I was out on Sunday around Kentmere and it was a tad damp and snowy. My Endura deluge gloves of at least 10 years vintage have never been much good, but this time they soaked up all the moisture and left my hands frozen. What gloves do you recommend and more specifically, which neoprene gloves are the best. I've been looking at the DHB neoprene, but uncertain about them. Thanks in advance.
Thing is, due to resting on the levers, fingertips seem(at least for me) to wear out quickly, and thats where the water is getting in.
Any recommendations should take this into consideration.
As with clothing, I'd recommend layers of gloves.
Buy a cheap lobster pair and a pair of thermal liners.
Or if you really only want a single pair, I've had my eye on these for a while.
I'm still wearing a pair of 10 year old Sealskin ones that refuse to die, I reckon I'll get another winter out of them until I need a new pair. When that happens, I'll be getting them Shimano Gore Tex / Primaloft ones.
I'm using Fox Ranger Fire gloves. Not bulky and were fine in the cold snap before Christmas. Not really tested them in a downpour so can't comment on how they would cope with that.
Just to add a PSA, but the DHB neoprene gloves are now £9.50 at CRC. So I've bought a pair at that price.
neoprene gloves
Each to thier own, bug urgggggh wet hands.
Each to thier own, bug urgggggh wet and stinky hands.
FTFY. IMO Neoprene works fine in permanently wet situations, like being underwater, but it's not great at keeping things warm and dry.
Got some Altura's couple winters old now when Wiggle were flogging them for £7.50 a pair ( not a typo !)
Recently bought off here a pair of Endura Primaloft for when the others give up , only tried them in the cold but they are super toasty ( claim to be waterproof as well )
I've just got some Ejendrals 295 gloves for work and would definitely consider some of their other models for cycling. Not expensive so worth a try. I have worn the above gloves on my bike once but it was only 5 or 6°c so they were a bit warm.
If you want to do technical riding and it's not below zero, I'd recommend Sealskinz Ultra Grip.
Very durable, warm & waterproof. I don't see the need for neoprene when these are so good.
If you're riding in sub-zero temps (typically not so wet), then I'd say any winter gloves with some liners underneath.
In what way is neoprene waterproof? Isn't it the same stuff they make wetsuits out of? As in, the clue is in the name, wetsuit?
I tried (Polaris) neoprene gloves. They're "OK". There are conditions in which they work fine but not once it gets too cold. My biggest mistake was wearing them for a bivvy ride as it had been frosty overnight...
Yeah, they're not truly "waterproof" in that sense but they can keep you warmer than some waterproof gloves.
In what way is neoprene waterproof? Isn’t it the same stuff they make wetsuits out of? As in, the clue is in the name, wetsuit?
Neoprene is completely waterproof.
The gert big holes where your neck, hands, feet and access zip goes, and sewing lines less so. This then is why 'flushing' of cold water is an issue in wetsuits, and why 'steamers' were invented. These have tighter seals and taped seams, let some water in so you feel warmer, but don't allow cold water to flush through cooling you down like cheaper or older wetsuits do. A wetsuit is basically a few mm of insulation and a trick to make it feel more comfortable and warmer.
The issue is that neoprene is also totally non breathable. So in gloves on a bike (or walking etc) they get really sweaty, stinky and, should rain get in the cuff as with all gloves, end up with 10 little baths for your pinkies.
SpatzWear seem to get lets of good reviews, not tried these but might be worth a look
https://www.spatzwear.com/products/copy-of-spatz-neoz-thermal-neoprene-rain-gloves-neoz?variant=33016671469652¤cy=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_P6dBhD1ARIsAAGI7HAW-ytWsvwF3nmTIb1QNXCESSKhbDx3SDsJsSIOH3m5M2TqWqXWea4aAtDEEALw_wcB
The issue is that neoprene is also totally non breathable... they get really sweaty, stinky and, should rain get in the cuff as with all gloves, end up with 10 little baths for your pinkies
That is all true.
However, what they dont get, is cold. And that, fundamentally, is our aim here.
I dont care if my hands are wet or dry, just that they are warm. (we just usually associate warm with dry, thats all).
Neoprene Glove fan here. Endura FS26 are great: https://www.endurasport.com/fs260-pro-nemo-glove-ii-black/12928705.html
I tried neoprene and found them terrible. Two pairs and both resulted in frozen hands.
I'm currently using Bontrager Velocis Softshell Cycling Glove. They are very warm if a little bulky. I've not had any issues with waterproofness, but but used them much.
They also do a lobster version, but oddly that isn't waterproof. I've got those too and they are very warm, but possibly too warm for mountain biking
I really like the 100% Brisker Hydromatics I have. They're the most waterproof glove I've used, and crucially they're also thin enough that I can still feel the bars / levers. I really rate them. There are probably warmer (thicker) gloves for when it's dry and cold (I have some Fox ones) but when it's wet and cold I'd 100%* prioritise waterproofing over thickness.
*yep
I've been using Alpkit's Haline glove as my wet and cold weather cycling glove. Worked well all through last winter...
https://alpkit.com/products/haline-waterproof-glove
My wife has their two finger variant, called the Vulcan...
I get really miserable if my hands get cold/wet, and have tried many varieties of supposedly warm and waterproof gloves over the years. I now use the layers method, which has proved to be an absolute godsend.
Outer shell, the Dissent 133 HDryLite waterproof outer
Mid layer, 2 pairs of basic fleece gloves which I switch in/out when they get too sweaty.
For extra warmth, silk liners if needed.
I’m still wearing a pair of 10 year old Sealskin ones that refuse to die
Same here.
My hands suffer terribly in the cold. I've been through loads of gloves. Not actually found a pair that keep me warm in minus figures. So what I do is cycle up the hills in some big old motorbike gloves. But ride the descents in these
https://showerspass.co.uk/collections/waterproof-gloves
They are pretty damn good and with very good feel of the bars. I'd recommend
They look good Superfli, quite similar to the Sealskinz ones I mentioned earlier...
https://www.sealskinz.com/products/waterproof-all-weather-ultra-grip-knitted-glove
Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves
I bought a couple of pairs of Altura's version of these in the December clearance for £1.95 each. They really do punch above their weight. Add on a windproof layer and they really work well. I am now hunting for a size up glove as an outer for these.
I get really miserable if my hands get cold/wet, and have tried many varieties of supposedly warm and waterproof gloves over the years. I now use the layers method, which has proved to be an absolute godsend.
Outer shell, the Dissent 133 HDryLite waterproof outer
Mid layer, 2 pairs of basic fleece gloves which I switch in/out when they get too sweaty.
For extra warmth, silk liners if needed.
+1
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLCACHG/carnac-reflective-waterproof-crab-hand-winter-gloves work well and if you size up, can handle a pair of the Roubaix or Parky gloves underneath. Ultimates (mine are maybe the windproof version?) are great for approx 5-15C.
This thread has just caused me to add to my glove collection (c.25 pairs, walking, running, cycling, motorcycling and working!). I've sent for a pair of the Ejendral work gloves. I suffer really badly from cold hands and have tried loads. The Dissent ones I sent back as unfit for purpose. Currently using galibier Deep winter with silk liners. Not very waterproof, but as warm as anything I've tried before, except too-bulky Ski gloves. Neoprene doesn't seem to work for me, as soon as my hands get clammy, they get cold.
Pogies, or Perfect Curve Glacier Gloves for me- thick drysuit neoprene, they're designed for window washers! Precurved fingers, a sensible velcro strap and enough length to go up sleeves.
Downsides- they're thick and foamy so it reduces grip feel. If it's warm enough to sweat in them, then that is not nice, they're 100% waterproof in both directions. And they're also kind of hard to dry out for the same reason. And this leads to them smelling incredible, if you're not careful, and giving the general impresison that you've put your hands in a dead badger.
But they're warm and dry. Literally nothing else except pogies works for me when it's cold and wet- I have cold hands (diabetic side effect probably). The nearest I've got with other gloves was "really uncomfortable but more or less functional", whereas these are "actually warm". So the loss of feel is a bummer but I compare it to the loss of feel of having bloody cold hands. I got frostnipped up innerleithen once in some less good gloves and that led to a loss of grip feel, for about a year!
The Ejendal work gloves are fantastic btw but they don't cut it for me on the bike, I think it's just the wind chill. But for their actual job, I love em.
shermer75
Free MemberIn what way is neoprene waterproof? Isn’t it the same stuff they make wetsuits out of? As in, the clue is in the name, wetsuit?
It's also the same thing they make drysuits out of.
Neoprene (from endura bike neoprene to 5mm thick trigger finger diver's mitts) or mountaineering gloves for me if it's proper cold or grim. Bike gloves ime are ok for an hour or 3 above 5 degrees but useless below that or for longer.
Big fan of neoprene as it's more tactile than multiple layers of fabric for a giver warmth + waterproofing but it does make your fingers wrinkle.
Galibier Barrier's for very cold, and Galibier Ardenne above zero. Very good performance at a very good price.
I've got some Giro Proof. Seemed like they were going to be a bit bulky at first, but they were fine when I got riding.
I suffer with cold hands and these were great on Saturday. Not tried them in the wet though
I got the Ejendrals as recommended and they seemed spot on, very warm and waterproof and higher quality than any bike-specific glove I've seen. However, the goatskin palm is really soft and thin and tore the first time I fell off. currently 'repaired' with duct tape - I don't expect that to last long .....
