Cycling gloves put to the test: 9 models for really warm fingers when cycling in winter

We cyclists face a dilemma in winter: cold fingers are the absolute killer for any mountain bike tour or commute to work. Braking, shifting gears, steering - it's like riding in slow motion. Unpleasant and also dangerous. The problem is that although gloves with thick padding keep your fingers warm even in frosty temperatures, you quickly lose your grip. Winter gloves with less insulation, which still allow a good grip on the handlebars, brake and gear levers, rarely keep you really warm.

If you still get on your bike even in really cold temperatures and like to commute into the city or to work by bike, this article is for you. We have tested eight really thick winter gloves and show you which ones will keep your fingers warm and dry.

The winter gloves in the test

• 45Nrth Nokken >> e.g. available here
• BBB ProShield BWG-39 >> e.g. available here
• Chiba City Liner >> e.g. available here
• Craft Siberian 2.0 Glove >> e.g. available here
• Endura MT500 Freezing Point Waterproof Glove >> e.g. available here
• Gorewear C5 GTX Thermo Glove >> e.g. available here
• GripGrab Ride Waterproof Winter Glove >> e.g. available here
• Roeckl Rapallo >> e.g. available here
• Sealskinz Waterproof Extreme Cold Weather

Moisture protection: additional waterproofing helps

Even though most manufacturers at least attest to the water-repellent properties of their gloves, hardly any of the models were really convincing in the spray test. Moisture, whether fog, drizzle or sleet, is usually absorbed directly by the outer material, which accelerates the cooling of the fingers. If you regularly treat your gloves with an environmentally friendly impregnation (e.g. Nikwax glove impregnation, €9), you can significantly improve their performance in bad weather.

Winter gloves pose a dilemma: really warm models rarely provide a direct and comfortable grip. Thin gloves may give you a better grip on your bike, but your fingers will quickly get cold.

>> Biking in winter: Touring tips - more fun on winter trails

>> How to look after your cycling clothing - and yourself <<

>> Professional tips for winter biking from adventurer Lukas Stöckli <<

>> So you are properly dressed even in the cold <<

Glove care

Well-maintained gloves not only work better, they also last longer. Models without leather can be machine washed regularly at 30 degrees. Before washing, you should close the Velcro fasteners or put the gloves in a laundry bag so that no other clothing is damaged. After washing or wearing the gloves, hang them up or lay them out to air dry. Under no circumstances should gloves be tumble dried. Fabric softeners are also taboo. Leather gloves must not be machine washed or dried on a radiator. A waterproofing spray improves weather protection and keeps out sleet or light drizzle.

Runny nose? Tip: Wiping thumb on the glove

When we breathe in cold air, the brain increases the blood flow in the nasal concha. The blood vessels dilate and warm the cold air before it reaches the lungs. In order to keep the mucous membranes moist, secretion production also increases. Which in turn means that the nose runs and runs. To prevent the nasal secretions from freezing into icicles on your face, you need either a sophisticated blowing technique (experts can do it completely without fingers) or a softly rubbed wiping thumb on a glove. This should be part of the absolute basic equipment for winter gloves - which unfortunately not every manufacturer in this test takes to heart.

Waterproof membrane: yes or no?

If you don't plan to get on your bike in the winter rain, it's better to do without a waterproof membrane in the glove. Each additional layer usually also worsens the fit of the glove, the handling and the feel. The materials are often rigid and inflexible, especially on the surface of the hand, making it difficult to grip the handlebars or operate the gear and brake levers. If the individual layers are not properly welded together, the secure grip on the handlebars suffers even more - particularly unpleasant in technical terrain.

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 >> available here*

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.

BBB ProShield BWG-39 - Details and price

• SizesXS to 3XL
• Weight¹: 125 g
• EquipmentWind and waterproof; touch finger; reflective; neoprene waistband; XRD padding
• Price65 Euro >> available here

Valuation at a glance

Conclusion: BBB ProShield BWG-39

With its soft padding and good thermal performance, the BBB is a hand cosy for cold days. Thanks to the waterproof membrane, the ProShield also keeps you warm in the rain. However, the membrane does compromise flexibility on the handlebars, with the fabric stretching on the backhand and making it difficult to operate the brake and gear levers. The thick padding slips when gripping the handlebars, and the fingers also offer little grip. You have to work your way through the lining when putting on and taking off. Top equipment, but not very suitable for trail riding.

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.

Craft Siberian 2.0 Glove - Details and price

• SizesXS to 3XL
• Weight¹: 125 g
• Equipment: Wind and waterproof; touch fingers; reflective; neoprene waistband; XRD padding
• Price: 60 Euro >> available here

Valuation at a glance

Conclusion: Craft Siberian 2.0 Glove

The Siberian is already a classic in the Craft range and a reliable companion on really cold days. However, it doesn't like wet weather as the material absorbs a lot of moisture. The thick lining affects the fit and feel, making you feel like you're wrapped in cotton wool. The individual layers slide over each other - unpleasant in technical terrain. The fingers also offer little grip on the shift and brake levers. In contrast, the wiping thumb, touchscreen fingers and long cuff with Velcro fastening are exemplary.

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 at a glance

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.

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.

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, even if you do have to accept small compromises when shifting gears and braking. The long, comfortable cuff is particularly pleasing. Surprisingly flexible for a waterproof 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.

Sealskinz Waterproof Extreme Cold Weather - Details and price

• SizesS to XL
• Weight: 180 g
• EquipmentWind and waterproof; touchscreen fingers; bunion padding; Velcro fastening; terrycloth thumb
• Price: 110 Euro
  

Valuation in the overview

Conclusion: Sealskinz Waterproof Extreme Cold Weather

THE glove for bad and - sorry - really cold weather. Up to five layers including membrane and Primaloft lining ensure dry and warm hands. Special welding ensures that the individual layers do not slip and the feel is surprisingly good for a glove of this thickness. Supple sheepskin provides grip on the handlebars. Shifting gears, braking, operating a mobile phone - all possible without any problems. The backhand also remains surprisingly flexible, and the Velcro cuff warms half the forearm. Runs rather large.