A pair of cold hands can take all the joy right out of biking experience. The numbness that most users experience can hamper their ability to shift and put on brakes in a timely manner. All these worries can go away by using a good, high-quality winter mountain bike glove.
Top 7 Winter Bike Gloves
Investing in good winter bike gloves that have a good grip, padding, and other useful features can make the ride worthwhile and doable under any atmospheric conditions. To save your time on research, we have reviewed some of the best winter bike gloves below;
INBIKE Men’s Touch Screen Bike Gloves
Features
Designed for cold and dry conditions, the Inbike men’s bike gloves feature a touch screen and a thermal system woven in the lining. The use of polyester makes them windproof and water-resistant. The inner surface, however, is gel-padded to give the user a more comfortable hold over the handlebars. This also lessens the shock impact from when the user passes through rugged terrains.
Last but not least, it is made to have touch screen compatibility for remaining in touch with your phone or GPS. Strategic upper panels allow your hands to breathe, a reflective logo increases visibility, and a long wrist cuff keeps the wind and rain outside.
Pros
- The thermal lining helps keep the glove super warm from the inside
- Polyester in the materiality makes it tear-resistant
- Gel pads help absorb shock, which lessens the stress on the palm during tiring rides
- Presence of a touch screen function allows for the phone to be managed without having to remove the gloves
- Reflective property allows for better visibility and safety
Cons
- Many users complain about its lack of waterproofing as to what is promised
- Not suitable for areas that receive heavy rainfall
Hikenture Winter Cycling Gloves
Features
Setting comfort as the main priority, Hikenture has designed these cycling gloves with touch screen compatibility along with water and wind resistance. This puts it on par with some of the highest-quality winter gloves in the market. The fleece fabric helps the user stay warm, and combined with the 4mm anti-slip padding, it helps cut off road vibration and eases tension on the hands for long distances. The same fabric also has the ability to keep hands dry in winter.
Another great feature of this glove is the adjustability; users can manage the zipper themselves so that it fits snugly around their hand. The touch features make tapping and swiping effortless on the phones and tablets alike for purposes such as navigation and attending calls.
Pros
- Long cuff style makes it warmer than other gloves on this list
- Zipper is adjustable and waterproof
- Brand offers a full money-back guarantee for 90 days
- Conductive fabric of the glove allows for easy use of digital interactive surfaces such as phones and smartwatches
- 4mm anti-slip padding helps soak up road vibration, thereby allowing for a seamless riding experience
Cons
- Some users find them shorter than how a standard-sized glove should be; they stop exactly where the hand ends
- Could use a bit more padding in the palm area for added comfort
Giro D’Wool Men’s Urban Cycling Gloves
Features
Elevating the overall comfort standards for bike gloves, Giro offers the inclusion of merino wool in its gloves, which is a lot more comfortable to wear than the synthetic material such as polyester used in the majority of gloves. Another great thing Giro has introduced in these gloves is the moisture-wicking property that reduces any chances of the glove overheating and skin getting irritated by that while the user is on the route.
The merino wool used has organically found antimicrobial properties; these help in eradicating any bad smells after a long stuffy ride. The glove also feels super flexible when the user requires increased control of the ride. Also present is a gentle-on-the-skin microfiber surface that can be used for wiping off sweat from the face.
Pros
- Merino wool, which has antimicrobial properties, is the main material
- One of the most aesthetically pleasing gloves in the market
- Feel of the glove is super soft, and the lining allows for moisture-wicking
- Palm area is in suede material for greater control and handiness
- A gentle microfiber cloth is located on the thumb for wiping off sweat
Cons
- This one is considered to be amongst the more high-end gloves; therefore, it might not be affordable by some
- The seaming is not done well, which is why users report the thumb and index finger to come apart in a short time of usage.
MOREOK Mens Cycling Gloves
Features
Considered to be amongst the more high-end gloves, these have a unique fingerless-glove aesthetic that offers the utmost comfort in humid and cold situations alike. The absence of padding on the fingers is compensated by a double foam layer coverage, which is also ergonomically shaped. This layered design helps the hand stay protected from shock impacts that may occur while riding through rough terrains.
What makes this glove stand out from the rest is the design of its pads. They are covered with silicone dots, which provides a sturdy grip on the bike’s handles. The fabric is also very breathable thanks to the small in-built holes that allow for constant cooling.
Pros
- The design is ergonomic, which is the ultimate comfort feature
- Includes a soft wiping thumb on its surface
- Shockproof palm fabric allows users to drive faster in rugged areas with greater control
- Fabric is made to be breathable to prevent sweating
- The glove feels very lightweight when worn
Cons
- Some users have reported them to wear out in the time span of a few months
WelMat Mountain Bike Gloves for Men Women
Features
A three-layered bike glove with non-bulky inserts is every biker’s dream, and WelMat has made it come true. Offering a full-hand cushioning, it tackles any potential issues that have to do with numbness, pain, or itching. It features a secure Velcro closure that provides simple wearability for the user and gives a great slip-resistant grip no matter what the terrain is.
This is another fingerless bike glove on this list. This gives it a lot more breathability than fully covered ones, which makes it a great choice for people who tend to sweat often. It has a moisture-wicking mesh that adds to the cooling component to ensure dryness on the hands. The inner fabric is extremely soft, thereby eradicating any chances of irritation. A lot of users have found this to be a great choice not just for cycling or biking but also for use in the gym for fitness exercises.
Pros
- The only glove that has three layers of flexible, shock-proof neoprene inserts to eradicate any chances of hand discomfort
- Features secure Velcro closures that make adjustments and wearability easier than most other gloves
- The moisture-wicking fabric ensures constant ventilation and good condition for hands
- Embodies very strong, unique style of stitching that would last you for years to come
Cons
- Some users have reported the stitches on the fabric to be a bit irritating when added pressure is applied against the bike handle
- Users who experience excessive sweating may find it a bit slippery
KUTOOK Full Finger Cycling Gloves
Features
Designed as a unisex glove, KUTOOK has spoken volumes about the need for flexibility in bike accessories through this glove. It is soft, shock-proof, and comes in 3 different colors; red, black, and blue. What is unique about its design is its bulk-free body, which allows for multi-functionality in use.
These gloves could be the most logical investment you can make if you have the budget.
Pros
- The fabric compromises of all breathable materials to ensure thorough ventilation
- The palm area is made to be shock-proof for better control for the user
- Users get to choose from 3 different colors
- The back panel is completely wind-proof
- Offers great insulation properties for added warmth
Cons
- Can be a tighter fit for some people
- The rubber decal may peel off if the glove is mishandled
ROCKBROS Mountain Bike Gloves
Features
Under extremely low-temperature conditions, you may not wish to look elsewhere for retaining that warmth when you are out and about. Rockbros offers one of the warmest gloves that are surprisingly also super affordable.
The presence of compact separators between fingers wick sweat, and the coziness of the Velcro closure makes it a great fit for just about any hand. The gentle wipe on the thumb is not amiss, making a useful function for when you have to deal with a runny nose or sweat with your glove on.
Pros
- Features a hook and loop closure, which is a convenient style of wearability
- Offers high-grade rubber protection that could protect hands in case of an accident
- The 6mm silica gel padding allows for extreme shock absorption and prevents any kind of potential pain or swelling
- The fabric is breathable Lycra at the back, and combined with the venting holes on the palm area, it offers the utmost comfort
- The gentle towel cloth on the thumb area is skin-friendly, which ensures zero irritation
Cons
- Tends to be a little soggy when wet
- Can be a tight fit on people with have wide hands
Materials
Most of the gloves are made using synthetic material, such as polyester or leather, as they are cheaper to manufacture and, in some cases, longer-lasting too. They also feel smoother and dry quickly, so users don’t have to worry about not being able to wash them often. Gloves that come in real leather add up to the cost, but if maintained, they can last longer than synthetic ones. Apart from the main body, manufacturers make use of silicon or rubber in the liners to provide protection against wind and cold.
Which Ones are Better – Mountain Bike Gloves or Mittens?
It is an obvious fact that mountain bike gloves cannot compete with mittens when it comes to added warmth. This is because, in a mitten, the fingers are kept together, which generates higher levels of heat. However, in terms of handiness, gloves are a way better choice as each finger has its separate space, and the user can choose the grip along with factors such as insulation. The best of both worlds is a lobster claw-style glove. This is made up of three parts; the thumb area, index area and middle fingers, and ring and pinky fingers.
How Warm Should Your Mountain Bike Gloves Be?
Usually, good mountain bike gloves offer insulation through the inclusion of synthetic materials that have quicker drying and heat retaining properties. It is also important to note that breathability is needed to keep the heat inside because if the moisture from the sweat is trapped inside, whatever material is used on the outside will not matter.
Therefore, the warmth needed depends on the kind of material used and its thermal properties. Another deciding factor could be the average temperature that you usually go out in because often, brands categorize their gloves based on a temperature scale. So for winter bike gloves, you can go for a glove meant for 10°C or lower.
Conclusion
Owing to the huge variety of winter bike gloves in the market, it can get confusing to decide between the best ones as they may have dissimilar but equally important or desirable features. To help find the best one for yourself, take into account your biking habits and the aesthetics that you prefer.
Thinking in these areas would help you pick the features you really need rather than being wooed by advertisement tactics. Using the guide above can help you be better equipped when it comes to investing in good winter mountain bike gloves. Good purchasing decisions have the power to eventually bring out your true potential. Happy shopping!