Winter Cycling - Gloves

This will be my first winter biking and I'll need to get some gloves.

Usually I wear small knit gloves from the dollar store. I like tight fit. They've been warm enough for me winters past and where fine while riding the other day at 40F. The rub is that those aren't any good when wet. Also, I'm afraid the wind will be too much in the middle of winter--it can get down to about 20F here.

I found some that look pretty cool: SealSkinz Ultra Grip Hi Vis Glove (http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C0357). Anyone have experience with SealSkinz gloves? OR have other recommendations? I'd like to conserve funds and get this purchase right the first time so any help is much appreciated.

I've looked at SealSkinz before and decided against it because of bad reviews. I have different gloves for different conditions. I have a pair of shells that are water proof - they are generic ski gloves that I got real cheap. I wear liners under them. I have other gloves for cold and dry conditions.

http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/sealskinz/gloves/PRD_20005_1631crx.aspx

After trying out a wide range of high tech gloves I have discovered that nothing keeps my hands happier than a pair of wool flip mitts with 40 gram thinsulate with a light pair of knit gloves underneath.

I have used these in temps as low as -40 and have a waterproof shell cover I pull out if it gets really wet.

I've been thinking about getting a pair of flip-mitts for the winter. It looks like they'd be a bit warmer than gloves. You have no problems with shifting gears or anthing else with mittens on?


After trying out a wide range of high tech gloves I have discovered that nothing keeps my hands happier than a pair of wool flip mitts with 40 gram thinsulate with a light pair of knit gloves underneath.

I have used these in temps as low as -40 and have a waterproof shell cover I pull out if it gets really wet.

If you don't have at least three pairs of hand warmers, it doesn't get that cold where you live, or you aren't riding very far. You have to figure it out. There is no "best glove". There are widely different gloves, mitts, pogies, for different hand sensitivities to cold, different lengths of rides, different temperature ranges. Warmer = airflow-thru fleece, cooler= windblocking, peri-freezing= windblockng plus a liner or ski gloves, really cold= mitts, sh*t this is bitter, my water bottle froze after 30 minutes=arctic/Himalaya double-mitt sets or pogies with gloves or mitts.

I haven't heard such great things about the SealSkinz products. Seems like no matter what the product, 50% of the people think they're great and waterproof, and the other 50% think they're terrible and not waterproof at all.

Do you ride when it's wet, or when it might be wet?

My favorite "all in one" waterproof glove is the Specialized Subzero Glove:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=40547&menuItemId=9406&eid=5095

It has a separate inner liner and outer shell. At first this seemed obnoxious, but I bought them for the inner liner and I've rather like them so far. Because:
1. If it's 40 degrees and raining you can just wear the outer shell. Your hand stays dry, but doesn't get as hot as it would with the inner liner.
2. The inner liner is very form fitting to my hand. I can put on the inner liner, get my keys in and out of my pocket with the liner on my hand, then put on the outer shell when I actually go outside.
3. I've always thought the inner liner would be great if I ever got a flat when it was cold out - I could leave it on so my fingers didn't freeze, but still have the dexterity to put a tire on and off with (with tire levers). Haven't actually tried it, though.

Just my personal favorite at the moment.

Something I'm looking into is some type of wind deflector for the hands - I looked at a 2 liter bottle to go around - but that is too small. My original idea is to get some type of rain proof material that I could cut/sew into the shape to allow my hands to fit into and be fasten to the handle bars. I'm thinking now that with the 2 liter bottle bit might work to hold them open. I think with gloves my hands will be warm this year if I'm able to accomplish it.

Michael

Something I'm looking into is some type of wind deflector for the hands - I looked at a 2 liter bottle to go around - but that is too small. My original idea is to get some type of rain proof material that I could cut/sew into the shape to allow my hands to fit into and be fasten to the handle bars. I'm thinking now that with the 2 liter bottle bit might work to hold them open. I think with gloves my hands will be warm this year if I'm able to accomplish it.

Michael

one gallon jug of milk? Cut it vertically and from corner to corner, the spout might actually fit the bars too (assuming this is a flat-bar setup).