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Winter gloves for cyclists: All models in the test are water-repellent and windproof
Photo: Markus Linden
When it gets cold, cycling without gloves is no fun. Winter-ready cycling gloves are available as classic finger gloves – or in the so-called lobster version. The latter alludes to the lobster's claws. Lobster gloves hold selected fingers together, unlike mittens.
Mittens warm very well, but the brakes and especially the gear levers cannot be operated properly. The Lobster gloves are a compromise of sorts. Two or three fingers can warm each other, while at the same time one or two always remain flexible enough to operate the gear levers.
However, the best thermal insulation is of no use if the material is not at least water-repellent. Wet gloves do not warm. However, all gloves in our test keep your hands dry. In addition, all test models are windproof.
But there are also some extras that can be useful.
Sporty cyclists appreciate extra padding on the palm of the hand. The more they sit leaning forward on the bike, the more weight there is on their hands. Padding distributes pressure and dampens vibrations. Gel pads tend to last longer than those made of foam.
Some manufacturers use a material on the fingertips that allows the touch operation of a smartphone. Helpful if you want to take a call on the go. However, the targeted hit of small buttons in apps is more of a matter of luck with the powerful glove tips.
Many cycling gloves have a soft or towelated material on the inside of the thumbs. Manufacturers occasionally call such a thing a "sweat wiper" a little bashfully, although "nose wiper" would be more appropriate: In fact, cyclists rarely wipe the sweat from their noses in winter, but usually other liquids.
It's a good thing that the gloves are usually washable. However, pay attention to the manufacturer's cleaning instructions to ensure that the gloves remain waterproof.
Endura Deluge Gloves
The Deluge are classic finger gloves, so they don't cause any problems when shifting gears and braking. It's made from a lightweight material that, according to Endura, is designed to be waterproof. In fact, the hands remained dry during a test drive in the continuous rain in Hamburg.
The gloves are not quite as heavily lined as, for example, the Lobster Gloves from GripGrab or Roeckls Vinadi. This is an advantage because they hardly restrict the freedom of movement of the fingers, but a disadvantage in terms of insulation. During our test rounds at a temperature of about 6 degrees, the hands remained sufficiently warm. It is only at temperatures below freezing point that the model is no longer sufficient for longer journeys.
Endura states that the Thinsulate material of the gloves is breathable. This doesn't completely prevent sweat, but it wasn't a problem during sporty rides in the test. The inner lining is soft and although the gloves are rather tight, they are easy to put on and take off.
The palms of the glove are padded with gel and partially ribbed so that the handlebars can be gripped securely. On the index and little fingers, reflective elements are attached to the outside. We tested the version in neon yellow, which is clearly visible even in bad weather on the road. If you don't like the fluorescent color, you can also buy the gloves with reflective elements in black.
You can use your smartphone with the gloves, but typing on the keyboard is almost impossible. The "nose wiper" on the thumb is present.
What you like: The glove is lightweight, fits well and is warm enough for most use. Good visibility in traffic.
The less: It is not suitable for sub-freezing temperatures.
Who the Deluge gloves are suitable for: For commuters and athletes alike, as long as they don't take longer journeys in sub-zero temperatures.
GripGrab Nordic 2 Windproof Deep Winter Lobster Gloves
GripGrab has built the Lobster system in its winter gloves as a 1-1-3 system: the thumb and index finger are individually encased. The remaining fingers are packed together, but are separated in the inner lining. So putting it on feels similar to finger gloves. The waistband is not particularly long, and is closed at the wrist with an elastic band and Velcro.
There is an additional lining on the heel of the hand, which cushions the weight a bit when leaning on the handlebars. A rubber coating is applied to the fingertips and above the ball of the foot to prevent it from slipping.
In the test, the Lobster system from GripGrab allows you to shift gears and brake almost unhindered on mountain bikes and touring bikes. On the road bike, however, the three fingers together are a bit too clumsy for the small shifter of a Shimano drivetrain.
Rain rolls off the gloves. At temperatures around 8 degrees on the test drive, however, the gloves are almost too warm. Just below freezing, they could be used well and for a long time. Even if your hands sweat, the gloves are easy to take off. The "sweat wiper" on the thumb is also available.
In principle, the index finger and thumb are suitable for operating a touch screen – but the heavy lining makes the fingertips thick. With a little practice, however, you can at least launch apps or answer a call.
What you like: The gloves are warm, windproof and waterproof. They are easy to put on and take off.
The less: Sometimes the three fingers together are a bit much.
Who the GripGrab gloves are suitable for: For athletes and for commuters who want to travel in temperatures below freezing.
Chiba Bioxcell Warm Winter
The Bioxcell Warm Winter from glove specialist Chiba are finger gloves with a special feature: Behind the marketing term Bioxcell is a strong gel element on the palm of the hand just below the little finger and ring finger. It is eight millimeters thick and with this height not only cushions the hand there, but also lifts it a little higher in the middle. Chiba writes that this relieves two nerves in the hand, the overload of which cyclists perceive as "asleep" hands. If you suffer from it, you could try the Chiba gloves.
Even without this extra, Chiba has designed a well-thought-out glove: The outer material is waterproof at the top and breathable at the same time, the palm is slightly ribbed and ensures a secure hold on the handlebars. The inner lining is strong.
The waistband at the wrist is closed with Velcro. Chiba has used neoprene at this point and calls it a "wrist warmer". Let's put it this way: Yes, we didn't freeze at this point in the test.
Overall, the glove warms well and is not affected by rain. At about 3 degrees below zero, the hands stayed warm for about half an hour, at 5 degrees above zero permanently. With the finger glove, braking and shifting on all systems can be done without any problems.
However, the freedom of movement of the fingers is somewhat restricted, the material is very strong. At the tips of the index fingers, an additional layer is applied for touch-screen operation. However, the stiff material makes it difficult to hit the right keys. Small details such as snap fasteners for tying the gloves together before stowing them and a small tab as a donning aid are not decisive, but round off the overall positive impression.
What you like: The gloves are warm, waterproof and the Bioxcell system may be able to help against hands that have fallen asleep.
The less: The gloves are stiff and somewhat restrict the freedom of movement of the fingers.
For whom the Chiba Bioxcell Warm Winter Gloves are suitable: In any case, for all those who suffer from hands falling asleep while cycling. In terms of design, they are very sporty, but of course they don't hurt on touring or city bikes.
Vaude Tremalzo Softshell Mids
The Tremalzo softshell mids are a kind of overglove: they are only lightly lined and come in an oversize: So they can be pulled over other gloves and make them windproof and waterproof. At the same time, they remain breathable.
What gloves do you wear underneath? The material is unimportant, but it should be relatively thin finger gloves. We tried them with leather gloves and with thin road bike gloves, but fashionable cloth gloves can also be worn as an underglove.
This is great for reinforcing the finger gloves on bike tours if necessary. Or helpful on the way to the office: In the morning, you can cycle to the office well protected, but you can go out with everyday gloves during your lunch break.
According to Vaude, the gloves are made of an ecologically produced softshell material. The palm and the transition between thumb and index finger are reinforced with imitation leather. The design as a Lobster two-finger glove follows the 1-2-2 principle: the index and middle fingers are stuck together, as are the ring finger and the little finger. This works well on trekking and city bikes. Even on road bikes, braking and shifting can be done without any problems with the usual systems. If you rely on one-finger braking on your mountain bike, you will have to look for other gloves.
There is an elastic band at the waistband that can be widened enough to glide through with finger gloves. Pulled over the leather gloves, the hands stay warm even in the cold. The gloves are not completely waterproof, but they are water-repellent. They can withstand simple rain showers well.
What you like: They are a fine addition to other gloves. The workmanship is of high quality.
The less: Without an inner glove, they only provide limited warmth.
For whom the Vaude Tremalzo softshell mids are suitable: For commuters who need their everyday gloves and cyclists who want to make their thin gloves cold and water resistant when needed.
Ziener Donni WS PR Bike Glove
This Ziener finger glove is made of »Windstopper« material: a windproof and at the same time breathable fabric developed by the Gore company. However, it is not completely waterproof, but only water-repellent. On the palms of the hands, Ziener has used a rubber coating that is lined with gel. The tips of the index fingers and thumbs are also rubberized. This can make it easier to shift gears. However, a smartphone cannot be operated with the gloves.
On the wrist, the waistband is made of neoprene, somewhat elastic and is closed with Velcro. The hand slides easily into the gloves, when closed they fit very well. Even when undressing, the hand slides out well.
The glove is flexible and does not constrict the hand. Braking and shifting gears is no problem – the glove is hardly noticeable. At temperatures below freezing, it gets cold at some point. But usual city trips of up to 20 minutes were no problem in the test.
The right test glove has a QR code sewn into it for an SOS ID. With this system, emergency information for emergency medical services can be stored online and can be read out by the emergency services.
What you like: The glove fits comfortably, looks good and shifting is almost as good as without a glove. It insulates well.
The less: Smartphones cannot be operated with the glove due to the lack of touch coating.
For whom the Ziener Donni WS PR Bike Glove is suitable: For sporty drivers as well as for commuting.
Roeckl Sports Vinadi
These finger gloves are different from the competition: they are made of a soft and strongly lined fabric. The Vinadi are visually reminiscent of ski gloves – but fit just as snugly on the hand as, for example, the slimmer Ziener gloves. The strong but supple fabric also doesn't get in the way when shifting gears or braking.
On the palm of the hand there is a material that is reminiscent of fleece. The backhand is three-layered, water-repellent and windproof. Unlike the competition, the inner waistband is also made of soft fabric and sits snugly on the wrist with its elastic band.
When putting it on, you have to grab the waistband to get the glove over your hand. That's not a big problem. However, unlike the Velcro solutions of the competition, the tight cuff is difficult or impossible to pull over the tight sleeves of a shirt, sweater or the cuffs of a jacket. With the Vinadi, the sleeves of the outerwear must therefore run over the cuff.
Other bicycle accessories in the test
Overshoes in the test:How to keep your feet dry while cyclingBy Markus Linden
Streamlined water protection:Rain jackets for bicycles in the testBy Markus Linden
Cycling rain pants in the test:Dry underneathBy Markus Linden
Roeckl Sports completely dispenses with padding on the palm of the hand. This doesn't really matter on the usual city trips to the office and shopping, but on a road bike or gravel tours, padding can actually be helpful. When driving below freezing, the Vinadi eventually reaches its limit. After about 30 minutes of city driving, the fingertips slowly got cold at 3 degrees below zero.
Nevertheless, the Vinadi is one of the better insulated finger gloves.
What you like: The gloves are very soft and fit comfortably. They warm well.
The less: There is no padding on the palm. And visually, the model is rather thick.
For whom the Roeckl Sports Vinadi is suitable: Mainly for commuting in temperatures down to just below zero degrees.
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