Can anyone recommend a glove to wear when biking when the base temperature outside is in the single digits? I’m riding in Madison, WI, and the combination of temperature, windchill, and riding speed is killing me, even in the warmest part of the day.
I have tried Pearl Izumi AmFIB lobsters (reputably the warmest available), Chiba Dry Stars, and doubling up GORE windstoppers and Louis Garneau ERGOAir lobsters. The latter I previously used to survive Seattle winter rain, but they are powerless here. I’ve used liners with the lobsters too and they don’t work. I have a 15-minute commute into the wind and within 5 minutes my fingers are numb. By the time I get to work I barely have the dexterity to lock my bike and it’s pissing me off. The worst part is that the twilight zone bike shops here have decided to stop stocking winter gloves “because it’s getting so warm outside.” The size of my useless glove collection is pissing me off too.
So, what glove can I use? I’m not interested in anything that people biking in warmer temperatures recommend. Sorry, but there’s a big difference between a NYC 30-degree day and a Wisconsin grow-icicles-on-your-balls day. I want to hear from North Dakotans and Alaskans and people that have actually ridden in ridiculous temperatures. I don’t want to shell out any more cash unless I know that it will work. I suspect that bike gloves simply don’t exist that are warm enough, so I’m willing to use a different type of glove, as long as I can keep from amputating my fingers by the end of the day. So, any ideas?
Have you looked into winter motorcycle gloves? They certainly face stronger apparent winds. Single digits is a very tall order for cycling.
I have been fine in the teens using hardware store gloves - waterproof with 40 grams thinsulate insulation - only 12 dollars and as warm as lobster gloves. Buy a bigger size, maybe add an inner glove and them add a waterproof/windproof mitten outer and I think I would be ok for commuting single digits but everybody’s hands are different.
I have never been out quite that cold (SC), but in the mid teens. I use polypropylene glove liners, wool gloves, and Assos lobster on top. It is comfortable down to 20 or so. Both the wool and PP layers are very thin, so dexterity is good. I think if I beefed up the wool layer a bit, it would be fine into single digits. I should add that I am a cold weather wuss, so this may be adequate for you as is.
I really feel the cold, but I’m a big fan of ALTURA CRESTA gloves, they’re very warm (I’ve used them cycling in -15C around Oslo!!!) windproof and pretty much waterproof.
Make your own via Cabela’s or you can buy bike specific ones. Suit yourself…but don’t even try to find a bike glove for single digit temps, they do not exist unless you use ice fishing gloves.
I’ve got some realy old lobster mits from Nashar that work great. They’re so old that they are a neon teal color, but the do the trick for as cold as as I’ve ever ridden ( -5 C )
I’d look for a pair that came with a plane ticket to a warmer climate…
Seriously, I don’t know how you guys do it. I grew up in PA but started doing Tri when I moved to San Diego. I did a ride up Palomar Mtn two weeks ago. My chain broke a few miles from the top and it was about 35 degrees with the wind chill probably putting it in the mid to low 20s. I was well under-dressed for the weather. I seriously don’t know if I have ever been that cold.
Everyone that lives in a cold climate and still finds ways to even do triathlon let alone be competitive gets my respect.
Get a good pair of windproof mittens and ride singlespeed. This way you wont need to shift and can still grip the brake levers. Works like a charm.
Dave in VA
Yep I ride a fixed gear. Actually it’s a skinny-tired track bike, which gets real interesting when I hit patches of snow and ice…but that’s another story.
As other posters have mentioned, get away from gloves by cycling companies. I’ve found success with mountaineering gloves (and clothing for that matter). I use the Grandoe Logan. Black Diamond makes a good pair also. Ideally, you want a glove that’s very warm (obviously) and, maybe more importantly, breathable. Achieving both in a glove is a tall task, but mountaineering gloves seem to do a good job combining these characteristics.
I’ve biked short commutes right through the winter here in Alberta wearing ski gloves. Part of it is getting your body warmed up enough for the circulation to keep your hands warm. Maybe try to do something aerobic for a few minutes before you head out to ride?
I also commute here in Madison, WI all winter, even when it was -20 outside. The pearl izumi AmPhib lobsters work well for me, sometimes if its windy my thumb goes a little numb.
When it is really cold, I emphasize layering and keeping my core slightly overdressed. That way, if my core (engine) is warm, it will help keep blood in my hands. I usually have circulation problems becuase my hands are big, but thin with very thin wrists.
Also, those hot packs that hunters use work wonders. Hope that helps and see you out there fellow Bike Path Warrior!
I’m from Minnesota so I guess I’m no help. But I am able to keep my hands warm, biggest problem for me is my toes. I wear a giant pair of gloves that I got from cabelas fyi.
Someone mentioned the hot packs, and they are spot on. I started using them this winter and they have made all the difference in the world when paired with a heavy glove. The brand I like is Grabber, and you can find out more (including a local place to purchase them) here: http://www.warmers.com/
+1 on keeping your body and core warm. I had issues with cold feel (below 10 degrees) and I tried everything. One day i just happened to be wearing thicker tights, and presto, no cold toes.
I ride inside when it’s that cold (like now), but I run with the same PI lobster mitts you have with handwarmers loose in them. The directions warn you from direct contact with skin, but it hasn’t botherred me. I don’t use the “grabber bands”; they don’t work well enough for me on the wrists.
You should look for mittens if you want ride your bike for more than one hour under single-digit temps. I’m very happy with Gordini Gore-Tex mittens with Primaloft insulation. BTW, they helped me survive a morning commute in NYC few years ago when temp dropped below 0 F with front wind 30+mph. You may also use mittens with thin liner gloves and hand warmer packets.
Try RBH Vapor Barrier Gloves. I’ve used them on climbing expeditions over 7000 meters and on other trips including Antarctica. I have that “Reynard’s Syndrome” where you hands get cold and really hurt so good gloves were really important to me in high altitude, extreme cold environments.
I use thin Hincappie wool gloves (large) with big REI puffy fleece gloves over them (XL), with huge gore-tex marmot mitts over both. I wish the gore-tex breathed better, as I find my hands get clammy sometimes, and that makes them colder. I think the perfect golve would be enormous ammonts of insulation, with a thin, breathable, windbreaking shell over that. Warm, but can wick sweat. I also tripple up my arm warmers to keep the blood to my hands warmer, even if I dont have a ton of insulation over my core. Same thing with my feet- wool socks, shoes, toe covers, more wool, then shoe covers. And fleece lined leg warmers…
best luck-
