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Cold fingers are the absolute killer when mountain biking. Braking, shifting gears, steering - it's all like slow motion. Unpleasant and also dangerous. We wanted to know: Which cycling gloves really keep you warm in winter and at the same time ensure a secure grip when biking? Ten current cycling gloves for mountain biking were put to the test.
The winter gloves in the test
Warning: it's going to be a wet winter! There is hardly any other explanation for the selection of gloves that the manufacturers sent us for this test. A total of six out of ten models are completely waterproof, even though this was not a criterion in our test enquiry. But perhaps the increased protection against wetness is simply a tribute to the changing climate. Winters are getting warmer. Snow at Christmas? I can hardly remember that anymore. Instead, the mud puddles are now on the trails almost all winter long.
Good for wet and cold days: a waterproof membrane
The fact is that a waterproof membrane in a glove doesn't have to be a disadvantage. While the models with the water-blocking layer used to be as stubborn as rocker leather jackets, the materials have now improved considerably. The more flexible rain membranes hardly get in the way when gripping the handlebars. They also extend the range of use of a glove enormously. The rainproof models in particular are sometimes equipped with a lot of reflective material or are available in highly visible neon yellow - perfect for daily commuting. In addition, Primaloft lining or other insulating material increases protection against the cold.
Warm and chunky or cool but grippy
However, this also has a disadvantage, and so the test candidates are roughly divided into two categories: The first heats up the fingers and keeps them dry even in bad weather. However, because the different layers on the palm are often only sparsely connected to each other, they slide against each other when gripping the handlebars - unpleasant in technical terrain.
The second category consists of just one layer of material on the palm. This provides a direct feel when steering, braking and changing gear. Similar to a classic summer glove. When it comes to protection from the cold or wet, however, you have to accept compromises with these models. We can only hope that the manufacturers are not weathermen. Perhaps this winter will not be damp and cold, but mild and dry.
The valuation in comparison
45Nrth Nokken - Details and price
- Sizes XS to XXL
- Weight 105 grams (XL)
- Equipment Wind/water-repellent; softshell outer material; AX-Suede palm; silicone fingers; stretch waistband; merino lining
- Price 79,99 Euro
Valuation at a glance
Conclusion: 45Nrth Nokken winter gloves
With the Nokken, the cold weather experts from Minnesota deliver a comfortable glove for temperatures down to freezing point. Despite the soft merino lining on the palm, the Nokken provides a direct grip. The shift and brake fingers as well as the palm are nice and grippy, on the trail only the somewhat bulging seams on the fingers are annoying. Touchscreen fingers, nose wipe area and the long neoprene cuff are further useful details. The softshell material is slightly water-repellent and the workmanship gives no cause for criticism.
Click here for the detailed article about the 45Nrth Nokken >>
Chiba City Liner - Details and price
- Sizes XS to XXL
- Weight 113 grammes
- Equipment wind/waterproof; Primaloft lining; stretch cuffs; touch fingers; light padding on the palm; reflective
- Price 40 Euro >> available here
Valuation at a glance
Conclusion: Chiba City Liner winter gloves
Even though the Chiba is labelled City, it still has a good deal of off-road in it. The winter gloves are absolutely weatherproof and keep your hands warm in the long term. Rain can't harm the City Liner either - thanks to the integrated membrane. The fit is typical Chiba and extremely successful, the glove is strongly pre-shaped and feels very comfortable to wear. The synthetic leather provides a lot of grip and a good feel when braking and shifting gears. Only the inner lining slips a little on the grip in technical terrain, but it stays in place when slipping out.
Click here for the detailed article about the Chiba City Liner
Craft ADV SubZ All Weather Glove - Details and Price
- Sizes XS to XXL
- Weight 61 grammes
- Equipment Wind/waterproof; Softshell palm; Silicone prints; Velcro fastener; Terry thumb; Reflective; Touchscreen fingers
- Price 44,95 Euro >>available here
Valuation at a glance
Conclusion: Craft ADV SubZ winter gloves
A very direct grip and good fit are the strengths of the ADV. It hardly differs in feel from a light summer glove. However, because Craft also skimps on insulation, the maximum range of use is 5 degrees above zero. The fingers are well protected from the wind and reasonably well protected from splashing water. However, the ADV cannot withstand really cold weather or even rain showers. Recommended lightweight glove for autumn and spring.
Click here for the detailed article about the Craft ADV SubZ winter glove
Endura MT500 Freezing Point Waterproof Winter Gloves - Details and Price
- Sizes XS to XXL
- Weight 113 grammes
- Equipment waterproof; Primaloft insulation; touchscreen compatible; sweat wipe on thumb; cuff with Velcro fastening; silicone prints on fingers and palm
- Price 59,99 Euro >> available here
Valuation
Conclusion: Endura MT500 Freezing Point Waterproof Glove
Solid bad weather winter gloves for temperatures down to freezing point. Getting into the puffy-lined glove is a little awkward - despite the Velcro fastening. However, once all the fingers are in the right place, the MT500 offers a good and grippy feel on the handlebars. Features and workmanship are good. Unfortunately only available in black and without reflective tape.
Click here for the detailed article about the Endura MT500 Freezing Point Waterproof Glove
Giro Pivot 2.0 - Details and price
- Sizes XS to XXL
- Weight 112 grams (L)
- Equipment wind/waterproof; Primaloft lining; Velcro fastener; touchscreen fingers; gel padding; reflective
- Price 90 Euro
Valuation
Conclusion: Giro Pivot 2.0 winter gloves
With the windproof and waterproof Pivot, Giro has a solid all-rounder in its programme. Despite the Primaloft lining, the Giro is one of the more moderately insulated candidates. The Outdry membrane keeps the material flexible so that the grip on the handlebars hardly suffers. However, there is excess material at the end of the narrow-cut fingers, which interferes with handling, and the bulging seam of the touchscreen trim on the index finger is also irritating. With sweaty hands, it is difficult to get into the glove, the wiping surface is narrow and moderately absorbent, but very long, and the material is unusually raspy.
Click here for the detailed article about the Grio Pivot 2.0
Gore C5 GTX Thermo winter gloves - details and price
- Sizes 5 to 11
- Weight 135 grammes
- Equipment Gore-Tex; wind/waterproof; wiping thumb; reflective; Velcro fastener
- Price 74,95 Euro >> available here
Valuation at a glance
Conclusion: Gore C5 GTX Thermo winter gloves
The C5 is one of the warmest gloves in the comparison and has hardly any weaknesses in terms of features. Windproof and waterproof, with a thick lining, it defies the elements. The workmanship is also excellent. However, other models score points for grip. The grip around the handlebars is not very direct and the individual layers slip on top of each other, which is particularly annoying on technical terrain. For easy terrain and extreme weather, however, the Gore is a solid choice.
Click here for the detailed article about the Gore C5 GTX Thermo winter gloves
GripGrab Ride Waterproof Winter Glove - Details and price
- Sizes XS to XXL
- Weight 130 grammes
- Equipment Velcro straps; wipe thumb; silicone prints; gel padding; touchscreen fingers; wind and waterproof membrane; reflective; insulating lining
- Price 69,95 Euro >> available here
Valuation in the overview
Conclusion: GripGrab Ride Waterproof winter gloves
The Danes deliver a solid all-rounder that is difficult to push to its limits in both cold and rain. The fit is surprisingly good for such a thickly lined glove, and the grip on the controls is also fine, although you do have to accept some small compromises when shifting gears and braking. The long, comfortable cuff is particularly pleasing. Surprisingly flexible for a waterproof glove.
Click here for the detailed article about the GripGrab Ride Waterproof Winter Glove
Pearl Izumi Cyclone Glove - Details and price
- Sizes S to XXL
- Weight 106 grams (XL)
- Equipment Reflective; Pull-out tab; Gel pads; Ax-Suede palm; Softshell; Wipe thumb; Touchscreen compatible
- Price 45 Euro >> available here
Valuation in the overview
Conclusion: Pearl Izumi Cyclone winter gloves
The Pearl Izumi doesn't offer much more than protection from the cold wind. It is neither heavily lined nor equipped for rainy weather. The bulky padding on the palm also takes some getting used to. At least the Cyclone gives the rider a pleasantly direct feel on the handlebars. It feels almost like a light summer glove. However, its field of application does not extend beyond autumn or spring.
Click here for the detailed article about the Pearl Izumi Cyclone Glove
Roeckl Rapallo - Details and price
- Sizes 6.5 to 11
- Weight 96 grammes (10)
- Equipment Waterproof and windproof; touchscreen compatible; silicone gripper; neoprene waistband; Velcro fastening; reflective
- Price 59,95 Euro >> available here
Valuation in the overview
Conclusion: Roeckl Rapallo winter gloves
Roeckl tailors an excellently crafted and clean-cut glove for cold and rainy days. The feel is very good, but the grip on the handlebars and controls could be better. The lining creates a lot of movement in the glove on technical terrain. A slightly longer cuff would be better towards the jacket. Overall, a top model for easy trail rides in bad weather. It lacks a proper wiping thumb.
Click here for the detailed article about the Roeckl Rapallo
Troy Lee Designs Swelter - Details and price
- Sizes S to XXL
- Weight 82 grams (XL)
- Equipment 3-layer softshell with fleece lining; stretch cuffs; Clarino palm; silicone fingertips
- Price 54,99 Euro >> available here
Valuation at a glance
Conclusion: Troy Lee Designs Swelter winter gloves
If you're looking for a lightweight transition glove with a top fit and very direct grip, this is the glove for you. With the Swelter, you stay in control even in tricky passages. However, as soon as moisture comes into play or the temperature drops below ten degrees, the Troy Lee becomes uncomfortable. You have to accept slight compromises in terms of features and quality, and the material and workmanship don't make a very high-quality impression either. The silicone print is missing on the index and middle fingers, of all places. There is also no thumb with towelling trim.
Click here for the detailed article about the Troy Lee Designs Swelter Glove
Stefan Frey
Editor
