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The weather at the end of winter and into early spring is above all unstable and unpredictable; the same applies to autumn and mild winter days. Sun, clouds, wind and rain alternate wildly, and temperatures fluctuate between a cool five and a mild fifteen degrees. The task for long racing bike gloves is correspondingly demanding under rapidly changing and very different conditions. Even during one and the same training lap, a glove can be too warm or too cold and protect the hands from rain showers long enough or too briefly.
Wind and water protection before insulation
Gloves with a laminate construction have proven their worth: A vapour-permeable membrane lies under a permanently water-repellent coated outer skin on the back of the hand and fingers. An additional layer of insulating material is not absolutely necessary at temperatures around ten degrees, as long as the protection against wind and water works effectively. For temperatures around freezing point and below, you need special winter gloves. One You can find a test of twelve road bike gloves for winter riding here.
The insulating functional material of the glove must be made conductive so that at least the basic functions on the display of the GPS device or mobile phone can be operated with the gloves on. To do this, the fabric is provided with an electrically conductive thread, such as silver yarn. Most manufacturers equip the thumb and index finger of both gloves in this way.
Manufacturers design the palms of their gloves very differently. Some favour simple, flexible material, while others use robust, roughened imitation leather and attach gel padding to the palm or palm of the hand to relieve nerve fibres and prevent numb fingers, for example. Whether the various paddings are useful and how they work is a similarly individual question as with the seat pad of cycling shorts. Especially as the differences are as great as the range of personal preferences. What is too thin for one person is too thick for another; some prefer padding on the ball of the hand, others prefer none at all - but at least an abrasion-resistant section to protect the hand in the event of a fall.
A dozen manufacturers responded to our invitation to test and each sent in two pairs of different sizes. The cheapest model at a price of 27 euros from the German brand Kinetixx was also the lightest and thinnest in the test field. The most expensive, at 70 euros, is the softshell glove from the Italian brand Castelli. The fluffy knitted model with membrane from Q36.5 for 60 euros, also from Italy, immediately appealed to all testers due to its high level of comfort from the very first time they tried it on.
We tested all twelve gloves in the categories of weather protection, comfort, handling and workmanship. To do this, one pair from each manufacturer had to withstand five wash cycles as part of our test standard. Washing, rinsing and spinning revealed relatively clear indications of product and processing quality, such as loose threads, shrinking reflective material or the colour fastness of the material.
After washing, it also becomes clear how durable the impregnation is; the subsequent spray test shows whether rain still beads off or is absorbed by the glove fabric like a sponge. Two thirds of the gloves in the test showed recognisable weaknesses in this respect; some models are only suitable for dry weather, despite claims to the contrary.
What can really get in the way of long racing bike gloves
As with most other items of clothing, the fit of a glove cannot be strictly graded - hands are too different. However, there are a few general rules that can be used to categorise gloves: Stiff material on the palm, for example, prevents you from wrapping your hands smoothly around the handlebars. Thick padding, on the other hand, especially on the palm or at the base of the fingers, makes the grip indirect or even spongy. Seams between the fingers and over or around the fingertips can constrict or pinch, especially if they are bulging. Material on the back of the hand that is too thick and inflexible requires constant, minimal effort to close the hand around the handlebars, which can be tiring in the long run.
A long, soft cuff, on the other hand, prevents draughts from creeping into the jacket sleeves. The more elasticated the cuff, the easier it is to put the gloves on and take them off. Velcro straps are practical if they are easy to grip even when wearing gloves and the width of the cuff can be generously adjusted.
Typing and swiping on the touchscreens of the GPS computers and smartphones worked differently well, but the differences are not great. Whether you can type text on a digital keyboard depends more on the cut and volume of the gloved fingers than on the conductivity of the textile typing surface. There are hardly any externally recognisable features that indicate how sensitively the touch function works on a road bike glove; however, we would not do without this feature because it is extremely annoying if you have to take off your gloves every time you want to operate the GPS computer, answer the phone or take a quick mobile phone photo. What is really important with gloves, however, is comfort and protection from the cold, wind and rain.
Tip-capable?
The displays of most current smartphones are designed as capacitive touchscreens; so-called resistive touchscreens are now less common and are mainly found on older GPS or navigation devices. The latter react to pressure that connects two electrically conductive layers at specific points. Such displays are less expensive, but are harder to read and prone to wear and tear. Capacitive displays are touch-sensitive and allow more complex multi-finger gestures. They consist of a glass plate to which a transparent, conductive film is attached. An electrical field is created via alternating current, which reacts to touch with a bare finger. The technology is more expensive in comparison, but the displays are more durable and more resistant to scratches.
We tested these road bike gloves:
Alé Winter Protection
- Price: 52 Euro
- Country of production: Pakistan
- Equipment: Reflective material, gel padding
- Size/weight (size 10): XS-XL / 59 grams
Test summary: The glove is relatively small and feels very firm; seams and material edges are noticeable on the inside; high-quality workmanship, good touch function. Only suitable for dry weather.
Castelli Perfetto RoS Glove
- Price: 70 Euro >> available here
- Country of production: Vietnam
- Equipment: Gel strips on index and middle finger
- Size/weight (size 10): XS-XXL / 62 grams
Test summary: Fits elastically around the hand, the fingers are comparatively long, thin and flexible; the grip on the handlebars is slightly spongy; good rain protection; somewhat sluggish touch function. The glued surfaces come off after washing.
Craft All Weather Glove
- Price: 45 Euro >> available here
- Country of production: Pakistan
- Equipment: Reflective material, gel padding
- Size/weight (size 10): XS-XL / 55 grams
Test summary: The palm of the small glove is relatively stiff, difficult to put on and take off; loose seams on the thumb and cuff after washing; very good touch function. More suitable for dry weather.
Giant Diversion Thermo Longfinger
- Price: 50 Euro
- Country of production: China
- Equipment: Reflective material, Velcro fastener, gel padding
- Size/weight (size 10): S-XXL / 83 grams
Test summary: Fit well on strong hands and fingers; direct grip on the handlebars, comfortable fit, easy to put on and take off; impeccable touch function. The good waterproofing when new wears off considerably after washing.
Gore Wear C3 Infinium Stretch Mid Gloves
- Price: 55 Euro >> available here
- Country of production: Vietnam
- Equipment: Reflective material, gel padding
- Size/weight (size 10): XS-XXXL / 61 grammes
Test summary: Normal fit with relatively long fingers that fit tightly at the base of the fingers; clearly noticeable seam on the thumb; good grip on the handlebars, touch function not always accurate; top workmanship. The good waterproofing when new wears off somewhat after washing.
GripGrab Ride Windproof Midseason Gloves
- Price: 35 Euro >> available here
- Country of production: Pakistan
- Equipment: Reflective material, gel padding, cleaning zone
- Size/weight (size 10): XS-XXL / 58 grams
Test summary: A glove for slender fingers and hands, somewhat difficult to put on and take off due to the stiff palm. Typing with the thumb is difficult. For dry weather only, also available in neon colours.
Kinetixx Winntor
- Price: 25 Euro
- Country of production: China
- Equipment: Pull-out loop
- Size/weight (size 10): XS-XXL / 49 grams
Test summary: Normal fit, very comfortable on the hand, very good grip on the handlebars, touch function very precise and sensitive; separate loop makes it easier to put on and take off. Well impregnated when new, the outer skin visibly absorbs water after washing.
Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gel Glove
- Price: 45 Euro >> available here
- Country of production: Vietnam
- Equipment: Velcro fastener, gel padding, reflective material, pull-out loop
- Size/weight (size 10): S-XXL / 91 grams
Test summary: Fit for slim hands, the seams and padding are slightly noticeable; the inelastic reflective strip presses on the back of the hand; good touch function; more for dry weather and occasional drizzle; top workmanship.
Q36.5 Anfibio winter rain gloves
- Price: 60 Euro
- Country of production: Taiwan
- Equipment: seamlessly knitted
- Size/weight (size 10): S-XL / 59 grams
Test summary: Very comfortable to wear, fits like a second skin; touch function only on the index fingers, somewhat sluggish; top workmanship; the knitted material absorbs water relatively quickly. Contrary to the model name, more suitable for dry weather.
Roeckl Rosenheim
- Price: 60 Euro >> available here
- Country of production: China
- Equipment: Reflective material, Velcro straps, cleaning zone
- Size/weight (size 10): 6-12 / 92 grammes
Test summary: Comparatively voluminous glove; somewhat indirect grip on the handlebars; very good moisture protection, easy to put on and take off; top workmanship. The touch function zones are somewhat stiff but sensitive.
Sportful WS Essential 2 Glove
- Price: 50 Euro >> available here
- Country of production: China
- Equipment: Velcro strap, gel pad
- Size/weight (size 10): XS-XXL / 81 grams
Test summary: Clings firmly to the hand; direct feel on the handlebars, good grip; touch function only on the right index finger; pleasantly long cuff, durable waterproofing, very well made; also available as a version for women.
Ziener Cornelis Touch Long Bike Glove
- Price: 30 Euro
- Country of production: Indonesia
- Equipment: Velcro fastener, reflective material
- Size/weight (size 10): 6-11 / 54 grammes
Test summary: Very light and thin, more suitable for mild temperatures around or above ten degrees; very easy to put on and take off, the touch zones work sensitively; the good waterproofing when new withstands washing relatively well.
Finding the right size for road bike gloves
The starting point for determining glove sizes in Europe is the old inch (1 pouce corresponds to 2.7 centimetres) and its conversion to centimetres. A hand circumference of 27 centimetres therefore corresponds to the size "10". These sizes are assigned the standard international letter values, for example "XL" for men's size "10". There is a separate size chart for women's (and children's) hands, whereby the inch/centimetre values are identical to the men's values, but not the assigned letter values.
And to make things even more complicated: The conversion from centimetres to old inches is also not handled uniformly. For some manufacturers, for example, a hand circumference of 27 centimetres corresponds to a size "10.5". As gloves also vary depending on the manufacturer, size charts provide an important guide, but no guarantee of a suitable glove.
How TOUR tests road bike gloves
The overall grade is made up of a total of four criteria, which we have weighted according to relevance. We carried out all laboratory and practical tests ourselves. All test gloves were washed in the washing machine according to standardised instructions.
Weather protection (30 %) All gloves are windproof, but there are differences in the area covered by the glove. The models from Giant or Gore Wear, for example, protect the wrists generously, GripGrab or Ziener hardly at all. We were able to determine very large differences in beading behaviour in the laboratory with the spray test. While the outer skin of the gloves from Alé or GripGrab or Q36.5 soaked up water like a sponge, the drops of water beaded off reliably even after the wash test with Roeckl or Sportful.
Wearing comfort (30 %) Gloves with a high level of comfort should be as flexible as possible, leave enough room for manoeuvre on the inside with every movement and not cause any pressure points on the fingertips or roots. The knitted glove from Q36.5 proved to be a real hand flatterer on the handlebars, followed by the classic softshell versions from Castelli, Sportful and Gore Wear.
Handling and touch function (30 %) In terms of handling, we tried out how the gloves can be put on and taken off. Most of the models caused few problems, although the very tight-fitting Craft was difficult to put on and take off, and with the Roeckl you have to make sure that the lining stays in the glove if your hands are sweaty and sticky. The models with conductive tips on the left and right thumb and index finger received the best marks for touch function. In practical tests with smartphones and GPS computers with capacitive touchscreens, we also determined how sensitively and accurately they can be operated. The gloves from Craft, Giant and Kinetixx were the most convincing, while Castelli or GripGrab sometimes require a little more patience when swiping and typing.
Processing (10 %) We assessed the workmanship of the gloves once when they were new and once after a total of ten hours in the washing machine. We could hardly find any faults or wear in most of the candidates, which is why the marks are at a high level without any major differences.
You can download the full test with detailed individual ratings of the long road bike gloves below for €1.99.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has its price. That's why we guarantee independence and objectivity. The TOUR tests are based on standardised and reproducible test procedures, which we always disclose. TOUR articles can be bought - TOUR test victories cannot!
Matthias Borchers
Editor
