Well this morning's commute was my first REALLY cold (by my definition, well below freezing) commute. It was about 25 degrees F.

I used neoprene booties and my feet were toasty....but my fingers FROZE! I used my usual budget(performance brand) winter gloves AND glove liners. My fingers got numb after about 15 minutes, especially the pinky.

By the time I got to work my fingers were numb...after they warmed up they HURT...for about 5 minutes....then were ok.

Any suggestions on a budget solution so this doesn't happen again? If it matters I ride a road bike but single speed so I dont need to shift. And I don't have tons of $$ to buy fancy gear.

Doug

I like my PI Cyclones; cost just under $40.00, but I don't know where that falls in the relative scale of "not expensive".

Wool gloves from the Army/Navy are another favourite around the forum. Wool is warm, even if it's sopping wet. They're also hella cheap.

Cycling gloves are an even bigger waste of money in cold weather. Try shopping as a pedestrian; your wallet (and fingers) will thank you.

Make sure your shoulders are dropped and your elbows bent...improves circulation. I find this makes a big difference. And it's free.

I looked these up (PI cyclone glove). Most reviewers said this is a good glove for cool weather but not below freezing.

I would be willing to spend some coin if it made a real difference, but I dont know if this is any better than my current setup, which is fine down to right about the freezing point.

Nitrile surgical gloves under the regular gloves. Works for me. can't do latex due to allergiic reaction (common) but the nitrile ones work just fine. Like you, it was 25deg this am starting out.

-R

What are you wearing for glove liners? They could make more of a difference than the outter glove. I wear a $5 military style wool glove under $25 mountain bike gloves that are one size too big. I'm fine down to about 18 to 20 F.

I am wearing performance polypro glove liners. Maybe I should try wool gloves under my cycling gloves?

Go to Marshalls and get some Kombi gloves. I picked up 2 pair there and the highest price pair was $15. At 22F temp, my hands sweat in them.

I got a pair of winter insulated gloves from Lowes that were labeled specifically for moderate activity ($8) and it was down to 20 last week and they worked great..
They keep my hands warm as long as I'm riding without getting sweaty. But I would find them not enough to go walking outside with.

Yeah, I suggest you try some wool gloves underneath. I have the same polypro liners too and despite the cost they are not as good.

I am in the same predicament. My fingers are my weak spot -- right now, I have glove liners, Descente Wombat gloves, and I put in reusable hand warmers, and my fingers are still freezing after 30 minutes! I am researching really good gloves, and there are some prior threads on this site on that subject -- in particular, I'm looking at some gloves at Cabela's (google them) that seem to be super warm but still in the $30-50 range. In terms of cycling-specific gloves, I'm seeing a lot of recommendations for Pearl Izumi amfib gloves.

I have the Pearl Izumi Inferno gloves, and I just got the Cabela's Gore-Tex Pinnacle Gloves. The Pinnacle seems warmer, but it is difficult to get my jacket sleeves over the glove cuffs.

I have a pair of $10 fleece gloves from Costco that I've used down to 25 deg. F and my hands have been fine (on a 1 hr. 15 min. one way commute). Right now Costco has a fleece lined gloves with an outlast liner that are advertised as weatherproof for $10. I got a pair, but I haven't tried them for commuting. They seem like they'd be just as good as the others I have.

Costco also has a pair of Head ski gloves, with the over-the-cuff gaiters, a handwarmer pocket, and an Outlast liner for $14. I used these on my motorcycle until I got real motorcycle gloves. They were fine on my motorcycle down to about 40 deg F (keep in mind, I was going as fast as 65 mph).

I also have a pair of REI One gloves (currently $34.50; I got them on sale for $20), but they're not as good as the $10 Costco gloves. I can't imagine why one would spend any more than $10 - $15 on gloves for winter riding.

Because cyclists waste hundreds of dollars each year on cycling-specific accessories when non-cycling-geared materials would suit just fine (or often, much better).

OK, now I get it. Either way, I'll stick with my $10 gloves.

I use a fairly bulky pair of waterproof motorcycle gloves when I bike in the cold. I figure if they're good enough for use on the motorbike they'll work well for the bicycle. Peddled in this morning and it was 14F and my hands were warm.

I have them, and for me they work great.

But beware.... they are not weatherproof. They have "Weatherproof" in big letters on the package... but underneath in real small letters it says "Garment Company". It's the freaking manufacturer!!

-R

I just bought these last night! I didn't commute today, but I plan to use them on my commute tomorrow (probably with glove liners to be safe) and will report back, but they definitely seem much warmer than my "winter cycling gloves." In general, I do think that certain accessories are better if cycling-specific (jerseys, summer gloves, shorts), but am finding the exceptions like this. For example, I haven't found affordable winter tights that really keep my upper legs warm for a whole ride, so I started using some lined track pants, and they work great.

Maybe for the same reason they would spend over $100 for a taillight (per your sig.) - because they want to.

Generally incorrect. With winter gloves I would agree.

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In response to the OP:
I like picking up my winter gloves from outdoor sports stores. However, I spend around $30 a set. I find the typical xmart special lacking.

When I am warming up no matter how thick my gloves are my fingers are cold. Once I am warmed up they are generally toasty.

Other cyclists waste hundreds of dollars each year on non-cycling-specific accessories, and then have to spend the money all over again when they learn how wrong they were.

I wear my summer-weight gloves through sub-freezing temperatures. The main thing that freezes fingers is wind. Block it (and rain) before it even gets to your gloves:

https://www.trails-edge.com/retail/te...mfbikemits.htm

Those are Moose Mitts. They mount on your handlebars and cover all the stuff you need to touch (brake levers, shift levers, grips, etc.). Your gloved hands go inside them.

I wear crocheted half-gloves down to around freezing, and then summer-weight full-fingered gloves below that. Nice and comfy inside the Moose Mitts, and no fumbling around with thick fingers.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I like the look of the moose mitts, maybe santa can leave a pair under my tree.

As a follow-up to yesterday's post, I rode home in very wet conditions and temps about 40.....and my fingers were FINE! Even with the wet! Seems the wind and sub-zero (c) temps are my main enemies with my current setup.

Doug

In those kind of temps I wear snowboarding Mittens that I bought for $20. I find that riding in Winter temps I think like a skier. Forget that bike specific stuff. Its expensive and its usually not worth a darn. Moose mitts are for frigid stuff down in the single digits.

Since you have single speed and don't need to shift, see if mittens would provide you with the dexterity you need - mittens are warmer than gloves since your fingers can keep each other warm. Along the same lines if you want a bit more dexterity but more warmth, try lobster claws, so each non-thumb finger has a mate.

I find that if I underdress the rest of me, my body diverts heat so my fingers get cold a lot faster. So make sure your torso is warm enough (without overheating of course - layers are best, and a jacket with pit zips) and make sure your ears/head are warm enough because the body will always prioritize head over fingers.

Still cold? Whether you go for mittens or gloves try a fleece layer on the inside, and a windproof shell on the outside. As you mentioned, its the wind that will get you!

Happy winter cycling!