Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: GusGF on 10 January, 2021, 01:28:04 am
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I've looking for a pair of gloves for around £50 which will do the job of keeping my hands warm on early morning rides where temperatures will be just below 0°C. I've had a look on Amazon and there is plenty of Chinese garbage for around £15-28 and incidentally if you use a Chrome plugin called Keepa (Amazon historical price tracking) you will see a lot of sellers have upped their prices for the cold spell. So often £17 gloves will be now £25.
Anyways I've also looked at bike site reviews for winter gloves and can't find anything that will reliably do the job for the £50 bracket unless one wants to fork out another £30-40. I've looked at recommendations and looked at reviews only to find most hit the dust when ridden at the temps we're getting now. I'm not too bothered about if they are waterproof or not warmth is the key goal. I can always coat them with something like Fabsil and couldn't care less if they come with silicone inserts and prefer if they didn't.
What I've also noticed is when looking at local reviews on Amazon for winter gloves how many of the reviews are dated back to September 2020!!! Weren't we having a bit of a hot spell then :facepalm: Jeff Bezos :demon: wants your money
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I've found Altura Night Vision gloves perfectly adequate down to just sub-zero temps. If it's much colder than that then a pair of thin silk liners paired with the Night Vision sorts me out.
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Warmest gloves I’ve worn are Bontrager Lobster claws a cross between a glove an a mitten.
Alternatively you could try hotpog pogies which are insulated shield that mount on the bars and you can wear lighter gloves underneath.
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Depends on your hands. Ditto feet. Some people seem to feel it more.
Gloves are a perennial problem, along with overshoes, in that they are the one piece of kit that never fully delivers. They always seem compromised by something. Pain in the arse. I got a pair of Rapha Deep Winter gloves 2 years ago from Chain Reaction. They were the 2016 model and they have proved excellent. The only problem for you is thay if you buy them now they are £140 which is outrageous. I paid £44.
I can't offer any advice other than but something that looks like a ski glove. I don't think you can avoid the bulkiness if you want dry warm hands.
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I've generally got on better with layering rather than one pair of very thick gloves. I'm currently using Dissent 133, which is a system with four pairs - liner, warm layer, windproof and waterproof overgloves. It's probably as good as anything else I've used.
Warm hands is not only about gloves though - keeping core temperature up is also important (and more so if you have Reynauds).
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Whichever gloves you go for - get a pair of very thin silk gloves to wear as inners - makes an amazing difference to warmth
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We never got on terribly well with layering - I say 'we' as it's Mr Smith's hands controlling the bike I'm on!
If you have big hands then you may struggle to get gloves big enough to layer successfully.
I paid a lot of money for his gloves (there's an old thread somewhere describing which models I went for) but not Rapha money - that's ridiculous.
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I ordered a pair of Buffalo Mitts yesterday as I suffer greatly from dreaded painful white knuckle cold hands - £44 inc post (as mentioned by quixoticgeek on page 8 in the e-scooter trail thread)
https://www.silvermans.co.uk/products/buffalo-mitts?variant=19774613749814
Will report back in a few days.
I don't use STi or Ergo levers and have up until now been using cheap PlanetX lobster gloves (have tried using with thin liners too - however the PX design isn't really compatible with separate liners, as they already have one built in and an extra liner gets all caught up!). They work ok-ish until hands get sweaty and then cool down considerably - probably takes <an hour, depending on how low outside temp/wind/rain etc
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You might also look at industrial gloves. I had a pair given to me when I temporarily worked in a warehouse cold store, it had to be freezing for them to be comfortable on the bike, lasted well till last year. Couldn't find anything that looked identical, but I've ordered a couple of other pairs from here to try
https://www.safetygloves.co.uk/freezer-gloves.html?scroll=1800
I already have a good selection of gloves, my favourites tend to only cover a narrow range of conditions, it's those that claim otherwise that have been most disappointing, I may take three pairs if I'm out all day and it's changeable.
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I’ve got a pair of Castelli Extreme something or other - they were 80 quid and are good in cold, but less so in sustained rain. I’ve some older waterproof gloves that I layer for that.
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I've never tried pogies (bar mitts) for cycling but back when I had a motorbike, they made far more difference, and far more cheaply, than any pair of gloves. I think it's basically because they act as a windshield and allow your hands to create their own little microclimate. So if you can get some that fit on drop bars and allow control of brakes and shifters (if you're using flat bars it's easy) I'd try those.
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I really suffer with cold extremities, and I haven't found a clothing solution to it. I've taken to using chemical warming pads if I'm going to go out and ride a decent distance in winter. They're a waste for a short ride, as they last for ages once activated. I do do the layering thing, and I use Altura Night Vision gloves as recommended above, but they aren't enough - for me - on their own.
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Whichever gloves you go for - get a pair of very thin silk gloves to wear as inners - makes an amazing difference to warmth
Silk liners never worked for me.
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I use DeFeet wool or coolmax gloves under MTB gloves when I remember it's cold enough to want an extra layer over the fingers.
I've always found proper winter thick gloves compromise my ability to operate the controls far too much, even more than forgetting it's cold enough and using the DeFeets under Mitts and having my fingertips near frozen off.
Also means I can still operate a camera ;D
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Like TinC I get cold extremities. This winter I’ve splashed out. For gloves GripGrab Optimus for a 5 fingered version, ok down to freezing for me with liners. That lot was £127 from Wiggle. For lower temps still, the GripGrab Nordic Lobster. Those I got (just) pre-Brexit from LordGun in Brescia, Italy. They’re listed as £48 now, but only the XL available and no idea if they’ll ship to UK.
For me feet the Lake MXZ304 boots, more like ski than cycling boots, but effective on my perennially cold feet. Not toasty all day sub-zero effective, but ok for me for 1 1/2 sub-zero hours. A snip at (gulp) £237 from Saltdog cycling.
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Whichever gloves you go for - get a pair of very thin silk gloves to wear as inners - makes an amazing difference to warmth
Silk liners never worked for me.
They didn't work for me either, though mine were artificial silk.
One other point – don't think it's been mentioned yet – you can lose a lot of heat through your wrists and a jacket sleeve always lets some cold air in, so a glove that comes a decent length up the wrist is a good idea.
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I find silk liners are excellent, because they keep wet hands warm. They're also small and lightweight, so a prime candidate for carrying on the bike in case you need an emergency glove upgrade.
I suspect there are people whose hands don't end up sodden just because they're riding a bike, who are going to benefit more from gloves that keep the moisture out than ones that stay warm when wet (which is more about windproofing).
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I find liners help a little but if your gloves are already a snug fit on the fingers then their benefit is reduced somewhat as there is less room for air spaces.
Has anyone tried adding a thin outer layer, rather than a liner?
I have been toying with getting this combination, outer + knitted wool glove:
Outer shell:
https://www.endurasport.com/Adrenaline-Shell-Glove/p/E0130-Black
Main glove:
https://showerspass.co.uk/collections/mens-gloves/products/crosspoint-waterproof-knit-wool-gloves
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I find liners help a little but if your gloves are already a snug fit on the fingers then their benefit is reduced somewhat as there is less room for air spaces.
Has anyone tried adding a thin outer layer, rather than a liner?
I have been toying with getting this combination, outer + knitted wool glove:
Outer shell:
https://www.endurasport.com/Adrenaline-Shell-Glove/p/E0130-Black
Main glove:
https://showerspass.co.uk/collections/mens-gloves/products/crosspoint-waterproof-knit-wool-gloves
Hm, that looks like a variation on what I've been doing, might get a pair of those shell gloves, and those crosspoints look warmer than my defeets
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Main glove:
https://showerspass.co.uk/collections/mens-gloves/products/crosspoint-waterproof-knit-wool-gloves
I have two pairs of SP waterproof knit gloves (2nd pair were a free gift with another order), the previous wool version and the synthetic (Links below) they're both generally good. Fairly warm, though not warm enough for the conditions in the OP. I have the largest size and would benefit from them being a little larger. They slip on easily enough at home, but if it's the sort of ride where they'll be on and off several times they get progressively harder, if my hands are already cold and damp it's too much of a struggle to put them on.
https://showerspass.co.uk/collections/waterproof-gloves/products/crosspoint-waterproof-knit-gloves
https://showerspass.co.uk/collections/waterproof-gloves/products/crosspoint-waterproof-knit-wool-gloves-2019
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I've found Altura Night Vision gloves perfectly adequate down to just sub-zero temps. If it's much colder than that then a pair of thin silk liners paired with the Night Vision sorts me out.
I agree. I have been using them down to about -2°C without issue. But they haven't been waterproof in a long time, even tho they are sold as such.
When it gets really cold I deploy these:
http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/products/hi-vis-mitt/
and when it gets really really cold, I add a pair of these inside them:
https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/socks-gloves-mitts-hats-c151/gloves-c152/womens-forge-gloves-p12243
J
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I've generally got on better with layering rather than one pair of very thick gloves. I'm currently using Dissent 133, which is a system with four pairs - liner, warm layer, windproof and waterproof overgloves. It's probably as good as anything else I've used.
Warm hands is not only about gloves though - keeping core temperature up is also important (and more so if you have Reynauds).
Oh I do like the look of that. Tho it does appear they are out of stock until the end of July...
https://dissent133.com/products/dissent-133-ultimate-pack-3-layered-glove-system
J
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I've been very impressed with my Defeet Dura Wool gloves in temperatures down to freezing. Normally I would have to wear at least two pairs of synthetic gloves (long finger riding gloves + windproof fleece outers) but the Dura Wool are just fine on their own, even in wet and windy conditions. I reckon that with a thin liner for very cold weather and a shell glove/mitt for prolonged heavy rain they'd be perfect all winter.
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There's a thread on the Dissent gloves here: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=117604.0
Experiences seem mixed. Jiberjaber's comment seems pertinent, especially noting that DeFeet woollen gloves have already been mentioned in this thread.
Yes - I have a set from the original launch. (Oct 2017?) They are OK but not really living up to the hype & price. You still get cold fingers / hands with them...
You could probably make up a similar set yourself with defeet gloves, some silk liner gloves and then your water/windproof glove of choice as an over glove.
That said, I am still using the woolen gloves (Defeet gloves branded Dissent) and the waterproof outers.
Whichever way you go, multiple silk liner gloves changed often is the way forward to comfort as they are light and take up little room plus a change of liner removes the cold damp part of the glove.
I've had a quick glance at the website and looks like they are using different materials for teh outershel now and the thermal inner (which was defeet) might be by a different supplier)
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I have two pairs of SP waterproof knit gloves (2nd pair were a free gift with another order), the previous wool version and the synthetic (Links below) they're both generally good. Fairly warm, though not warm enough for the conditions in the OP.
Thanks, I’ve seen a few reviews suggesting they might not be warm enough, so I am still dithering. Still think the general idea of adding a shell might have merit, albeit with a different glove.
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I already have a good selection of gloves, my favourites tend to only cover a narrow range of conditions, it's those that claim otherwise that have been most disappointing, I may take three pairs if I'm out all day and it's changeable.
Agreed. I have a 9l really useful box that contains gloves. Depending on the ride and the season depends what I take with me. But in my saddle bag there is always a pair of merino liner gloves, specifically:
https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/socks-gloves-mitts-hats-c151/gloves-c152/womens-forge-gloves-p12243
In summer if there's a cold snap, i wear them under my normal mitts, This can be useful if You've gone up a big hill, and the descent turns out to be cold.
If it's a bit too cold for normal fingerless cycle mitts, then my next step up is a pair of these:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/st-500-mountain-biking-gloves/_/R-p-301225
If I messed up the temp, I can always put the Merino liners in them to boost the warmth a little.
I tried this combo for my trip to Hell, but as I got further north, it wasn't warm enough, so I picked up a pair of:
https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/14962/2019-element-1-0-gloves/
Tho I think it was the previous version. As I got even further north, I added the merino liners to boost it. I bought these out of necessity, they wouldn't be my first choice.
Fullfilling this roll instead now is a pair of "FWE Kennington Windproof Gloves" I got them on a trip to the UK when I got off the eurostar and realised that I'd left my gloves in Amsterdam, Evans was across the road from STP. They've been pretty good, better than the specialised. But I notice Evans don't sell them anymore.
By the time we're into October, I switch to the Altura's:
https://www.altura.co.uk/products/detail/AL18NWA/nightvision-4-waterproof-glove/?ng=157
They aren't waterproof, but they are pretty warm. And with the merino liners, they are pretty good for all day around barely positive temps, and without the liners ok for a training ride at about -2°C.
Then, when it gets really cold, when I'm also breaking out the cold avenger facemask (https://coldavenger.com/collections/face-masks/products/coldavenger-pro-softshell), then I put on the buffalo mitts:
http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/products/hi-vis-mitt/
And when it's even too cold for them alone, i add the merino liners. Which has been fine to -7°C, but I've not tried colder.
One of the advantages of the liner plus glove approach is if you stop and need dexterity, you can take the outer off, and still have some protection. But if it's cold, and you need dexterity, then the Mountain equipment G2 alpine glove is brilliant. I don't tend to use it for cycling, it's not padded right, and it's black*, but on the version I have (which unfortunately they don't make any more), the finger tip is such that you preserve almost all of your dexterity with them on. So much so I can do my shoe laces up while wearing them, something I can't do in any of my fingered gloves apart from the merino liners.
https://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/collections/womens-head-hands-feet/products/g2-alpine-womens-glove
One thing to remember, and I covered this in my Arrivee article on winter cycling that came out last winter, when you take your gloves off, for any reason, put them inside your jersey or jacket. Do not put them down. There will be an amount of moisture in them from your sweat, and even 20 seconds of them not being on your body in cold temps, when you put them back on you'll have issues getting warmth back into them.
There is no one pair of gloves for all situations, it's a good idea to have a selection to choose from, don't be afraid to stick an extra pair one grade warmer, and maybe even a pair cooler in your saddle bag, and always carry the merino liners, they are brilliant.
J
Disclaimer: I bought all of the gloves mentioned above (and a few pairs that are too crap to even mention), all views my own, etc...
*Nearly all my gloves are hivis yellow with reflective details. I got fed up with motorists claiming I hadn't signalled when I clearly had, that I opted for this approach. Also means if I drop one when I stop in the dark, I can still find them. It's the closest I come to wearing hivis unless legally mandated to (thanks France).
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I usually resort to cheap skiing mitts.
Buy roomy enough that you can pull your thumb out of the thumb bit and tuck it in with the rest of your fingers. that makes a huge difference. (of course you can't brake while doing this so choose your road sections).
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If you want better value for money and ones that’s do their job then look at mountaineering gloves (or mitts which have a greater warmth to weight ratio).
Here’s some mitts to consider
https://www.montane.com/mens-c1/montane-extreme-mitts-p735 - This will see you from about 3C to -4C, £45
https://www.montane.com/mens-c1/montane-icarus-xt-mitts-p858#attribute%5B3%5D=13 , this will see you from about 0c to -10c, £75 so slightly above price range. Gauntlet style so comes up fore arm.
What you’ll often find is that gloves are snug around the fingers with little air to insulate. With mitts you get a greater volume of air and shared heat. The fingers are less constricted and have better circulation.
I have other gloves / mitts in my mountaineering collection but these are the ones I’ve been using on the bike of late.
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Mitts and STI/Ergo/Di2 don’t, IME, mix very well. I don’t possess any bikes that are fixed/ss/ or that have bar end or downtube shifters. Plus I tend to brake with one or two fingers, so lobster gloves are the end of the line for me.
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Mitts and STI/Ergo/Di2 don’t, IME, mix very well. I don’t possess any bikes that are fixed/ss/ or that have bar end or downtube shifters. Plus I tend to brake with one or two fingers, so lobster gloves are the end of the line for me.
The buffalo MIT's work fine with the tiagra 10 speed shifters. And fine with the TT bar di2 shifters
J
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Mitts and STI/Ergo/Di2 don’t, IME, mix very well. I don’t possess any bikes that are fixed/ss/ or that have bar end or downtube shifters. Plus I tend to brake with one or two fingers, so lobster gloves are the end of the line for me.
The OP makes no mention of their shifting setup as far as I can see. When I had STI levers no probs using mitts but I agree other shifting arrangements are far better.
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I don't find shifting on Tiagra STIs easy with mitts, but manage ok.
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After many years of experimentation, I determined that there are no gloves that are adequate in proper cold.
Why isolate each tiny digit? Keep them together in mitts or pogies.
Buffalo mitts really are as good as the hype for keeping warm. But they are also very flexible so fine for brakes and shifters, especially as in winter conditions you are probably not pushing things to the limit. They have long cuffs - important to keep wrists warm, and available in hi-viz if needed. Lightweight, dry quickly, wind proof but not totally waterproof. Stick them up your jacket when you take them off.
Pogies are also great (HotPogs made in Nottingham of the sort of material Carradice use for saddlbags.)
But only for flat bar bikes. I did buy some for drop bars but they made the bike uncontrollable in the slightest breeze.
You can wear gloves or mitts as well.
Disposable hand warmers (teabag type) work much better in mitts than gloves as you can get the heat where you need it - at your fingers. But I haven't needed them since I got the Buffalo mItts!
Brakes and shifters are so much easier on a flat-bar bike that you might consider using one in the winter if funds permit.
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Buffalo mitts really are as good as the hype for keeping warm. But they are also very flexible so fine for brakes and shifters, especially as in winter conditions you are probably not pushing things to the limit. They have long cuffs - important to keep wrists warm, and available in hi-viz if needed. Lightweight, dry quickly, wind proof but not totally waterproof. Stick them up your jacket when you take them off.
Exactly, it's the flexibility they provide you, I've not found it in any other mitts.
J
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Buffalo mitts really are as good as the hype for keeping warm. But they are also very flexible so fine for brakes and shifters, especially as in winter conditions you are probably not pushing things to the limit. They have long cuffs - important to keep wrists warm, and available in hi-viz if needed. Lightweight, dry quickly, wind proof but not totally waterproof. Stick them up your jacket when you take them off.
Exactly, it's the flexibility they provide you, I've not found it in any other mitts.
J
The montane ones are pretty good as they have a flexible pertex outer just like the Buffalo ones. Montane have also been a purveyor of pertex pile combinations for some time.
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Mitts and STI/Ergo/Di2 don’t, IME, mix very well. I don’t possess any bikes that are fixed/ss/ or that have bar end or downtube shifters. Plus I tend to brake with one or two fingers, so lobster gloves are the end of the line for me.
The OP makes no mention of their shifting setup as far as I can see. When I had STI levers no probs using mitts but I agree other shifting arrangements are far better.
Isn't this going to depend to some extent on individual shifting and braking style? I tend to brake with index and middle finger, and shift with either one or the other of those two, depending on bar and shifter layout and whether I'm shifting up or down (on STIs), but if you habitually use all four fingers or only one (or maybe three?) then it could be different.
Flat bar controls do seem to be much easier in this respect.
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Mitts and STI/Ergo/Di2 don’t, IME, mix very well. I don’t possess any bikes that are fixed/ss/ or that have bar end or downtube shifters. Plus I tend to brake with one or two fingers, so lobster gloves are the end of the line for me.
The OP makes no mention of their shifting setup as far as I can see. When I had STI levers no probs using mitts but I agree other shifting arrangements are far better.
Isn't this going to depend to some extent on individual shifting and braking style? I tend to brake with index and middle finger, and shift with either one or the other of those two, depending on bar and shifter layout and whether I'm shifting up or down (on STIs), but if you habitually use all four fingers or only one (or maybe three?) then it could be different.
Flat bar controls do seem to be much easier in this respect.
What mitts were you wearing when you had problems with your STIs? Unless the mitt has a very stiff fabric you should be able to move individual fingers just fine when operating controls.
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That's a question for rafletcher, not me, just to be clear.
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That's a question for rafletcher, not me, just to be clear.
I’m replying to your isn’t that going to depend post. So assuming you also are speaking from experience. Which all the mitt users so far, are.
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About 10 years ago when we had that really cold winter I borrowed some buffalo mitts from work and they were the only thing that I had tried that would keep my hands warm and yet still allow me to use brakes and gears.
Anyone who has buffalo mitts, how accurate did you find the sizing guide (someone with 19cm round the knuckles, so I guess 'medium')?
And if anyone has found a stockist with the hi viz ones in stock at the moment I'd be very grateful to know.
Thanks
Mike
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Mitts and STI/Ergo/Di2 don’t, IME, mix very well. I don’t possess any bikes that are fixed/ss/ or that have bar end or downtube shifters. Plus I tend to brake with one or two fingers, so lobster gloves are the end of the line for me.
The OP makes no mention of their shifting setup as far as I can see. When I had STI levers no probs using mitts but I agree other shifting arrangements are far better.
Isn't this going to depend to some extent on individual shifting and braking style? I tend to brake with index and middle finger, and shift with either one or the other of those two, depending on bar and shifter layout and whether I'm shifting up or down (on STIs), but if you habitually use all four fingers or only one (or maybe three?) then it could be different.
Flat bar controls do seem to be much easier in this respect.
I brake and shift as you do, so gloves or lobster fingers work for me, but mitts wouldn’t.
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That's a question for rafletcher, not me, just to be clear.
I’m replying to your isn’t that going to depend post. So assuming you also are speaking from experience. Which all the mitt users so far, are.
Okay, I see your thinking. But no, I was wondering out loud. "Isn't that going to depend?" rather than "That's going to depend". Extrapolating from the observation that I sometimes use one, sometimes two fingers, but never all four, so if all four are moving together in one mitt, it's presumably going to alter the way I and others who shift with less than four fingers would use them.
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That's a question for rafletcher, not me, just to be clear.
I’m replying to your isn’t that going to depend post. So assuming you also are speaking from experience. Which all the mitt users so far, are.
Okay, I see your thinking. But no, I was wondering out loud. "Isn't that going to depend?" rather than "That's going to depend". Extrapolating from the observation that I sometimes use one, sometimes two fingers, but never all four, so if all four are moving together in one mitt, it's presumably going to alter the way I and others who shift with less than four fingers would use them.
You’re making the mistake of assuming a mitt constrains you to having to move all four at once. It does not, unless very stiff outer. Certainly no harder than thick gloves.
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That's a question for rafletcher, not me, just to be clear.
I’m replying to your isn’t that going to depend post. So assuming you also are speaking from experience. Which all the mitt users so far, are.
Okay, I see your thinking. But no, I was wondering out loud. "Isn't that going to depend?" rather than "That's going to depend". Extrapolating from the observation that I sometimes use one, sometimes two fingers, but never all four, so if all four are moving together in one mitt, it's presumably going to alter the way I and others who shift with less than four fingers would use them.
You’re making the mistake of assuming a mitt constrains you to having to move all four at once. It does not, unless very stiff outer. Certainly no harder than thick gloves.
Well, that's kind of why I was doing the wondering out loud. And, probably relevant to mitts v gloves but not necessarily to warmth of hands, I (personal experience now!) find the feeling of having a little bit of unfilled finger (ie the finger of the glove is longer than my finger – this only happens IME when putting gloves on wet or damp hands and the inner sticks) really annoying.
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Supplies of Buffalo mitts always seems a bit hit and miss.
Been trying to buy a pair for OH so he doesn't keep pinching mine.
Could not find the hi-viz ones anywhere.
I've just ordered Black medium from Outdoor GB - not used them before, so fingers crossed.
Top price, sad to say.
Previous pair were from AbsoluteSnow - on discount and very fast delivery, but don't have what I want this time
As L Phil says, you can actually use fingers independently as the mitts are so flexible (I have quite severe arthritis in my hands).
And as the owner of wide hands and stubby fingers, I really agree with the comment about finger length on gloves being annoying...
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Every year I suffer worse with the cold and find myself using winter gloves for longer. PX Lobster mitts are a right bargain - they don't have a removable liner and they have the feature (design flaw) that the inner is actually a glove so fingers can't huddle together for warmth.
Looks like I will spend most of winter in lockdown, but in 2022 I shall buy some mitts - so thanks for all the advice!
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We never got on terribly well with layering - I say 'we' as it's Mr Smith's hands controlling the bike I'm on!
If you have big hands then you may struggle to get gloves big enough to layer successfully.
I paid a lot of money for his gloves (there's an old thread somewhere describing which models I went for) but not Rapha money - that's ridiculous.
This one?
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=77214.msg1582657#msg1582657
It's 8 years old now - no idea if those gloves are available now.
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Thank you for all the great replies folks sounds like I'm not the only one suffering with cold hands. :thumbsup:
I think I've actually got something like the Altura Night Vision but a different model but I've also got a pair of silk like gloves (a Lidls buy) which I could layer with the Altura, and they just about fit. Maybe I'll give that a try before forking out. Many people mentioned Motorcycle Handlebar Muffs but not sure the I like the idea of this on a bicycle. I used to use them when motorcycling in the depths of winter so know they can be good though at the speeds I was going at, and temps I was riding in I still needed heated grips and even then my hands were only barely warm.
The lobster claws just don't win me over, it's that look. Someone mentioned wearing up to 4 layers, called Dissent 133, now that sounds very interesting and it's something I'd be interested in. Like the idea you can layer up according to the conditions, brilliant and they are designed to work together. Being able to buy the individual layers separately when the inners get worn out sounds great. Well if the inners combined with my Altura's don't work out then I'm going to have to have a serious look at the Dissent's.
Heated gel pads won't work for me as it's the tips of my fingers that seem to suffer. I've looked at the Grip Grab but again it looked like you'd have to pay almost Rapha price to get something decent.
The other top suggestion for me anyway would either be the Montane Extreme Mitts or Buffalo mitts, not sure how well these would stand up to the rain but I imagine could be waterproofed easily as few seams. As they are a mitt it would also be easy to wear a silk liner if need be and the fact the fingers are not separated means they'd be warmer. My gears are twist & trigger shifter on respective bikes and I'm sure I could adapt if required, any thoughts would be appreciated, brakes are straight handlebar type.
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You don't waterproof buffalo mitts - quite honestly, they are best not waterproofed. For the days when it is siling down, I have a pair of waterproof mountaineers overmitts. Absolutely huge, they are meant to go over thick gloves.
Best place for buying buffalo mitts is Needle Sports https://www.needlesports.com/Catalogue/Clothing-Footwear/Technical-Clothing/PertexPile-Systems-Buffalo/Buffalo-DP-Mitts (https://www.needlesports.com/Catalogue/Clothing-Footwear/Technical-Clothing/PertexPile-Systems-Buffalo/Buffalo-DP-Mitts)
I have a so-called summer buffalo sleeping bag - it has been ok for me down to sub-zero temp (I wear a montane pertex and fleece jacket inside it at those temps).
Pertex and pile is a bit of a change in mindset. If I could justify the expense, I'd buy a full set of the gear.
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Worth keeping an eye on the Reynauds Soc (SRUK - the uk site, not the USA one that will pop up if you google)
At least they recognise that giving up cycling and sitting in front of the fire is not an option!!
Basic info that you should already know:
https://www.sruk.co.uk/raynauds/managing-raynauds/raynauds-and-sport
But for you macho folks - note the bit about getting severly cold (frostbite) can trigger Reynaulds.
And if it does, you will regret it for the rest of your days.
https://www.sruk.co.uk/raynauds/managing-raynauds/raynauds-and-cycling/
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If you want better value for money and ones that’s do their job then look at mountaineering gloves (or mitts which have a greater warmth to weight ratio).
Here’s some mitts to consider
https://www.montane.com/mens-c1/montane-extreme-mitts-p735 - This will see you from about 3C to -4C, £45
https://www.montane.com/mens-c1/montane-icarus-xt-mitts-p858#attribute%5B3%5D=13 , this will see you from about 0c to -10c, £75 so slightly above price range. Gauntlet style so comes up fore arm.
What you’ll often find is that gloves are snug around the fingers with little air to insulate. With mitts you get a greater volume of air and shared heat. The fingers are less constricted and have better circulation.
I have other gloves / mitts in my mountaineering collection but these are the ones I’ve been using on the bike of late.
I've found mountaineering winter gloves are so bulky they stop me using an ice axe; cannae fecking win can I!
The best poogies I've ever seen/heard of are incredibly simple.
Home made out of Bubble wrap.
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If you want better value for money and ones that’s do their job then look at mountaineering gloves (or mitts which have a greater warmth to weight ratio).
Here’s some mitts to consider
https://www.montane.com/mens-c1/montane-extreme-mitts-p735 - This will see you from about 3C to -4C, £45
https://www.montane.com/mens-c1/montane-icarus-xt-mitts-p858#attribute%5B3%5D=13 , this will see you from about 0c to -10c, £75 so slightly above price range. Gauntlet style so comes up fore arm.
What you’ll often find is that gloves are snug around the fingers with little air to insulate. With mitts you get a greater volume of air and shared heat. The fingers are less constricted and have better circulation.
I have other gloves / mitts in my mountaineering collection but these are the ones I’ve been using on the bike of late.
The Montane ones are available at go outdoors too and slightly cheaper. I am a big montane fan, though the mitts I have are a different (possibly older) model that are a bit slippery for the bike.
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Thank you all for some great advice. If choosing between Montane or Buffalo mitts - what's your decider?
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I've only used the Buffolo mitts, so sorry, but can't compare.
But I have had to buy some for my husband to stop him nicking mine!
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If your not fussed about them being cycling specific (you mentioned it was for commuting) these are warm and come in just under your budget.
https://www.climbers-shop.com/21389/products/dachstein-gloves.aspx (https://www.climbers-shop.com/21389/products/dachstein-gloves.aspx)
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I've never tried pogies (bar mitts) for cycling but back when I had a motorbike, they made far more difference, and far more cheaply, than any pair of gloves. I think it's basically because they act as a windshield and allow your hands to create their own little microclimate. So if you can get some that fit on drop bars and allow control of brakes and shifters (if you're using flat bars it's easy) I'd try those.
I have a set of Bar Mitts designed for drop bars. I used them on the Poor Student 200 a couple of years ago. Temperatures weren’t much above zero for most of the day but I found the Bar Mitts too warm. It’s astonishing how effective they are. I also didn’t much like the way they seriously limit your choice of hand positions. I wouldn’t recommend them except for seriously sub-zero conditions.
ETA: this is what I have - https://barmitts.com/products/road-bike-internally-routed-cables
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The buffalo ones are more dexterous and come in that funky hiviz option.
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I have some Treckmates Gortex mitts which are great. Mine were on a deal last year as I bought them in the summer.
https://www.trekmates.co.uk/chamonix-gtx-mitt
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For cheapskates like me (I usually wear Lidl/Aldi Ski gloves), Army surplus mittens (usually styled as German Army) for 15-20 quid were a revelation in winter warmth. After experimenting with various grades of glove underneath (I don't own a pair that won't fit under them) I found that Silk liners were as good as anything and the lighter weight was an advantage for dexterity. It helps that my cold weather bikes are bar-end or downtube shifters obvs.
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Of the several sets of gloves I use for cold weather are Reusch Frank GTX* ski gloves, along with
some thin wool liners.
* Used by many continental cross-country skiers.
(https://i.sportisimo.com/products/images/725/725074/100x100/reusch-4701347-701-frank-gtx-rukavice_1.jpg)
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The buffalo ones are more dexterous and come in that funky hiviz option.
This was my decider. I don't like hivis, apart from in gloves.
J
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I've never tried pogies (bar mitts) for cycling but back when I had a motorbike, they made far more difference, and far more cheaply, than any pair of gloves. I think it's basically because they act as a windshield and allow your hands to create their own little microclimate. So if you can get some that fit on drop bars and allow control of brakes and shifters (if you're using flat bars it's easy) I'd try those.
I have a set of Bar Mitts designed for drop bars. I used them on the Poor Student 200 a couple of years ago. Temperatures weren’t much above zero for most of the day but I found the Bar Mitts too warm. It’s astonishing how effective they are. I also didn’t much like the way they seriously limit your choice of hand positions. I wouldn’t recommend them except for seriously sub-zero conditions.
ETA: this is what I have - https://barmitts.com/products/road-bike-internally-routed-cables
How did they react to side winds? It's a problem someone mentioned somewhere above. And I hate side winds as it is.
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HK has a set of Pogies for her flatbar commuter and loves them when it gets well below zero (not needed them for a few years now). She didn’t mention any wind issues.
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ETA: this is what I have - https://barmitts.com/products/road-bike-internally-routed-cables
Those are the ones I bought several years ago, and only needed to use a few times. Sidewinds - some people are more sensitive to things than others, I don't remember any problems. I don't think they cannot be different to a barbag in a sidewind, which doesn't bother me either -- except the wind which I too hate..
Heat - I bought the ones for Shimano external cables even though I use Campag Ergo. This means I have the potential for some ventilation by opening those flaps.
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Sidewinds are noticeable if riding no hands, or one handed. Other than that, not really a problem.
If a bit too warm, can ride with hands outside the mitts. ie on the tops, or ends of the drops.
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How did they react to side winds? It's a problem someone mentioned somewhere above. And I hate side winds as it is.
I don't remember that being a problem, but maybe that's just because it wasn't a windy day. (It would have been the 2017 edition, so if anyone has any recollection of what the weather was like for that one...)
I'm not sure I've used them since then. They're in a cupboard somewhere gathering dust.
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2017 Poor Student was mild and not windy at all.
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Bar mitts such as HotPogs (made in Nottingham) are absolutely fine on flat bars in windy weather, because they are cutting edge into the wind.
I'm 74 and have arms like twigs, so I would notice a problem.
I love my Hotpogs. I can add or remove other gloves and stash them inside the pogs. Mine have extra little pockets underneath for goodies, routesheets etc. Husbands have clear pockets on top for a map. I use them on and off road, and for MTBO events. As Fuadran says, if your hands do get too hot you can rest them on the tops as long as you know your road and aren't likely to need your brakes in a hurry. My hands are very clumsy due to arthritis, but I have no problems getting my hands in or out of the pogs quickly.
I did try a pair of mitts from another company, allegedly suitable for drop bars.
Well they fitted, but being broadside on to the wind, they made the bike unsteerable. Only used them once and binned them as dangerous.
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The buffalo ones are more dexterous and come in that funky hiviz option.
This was my decider. I don't like hivis, apart from in gloves.
High vis and dexterity are good selling points - unfortunately doesn't appear to be available online.
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If you don’t mind non hiviz , a quick peruse reveals they are available. The hiviz ones were readily available when first mentioned in thread ;D
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Bar mitts such as HotPogs (made in Nottingham)
I keep thinking of trying those and every time I do they have zero stock, I'm sure they must have some in between times, I've just never seen any. Maybe I should set a reminder to look in the middle of summer.
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I have some Mountain Wearhouse special offer ski mitts which I wear with liner gloves
Maybe it's colder where you live but really this can cope with any temperature
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^ On the bike I'm fine, when it's winter I have lobster gloves from PX that did me fine. But a couple days ago (before the snow) my fingers went white taking the kids to the park, looked a lot like raynaud's, so I'm stepping it up a gear.
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I've just had a look at the HotPogs website, and as Paul H says, they don't seem to have any stock.
Sorry, no idea why. Possibly staff off due to covid? I'm not connected to the firm other than as a customer
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I have put a new pair of Medium Altura Night Vision 5 in the sales.
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I have some lobster gloves which pair up fingers. They work for a little longer than normal gloves. Rubber gloves under normal gloves is another thing to try. I've never tried silk undergloves, which may be better.
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I combine merino gloves (currently defeet dura wool, but since the fingers are going on the touch screen tips, soon to be replaced) with some Fox River Rag wool gloves with deerskin palms. I find these work very well in the cold although do get a bit heavy when wet.
I have some sealskin gloves I rate a lot, but can only find one of them right now...
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I've found the best thing to use on very cold days is crab claw mittens, toasty and with enough movement to make it still useable. Mine are from Aldi, they might be too got above 2 degrees or so but that's fine for the short distance to work in winter for me
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I found myself thinking about those Buffalo mitts when out today. "Feels like minus six."
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We were wearing them! And that was just to go for a walk/stagger into the wind.
According to Met Off, wind chill of minus8, and I can believe it. Add in frequent white out snow storms.
We have had snow on the ground in the garden all year so far.....
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I regretted not wearing mine today. I was wearing my merino liners and altura gloves. They were fine to start, but too cold by the end of an hour at -5°C. Will go with the buffalo mitts tomorrow.
J
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How your body reacts to cold
https://www.outsideonline.com/2420838/cold-exercise-adaptation-research?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=onsiteshare
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It talks about skin temperature in the first part – and then in the second experiment, about perception. It doesn't tell us whether the cold-toe people in the first experiment also felt that their toes were colder (and if so, whether this was after the cold water or also before). But it doesn't seem amazingly surprising that people who are regularly exposed to cold might have colder toes; it could be their bodies adapting in Jens Voigt style: "Shut up toes! We're keeping brain alive!"
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I'm still wearing shorts on my very local potters to the local shops and short circuits.I am finding my legs and toes are fine down to around freezing as long as there is very little wind and its dry. I will be wearing warm trousers and shoes otherwise. :)
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"Snow diving"
The tweet in this is painful to watch let alone do!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-56022387
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I bought a pair of https://www.openair.co.uk/mens-c4/gloves-mittens-c76/hestra-njord-gloves-p7009 (https://www.openair.co.uk/mens-c4/gloves-mittens-c76/hestra-njord-gloves-p7009) in a sale last year and they've been amazing for sitting still on a boat in the freezing mornings. Not ideal for fast cycling, but incredible for when you're not generating much heat.
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I'm a bit late to this thread so these might have already been suggested but my go-to glove once temperatures get sub-zero is the Sealskinz lobster claw glove.
These have kept my fingers functional in conditions cold enough to freeze my water bottles.
https://www.sealskinz.com/products/waterproof-extreme-cold-weather-cycle-split-finger-glove
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I bought a pair of https://www.openair.co.uk/mens-c4/gloves-mittens-c76/hestra-njord-gloves-p7009 (https://www.openair.co.uk/mens-c4/gloves-mittens-c76/hestra-njord-gloves-p7009) in a sale last year and they've been amazing for sitting still on a boat in the freezing mornings. Not ideal for fast cycling, but incredible for when you're not generating much heat.
I bought a pair of those gloves a few years ago, but found they didn't keep my hands warm
enough on cold days. YMMV.
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Your ability to withstand cold temperatures might be linked to the presence or absence of a particular protein found in fast-twitch muscle fibres. Without this protein, your fast-twitch fibres produce less power but recover faster, more like slow fibres, but also generate more heat, meaning you shiver less and conserve core heat more.
While alpha-actinin-3 deficiency does not cause muscle disease, it does influence how our muscle functions. Our study shows that ACTN3 is more than just the “gene for speed”, but that its loss improves our muscle’s ability to generate heat and reduces the need to shiver when exposed to cold. This improvement in muscle function would conserve energy and ultimately increase survival in cold temperatures, which we think is a key reason why we see an increase in alpha-actinin-3 deficient people today, as this would have helped modern humans better tolerate cooler climates as they migrated out of Africa.
With a few provisos:
However, future research will need to investigate whether similar results would be seen in women.
https://theconversation.com/your-genetics-influence-how-resilient-you-are-to-cold-temperatures-new-research-155975
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I've heard that as you get older, the subcutaneous 'brown fat' percentage goes down, and it becomes harder to stay warm.
A bit of research suggests that 'activating your brown fat' has loads of health benefits, from protection from atherosclerosis to reduction in diabetes.
Maybe those cold swimming fanatics are on to something.
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However, what we're dealing with in glove choice is perception of cold in the fingers, which is not necessarily anything to do with core body temperature. It might be neurological or something, I don't know what.
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I've heard that as you get older, the subcutaneous 'brown fat' percentage goes down, and it becomes harder to stay warm.
A bit of research suggests that 'activating your brown fat' has loads of health benefits, from protection from atherosclerosis to reduction in diabetes.
Maybe those cold swimming fanatics are on to something.
Maybe they are, but I'll leave them to it!
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In the end I took the plunge ;D and bought these Montane Extreme Mitts (https://www.montane.com/mens-c1/montane-extreme-mitts-p735) back in January for about £37. At they are mitt I believe they are better at keeping hands warm that fingered gloves. Since my circulation is not what it used to be my fingers esp the tips still get cold so am on the look out for silk liners but these mitts are doing a much better job than what I was using and this is cycling in temps down to -5. Overall am happy with my purchase and would recommend them.
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Good choice. I have them in my collection.
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I have a pair too. Pack away small for unexpected use too.
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Think will buy some of those Buffalo mitts going on recommendations in this thread. Hands were freezing today, 4c and wet with merino liners and DhB softshell style gloves.
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I have some lobster gloves which pair up fingers. They work for a little longer than normal gloves. Rubber gloves under normal gloves is another thing to try. I've never tried silk undergloves, which may be better.
I find silk undergloves work very well, both with my winter gloves and lobster mits. I also have a pair of silk socks which work well with a pair of thinner thermal socks in my winter boots rather than a single pair of very thick socks
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Someone might have already mentioned it, if your head, torso and limbs are not warm then your hands (and feet) will feel cold whatever gloves you have on.
So the answer might be to wear clothes (including a hat) that are capable of coping with freezing conditions.
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My serious cold weather gloves are a pair of Columbia skiing gloves that I bought many years ago when I used to travel regularly to the Nordic areas in winter. No problem at all in sub-zero, and my hands will warm up in them if they've been outside and got really cold for eating or fixing something on the bike. A bit bulky, but fine on STIs after a bit of getting used to them, and waterproof too.
I hadn't realised that muffs were a thing on bicycles; I've used them on the motorbike to great effect. Summer gloves are fine well below zero in that case, and the added benefit that mine cover the troublesome glove/jacket interface and stop water working its way in during torrential rain. I'll have to investigate the bicycle version, though at the moment I'm doing OK in a pair of winter sealskinz gloves.
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Wore the Buffalo mitts this morning as the forecast said 5 degrees. It might be 5 degrees but it feels much warmer (sunny, dry-ish and only mild wind). Nevertheless, I'd say the Buffalos are warm. No problem braking or changing gear but they did affect low-speed control. My starting off and cruising on the hoods position tends to be with three fingers wrapped round the brake levers and one underneath, on the actual bars. With mitts this, obviously, isn't possible. Had whole mitt wrapped round 'horn' at top of hoods but the other bike has older shifters with less pronounced horns.
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I haz Buffalo mitts and PX Lobster gloves. The Lobsters are warmer at the start of the ride, but the Buffalos are warmer at the end. I expected the Buffalos to be more wind resistant. Seeing as there is a big manual dexterity and price cost for the Buffalos I am not overly impressed, but maybe in colder weather or longer rides I would change my mind.
(Both gloves worn with merino liners).
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Just an update on my experience of the Buffalo mitts. I've only been out in weather cold enough for them three or four times and never long rides so far, but two observations.
Firstly, they're slippery. Riding on the drops, my hands are slipping down. Not enough to lose control and be dangerous, but just enough to be a little annoying. It's probably partly dependent on the bar tape; mine is a woven cloth, which Specialized call denim though it's certainly not the stuff your jeans are made from.
Secondly, after only wearing them a couple of times, they have changed the way I position my hands even when I'm wearing gloves with fingers. Now, when I'm on the hoods, which is probably my most used hand position, I have my whole hand wrapped round the "horn"* at the top, with four fingers on top of the brake lever. Previously, I used to ride with my hand a little lower down and two fingers wrapped around the base of the hood, between lever and bar.
*Yeah, this means buffalos make me horny.
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Got £150 spare ? https://www.sealskinz.com/products/waterproof-heated-cycle-glove?variant=35913967239317¤cy=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3fiPBhCCARIsAFQ8QzUX-Dx56mDlECGekGRFj-N29qod0Wo94RY-b8_EBsHU6GEbDua3KGsaAkTLEALw_wcB
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Heated gloves, jackets etc. have their place, but I'm always wary of them. Lots of motorcyclists love them, but if they fail (flat battery, broken power lead) you could get dangerously cold if you are relying on them rather than layers. One of my customers showed me a blister on his hand from where a heated glove malfunctioned. He was on a motorway in lane 3 at the time, so had to work his way over to the hard shoulder with his hand burning...
Having said that, a reasonably insulated heated glove could work well for cyclists; I've found the worst time is just after a stop, especially if I've had my hands out of my gloves. Could be a few minutes of not feeling my fingers properly until I've started working again and started generating my own heat. Electric heating could help in those few minutes as long as the gloves are warm enough in themselves not to be dangerous if the electric fails.
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I haz Buffalo mitts and PX Lobster gloves. The Lobsters are warmer at the start of the ride, but the Buffalos are warmer at the end. I expected the Buffalos to be more wind resistant. Seeing as there is a big manual dexterity and price cost for the Buffalos I am not overly impressed, but maybe in colder weather or longer rides I would change my mind.
(Both gloves worn with merino liners).
Buffalo will be warmer without the merino liner, counterintuitive as that sounds.
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Possible, but condensation and pong.
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Just a heads up - I got a pair of these a couple of weeks ago:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/gripgrab-insulator-midseason-glove?sku=5360659575
For £13, these are really good as a stand-alone mild weather glove, or as a glove under mitts for medium weather, and as a liner under winter gloves in v cold weather. I've never found merino, silk or Assos thin liners to be much good in cycling use.
I've had a few different Grip=Grab gloves now, and all have been excellent. Fewer early stitching failures etc than Rapha or Castelli.
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Just a heads up - I got a pair of these a couple of weeks ago:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/gripgrab-insulator-midseason-glove?sku=5360659575
For £13, these are really good as a stand-alone mild weather glove, or as a glove under mitts for medium weather, and as a liner under winter gloves in v cold weather. I've never found merino, silk or Assos thin liners to be much good in cycling use.
I've had a few different Grip=Grab gloves now, and all have been excellent. Fewer early stitching failures etc than Rapha or Castelli.
Haven't looked at GG since a pair MrsT got me did its best to grip, grab and untape my handlebars a few years back. I take it these don't do that.
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No, there's a bit of silicon print on there, adequate but it's not going to unwrap your tape.