Google sponsored links
hey all i've searched a lot of the threads here but haven't found an answer (or even discussion) of one of my winter-glove pet peeves: the durability!
i ride like 100-120 miles a week, commuterstyle, and wear through a pair of gloves probably in around 2 months. i've gone from 1 layer cheap gloves to 1 layer expensive bike-specific gloves (Trek, Manzella) to 2-layer with polypro, etc. its so weird, i dont jump off my bike to do handstands with my gloves, i just ride straight on the hoods.
can anyone recommend something thats both warm AND durable (especially where the hoods are, around where the thumb part joins the glove?) i'm willing to spend money if they will actually last, and i also hate the consumption/waste of going through gloves every couple of months.
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content
here.
Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
-
http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in
this thread)
-
http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in
this thread)
Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
-
http://www.bikeforums.net
I don't know how much warmth you need but, here is one that has been reviewed favorably.
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-CHI-ACC.htm#
I've got one of these baselayers and, it rocks.
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-ALA-WIN.htm
I also like Ibex but, can't speak for their glove durability. The "Backcountry" and "Climbawool" are very warm tho. The Climbawool in particular is a good cycling glove, as it is allows a bit more dexterity in the fingers. And, for additional warmth, add one of their wool liners.
http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Products.php?Cat=1062&SubCat=9&Gender=Mens
If you have brifters, look at back country ski gloves or ice climbing gloves.
If you don't, downhill ski gloves can be found cheap if you look so replacing them won't be quite so painful.
I bought a pair of pearlizumi lobster gloves at the start of our cold season and they are in great shape still. I ride 80 miles a week.
When it gets below about 10°F, I add a thin wicking glove. That has taken me down to -15°F (this morning) with warm hands.
When it's over about 30, I have to switch to my "in between" gloves. These are too hot.
They were not cheap ($75), but I just looked at them, and they still look brand new .
Note: I do ride a mtn bike. That may make a difference. I have not ridden my road bike in them yet.
How warm?
I bought a pair of extra-large motocross gloves (the odd sizes are often on sale) and wear them over top fleece gloves.
Works for me to about -8C
hey all i've searched a lot of the threads here but haven't found an answer (or even discussion) of one of my winter-glove pet peeves: the durability!
i ride like 100-120 miles a week, commuterstyle, and wear through a pair of gloves probably in around 2 months. i've gone from 1 layer cheap gloves to 1 layer expensive bike-specific gloves (Trek, Manzella) to 2-layer with polypro, etc. its so weird, i dont jump off my bike to do handstands with my gloves, i just ride straight on the hoods.
can anyone recommend something thats both warm AND durable (especially where the hoods are, around where the thumb part joins the glove?) i'm willing to spend money if they will actually last, and i also hate the consumption/waste of going through gloves every couple of months.
You might try cutting the fingers off a pair of leather work gloves softened with neatsfoot oil and wearing them over a pair of full finger cycling gloves or some cheap polar fleece gloves. Or if it is more cold use the full finger leather work gloves with a fleece liner underneath for warmth or over your full finger cycling gloves. Treating the leather with neatsfoot oil will make them quite water resistant and very soft. I would get one size larger if possible for more room over the under gloves.
I have lobster claws I bought 10 years ago still going strong. I like my motorcycle worst weather gloves from Aplinestar. Water proof, insulated and tough.
I have the perfect recommendation for you, Ibex Kilometer gloves. They are warmer and more versatile than my Pearl Izumi Infernos, and they have an extra piece of leather in between the thumb and forefinger for reinforcement. They seem very well built, but I've only had them a month so far. Oh, they are on sale at the Ibex website right now too.
ooh ken those look good.. have you used them long? (thanks all for the other recommendations)
A friend told me that he wears latex gloves underneath his winter gloves. I have never tried it and to tell you the truth I don't know if was some sort of weird preference or what but he says it works.
From reading the Icebike web site, I managed to track down a home based business that makes a lobster claw style mitten that is super warm and looks like it is going to last me for a loooooong time. The brand is Vulpine, and it was designed and is made by a former Salt Lake City citizen who now lives in Duluth, MN. The mittens are the result of his own search for warm hands in the winter.
The backs of the "claws" and the back of the hand is covered with neoprene bonded to fleece. The thumbs are of some sort of short polypro furry stuff for softness to the nose. The palm is made of a tough, thin, grippy rubberish material that helps me keep a good feel of the bars. Inside is a polypro liner that hasn't bunched up badly at all and when it does it unbunches whenever I rub my hands back and forth on the bars a time or two.
They are very warm and the maker claims that Iditasport riders have used them down to -40F. (they are tougher than me by far!) My only complaint is that the cuffs are so long, they come half way up my forearm! They are warm enough, though, that I look past that little annoyance. I have only worn them down to about 22F with no liners and only my nerve damaged fingertips ever got uncomfortable. I would expect that normal hands would do much better.
http://www.empirecanvasworks.com/clearance.htm gets you to the real info about the mittens. After reading the current status of the materials, backordered, I must have been lucky to have wrangled a pair. Nonetheless, if we support Kevin's efforts by buying them, perhaps they will be more available in the future.
I've had a pair of some Performance neoprene + leather winter cycling gloves that have lasted through two hard years (100-200 miles/week year round) and ten (yes, 10) modest years (30-70 miles/week).
And they look like they'll easily last another two or three hard years. The palms and underside of the fingers are a thick but supple leather, the back is neoprene, they seem warm enough down to about 25°F below which I put a ski glove over the top of them.
I believe the current version of what I have is this:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24362&subcategory_ID=1141
I've had a pair of some Performance neoprene + leather winter cycling gloves that have lasted through two hard years (100-200 miles/week year round) and ten (yes, 10) modest years (30-70 miles/week).
And they look like they'll easily last another two or three hard years. The palms and underside of the fingers are a thick but supple leather, the back is neoprene, they seem warm enough down to about 25°F below which I put a ski glove over the top of them.
I believe the current version of what I have is this:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24362&subcategory_ID=1141
Those look like killer gloves for the money
well an update: i got the on-sale ibex kilometer gloves. i have to say that yesterday i rode my 20 mile commute from windy brooklyn to windier midtown manhattan and they performed amazingly. highly recommended so far. although, the durability factor remains to be seen...
I've got a pair of Kilometers too and yes, they are winners. Add an Ibex wool glove liner and, you're good to the sub zero range. The Kilometer manages to maintain some air space throughout (including the finger areas), which is critical for proper insulation, while offering plenty of dexterity. They do have an extra leather anti-abrasion layer between the thumb and forefinger which, should add durability. I wish I could comment on this but, I have so many sets of gloves that I just don't use any one enough to wear them out.
Previous -
Top -
Next
Copyright 1999 - 2007
BikeForums.Net - All rights reserved.
Common bike forum topics in clue bicycles, cycling, mountain biking,
cycling jerseys, shorts, socks, shoes and bike equiptment selection.