Gearing up is pretty necessary for a fun cycling time in winter. I know how important it is to have good gear, especially waterproof cycling gloves.
Not all cycling gloves are made equal, and picking the right ones can really make a difference in keeping your hands warm and dry.
In this article, I’ll be sharing some tips on how to pick great insulated cycling gloves for winter cycling and also reveal my top picks for the best waterproof cycling gloves, based on careful research and testing.
How do I keep my hands warm when cycling in the winter?
To keep your hands warm while cycling in winter, start by getting good winter cycling gloves that have insulation, can handle moisture to tackle the cold, with a windproof and waterproof layer to handle wind, rain, or snow.
The best insulated cycling gloves for cold weather are made with materials like Thinsulate, fleece lining, and layers that block the wind. You can also add extra warmth and versatility by layering thinner glove liners underneath.
Here are the most important features a cycling gloves needs to have:
- A snug yet flexible fit with sufficient insulation to retain warmth
- Touchscreen-compatible fingertips to let you use your devices without removing the gloves
- Waterproof or least water-resistant to keep your hands dry and warm
- Windproof to block out cold wind and maintain warmth
- Some breathability to prevent sweat buildup
- Durable materials and reinforced stitching for longevity
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HANDLANDY Thermal Winter Gloves for Men and Women
HANDLANDY Winter Gloves are a top pick if you want comfy and quality gloves for chilly days. They’re great for winter commuting, and will keep your hands warm.
Their design helps reduce vibrations and the bumpy feel from the road, cutting down on hand strain and numbness when you’re cycling or working.
Plus, you can use your phone easily with these gloves on, with no need to take them off. With cozy fleece liners, these gloves nail the sweet spot between staying warm and having nimble fingers.
They’re light but tough, which makes them a good fit for hiking, cycling, and running. These are very practical and comfortable gloves for cyclists who enjoy cold weather cycling.
FanVince Touchscreen Water-Resistant Windproof Thermal Winter Gloves
These gloves are a real win if you want warmth without sacrificing functionality. They really hit the mark for keeping your hands warm, and being able to use your phone with them on is very convenient.
These FanVince gloves fit just right, not bulky at all, so they’re great for driving, cycling and other activities.
The waterproof layer between the outside and the warm inside will keep your hands dry whether you’re biking, running, or walking the dog. Plus, the windproof material and insulation keep the cold out.
They come in different sizes, but for the ladies, you might want to go a size down for a better fit, since they’re a bit roomy. Overall, these gloves are a solid pick for keeping warm and staying active.
KOPHOTY Touchscreen Water-Resistant Winter Gloves
Kophoty Winter Gloves hit the mark for warmth without the bulkiness. They’re warm yet lightweight, and way better than those bulky ones. Even if you often get chilly fingers, these gloves will do the trick without weighing you down.
They handle snow well and keep your hands dry, but they might not cut it in really freezing temps below 4 or 5 degrees. The touchscreen fingers are a smart touch, so you can easily use your phone with them on.
With their three-layer setup and waterproof fabric, they’re great for running or biking in chilly weather. Generally, they’re light, do their job, and work best when it’s not freezing cold.
MOREOK 3M Insulated Winter Warm Touchscreen Gloves
Moreok Winter Gloves really keep your hands warm, even in freezing temperatures as low as -10°F. With their 3M Insulation, they’re comfy and let your hands breathe during outdoor activities.
These gloves are very insulated and might be a bit too warm for mild winters, but they fit just right.
Plus, you can use your phone easily with the touch-friendly fingertips. While they don’t have a wind or water-resistant coating, it means they’re more breathable.
And the no-slip grip is a plus, it gives you a firm grip of your handlebars and makes it easier to do things with your fingers on-the-go. Basically, if you want warm and practical gloves, these are a solid pick.
SIMARI Multifunctional Winter Gloves for Cycling, Running, Driving, Hiking, Skiing.
Simari winter gloves offer a snug fit and handy touchscreen features that make life easier. They keep your hands warm with a cozy fleece-like lining without feeling bulky, although I noticed the fingertips could be a bit warmer.
These are slightly heavier than typical glove liners but work well in temperatures like the high 20s to low 30s, making them ideal for outdoor activities like skiing.
They’re made mostly of Polyester with a bit of Spandex, they’re stretchy, comfy, and give a good grip.
Plus, they have reflective patterns on them, which is great for cycling at night. These are generally really good gloves for outdoor fun on cold days.
MOREOK Waterproof & Windproof Winter Gloves
Moreok waterproof winter gloves stand out for their impressive warmth, durability, and weatherproof features. These snug-fitting gloves not only keep hands warm, but also effectively block wind and repel water.
They fit snugly and come at a good price, giving you good quality without breaking the bank.You can easily use your phone
with the touchscreen-friendly thumb and finger, whether you’re cycling, skiing, or snowboarding. And the anti-slip palm helps you keep a secure grip on things.
These gloves also come with a cloth on the thumb, which is handy for wiping off snow or fog. Plus, they’re waterproof and breathable, making them a solid choice for winter outings.
Hikenture Winter Cycling Gloves for Men and Women
Hikenture cycling gloves fit great and keep the wind out when you’re riding. They’re windproof, very comfortable and flexible, and the touchscreen feature actually works well.
While they’re more water-resistant than fully waterproof, they handle light rain and snow pretty well.
They have a solid build-quality, with a handy adjustable zipper and comfortable fabric that keeps you warm.
However, they may not be ideal for very cold temperatures below 30°F. But for regular winter biking or running, they’re a good pick.
Buying Guide: What To Look For When Buying Insulated Cycling Gloves
When selecting cycling gloves for cold weather, several important features should be considered to ensure comfort, warmth, and functionality during your rides. Here are some key features to look for:
Sufficient Insulation
Good insulation is important in winter cycling gloves because the main reason to wear cold-weather gloves is to keep your hands warm. So, you want gloves made of materials like Thinsulate, fleece, or other materials that lock in heat.
If your gloves aren’t well insulated, not only will you feel freezing, but it could also make it hard to hold onto the handlebars, or reduce your overall safety and performance.
The best gloves for cycling in winter will effectively trap the heat from your hands inside and stop the cold from getting in, this way, your hands will be very warm and comfortable.
Waterproof/Water-resistant
Cycling in the winter means you have to deal with wetness from rain, snow, or even sweat, which can make you feel cold and uncomfortable. If your gloves are waterproof or water-resistant, they’ll prevent the wetness from getting to your hands.
Wet hands can get cold really fast because the water takes away the heat from your skin. Plus, wet gloves can make it difficult to hold onto your bike’s handlebars or brakes, which can make it harder to control and stay safe.
So, your ideal winter cycling gloves should be waterproof, or at least water-resistant. This way, you’ll stay warm, keep your hands nimble, and have a smoother ride even when the weather isn’t great.
Windproof
Cold wind makes it feel colder outside, especially on your hands. So, it’s important to have windproof gloves. A windproof layer on your insulated cycling gloves will help prevent the cold wind from making your hands feel significantly colder than the actual temperature.
Windproof gloves keep icy wind out, so your hands stay warm and comfortable. This not only keeps your hands cozy, but also helps you keep a good grip and control while riding.
Fit and Flexibility
Make sure your gloves are snug but not too tight so you can easily move your hands and grip the handlebars and brakes. You don’t want them to limit your movement. If they’re too stiff or don’t fit right, it’ll be tough to change gears, use brakes, or even use your phone while riding.
Plus, if they don’t fit well, they’ll probably create pressure points, and you might end up with sore spots, blisters, or even poor circulation.
So, your ideal gloves should strike the right balance between a good-fit and flexibility. This way, you’ll have a better grip on the handlebars, control your bike smoothly, and ride comfortably, especially when it’s cold out.
Good Grip
It’s very important to have a good grip on your handlebars and brakes. Insulated cycling gloves often have a special grip feature on the palms and fingers that make them less slippery.
If it’s cold or rainy, your bike handlebars can get slippery due to rain, snow, or sweat, and you might have trouble controlling your bike.
This problem can be avoided if you have gloves that provide a secure grip. Good grip gloves mean you’ll have a tight and secure grip, steer better, and react faster to what’s happening on the road.
Plus, they make it easier on your hands, so you can bike longer without getting tired or needing to adjust your grip all the time.
Touchscreen Compatibility
These days, a lot of cyclists, myself included, use GPS or their phones to find their way or monitor their rides.
If you like to stay connected on your rides, either with a bike computer or use your favorite cycling app, then you certainly need gloves that work with touchscreens to let you use your gadgets without taking them off.
Touchscreen-friendly gloves have special materials in the fingertips that make them work smoothly with touchscreens. With these special touchscreen fingertips, you can check GPS, take calls, or change settings without getting cold hands.
Cuff Length
Having a longer cuff on your winter cycling gloves really makes a difference. It helps keep the cold air, snow, or wet stuff from sneaking into your glove from your wrist. This extra coverage keeps you warmer and more comfortable by blocking out the cold.
Plus, longer cuffs fit better with jackets or jerseys, so you don’t end up with gaps or chilly spots that might be uncomfortable.
Breathability
It’s great to have warm gloves, but it’s just as important for them to have good airflow to prevent overheating and moisture buildup.
Cycling can be pretty intense, and sometimes your hands might sweat. If the gloves aren’t breathable enough to let that sweat out, it can make your fingers feel damp and uncomfortable inside the gloves.
Breathable gloves help let out extra heat and sweat, keeping your hands dry and comfortable. Breathability helps regulate temperature, reduce sweat build-up, and maintain a comfortable environment for the hands, even during high-intensity winter rides.
Solid Build-quality
Good winter cycling gloves need to be sturdy and reliable to last and protect you well. They should be made of high-quality materials with solid stitching that can handle the cold, wet, and rough conditions of winter cycling.
These gloves should hold up against wear and tear, keep you warm, and stay strong even after being washed and exposed to the elements.
Choosing gloves that are well-made and durable means you’ll get more use out of them, better performance, and more bang for your buck when riding in winter.
Additional Features
Some gloves come with added features like nose wipes (usually a soft fabric on the thumb), or adjustable wrist closures for a customized fit.
Some gloves also come with reflective elements. This is important because if you’ll be riding in low-light conditions or during the evening, having reflective elements on your gloves can make you more visible to others on the road, which increases your safety.
Should you get fingerless or full-fingered cycling gloves?
Choosing between fingerless and full-fingered cycling gloves actually depends on your riding style and the season.
For instance, if you want more warmth, protection, and full coverage for your hands, especially in colder or tough conditions, go for full-fingered gloves. Because they provide better protection from the cold, wind, scrapes, and give you a good grip on the handlebars.
Full-fingered gloves also keep you safer by covering your hands from potential dangers like falls or road debris.
But if you’re cycling in warmer places, want more freedom for your fingers, or prefer lighter gloves, then fingerless gloves could be the way to go. They let your hands breathe, give you a better feel, and are great when you need precision while still having some protection.
So, in other words, full-fingered gloves are better for cold-weather cycling, while mitts or fingerless gloves are better for warmer seasons, like summer cycling.
Each type of cycling gloves has its set of advantages and considerations:
Fingerless Cycling Gloves:
- Breathability: Fingerless gloves are great for ventilation, which is perfect for warmer weather or during intense rides and you don’t want sweaty hands. Having your fingers out helps keep you cooler by letting more air flow.
- Dexterity: Since your fingers are free, you get a better feel and control with fingerless gloves. This comes in handy for tasks like shifting gears, grabbing a snack, or using your phone without taking off your gloves.
- Comfort in Moderate Weather: If you’re riding in not-too-hot or not-too-cold weather, fingerless gloves give you some protection from bumps and scratches while still keeping your hands cooler.
Full-Fingered Cycling Gloves:
- Protection and Warmth: Full-fingered gloves keep your hands fully covered, shielding them from the cold, wind, sun, and possible scrapes or falls. These gloves are great for cycling in the winter or when it’s chilly, as they keep your fingers warm and ready to go.
- Grip and Control: With these gloves, you get a solid grip on the handlebars, brakes, and other bike parts, even if it’s wet. They help you avoid slips from sweat, rain, or other external elements.
- Extra Safety: These gloves also give you added protection from small injuries, road stuff, or scratches if you fall. Since they cover your hands well, they help reduce the chances of cuts or scrapes.
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