When it comes to keeping your hands warm throughout the coldest months, the best winter cycling gloves are essential. There are many factors you should consider. Cycling gloves have a lot of different features that can make them best for both wet and freezing cold conditions.
Our winter cycling gloves review is a quick guide to five of the best products you can buy today. The importance of good winter gloves cannot be overstated. Not only will a good set of winter gloves enable you to ride for longer, they also keep you safe!
Cycling down Mt Galibier in the Alps our team writer Sean discovered just how quickly things can change. “We had climbed Galibier in wet conditions, however it was not particularly cold as it was late July. By the time we had peaked and started our descent the wind had changed. With cold air coming straight off of a glacial peak on the other side of the valley I suddenly found myself struggling to pull on the brakes as my fingers went numb. With a 1600 ft drop on one side of the road I had no option but to stop and wait for the support vehicle to arrive”.
Good gloves are important. They will insulate, keep water out and also wick moisture away from the skin as you sweat. Expect to pay £45.00 plus for a good winter cycling glove and £25.00 or over for a decent windproof glove.
Features to look for:
- Taped seams or overlocked panels for wind resistance
- Hi-tech wicking materials to draw moisture away from your skin
- Waterproof rating appropriate for intended use
- Silicone or suede finger/palm grips
The gloves we will cover vary in price and features but what they all have in common is that they are best for keeping your hands warm during cold winter months.
Top 5 winter cycling gloves
We'll start the list with a favorite of ours. A clean-cut, light, yet warm and flexible winter glove. Definitely worth the hype.
These are a proper pair of winter gloves that will carry you through the worst of conditions. Engineered using windproof and thermal materials to offer the greatest possible warmth whilst remaining low profile for better dexterity on the hoods.
The new Prime-Series Thermal Gloves are amongst the most attractive cycling gloves you can find on the market this winter. Specialized never fail to disappoint in design, and on this occasion, they have been designed to add extra warmth on those more wintery rides.
A Polartec® Neoshell® upper keeps your hands safe from wind and chilly weather, all while keeping the overall bulk of the gloves at a minimum. Pair that with a hydrophobic AX Suede palm and you’ll have all the dexterity and comfort you need.
A great mix of reduced bulk and flexibility with pure warmth.
- Wind-resistant Polartec® Neoshell® upper staves off wind and chilly weather.
- Hydrophobic Ax Suede fit palm ensures a confident grip with the bars.
- Wiretap™ touchscreen-compatible for easy use of smartphones.
- Velcro cuff allows for micro-adjustments in fit, so that you can wear this glove under or over your jacket cuff.
- Reflective details enhance your visibility in low-light conditions.
- Fabric Content: BACK: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex; PALM: 100% Polyester
For us, Specialized are the boss in the cycling industry; they offer exceptional value, style, and performance. If you want to add a stylish touch to your kit, whilst staying safe and visible this winter then these are a definite win.
The new Prime-Series Thermal Gloves have been designed to add some warmth on those cold days. A Polartec® Neoshell® upper keeps your hands safe from wind and chilly weather, all while keeping the overall bulk of the gloves at a minimum. Pair that with a hydrophobic AX Suede palm and you’ll have all the dexterity and comfort you need.
- Hyper Green Polartec® Neoshell® is paired with unique reflective trims to drastically increase your visibility to motorists 24-hours a day.
- Wind-resistant Polartec® Neoshell® upper staves off wind and chilly weather.
- Hydrophobic Ax Suede fit palm ensures a confident grip with the bars.
- Wiretap™ touchscreen-compatible for easy use of smartphones.
- Velcro cuff allows for micro-adjustments in fit, so that you can wear this glove under or over your jacket cuff.
- Reflective details enhance your visibility in low-light conditions.
- Fabric Content: BACK: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex; PALM: 100% Polyester
These gloves are brilliant for tackling the harsh conditions of the British winter and getting you through those intense rides.
These Castelli winter gloves are warm, comfortable, and functional the Castelli Perfetto RoS Glove is perfect for all conditions.
Made to match the quality of the existing Castelli Perfetto family, the Perfetto RoS glove uses reduced seaming technology with the new GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® fabric to make a deceptively warm while staying reasonably thin and allowing maximum dexterity. An enhanced grip feature has been integrated into the palm and their own Damping System for comfort. This is the kind of breakthrough glove you've come to expect from Castelli.
The durability and shock absorption of these Castelli gloves are unmatched.
The cheapest but effective winter glove in our review. Starting at £15.99 this versatile glove is comfortable and quick-drying, perfect for everyday sport and fitness riding.
TransTextura™ fabric for quick moisture transfer and drying
Reinforced microfibre palm provides superior comfort and support for entry-level riders
Neoprene cuff with micro-Velcro™ closure for a better fit
As we all know, it’s not just the hands that suffer at the mercy of the winter weather. Your feet and toes can often be put through their paces with well vented cycling shoes, check out our guide on how to keep your feet warm while cycling and prevent numbing toes throughout winter
