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Winter cycling gloves: Short & sweet
The test shows that good winter cycling gloves don't have to cost more than 30 euros. Roeckl's glove costs more, but is one of the first with Gore's new, environmentally friendly ePE membrane; the outer shell and lining are made from recycled material. Overall, the gloves are very different despite being the same size, and the cuts are also different - be sure to try them on before buying!
Bicycle winter gloves in the test
Losing control of the handlebars due to clammy fingers not only hurts, but can even be dangerous if you can no longer apply the brakes with the same sensitivity and power. That's why the right winter glove for warm hands has to fulfil a number of demanding tasks.
The most important: Water must roll off the outer skin as completely and permanently as possible. An inner membrane should be at least water-repellent or even waterproof. However, if you sweat easily, you should bear in mind that "waterproof" can also mean that perspiration is not wicked away to the outside; in this case, your fingers will become damp and eventually clammy.
The same applies to the insulation: if there is a lot of insulating material, the heat can also build up in the glove. This restricts the mobility of the fingers and leads to an indirect, wadded grip feeling when shifting gears and braking.
The desire of many cyclists to be able to operate touch-sensitive displays with their gloves on is being met by manufacturers with "touch-enabled" models in which the thumb or index finger are equipped with small conductive zones on at least one hand. This may be useful for starting the recording on the bike computer or quickly answering a call on the smartphone, but in our experience, you still have to take off your winter cycling gloves to tap and swipe through an app or take a photo.
There are plenty of useful features, including well-distributed reflective material, grippy gel prints on the fingers and palm, Velcro straps to adjust the width, a long, warming cuff and a fluffy, soft thumb for wiping your nose. Incidentally, it was mainly our male test riders who wanted the latter; the female testers preferred to use a handkerchief.
Loophole for wetness
However, during our tests, we found that the nose-friendly section of some models is also a loophole for the rain: the fluffy material gradually becomes saturated and the moisture penetrates from there into the winter cycling gloves until your hands are wet and cold. This effect occurred with water-repellent models and even with models labelled as waterproof - possibly because the many seams in the crook of the thumb cannot be completely sealed.
Overall, our eight test gloves performed well to very well. Even the bargains from Decathlon or Kinetixx for 30 euros each provide good warmth, defy sleet showers and offer a good grip when shifting gears and braking. If it gets really wet on the road, the much more expensive winter cycling gloves from Roeckl and Castelli score highly thanks to their very water-repellent outer skin. The fluffy thumb on the waterproof model from Rose is perfect for wiping your nose, but absorbs water, which means the glove is not completely waterproof.
Test cycling gloves winter - best list
Best price-performance ratio: Kinetixx Logan
The lightest: Proviz Classic waterproof cycling gloves
Winter cycling gloves - How TOUR tests them
The overall grade is made up of four criteria, which we have weighted according to their relevance. All winter cycling gloves were washed in the washing machine at the start of the test according to the instructions.
Weather protection (30 %): All gloves allow water to bead up well. On models with an absorbent nose wipe (Decathlon, Rose), the area absorbs moisture over time, making the thumb wet and cold. All gloves are windproof; the models from Decathlon, Gorewear or Kinetixx also provide ample protection for the wrists, while the Proviz model has a relatively short cuff, which in combination with short jacket sleeves can create a cold bridge.
Handling (30 %): Due to their warm lining, winter cycling gloves provide a more or less spongy, indirect grip on the handlebars compared to unlined gloves. With some gloves (Pearl Izumi, Proviz), the palm turns outwards when you take them off, which is a point deduction. The same applies to touch gloves with a low hit rate on touch-sensitive displays.
Equipment (20 %): Here, the eight candidates are on a high level with small differences. Even inexpensive models such as those from Decathlon, Kinetixx or Rose are touch-capable, convince with soft and long cuffs, or in some cases a lot of reflective material.
Processing (20 %): We assessed the workmanship when new and 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 overall average score is at a high level without any major differences.
Eight winter cycling gloves put to the test
The winter cycling gloves and their test results in detail
Castelli Espresso GT Glove
Price/country of production: 110 Euro / Vietnam >> available here
Insulation/equipment: Primaloft / waterproof, lots of reflective material, gel print, pull-on aid, zip fastener, reinforced crook of thumb
Sizes/weight (8/M): XS-XXL / 140 grams
Temperature range: -2 to 7 degrees
Winter gloves - TOUR rating
Weather protection (30%) Grade 1,0
Handling (30%) Grade 2,2
Equipment (20%) Grade 1,5
Processing (20%) Grade 1,0
Overall grade (100 %) 1.5
Conclusion: Medium-length fingers, medium-length, somewhat tight cuff that does not fit over particularly thick jacket sleeves. Very good moisture protection, uncomplicated handling overall; good grip on the handlebars, impeccable workmanship, only a nose wiper is missing
Triban winter cycling gloves 900 F
Price/country of production: 30 Euro / Vietnam >> available here
Insulation/equipment: Softermic lining / water-repellent, touchable, lots of reflective material, gel print, pull-off aid, Velcro fastener, nose wiper
Sizes/weight (8/M): S-XXL / 135 grammes
Temperature range: -2 to 5 degrees
Winter gloves - TOUR rating
Weather protection (30%) Grade 3,1
Handling (30%) Grade 1,8
Equipment (20%) Grade 1,0
Processing (20%) Grade 2,0
Overall grade (100 %) 2.1
ConclusionRelatively long cut fingers, thumb a little wide; good grip on the handlebars, easy to put on and take off; the hit rate with the touch surfaces on the display is mediocre; very warm glove; the outer skin quickly soaks up water on the thumb.
Gorewear Gore-Tex Infinium Thermo Split
Price: 70 Euro / Vietnam >> available here
Insulation/equipment: Primaloft / water-repellent, touchable, reflective material, neoprene waistband, gel print, reinforced crook of thumb, nose wiper
Sizes/weight (8/M): 5-11 / 120 gram
Temperature range: -3 to 4 degrees
Winter gloves - TOUR rating
Weather protection (30%) Grade 2,4
Handling (30%) Grade 2,3
Equipment (20%) Grade 1,0
Processing (20%) Grade 1,0
Overall grade (100 %) 1.8
Conclusion: Mitten with separate compartment for index and middle finger, which should be a little wider; slightly spongy grip, shifting and braking are still good; very well equipped and processed, wetness rolls off the nose wiper worse than on the outer fabric.
Kinetixx Logan
Price/country of production: 30 Euro / Vietnam >> available here
Insulation/equipment: Standard lining / water-repellent, touch-capable, little reflective material, gel print, long cuff, Velcro fastener
Sizes/weight (8/M): 6.5-11 / 155 grammes
Temperature range: -2 to 5 degrees
Winter gloves - TOUR rating
Weather protection (30%) Grade 1,7
Handling (30%) Grade 2,1
Equipment (20%) Grade 1,0
Processing (20%) Grade 1,5
Overall grade (100 %) 1.6
Conclusion: Very good fit and good grip; the long fabric cuff warms the wrists, but must be worn under the jacket sleeve as it soaks up water quickly; slightly less reflective material, no nose wiper
Pearl Izumi AmFIB Gel Glove
Price/country of production: 75 Euro / Vietnam >> available here
Insulation/equipment: Primaloft / water-repellent, touch-capable, lots of reflective material, long cuff with Velcro strap, reinforced crook of thumb, pull-off aid
Sizes/weight (8/M): S-XXL / 150 grammes
Temperature range: -5 to 5 degrees
Winter gloves - TOUR rating
Weather protection (30%) Grade 1,7
Handling (30%) Grade 3,8
Equipment (20%) Grade 1,0
Processing (20%) Grade 2,5
Overall grade (100 %) 2.4
Conclusion: A very warm glove with a lot of Primaloft lining; very indirect grip due to the thick palm padding; the loose palm is easily pushed outwards when removing the glove; convincing weather protection and features; low accuracy of the touch function
Proviz Classic Waterproof cycling gloves
Price/country of production: 40 Euro / China >> available here
Insulation/equipment: Micro-fleece / water-repellent, touchable, lots of reflective material, gel print, nose wiper, Velcro fastener
Sizes/weight (8/M): S-XXL / 85 grams
Temperature range: 0 to 7 degrees
Winter gloves - TOUR rating
Weather protection (30%) Grade 2,4
Handling (30%) Grade 3,4
Equipment (20%) Grade 1,0
Processing (20%) Grade 2,5
Overall grade (100 %) 2.4
Conclusion: Fits best on wide hands with short fingers; the loose palm creates a rather spongy grip and can protrude outwards when removing the gloves. Well equipped, decent weather protection, many colours at a reasonable price
Roeckl Sports Rosegg GTX
Price/country of production: 90 Euro / China >> available here
Insulation/equipment: Polartec Alpha / waterproof, touchable, reflective material, nose wiper, reinforced crook of thumb, Velcro fastener
Sizes/weight (8/M): 6-11 / 100 gram
Temperature range: -2 to 5 degrees
Winter gloves - TOUR rating
Weather protection (30%) Grade 1,0
Handling (30%) Grade 1,9
Equipment (20%) Grade 1,0
Processing (20%) Grade 1,0
Overall score (100 %) 1.3 and therefore our test winner
Conclusion: Very good warming, yet comparatively light glove, somewhat tight in the crook of the thumb; the wrists are only slightly covered; very good weather protection, good grip, good accuracy of the touch function
Rose Road Eurotex II HV
Price/country of production: 45 Euro / Indonesia >> available here
Insulation/equipment: Fleece lining / waterproof, touch-capable, reflective back of hand, nose wiper, fabric cuff, reinforced thumb area
Sizes/weight (8/M): S-XXXL / 105 grammes
Temperature range: -2 to 5 degrees
Winter gloves - TOUR rating
Weather protection (30%) Grade 2,4
Handling (30%) Grade 2,0
Equipment (20%) Grade 1,0
Processing (20%) Grade 1,0
Overall grade (100 %) 1.7
Conclusion: Fits best on slender hands and fingers; on strong hands, the back of the hand is tight and completely reflective in the light; inexpensive glove without weaknesses, only the nose wipe zone soaks up moisture
Matthias Borchers
Editor
