Winter Cycling - Finally, Warm Hands!!!!!

Outdoor Research Snowline Mitts (http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/style/home/handtools/gloves/ascent/71130) over my old PI AmFib gloves and glove liners. My hands were toasty in single-digit (F) temperatures. I had to get extra large mittens to fit over my medium gloves, but they have enough insulation to keep the wind out and my hands warm. Plus, if it gets really, really cold, there's room to stick in a heat pack.

Next step--feet. I have my eyes on some winter spd compatable MTB shoes. I'm just waiting for a 20% coupon.

I have a similar setup...I use a pair of liners from one set of gloves, into my Cabelas Mitts, into my Gauntlets....I get plenty of stares and a few laughs but..my hands are warm.

Have any of you tried the chemical warmers sold in camping and outdoor shops?
I bought some but have not tried it yet.

Open the package and the little pad generates heat. Often used by backpackers. Instructions say to place in a pocket or inside gloves.

I was curious after a long climb in frigid conditions. I saw these at the checkout stand at my local REI and I bought two to try them out.

I third the motion. They are great, and are just about the best water-proof hand covers I've found. Also, OR does quality work. My first pair of OR overmitts are close to 15 yrs old. Seems as though there aren't many companies around anymore that you make that claim on their products.

An aside: just make sure to buy them big enough. I needed to replace my old OR overmitts and had only mittens with me when I tried the overmitts on my hands. With biking gloves, they don't fit. Doh! Thankfully, the old ones still work better than anything else. Eventually, on a ride in the rain, they get soaked-through, but in cold dry weather/snow, they work like a charm.

I've used the chemical handwarmers, but I'm not really convinced they make much difference. The next time its below 10F I'm gonna try one hand with and one without. I'll report back, assuming I still have two good hands to type with.

I am typing this with one hand to prove it can be done.

links to the mitts?

a guy should never have cold hands. Always a natural heater close. :)

Thanks DC. I've been meaning to change my pair of gloves. I have lobster claw type gloves and when it's bellow -10C with a bit of wind my fingers freeze.

Chemical handwarmers really work for me, since I was able to cycle -20C against a strong wind and have cozy fingers with those gloves.

I am typing this with one hand to prove it can be done.

links to the mitts?

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/style/home/handtools/gloves/ascent/71130

You can find a local dealer here (http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/page/find_dealer).

I got some chemical handwarmers for emergencies only. They get expensive if you use them twice a day. I hope I never need them.

Outdoor Research I had to get extra large mittens to fit over my medium gloves, but they have enough insulation to keep the wind out and my hands warm. Plus, if it gets really, really cold, there's room to stick in a heat pack.

Next step--feet. I have my eyes on some winter spd compatable MTB shoes. I'm just waiting for a 20% coupon.

I have some AuClair lobster mitts, they've been great to about -12 C or so, sometimes get cold fingers, but put all the boys in together and they warm up quickly (makes for some dicey steering sometimes, though) I've finally found both my Gordini Goretex ski mitts I bought about 5 years ago, could only find one at a time the last couple of winters, this year I finally got them both in the same place at the same time. I think these will keep my fingers warm enough for the rest of the winter.
Feetwise, I'm looking into a pair of AA battery heated insoles (they only warm up to about 90 degrees F) for $30, should do the trick as well. I wear a pair of small Sorel winter boots with platforms for the winter, can't see spending $250 for winter spd's, but my feet sweat in the Sorels, and get cold, even with wool socks and liners.

I have found that the best hand protection is the vapor barrier mittens from RBHDesign.com They just came out with a new model that is designed to be worn around town. The problem with winter handwear is that your hands sweat and no amount of wicking or breathability will save you. The vapor barrier design is simply awesome. I just picked up a pair of the new ones form my son and use the RBH vapor barrier socks and have for a number of years

Thick wool mittens. Breathable and warm, even when wet.