Winter Cycling - Mittens (not gloves)

Hi,
My hands tend to get cold easily, so I'm looking for a pair of heavy duty, weather resistant (nylon shell) mittens for the commute so that my fingers can stay together and keep themselves warm. Any recommendations? Seems like gloves are the only option.

Thanks,

KR

Ive decided not to use gloves this winter. I want to find some lobster mittens though- I think
it will be easier to operate the shifters with them.

I thought about the dexterity issue, but I use grip shifters, so I think I'll be ok with mittens.

I have the same problem with my hands and feet (frostbite injury) so I use ski mittens that have removable liners. Then I can put chemical warmers in them between the liner and shell. Works for me in minnesota...this year I'm going to try Pogies that fit over the handlebars..

This is my 5th winter of using something like this. http://www.glacierglove.com/online_store.htm

They are convertible mittens. THey work great if you need your fingers, just flip the mit back and there you go. Underneath the convertible gloves i wear a fairly lightweight glove liner so your fingers have protection when exposed. Works perfectly.


https://store.nexternal.com/gloves/images/659.jpg

I've got the PI lobster mits. A bit bulky, but sufficiently warm that I don't wear them until it's about 10*f. Having said this, I'm starting to think that most cycling specific cold weather gloves are junk.

I've got the PI lobster mits. A bit bulky, but sufficiently warm that I don't wear them until it's about 10*f. Having said this, I'm starting to think that most cycling specific cold weather gloves are junk.


And on that point you would be correct. ;)

Salsa Lobster Claws are excellent. Don't wash them because they lose insulating capability. Use 'em for a season and then simply pitch 'em in the garbage.

I start wearing full finger gloves below 50 degrees. When things get serous I wear lobster claws with These (http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/style/home/handtools/gloves/ascent/71310 ) over them. I bought X-large and they work just fine as a over the glove mitten.

Now if I could just find something to put over my booties?

I have a wide range of hand coverings at my disposal for winter cycling ... and none of them are cycling specific. I have used everything from mini-gloves under my regular cycling gloves on warmish days to full-fledged winter mitts (good down to -40C/F or so). Check your local Walmart or other department store for the hand coverings of your choice ... that's where I get mine!

And I don't recall having any problems with shifting when I wear mitts.

I am, however, on the hunt for waterproof breathable mitts for rainy weather in the spring or fall.

BTW - if you want booties, you've got lots of options available from places like MEC, Nashbar, or your LBS.

I've only seen them once, but I don't think they are the "booties" refered to above. They were basically canvas bags on the handlebars, meant to block the wind around the riders hands. I'm not sure what they are called, but I replicated them one winter with a pair of plastic shopping bags. Ugly as sin, but worked excellent.

Salsa Lobster Claws are excellent.

All Google shows me for "salsa lobster claws" are recipes. If I add "mittens" I get some stuff about Chinese mitten crabs. Got a link?

Thanks,

Skip Montanaro

I've only seen them once, but I don't think they are the "booties" refered to above. They were basically canvas bags on the handlebars, meant to block the wind around the riders hands. I'm not sure what they are called, but I replicated them one winter with a pair of plastic shopping bags. Ugly as sin, but worked excellent.

Booties go over your shoes ...

Pogies attach to the handlebar like you describe.

http://www.salsacycles.com/images/appGloves200_3tostada.jpg

http://www.salsacycles.com/gloves.html

I used google and found it in about 10 seconds

Having said this, I'm starting to think that most cycling specific cold weather gloves are junk.

From what I've seen most cycling specific winter gloves are designed for temps no colder than 35-40 degrees. I guess they don't realize some of us cycle in colder tempertures.

Having said this, I'm starting to think that most cycling specific cold weather gloves are junk.

From what I've seen most cycling specific winter gloves are designed for temps no colder than 35-40 degrees. I guess they don't realize some of us cycle in colder tempertures.

From what I have experienced one of the most important aspects of your glove system is that it can be taken apart and dried out.

Pogies,i used all last winter,i made them out of Polartec wind block,covered the brakes and shifters, best winter riding i have ever had, will use them from now on,

smontanaro, you will love these Salsa Toastada Lobster Claw gloves if you give 'em a whirl this upcoming winter. One of the tricks I use before heading out in pretty cold weather (+/- 10* Fahrenheit) is to pre-heat the gloves with a hairdryer so my fingers don't have to "work" to initially stay warm. If it's colder than that or a longer ride, I've used the activated-charcoal warmers with great success.


http://www.salsacycles.com/images/appGloves200_3tostada.jpg