Winter Gloves For Commuting
#1
Thread Starter
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Winter Gloves For Commuting
Any recs. for winter gloves? They need to have enough insulation to be warm. But also flexible enough that I can feel the brake levers. Is there anything out there that fits that description? Thanks to all that reply....
#3
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Lobster claw type pair fingers to mutually warm each other. that is almost as good as mittens.
I purchased some Spenco full finger gloves, and theyre OK so far, still above 0 here
neoprene sailboard gloves are decent but as they are a sponge though closed cell,
will absorb heavy rain.
Offshore commercial fishers/crab pot haulers wear several layers of rubber gloves..
I purchased some Spenco full finger gloves, and theyre OK so far, still above 0 here
neoprene sailboard gloves are decent but as they are a sponge though closed cell,
will absorb heavy rain.
Offshore commercial fishers/crab pot haulers wear several layers of rubber gloves..
#5
xtrajack
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Maine
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
I use gloves that are windproof and waterproof that my wife found at Sam's Club ~25 dollars or so. I also have a pair of windproof and waterproof mittens designed for snowmobiling, I paid ~30 dollars for at Labonville.
#6
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same here, better than the $40 bike specific gloves that are either too hot or not warm enough in the rain. For even colder riding the half glove/mitt ragg wool gloves.
#7
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From: England
Where are you. Glove recommendations mean nothing unless we know what type of cold you suffer from.
My winters are usually 0-5C dry but damp, or 5-10C rainy.
Fleece windstopper gloves with a leather palm seem to work well.
Wool gloves keep me comfortable but wear out on the controls.
My winters are usually 0-5C dry but damp, or 5-10C rainy.
Fleece windstopper gloves with a leather palm seem to work well.
Wool gloves keep me comfortable but wear out on the controls.
#8
I recommend layers. I use Pearl Izumi ShoftShells (full fingers with grippy spots on thumb and index finger for shifting) on cool but not frigid days, then add liners on frigid days (Icebreaker makes some great merino wool liners). That said, the combination will run you 70 bucks or so. You could be just as comfortable with any decent thickness glove that has Thinsulate, or Thinsulate plus Windblock material on the outside.
#9
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From: Binghamton, NY
Bikes: Workcycles FR8, 2016 Jamis Coda Comp, 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker
I have a couple of different gloves. Some IronClad cold condition gloves serve me well until it gets right about 35 degrees. After that I have some Marmot Ski gloves for temps lower than that. I bought them at a discount store for about $15 a piece.
#10
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Yep- - -the right gloves are all conditions-based. My favorites for temps in the high 20's to about 40 are Gore Countdown. Mid 20's and below call for some much toastier gloves from Pearl. . . I think they're amfibs but I'm not home at the moment and cant' check this. For temps in the 40's most anything that wind blocks and provides a modicum of warmth is fine. The Gore's are waterproof as well as warm- - -at least mine are. They've kept me warm and dry in steady cold rains.
#11
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From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
I use skiing gloves made by Black Diamond for most of my winter riding, they are a little expensive but I like them. And for long distance rides in very cold weather I have a pair sheepskin mitts that I made myself many years ago, they are bulky but extremly warm.
#12
Living the Dream
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
I've been happy with my PI Cyclone gloves. Good for Texas winters. Sure they cost a little more, but I've been very happy with them. I wear XXL so walmart doesn't carry my size. If I try a pair of XL, they rip at the stitches.
#13
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From: California
Bikes: '83 Specialized Sequoia (crashed and retired), '85 Specialized Allez SE, '86 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2016 Ritchey Road Logic
#15
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Joined: Dec 2009
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"Winter work gloves" are useless in keeping wind off your fingers - the wind went right through them. God only knows how bad they'd be out in a cold rain.
A 20-25 MPH wind at 20F hurts.
#16
Prefers Cicero

Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
I haven't found good gloves yet. I commute down to about -6C (about 21F) and even with good winter ski mitts that work fine on the ski hill, or walking in any temperature, my fingers still get cold by the time I get to work on a bike. I keep a pair of old socks in my trunk bag and put them over the fingers of the gloves and that sort of works, except for my thumb. I think a major problem is that metal brake levers suck the warmth out of your gloves.
I have some nylon lobster claws with minimal insulation and they are ok down to about 5C (40F).
I have some nylon lobster claws with minimal insulation and they are ok down to about 5C (40F).
#17
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I have the pearl izumi barrier lobster gloves. Not cheap, but did score them for $50 with free shipping. Compared to $70 + tax in a store.
They are awesome. Been into low 20's with them so far and not cold at all.
If it's in the 30's I usually just use the $2 stretch gloves, they work fine. Or I will put the lobster gloves on and then switch to the stretch gloves after a few miles and I am warmed up.
They are awesome. Been into low 20's with them so far and not cold at all.
If it's in the 30's I usually just use the $2 stretch gloves, they work fine. Or I will put the lobster gloves on and then switch to the stretch gloves after a few miles and I am warmed up.
#19
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I haven't found good gloves yet. I commute down to about -6C (about 21F) and even with good winter ski mitts that work fine on the ski hill, or walking in any temperature, my fingers still get cold by the time I get to work on a bike. I keep a pair of old socks in my trunk bag and put them over the fingers of the gloves and that sort of works, except for my thumb. I think a major problem is that metal brake levers suck the warmth out of your gloves.
I have some nylon lobster claws with minimal insulation and they are ok down to about 5C (40F).
I have some nylon lobster claws with minimal insulation and they are ok down to about 5C (40F).
Try something like a pair or two of these under your gloves:
https://www.sunnysports.com/prod/TRMA..._sku=TRMAMGLXL
#20
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Full finger gloves with mittens that fold over the top when necessary. When really cold, put chemical warmers in the part that folds over the fingers. My coldest ride to this point, -5 f. I guess they're called pop top mittens.
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Last edited by daredevil; 11-20-10 at 07:13 PM.
#21
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: KHS Town and Country 100 & Jamis Durango Femme 1.0
I wear waterproof ski gloves that have kept my fingers warm and dry for the past 3 years. The fingers are soft and flexible with no strain with my hands curled around the grips but they are bulky. I find I have to use 3 fingers on the brake levers or when I squeeze them with 2 fingers, the bulky stuffing gets in the way of actually slowing and stopping.
The waterproofness is excellent and I was reminded of how well the gloves keep my hands warm and dry when we had a downpour last week. My gloves were soaked but my hands were bone dry.
The gloves are most comfortable when the temps are close to freezing to about -10 Celsius.
I think the gloves were $19 at a camping store in Toronto. They were a gift for Christmas several years ago and I don't recall the name of the company that made the gloves. Auden? I'd have to check the label.
The waterproofness is excellent and I was reminded of how well the gloves keep my hands warm and dry when we had a downpour last week. My gloves were soaked but my hands were bone dry.
The gloves are most comfortable when the temps are close to freezing to about -10 Celsius.
I think the gloves were $19 at a camping store in Toronto. They were a gift for Christmas several years ago and I don't recall the name of the company that made the gloves. Auden? I'd have to check the label.
#22
I would however like to suggest this additional piece of gear. Since I have a gap between my jacket and glove end, I always have to carefully tuck the wrist end of the gloves under the sleeve ends. Last year I made a pair of "wrist gaiters" by cutting the toe ends off a pair of athletic socks for my fingers and an additional hole for my thumb. The gaiters extend all the way up over my forearm. I have found that they keep my forearms quite warm, and usually become slightly damp with sweat, but not enough to chill. This may be subjective, but I think they help keep my hands warmer by keeping the blood flowing down to my hands warmer than otherwise without them.
This winter I will take note more carefully on those really challenging days, but last winter I didn't buy mittens, as I had contemplated the year before.
#23
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dr. Dew, Moose Bicycle XXL (fat bike), Yuba Mundo V3
They're windproof, waterproof, insulated with Thinsulate, have long cuffs or gaiters to go over your jacket cuffs, and can be cinched tight at both the wrist and the end of the gaiter. The down side is they're not very dexterous. They're good enough for manipulating mountain bike style brake levers and trigger shifters, but adjusting a zipper without being able to see the zipper requires some fumbling.
#24
nashcommguy
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: nashville, tn
Bikes: Commuters: Fuji Delray road, Fuji Discovery mtb...Touring: Softride Traveler...Road: C-dale SR300
During rain I use rubber gloves w/wool liners if it's pushing towards freezing.
Last edited by nashcommguy; 11-22-10 at 09:10 AM. Reason: spelling
#25
xtrajack
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Maine
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
I think I recently bought the same gloves. Brand name is Continental Divide, though they don't appear to exist anywhere outside of Sam's Club and Ebay.
They're windproof, waterproof, insulated with Thinsulate, have long cuffs or gaiters to go over your jacket cuffs, and can be cinched tight at both the wrist and the end of the gaiter. The down side is they're not very dexterous. They're good enough for manipulating mountain bike style brake levers and trigger shifters, but adjusting a zipper without being able to see the zipper requires some fumbling.
They're windproof, waterproof, insulated with Thinsulate, have long cuffs or gaiters to go over your jacket cuffs, and can be cinched tight at both the wrist and the end of the gaiter. The down side is they're not very dexterous. They're good enough for manipulating mountain bike style brake levers and trigger shifters, but adjusting a zipper without being able to see the zipper requires some fumbling.





