It’s been relatively mild over the last couple of weeks, but us Brits know that a cold snap is just around the corner. This does not mean your bike should be stuck in the shed until March, cold weather should not stop you cycling – you just need the right gear.
In this series of articles, we will be looking at some of the best winter cycling gear on the market; the best place to start is winter cycling gloves.Gloves help to reduce the fatigue you feel when riding in the cold. Winter cycling gloves allow you to use less grip, which helps reduce cramping.
To make it easier for you to choose, here are our favorite gloves for winter cycling:
Contents
Yobenki — Winter Cycling Gloves
These are fleece lined winter gloves that are suitable for a variety of sporting activities and exceptional for cycling. The exterior is also windproof, reducing the amount of cold air reaching your hands while still allowing them to breathe.
Highlights:
-Colors: Black, Carbon Black
-Fabric: Polyester
-Insulation: Fleece
-Weight: 3.5 Ounces (100g)
-Water-resistant: Yes
A water-resistant coating helps light rain, snow, and puddle splashes roll off from the surface of the glove. And an elastic wristband on each glove helps to keep your wrists warm and the gloves in place while you are riding.
The tips of the thumb and index finger on each glove have a special conductive gel coating. This coating allows you to control touchscreen surfaces without having to take the gloves off. There is also a gel coating on the palms to improve your grip and control of the handlebar. When you want to store the gloves, you can use the push clips to ensure that they stay together.
Pros:
- Elasticated fabric.
- Water-resistant and windproof.
- Fleece lining.
- Touchscreen finger pads.
Cons:
- You need to get one size bigger than your standard size.
- Fleece adequate for above freezing.
Elite Cycling Project — Malmo Cycling Gloves
These are soft and comfortable gloves made with materials from specialist 3M. 3M’s Thinsulate lines the gloves to keep your hands warm without padding them out as much as traditional materials. Thinsulate also allows your hands to breathe and keeps them dry while you are exercising.
Highlights:
Colors: Black, High Visibility Green
Fabric: PU
Insulation: 3M Thinsulate Fleece
Weight: 4.9 Ounces (140g)
Water Resistant: Yes
The high visibility reflective coverings on the backs of the gloves use the headlights of oncoming traffic to light up the material. This outer material is also waterproof and windproof, perfect for the all-season cyclist.
Gel pads on the palms and fingers give you a feeling of extreme control and grip in all weather conditions. To keep your wrists warm, the adjustable wide cuffs help to insulate and support some of the strain on your arms. When you start to sweat, you can use the moisture absorbent terry thumb to wipe your brow.
Pros:
- Adjustable wrist strap.
- Waterproof and windproof.
- 3M Thinsulate.
- Gel grips.
Cons:
- The cuffs are tight for some riders.
- These are heavier than most other winter cycling gloves.
VBIGER — Winter Cycling Gloves
Simple to wear and comfortable for all outdoor sporting activities. VBIGER cycling gloves use a composite elastic milk microfiber to give you superior comfort over long riding trips. The cuffs are also elastic, so your wrists are free to move as you turn or change your riding position.
Highlights:
-Colors: Black with a High Visibility Stripe
-Fabric: Spandex and Lycra
-Insulation: Fleece
-Weight: 2.1 Ounces (60g)
-Water Resistant: Yes
To warn oncoming night traffic, there is a reflective white stripe on the rear of each glove. The index fingers of each glove have a conductive coating to allow you to use touchscreen devices while wearing them.
>> Check out our guide to cycling base layers this winter
The palms of each glove also have a silicone grip, as well as on the fingertips, so you can have full control with less effort. This grip also means that you have less chance of dropping your phone if you are trying to use it while cycling. Even though these gloves have a thick fleece lining, the gloves are still lightweight.
Pros:
- Thick fleece lining.
- Elastic cuffs.
- Touchscreen contact points.
- Gel grips.
Cons:
- Non-adjustable wrist cuffs may be tight for some.
- Narrow reflective striping.
FDX Winter Cycling Gloves
These stylish thermal protective gloves from FDX will keep your hands warm and dry while cycling in the winter months. The rears of the gloves are windproof to prevent dead fingers. There is also plenty of reflective printing to get you noticed by oncoming traffic at night.
Highlights:
-Colors: Black with Red, Blue, Yellow, or White
-Fabric: PU
-Insulation: Fleece
-Weight: N/A
-Water Resistant: Yes
There are soft terry towel patches on the back of each thumb, so you can mop the sweat from your brow line. And the index fingers have touchscreen contact patches to allow you to use the gloves without having to remove them.
There are gel grips on the fingers and palms of each glove, so you get to relax your grip a little. The gel also helps to absorb some impacts from the road that travels up to your wrists. The wrist straps are soft rubber with Velcro and easy to adjust while wearing the gloves. A smaller wrist strap also gives you more room to move your wrist and helps to improve circulation.
Pros:
- Reflective striping.
- Warm and comfortable.
- Rubber wrist straps.
- Gel finger and palm grips.
Cons:
- Some devices may not work with the touchscreen material.
- Less insulation than other winter gloves.
Verdict: Which Winter Cycling Gloves are best?
Yobenki’s soft fleece makes a huge difference to winter riding as they are both warm and comfortable. The gel works well to improve the grip in wet and cold conditions. The size is good, though it may depend on the size of your wrist. These gloves are also missing the reflective patches you want for night riding. These are the overall winner.
Elite are fantastic gloves as they are also thick and warm. You can have these gloves with a plain black backing or reflective, so they are good for riding at night. The wide Velcro wrist strap is a little restrictive but easy to adjust.
VBIGER has a subtle reflective strip, which will help, but who knows if it is enough. The gel padding is great for improving grip, and the cuffs are snug and keep your wrists warm. The fleece is also effective, but it does restrict the amount of space for your hands to move.
FDX has the balance right, with a good amount of reflective material on the back and a styling to fit a cyclist’s outfit. The fleece is a good thickness to insulate but not get in the way. Best of all, the palm and finger grips give you an amazing feeling of being a part of the bike.
