrote:

The Specialized Sub-Zero gloves are supposed to be pretty good. I have a pair of Sealskinz myself but they do let the cold in after a while. On the plus side they are pretty good at keeping the water out.

Ive got a pair of these, i used them all through last winter and i wasnt too impressed. I wouldnt say they are sub zero gloves. My hands got cold after 30 mins riding in 2 or 3 degree temps, and i deal with the cold quite well.

Mick

AussieFatso

Blondie, I get freezing hands too and have found that layering helps. I put thermal ski glove liners on under my Castelli wintergloves which are neoprene.They stay warm. BUT they get sweaty and i have to wash/dry them after each ride -just put them on my heated towel rails overnight.

Raffaz

DesWeller wrote:

The Specialized Sub-Zero gloves are supposed to be pretty good. I have a pair of Sealskinz myself but they do let the cold in after a while. On the plus side they are pretty good at keeping the water out.

Ive got a pair of these, i used them all through last winter and i wasnt too impressed. I wouldnt say they are sub zero gloves. My hands got cold after 30 mins riding in 2 or 3 degree temps, and i deal with the cold quite well.

Mick

meanredspider

I think the Assos system is great. With all three layers on, it takes me down to -11c at least. The lobster gloves are great and the Early Winter middle layer makes a great all-purpose glove.

dbmnk

crankycrank wrote:

Something that works for some people is to wear latex or nitrile surgical gloves under your winter gloves. You'de be surprised at how much warmer your hands will be. Can get a bit clammy but if that doesn't bother you it's cheap and worth trying.

while true, you should be careful of catching a latex allergy. You could also get a rash from sweaty hands.
I suppose a wool liner would be better, and they can be had for the price of a box of nitrils.
Neoprene is not a warm solution on a bike - much better insulation materials are about.
Mittens are the best design concept for keeping warm, but for cycling a lobster-like design is better suited.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=16773341

HamishD

Sealskinz lobsters for me - they are toasty warm - not too bulky at all when shifting/braking with SRAM but much trickier with Shimano because the levers are smaller . . .

racingcondor

I bought some Craft Lobster Mitts last year and find them so warm that I can't wear them above 5 degrees. Lobster gloves do take some getting used to (I tend to change gear and cover the brakes with one finger normally. Not an option in lobsters) but it's worth it.

If you're in London then Condor have them in stock now (£30).

morrisje

The most effective method of keeping your hands warm, or any part of your body for that matter, is layering. I find wearing a thin pair of liner gloves, I use running ones, under a good pair of winter gloves does the trick. Same with feet. Two pairs of any socks works better than one really expensive pair.

petemadoc

Anyone tried these?



http://www.probikekit.com/uk/sealskinz- ... itten.html

MatthewBulmer

Get a pair of proper mountaineering gloves. They are the only things that have managed to keep my hands warm. Needle Sports usually have a good selection.

HamishD

PeteMadoc wrote:

Anyone tried these?



http://www.probikekit.com/uk/sealskinz- ... itten.html

see my reply above

Unclemonty121

I have to say that for the last couple of winters I have been using cheap gloves from Aldi/lidl and decathlon. It takes a while for my hands to warm up but once warm they are toasty for the rest of the ride. I just assumed that was normal with cheaper gloves.

petemadoc

HamishD wrote:

PeteMadoc wrote:

Anyone tried these?



http://www.probikekit.com/uk/sealskinz- ... itten.html

see my reply above

oops

I'm determined to have warm hands and feet this winter. Think I've got the feet sorted with thin socks, then thick walking socks, MTB shoes and two pairs of overshoes.

Fingers are my real problem. All the winter gloves I've tried give me sweaty wrists but the tips of my fingers turn to ice. I'm thinking the above sealskins with a very thin pair underneath.

Also like the idea of mountaineering gloves, made for extreme temperatures but still give you grip and use of your fingers.

petemadoc

Unclemonty121 wrote:

I have to say that for the last couple of winters I have been using cheap gloves from Aldi/lidl and decathlon. It takes a while for my hands to warm up but once warm they are toasty for the rest of the ride. I just assumed that was normal with cheaper gloves.

I bought the Aldi ones the other week for commuting (only 4 miles) This morning my fingers were cold

KnightOfTheLongTights

what i don't understand is why, in Evans / Cycle Surgery anyway, all gloves that have insulation are waterproof - while all the windproof gloves are thin.

All I'm after is a warm windproof glove with some winter insulation ...

bompington

PeteMadoc wrote:

Unclemonty121 wrote:

I have to say that for the last couple of winters I have been using cheap gloves from Aldi/lidl and decathlon. It takes a while for my hands to warm up but once warm they are toasty for the rest of the ride. I just assumed that was normal with cheaper gloves.

I bought the Aldi ones the other week for commuting (only 4 miles) This morning my fingers were cold

Mine weren't, at about 5° and into a headwind - and they aren't with the same gloves down to about -7° or so, which is the lowest I've been out in so far.
Which probably just says that everyone's different. But what I would recommend, whatever your circulation and your gloves are like, is to make sure your hands are warm before you start: my morning commute starts by descending 120m, almost all in one go, so moving fast and not working hard. There's an amazing difference between starting cold and if I have actually made an effort to warm up first.

rjh299

I get really cold hands easily, so in winter I wear some DHB waterproof ones that have a liner inside them, then these ones over the top. They're meant for working in extreme weather conditions but I use them to ride my bike 5 miles to work in the mild Cornish winter! :oops:

giant_man

PeteMadoc wrote:

Unclemonty121 wrote:

I have to say that for the last couple of winters I have been using cheap gloves from Aldi/lidl and decathlon. It takes a while for my hands to warm up but once warm they are toasty for the rest of the ride. I just assumed that was normal with cheaper gloves.

I bought the Aldi ones the other week for commuting (only 4 miles) This morning my fingers were cold

To be fair they are five quid ....

Garry H

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

what i don't understand is why, in Evans / Cycle Surgery anyway, all gloves that have insulation are waterproof - while all the windproof gloves are thin.

All I'm after is a warm windproof glove with some winter insulation ...

Because waterproof material is also windproof...

KnightOfTheLongTights

Garry H wrote:

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

what i don't understand is why, in Evans / Cycle Surgery anyway, all gloves that have insulation are waterproof - while all the windproof gloves are thin.

All I'm after is a warm windproof glove with some winter insulation ...

Because waterproof material is also windproof...

well yes, but that doesn't explain why all windproof gloves have to be thin, with no insulation - many of us don't like waterproof gloves because if you ride your bike fast they overheat and are clammy

hammerite

Specialized Sub zero, they're excellent. Waterproof/windproof outer with a fairly thick inner. I used them as a back up skiing glove last year and they were fine up to -15C for me.

dodgy

Lobster gloves are the only gloves that keep my fingers warm on the coldest days, way better than anything else I've tried. I was so pleased when I discovered them.

Blonde Cyclist

Wow - so much advice, thanks! Its sounds like layers and lobster gloves may be the way forwards and it may be a case of compromising in places... But also interested in the mountaineering gloves too and will investigate some of the other suggestions.

Nuggs

I use Prendas Powerstretch gloves on chilly days and Pearl Izumi Amfib (lobster) gloves when it's freezing. Both a great and highly recommended. Lobster's do take some getting used to but are fantastic at keeping your paws warm.

petemadoc

giant mancp wrote:

PeteMadoc wrote:

Unclemonty121 wrote:

I have to say that for the last couple of winters I have been using cheap gloves from Aldi/lidl and decathlon. It takes a while for my hands to warm up but once warm they are toasty for the rest of the ride. I just assumed that was normal with cheaper gloves.

I bought the Aldi ones the other week for commuting (only 4 miles) This morning my fingers were cold

To be fair they are five quid ....

I'm sure there's a cliché saying here

. . . . erm

you buy cheap you buy again . . . .

no that's not it :?

Oh yeah, I remember now, "don't buy cr4p from Aldi"

Garry H

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

Garry H wrote:

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

what i don't understand is why, in Evans / Cycle Surgery anyway, all gloves that have insulation are waterproof - while all the windproof gloves are thin.

All I'm after is a warm windproof glove with some winter insulation ...

Because waterproof material is also windproof...

well yes, but that doesn't explain why all windproof gloves have to be thin, with no insulation - many of us don't like waterproof gloves because if you ride your bike fast they overheat and are clammy

From a breathability perspective, I can't see much difference between waterproof and windproof, they're both very similar , only one has taped seams. Put some insulation inside a windproof garment and there will be even less (probably no) difference. From a marketing perspective, there would then be no advantage with windproof over waterproof. Therefore, you would need only buy one pair.

The biggest reason that one garment feels "clammier" than another is because of the fabric on the inside.

Also, the insulating fabric will lose a lot of it's insulation if wet and is therfore best served inside a waterproof membrane.

Hope that makes sense.