Which winter cycling glove is right for me?
Anyone who gets on their bike in winter knows that the conditions can be tough. Whether you're a commuter on an organic or e-bike braving the wind and weather to get to work or university. Respect also goes to all MTB or gravel bikers who are looking for a challenge in the great outdoors during the cold season, or road bike fans who don't let icy temperatures stop them from putting in their kilometers on the road. The following applies to everyone: this only works with the right outfit, with gloves playing a very special role. Because the fun stops with cold hands. In this blog post, we want to find out which winter gloves are right for you.
Warmth is important
Rain, snow and cold are factors that you need to consider when you're out and about on your bike in winter. Therefore, the first rule for all winter bikers is that the gloves must be warm. In addition to good insulation, protection against moisture from the outside is also a decisive factor, as water is an excellent conductor that quickly draws heat away from your hands. At the same time, fast moisture transport from the inside to the outside is important to keep your hands dry and warm when you have to master strenuous uphill passages. Another point to consider is effective wind protection. When cycling, it's not just the wind blowing in your face that can be a huge factor in keeping you cold, but also the wind you create yourself. Wind cools us down very quickly if we do nothing to counteract it.
Construction and fit
Counteracting is the right keyword to describe what your winter bike gloves need to do to make you feel comfortable. There are measures tailored to different requirements. Let's start with the construction. You should make sure that the cuff at the wrist does not let any cold in or heat out. The cuff should therefore fit snugly around the wrist. Ergonomically pre-shaped gloves, i.e. those with "curved" fingers, are also an advantage, as otherwise the material on the palm will compress and the insulating material on the outer hand will be pulled apart and thinned out. They also allow you to grip the handlebars better and with less effort.
Visible and well insulated
Air is usually responsible for the insulation. Trapped air that cannot move if possible. Fluffy padding or elastic softshell material is used for this purpose, which keeps the air insulator in its fabric structure and is also elastic and usually wind and water repellent. If you want waterproof gloves, you should look for a suitable membrane, such as GORE-TEX®. It is windproof, waterproof and breathable to keep your hands dry and warm in all conditions. Reflective materials increase visibility at dusk and in the dark, and signal colors are also helpful in this context.
Tactility and grip
Regardless of all the weather protection criteria, you should always make sure that the thicker winter gloves fit well and are tactile. This is because shifting gears and braking requires a great deal of sensitivity, especially in winter conditions - the same applies to steering skills on the handlebars. Good grip must also be guaranteed, even in wet conditions.
Who needs what?
But which KinetiXx winter cycling glove model is the right one for your winter activities? We have summarized all the important features of the gloves for you below so that you can find the right glove for you.
Hardcore winter bikers
If you're out and about in all weathers and even in freezing sub-zero temperatures, you need waterproof cycling gloves that are well insulated and offer a snug fit around the wrist. For this extreme use, we recommend the Lukas GTX (UVP € 79.99) with windproof and waterproof GORE-TEX® membrane, warmly lined softshell backhand, soft, padded palm with silicone print and many highly functional details. A glove for all winter applications. Find out more here
For moderate winter bikers
For all bike fans who are drawn to cycling in cold but not icy winter weather, we recommend the lightly insulated Laurin (UVP € 59.99) with its windproof and water-repellent GORE-TEX® Windstopper softshell backhand. It also has soft synthetic leather on the palm with a hook and loop fastener around the wrist. A tactile glove for winter, but you can also use it on cold fall and spring days. Find out more here.
For milder winters and the transitional period
If winter doesn't show its frosty side, which we are experiencing more and more often, we recommend our transition gloves Leandro (UVP €54.99) and Legolas (UVP €49.99). Leandro has a windproof and water-repellent GORE-TEX® Windstopper softshell backhand and a robust, waterproof PU palm. The neoprene cuff can be adjusted perfectly to the wrist using Velcro. Find out more here.
Also the model Legolas comes with a windproof and water-repellent GORE-TEX® Windstopper softshell backhand. The very thinly padded palm is made of soft synthetic leather. Compared to the Leandro, a long, close-fitting cuff forms the end of the wrist. A very tactile transition glove for anyone who takes every opportunity to get on their bike. If you want to know more, click here.
For occasional winter bikers
In winter, you only really get on your bike when the weather invites you to do so: not too cold, preferably when the sun is shining and when the weather forecast predicts a maximum of light showers. Then you might be interested in the Leevi (UVP € 39.99) and Logan (UVP € 34.99) models.
The Leevi features a windproof, pleasantly warm and windproof softshell backhand. The long neoprene cuff fits snugly and securely on the wrist. The all-round glove for the colder seasons is a convincing tactile cycling glove that offers an interesting price-performance ratio. Find out more. here.
The functional all-rounder Logan is a real all-rounder for winter cycling and is well insulated Logan with its windproof softshell material. It offers well thought-out details such as a pull-on aid, reflector elements and a wiper on the thumb. It is also touchscreen-compatible. It reliably protects your hands from wind and weather and offers a good and secure feel on the handlebars thanks to its grip and padding in the palm. Reflective elements ensure good visibility even on cloudy days. This makes the Logan winter cycling glove the perfect companion for winter cycling. Details are available here.
Fotos: K.Voigt Fotografie, M.Laukkanen