Glove makers are not to be envied: A quarter of human bones, 27 on each side, are in the hands. And they are all more or less flexible. Anyone who has ever been annoyed by a poor fit when buying jeans will recognise the challenge of fitting the much more complicated hand appropriately. What's more, hands are extremely fussy. The only place we have as many nerve endings is on our face (and in a few very private places). So if a glove pinches, pinches or hinders, it is immediately noticeable. And the motor demands placed on the hands when biking are extremely difficult - for example when braking on steep, slippery trails. But the levers for lockouts and gear changes also need to be operated sensitively, and the fitness bar cannot be fished out of the jacket pocket with clumsy grippers.
You can find these MTB winter gloves in the test:
- BBB Controlzone (BIKE-TIP: Price / Performance)
- Gore Universal Windstopper Mid
- Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Softshell
- Roeckl Riga
- Scott Minus LF
- Specialised Element 1.5
In order to combine these challenges with sufficient insulation, the manufacturers of our test gloves paid particular attention to wind protection. However, none of the candidates are waterproof. Water penetrates the seams, and the palms anyway. A truly waterproof, multi-layer construction would not only be expensive, but would also entail the risk of layers slipping against each other. Our test field represents the most important category after summer gloves - and grip and sensitivity are more important than extreme weather protection.
With the exception of Gore, all candidates in the test have touchscreen-compatible material on one or more fingertips. This may be helpful for answering a call or moving a GPS map, but the thicker winter gloves lack the sensitivity for texting. In our assessment, we prioritised gripping, shifting and braking in the winter slush.
THE TEST RESULTS
BBB Controlzone
Price 25 Euro
Info www.bbbcycling.com
Sizes / Colours Children's size 128 to XXXL / black
Equipment Reflective piping, towelling thumb, touchscreen contact, Velcro cuffs, silicone grip, small gel pad
RATING
Equipment (30 %) 8 out of 10 points
Ergonomics (40 %) 8 out of 10 points
Weather protection (30 %) 6 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION We had to ask the manufacturer if the 25 euros wasn't the retail price. No, the BBB is half the price of the competition. In view of its very good cut, its good features and the pleasantly grippy palm, the Controlzone is competitive without any compromises. It only shows weaknesses in very wet and cold conditions, as both waterproofing and insulation are moderate. In every other discipline, it is at the forefront. A clear price/performance tip.
BIKE judgement* GOOD
GORE Universal Windstopper Mid
Price 60 Euro
Info www.goreapparel.de
Sizes / Colours S-XXXL / black, black-neong.
Equipment Terry thumb, reflective material, gel padding, silicone print
RATING
Equipment (30 %) 6 out of 10 points
Ergonomics (40 %) 8 out of 10 points
Weather protection (30 %) 8 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION It was to be expected, because of the eponymous "-Tex": The medium-warm Gore glove is protected all round with a PTFE membrane, which makes it stand out in terms of weather protection. It is not waterproof, but it is sufficient for riding in the rain. The textile palm is also very supple. However, the difference between super grippy silicone strips and smooth textile on the fingers can be irritating on shift and brake levers. The testers found the cut good, but not perfect.
BIKE judgement* GOOD
PEARL IZUMI P.R.O. Softshell
Price 50 Euro
Info www.paul-lange.de
Sizes / Colours XS-XXL / black-red, black-grey
Equipment Reflective material ,Touchscreen contact, Terry thumb
RATING
Equipment (30 %) 8 out of 10 points
Ergonomics (40 %) 9 out of 10 points
Weather protection (30 %) 7 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION The Pearl Izumi is extremely simple: no padding in the palm, no Velcro fastener, hardly any additional silicone print for extreme grip. The only "luxuries" are conductive zones on the index finger and thumb for touchscreen operation and a very fluffy covered thumb, the so-called "snot brake". The combination of a direct grip feel and impregnated, warm, Primaloft-lined upper part as well as the successful cut make it a good choice for moderately cold conditions.
BIKE judgement* VERY GOOD
ROECKL Riga
Price 50 Euro
Info www.roeckl-sports.de
Sizes / Colours 6-12.5 / green, orange, black
Equipment Small reflective print, towelling thumb, Velcro cuff, silicone print, touchscreen contact (little finger)
RATING
Equipment (30 %) 9 out of 10 points
Ergonomics (40 %) 9 out of 10 points
Weather protection (30 %) 6 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION You can tell that Roeckl specialises in gloves by the even, movement-friendly fit of the Rigas. No other model in the test seems to consist of so many individual parts, and they are connected with narrow, movable seams. The ergonomics are undoubtedly right. The touchscreen contact area on the little finger is enough to unlock the phone. The glove does not like rain: the surface is immediately damp and then cools. A top model for dry and cool days.
BIKE judgement* VERY GOOD
SCOTT Minus LF
Price 55 Euro
Info www.scott-sports.com
Sizes / Colours XS-XXL / black
Equipment Large reflective print, silicone print palm, Gore windstopper, touchscreen contact
RATING
Equipment (30 %) 6 out of 10 points
Ergonomics (40 %) 7 out of 10 points
Weather protection (30 %) 7 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION The Minus LF is the minimalist in the test. No padding, no reinforcements, no snotty nose-friendly plush thumb. Instead, it is small enough for a jersey pocket or a Transalp rucksack. Again, the Gore material is not seam-tight, but it is water-repellent and windproof. Our main criticism is directed at the sometimes bulging and not always straight seams. Of course, the brakes and gear levers are well positioned, but others simply feel better.
BIKE judgement* SATISFACTORY
SPECIALIZED Element 1.5
Price 45 Euro
Info www.specialized.com
Sizes / Colours XXS-XXL/ black, neon yellow
Equipment Reflective material on fingers and back of hand, Velcro fastening on cuffs, Thinsulate 100 g insulation, wind stopper on back of hand
RATING
Equipment (30 %) 7 out of 10 points
Ergonomics (40 %) 6 out of 10 points
Weather protection (30 %) 8 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION In the wrong place at the wrong time? The Specialized glove is a little out of line in this comparison. It's significantly warmer than the rest of the test (we recommend it up to freezing point), and Specialized has bought this with noticeable disadvantages in terms of grip and operating precision. The construction is two-layered, and these layers twist slightly against each other. The air between them insulates, but also makes the fingers thick and therefore a little awkward. The top of the thumb is not nice to the nose.
BIKE judgement* SATISFACTORY
*BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, satisfactory, sufficient
