Winter Cycling - Glove fit - insulation compression

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.




masshoff
09-23-09, 10:10 AM
Opinions/facts wanted.

I am in the market for some new cold weather gloves. I've got a couple options scoped out that feature wind blocking and a light amount of insulation.

In terms of sizing - is it desirable to size up on gloves like these, to avoid compressing the insulation? I am thinking that some extra space at the finger tips, especially, is important, so no insulation compression happens there.

The roadie in me questions that I should buy something a little bigger than usual. But I also know that insulation compression = cold hands.

Any experiences/insights here? Go big? Or go "form fit"?


Hezz
09-23-09, 11:06 AM
I would go large and loose with gloves because you may need to wear your fingerless cycling gloves underneath them for long rides. Also, loose fitting clothing is warmer in cold temperatures.

The liner may be form fitting. One of the best methods really is to have a pair of full finger bike specific cycling gloves. Non winter kind. Then layer an inexpensive polyester fleece glove over that and then a thin nylon shell for wind protection. This method is really warm and has flexibility as you can wear any combination you need depending on the temperature. Then you can pull them all apart for easy drying between riding. Because the fleece does not compress as much as batting type insulation it is warmer under your palm were you grip the bar.

Getting your gloves dryed out between rides is a big deal.

This approach will work well for all but the coldest conditions. After that you need to go to pogies and mittens.

Eclectus
10-13-09, 07:53 AM
I would go large and loose with gloves because you may need to wear your fingerless cycling gloves underneath them for long rides. Also, loose fitting clothing is warmer in cold temperatures.

The liner may be form fitting. One of the best methods really is to have a pair of full finger bike specific cycling gloves. Non winter kind. Then layer an inexpensive polyester fleece glove over that and then a thin nylon shell for wind protection. This method is really warm and has flexibility as you can wear any combination you need depending on the temperature. Then you can pull them all apart for easy drying between riding. Because the fleece does not compress as much as batting type insulation it is warmer under your palm were you grip the bar.

Getting your gloves dryed out between rides is a big deal.

This approach will work well for all but the coldest conditions. After that you need to go to pogies and mittens.

+100. Plus with fleece you can throw them in the washer to freshen them up, and dry them in 30-40 minutes in the clothes dryer.