Perfect Winter Glove?

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Pittance · #1 Unread post by **Pittance** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:18 pm

(If this is posted in the wrong section, please move or delete it. I looked for any reviews or discussions about this already, but to no avail

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So I am in the market for a glove for cold and adverse weather. I live in central NC, so it gets to the 10s and 20s in the coldest parts of the winter (usually), but is normally in the 20s and 30s for the cold months at night. I need a glove that will keep my hands warm and dry (dew, fog, rain, etc) in these conditions, but also one that will keep me safe. I am currently using these gloves: http://www.newenough.com/gloves/street_ ... loves.html

They are perforated and cooold in the winter. But they are sturdy and the carbon in the knuckles feel strong enough to keep me safe. All of the "winter" gloves I have seen have not been very protective, and look bulky. I am looking at this pair: http://www.newenough.com/gloves/insulat ... glove.html

I have been able to find nothing about them except for advertised specs. Does anyone have any experience with them, or with the gore-tex, thinsulate or with a similar AlpineStars glove? I am willing to get good gear, but if these wont keep me warm and dry throughout the whole winter, I dont want to drop $140 on them.

I am also considering getting an Anti-Freeze Balcava and inner glove liner (I believe that is a Frank Thomas brand) from CycleGear. The liners for the reeally cold days and for transitions if I am wearing my cortech gloves. The balcava because my face, neck and chest are getting a bit chilly on the night rides. If anyone has any recommendations on either of these as well, please speak up. Thanks.

#2 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:37 pm

How long do you plan on riding in the cold? If you have a long commute, heated gloves would make sense. Heated grips could work, too, but gloves will give you more heat.

Gerbing, Widder and Warm & Safe all make heated gloves. When the temp drops I love my heated gloves.

JC Viper · #3 Unread post by **JC Viper** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:55 pm

I bought glove liners that are meant to be an extra layer in the glove for extra warmth. My Olympia gloves are doing a pretty good job so far in temps around 25 - 50. Anything higher I switch to mesh gloves.

Heated grips are also an option just be careful as some small cruisers and small sport bikes have pretty small batteries and the alternator cannot generate enough power for heated grips or will do so by dimming the headlights.

Maybe you could install those off-road or adventure touring hand protectors to shield any cold wind off the hands.

koji52 · #4 Unread post by **koji52** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:05 pm

I actually am in the market for a pair of heated gloves. I don't want something plugged into my bike though. Does anyone have any recommendations as far as affordable battery powered gloves? I've been looking around and most gloves for under $100 are to plug into a bike or do not look like they offer the best protection in the case of an accident.

Viper, I was looking into heated glove liners as well but am unsure as to how they act with another glove over them. Is there any loss of control with glove liner + regular glove?

JC Viper · #5 Unread post by **JC Viper** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:11 pm

koji52 wrote:I actually am in the market for a pair of heated gloves. I don't want something plugged into my bike though. Does anyone have any recommendations as far as affordable battery powered gloves? I've been looking around and most gloves for under $100 are to plug into a bike or do not look like they offer the best protection in the case of an accident.

Viper, I was looking into heated glove liners as well but am unsure as to how they act with another glove over them. Is there any loss of control with glove liner + regular glove?

The feeling is a bit stiff for the first few runs but after a while it loosens up. First would be getting good gloves in the first place. magazines like Roadbike, Motorcyclist, Motorcycle cruiser should have winter items pages in their magazines this time around so that would be a good place to start.

Pittance · #6 Unread post by **Pittance** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:39 am

Skier wrote:How long do you plan on riding in the cold? If you have a long commute, heated gloves would make sense. Heated grips could work, too, but gloves will give you more heat.

Gerbing, Widder and Warm & Safe all make heated gloves. When the temp drops I love my heated gloves.

Not too long. My commute wouldn't be more than 1/2 an hour. And my longest trip without stopping would probably be 1.5 hours, but thats only when I going home for a visit, not a regular occurrence. I wasn't looking too much into heated gloves, since I didnt think it gets that cold around here. Right now my biggest problem is the wind since my gloves are perforated. I rode for 20min at 30F with those and I was pretty worried that I would have lost fingers if I had been out for more than an hour.

Also, from what someone else said, I don't think my bike could handle much drain on its battery, with it being a 07 Ninja 250.

Ninja Geoff · Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:49 am

I run Olympia 4350 - ALL SEASON I gloves.
http://www.olympiagloves.com/glovedetails/4350.html

I've run them as cold as 30 degrees or so. They were relatively warm (I ran Joe Rocket HighSides as low as 35 degrees on many occasions, absolutely miserable) on the highway. After about 20 miles or so I could feel the chill start to seep in, but still far from uncomfortable. Though I am a big fan of cold and winter, so I may just have a high tolerance for cold (that or I'm stupid, the jury's still out on that one).

Pittance · #8 Unread post by **Pittance** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:52 am

I was also looking at these gloves: http://www.newenough.com/gloves/insulat ... loves.html

They look like they could be a bit more protective. Anyone have any experience or opinions on any of these? Thanks.

Hmm, I just checked the spec sheets for both and they both have insulative materials, but only the 3/4 cuff polar has Thinsulate. Also the storm riders dont seem to have a wind resistant component, but they are water proof, which is weird.

SHADOW1100T · Tue Dec 02, 2008 7:37 pm

I would loike to suggest Hippo Hands there not the best looking but they really work, they allow you to use regular gloves and stay very comfortable, check them out at: http://www.hippohands.com/

JC Viper · #10 Unread post by **JC Viper** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:05 pm

SHADOW1100T wrote:I would loike to suggest Hippo Hands there not the best looking but they really work, they allow you to use regular gloves and stay very comfortable, check them out at: http://www.hippohands.com/

The chinese food delivery scooters are equipped with these and it while may look ridiculous it probably works really well. Another alternative is to get those hand protectors found on off-road and adventure bikes which should deflect wind and look better than the glove warmers.

I'll probably give the hippohands a try or install the hand protectors, whichever is cheaper or easier to get.