Recommendations on inexpensive winter gloves and balaclavas?
01-06-15, 08:48 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 35
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Recommendations on inexpensive winter gloves and balaclavas?
Does anyone know of any rather cheap winter cycling gloves and balaclavas?
01-06-15, 09:15 PM
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 9
Bikes: Motobecane Grand Turismo, Cannondale F600, SE Lager Wood Grain, Nashbar Cyclocross, Gravity Deadeye Monster Fat Bike, Giant Rainer SE
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've purchased several cheap gloves before. The bitter NYC wind went right thru them all.
I broke down and bought these. It was the best $30 I've spent on winter clothes.
https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...d=0CLgBEKYrMAQ
I broke down and bought these. It was the best $30 I've spent on winter clothes.
https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...d=0CLgBEKYrMAQ
01-06-15, 10:38 PM
#3
Senior Member
I bought one of these a year ago:
Nashbar Thermal Balaclava
It was a good purchase. I've been happy with it. They also have a skull cap and headband, I bought those too. They are thin and quite effective. I can use a combo of any two and they fit under my helmet without problems.
Of course, from Nashbar, wait for a 20% off/free shipping sale.
Nashbar Thermal Balaclava
It was a good purchase. I've been happy with it. They also have a skull cap and headband, I bought those too. They are thin and quite effective. I can use a combo of any two and they fit under my helmet without problems.
Of course, from Nashbar, wait for a 20% off/free shipping sale.
01-07-15, 12:00 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
Posts: 6,681
Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
how about throwing a few of those ribbed condoms on your fingers, maybe two per finger depending on the temp, and then those ridiculous fingerless cycling gloves over top. sort of like arm and leg warmers, except they are on the hands.
then, the cheap balaclava is easy. sew the back of a neck gator to the back of a stocking cap and call it good. remember to remove the stitches in the spring.
then, the cheap balaclava is easy. sew the back of a neck gator to the back of a stocking cap and call it good. remember to remove the stitches in the spring.
01-07-15, 12:43 AM
#5
contiuniously variable
Seirus Thick N Thin Headliner - S8017
I have two..... they are not just good, they are a requirement for winter riding.
- Andy
I have two..... they are not just good, they are a requirement for winter riding.
- Andy
01-07-15, 05:16 AM
#6
Senior Member
I use "Hunters" mittens from Gander Mountain. They are very versatile and have a nice pocket for a hand warmer.
Marc
Marc
01-07-15, 08:43 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Along the Rivers of Pittsburgh
Posts: 1,255
Bikes: 2011 Novara Forza Hybrid, 2005 Trek 820, 1989 Cannondale SR500 Black Lightning, 1975 Mundo Cycles Caloi Racer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 258 Post(s)
Liked 291 Times
in
157 Posts
I'm using this Seirus balaclava: Seirus Thermax Headliner Balaclava
$16 at REI. I've used it into the low 20's and with windchills to high single digits. It works well for me and fits well beneath my helmet.
$16 at REI. I've used it into the low 20's and with windchills to high single digits. It works well for me and fits well beneath my helmet.
01-07-15, 09:02 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,373
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 257 Post(s)
Liked 70 Times
in
63 Posts
folks here have pointed me to military surplus gloves for winter riding
you can get ones with trigger fingers, but for real cold, may need to go full mits
Amazon.com: G.I. LEATHER TRIGGER FINGER MITTENS Size Medium: Sports & Outdoors
https://www.amazon.com/Flyers-Mittens...us+cold+gloves
you can get ones with trigger fingers, but for real cold, may need to go full mits
Amazon.com: G.I. LEATHER TRIGGER FINGER MITTENS Size Medium: Sports & Outdoors
https://www.amazon.com/Flyers-Mittens...us+cold+gloves
01-07-15, 09:08 AM
#9
Senior Member
Try some Mechanic gloves. They work pretty good.
01-07-15, 09:16 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 526
Bikes: Too many to list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I bought one of these a year ago:
Nashbar Thermal Balaclava
It was a good purchase. I've been happy with it. They also have a skull cap and headband, I bought those too. They are thin and quite effective. I can use a combo of any two and they fit under my helmet without problems.
Of course, from Nashbar, wait for a 20% off/free shipping sale.
Nashbar Thermal Balaclava
It was a good purchase. I've been happy with it. They also have a skull cap and headband, I bought those too. They are thin and quite effective. I can use a combo of any two and they fit under my helmet without problems.
Of course, from Nashbar, wait for a 20% off/free shipping sale.
The Nashbar Balaclava is absolutely amazing
01-07-15, 09:17 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 526
Bikes: Too many to list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
01-07-15, 09:22 AM
#12
meh
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,704
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 1,013 Times
in
519 Posts
I ask these questions because I was looking a post early this week about January (winter) riding at 55F - and here in Minneapolis we are winter riding at -10F and colder this week. So "winter" gear is relative.
That said, REI and Backcountry Outlet and The House Outlet are some very good sources. Look for snowboard/skiing gear since it is more available for cold temps (bike specific stuff is more expensive and harder to find for cold temps).
01-07-15, 09:23 AM
#13
Coffee Stud
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Annapolis, MD
Posts: 205
Bikes: Fuji ALOHA TT, Scott Speedster 35, Nashbar Road Bike, Marin MTB, Dolomite Fat Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The only thing that works for me is a pair of gloves covered with a larger size pair of mittens. Price does not matter. I've spent plenty of money on expensive gloves that do not work in 32 and below.
01-07-15, 12:51 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Absolutely true. I'm able to meet most of my winter needs just by growing a beard (which saves money -- beat that price!). If it gets "really cold" -- which around here means below 35F -- I wear a thermal head band over my ears. Once it got so cold I used the head band to cover my nose. People from Minnesota probably would have been wearing shorts that day.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
01-07-15, 01:02 PM
#15
meh
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,704
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 1,013 Times
in
519 Posts
Absolutely true. I'm able to meet most of my winter needs just by growing a beard (which saves money -- beat that price!). If it gets "really cold" -- which around here means below 35F -- I wear a thermal head band over my ears. Once it got so cold I used the head band to cover my nose. People from Minnesota probably would have been wearing shorts that day.
Spring in this state is funny, on an early spring ride you will see the year-round bikers are out in shorts and T-shirts while the people that biked on the trainer in the basement have every inch of skin covered. It's what you get used to. I'm happy to say it's up to -4F right now, it just might get up to 0F for the afternoon commute - shorts-weather .... NOT!
01-07-15, 01:25 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
walmart sells very inexpensive traditional knit ski masks
01-07-15, 03:01 PM
#17
Senior Member
Army surplus wool trigger mitts between $5 to $10.
Balaclava from the dollar store.
And a wool toque over your balaclava.
Balaclava from the dollar store.
And a wool toque over your balaclava.
01-07-15, 03:35 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lancaster, PA, USA
Posts: 1,851
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've found that cheap ski gloves work well down to about 25F. Below that and my fingers are getting cold by the end of my 30 minute ride. I think for true cold weather riding, mittens are a must.
As far as head coverings, I use this Robot Check and a helmet cover. Once it gets below 20F, I'll put on a lightweight toque under my helmet.
As far as head coverings, I use this Robot Check and a helmet cover. Once it gets below 20F, I'll put on a lightweight toque under my helmet.
01-07-15, 03:39 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: central ohio
Posts: 1,536
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
In temperatures down to about 25f/-4c I wear those brown cotton jersey gloves, the insulated ones, you find in convenience stores for about $2. Anything lower than that and I switch to the mittens.
01-07-15, 05:20 PM
#20
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I have a pair of these;they're so warm I only wear them when it's below 30. They're bulky,but immune to snow. Can't tell you if they'll handle rain since I've never worn them in temps high enough for rain. Highly visible and cheap to boot.
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
01-07-15, 06:22 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,881
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 766 Post(s)
Liked 1,737 Times
in
1,012 Posts
I'm using this Seirus balaclava: Seirus Thermax Headliner Balaclava
$16 at REI. I've used it into the low 20's and with windchills to high single digits. It works well for me and fits well beneath my helmet.
$16 at REI. I've used it into the low 20's and with windchills to high single digits. It works well for me and fits well beneath my helmet.
01-07-15, 06:28 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Southern Colorado
Posts: 493
Bikes: General 80's MTB "Icebreaker", Motobecane Grand Jubilee (vintage mint), Trek 1.1, 2014 Motobecane Mirage (steel) Trek 3500 MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
01-07-15, 06:39 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Gotta be careful carrying that around the store. You could get shot.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
01-07-15, 06:52 PM
#24
Senior Member
folks here have pointed me to military surplus gloves for winter riding
you can get ones with trigger fingers, but for real cold, may need to go full mits
Amazon.com: G.I. LEATHER TRIGGER FINGER MITTENS Size Medium: Sports & Outdoors
you can get ones with trigger fingers, but for real cold, may need to go full mits
Amazon.com: G.I. LEATHER TRIGGER FINGER MITTENS Size Medium: Sports & Outdoors
As far as sizing--they run huge.
Official Gov't instructions, from tag, is to put thumb and finger into mitten with hand until needed.
01-07-15, 06:56 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts