Frozen hands - need new gloves

[Pedalo]

For the second time in the last couple of weeks I suffered this morning with frozen hands using my cheap Decathlon gloves + liners.

Any recommendations for winter gloves?

From a quick search on this forum I see the sealskinz MTB gloves were popular last year (at a time they were on special offer) with perhaps the only issue being the lining has a tendency to come away.

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

A surprisingly good source of gloves is the Oswald Bailey chain of outdoor shops. You would find the right ones there - they have a very good range.

 

[Scimitar]

If I'm out and about on the bicycle this winter (normally I don't, too much) I might think about the old despatch riders' trick of some handshields to keep the wind off. It doesn't take much of a chilly airflow to rob your fingers of heat, even through the best gloves.
Of course, on the motorbike, the heated handgrips and windshield/ fairing make all the difference, but that's not really an option.

 

[piotrmacheta]

I have solved this by buying Gerbings hybrid motorcycling gloves. Small LiPo battery keeps then toasty for hours and when I'm on my motorbike I can plug them into my battery.
No doubt there are other cheaper makes.
The only thing I would say is that they are quite thick so harder to change twist grip gears but throttle control is OK.

 

[Ultra Motor]

I had the same problem this morning! Have just got back from Blacks with a balaclava and a paid of sealskinz!

 

[Mussels]

If I'm out and about on the bicycle this winter (normally I don't, too much) I might think about the old despatch riders' trick of some handshields to keep the wind off. It doesn't take much of a chilly airflow to rob your fingers of heat, even through the best gloves.
Of course, on the motorbike, the heated handgrips and windshield/ fairing make all the difference, but that's not really an option.

I've been thinking about the heated grips as I loved them on the motorbike, I don't think power is a massive issue but getting them to fit on the bike bars may be.

 

[Scimitar]

I've been thinking about the heated grips as I loved them on the motorbike, I don't think power is a massive issue but getting them to fit on the bike bars may be.

There's an internally fitting type, which I've been using for about 20 years, but whether the makers are still around...
Iirc, Warmfit was the name, made in NZ, and they had a UK agent. I'm sure they'd fit inside most bicycle handlebars.
Iirc, the two heat settings are 14W and 7W.

Here we go... a happy user:

Heaters

It appears Warmfit have packed up shop, so here's an alternative
Polly Heaters Inc. - PH400

 

[Deleted member 4366]

If you want to ride in cold weather (freezing), you can forget about cycle gloves. Instead go to a shop that sells ski mittens. It won't be so easy to work your gearlevers if you have the rapid-fire type, but at least your hands will be warm. If you decide that you must have gloves with fingers, make sure that they are at least two sizes bigger than what you normally have. The more air in them, the more insulation you get, and if there is any tightness, they will quickly cut off your reduced blood suppy. These comments come from 50 years experience of riding motorbikes in all weather and seasons.
Motorbike heated grips draw 3 to 4 amps, which would mean quite a large extra battery to power them. There are also various heated pads that you can get that wrap around your grips, but they also draw relatively high current.
Here's some cheap electric gloves: Has anybody tried anything like this? I can't believe that dry cell batteries can provide enough heat, but I may be wrong.
Basic Black Heated Gloves £9.49

 

[Polar753]

All sounds a bit complicated to me.

Try Specialized Subzero Glove 2010/11 - £39.99


No batteries, no gear change / brake problems just toasty fingers.
I used them last winter down to about -6 and still fine. In fact had to take them off sometimes because I was too hot! Only problem is a bit pricy but I hate having cold fingers.

Top tip for warm feet, I used my Scarpa walking boots, one size too big with some thick socks, 10 times better than anything else, and I tried almost everything else. Also good to -6. Having the right kit in winter is essential, a friend of mine nearly got hypothermia biking home in bad kit.

I also use:

Sportful Vuelta Thermal Bib Cycling Shorts Only £55.00

Sugoi Sub Zero Skull Cap Only £16.00

Get a good scarf to keep the wind off your face and ears makes a big difference too. With good kit I kept warm in Scotland for about 45min in -6 temp. Without it I would be cold in about 5min.
Safe biking.

All the best.

 

[flecc]

If you want to ride in cold weather (freezing), you can forget about cycle gloves. Instead go to a shop that sells ski mittens.

Another way is handlebar muffs that surround the controls and make an enveloping hood for the hands. They are mainly made for motorbikes, but far better than gloves for keeping hands and fingers warm through total protection from the airstream, at the same time giving total freedom for the fingers. In the most extreme weather thin and comfortable gloves can be worn in addition.

Won't look elegant, but gear that keeps one truly warm rarely does.
.

 

[z0mb13e]

I can highly reccomend snowboarding pipe gloves. So called because they were designed for snowboarders who ride half pipes. They are a sort of neoprene type material with a fleece lining. Much thinner and lighter than normal snowboarding or skiing gloves.

For the most part they keep my hands toasty. However on 15 minute chair lift rides in -15 with even colder wind chill and soaking wet gloves they have frozen solid and then my hands were cold

Riding the bike in single + figure temps they are ok.

A lot of motor bike riders keep reccomending the silk glove liners and I know a snowboarder who swears by them - will give them a try this winter.

 

[tagray]

Last winter I cycled throughout using a pair of trekmates dry classic glove (about £20) and decathlon synthetic liners (definitely better than silk!). I did get occasional cold fingers when it was windy at -5 but usually OK.
I also wore merino long johns when it was sub zero under my standard polyester climbing trousers (and waterproofs when required). All relatively cheap - climbing gear is generally cheaper, more practical, warmer and more waterproof than specialist bike gear, I find. However I do wear a sealskinz skull cap under my helmet as I am follicularly challenged!

 

[jasono]

Hi, I use a pair of thinsulate gloves. Cheap and good for keeping fingers warm

 

[eTim]

The sealskinz are good, windproof, waterproof, merino lined, sticky bobbly bits of the inside palms and fingers, so good grip and dexterity, good for wiping runny nose on the back. Mine have been used for all sorts of sports over the last 5 years and are still going strong.

 

[daniel.weck]

I quite like my SealSkinz

 

[Alex728]

which ones? wiggle alone shows 3 different varieties of Sealskinz.... (ultra grip, extra cold, and all weather).

 

[NRG]

I have the same ones as Dan, recommendation is to go for one size bigger than you need, Alex they are the Mountain Bike glove....sometimes called the winter cycle glove (slightly different).

Sealskinz - Winter Cycle Glove - Outdoor Equipment and Clothing for Backpacking, Hiking, Trekking, Hill Walking and all other types of Leisure and Adventure Travel

 

[Mussels]

which ones? wiggle alone shows 3 different varieties of Sealskinz.... (ultra grip, extra cold, and all weather).

Extra cold. Above zero most gloves will be fine, it's the bitter cold that needs something special.
I like the look of the Specialized pair above, hopefully I can find a shop that sells them as I hate buying gloves by mail order.

Edit: It looks like Specialized have stopped making that glove and their new extra cold glove seems a bit inadequate, I think I need to visit some cycling shops.

 

[mutmost]

I use the "muffs" as pictured which work well.

 

[eTim]

It's the Sealskinz ultra grip gloves that I use, I see they do a hi viz version also....

Window cleaning waterproof and neoprene gloves from Unger and Sealskinz