The Best Winter Cycling Gloves To Keep Your Hands Warm On

Winters are just around the corner. The temperature is dropping, and the days are getting shorter. But riding in the cold comes with its own challenges. You have to dress properly to stay warm and dry, and you have to be extra careful of ice and snow on the roads. One of the most important things to keep in mind when cycling in winter is to keep your hands warm. The best winter cycling gloves will help you do just that.

This article brings you the top 10 best cycling gloves for winter to keep your hands warm and dry. We have also included a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right gloves for your needs. So, this list has got you covered whether you are looking for fingerless gloves for dexterity or full-fingered gloves for complete protection.

Top 10 Best Winter Cycling Gloves

1. Velotoze Waterproof Gloves

The Velotoze Waterproof Winter Cycling Gloves are a great option for early-season racing where you expect heavy rain, cold temperatures, and some bitter winds. The slimmer design and stretchy construction result in exceptional dexterity and feel of the handlebar. 

Velotoze has added a waterproof outer layer to its version of neoprene cycling gloves. It creates a glove that is windproof as well as waterproof while still being incredibly fitting and lightweight. You don’t get the full insulating benefits of thicker neoprene. However, these are still early-season gloves that will keep your hands reasonably warm.

We particularly love their extended cuff. It eliminates any gap between your jacket sleeve and the gloves. According to Velotoze, these gloves are designed to be worn under the sleeves, and we also noticed that the arm warmers work best when you have the glove cuffs underneath.

Pros

• Slim and form-fitting
• Waterproof and windproof
• Lightweight and breathable
• Exceptional dexterity

Cons

• Not as warm as some other options
• Leave hands sweaty in milder weather 

2. Giro Xnetic H20

The Giro Xnetic H20 gloves are the best cycling gloves for hand numbness. They’ll keep your hands warm and dry without adding the bulk of a traditional winter or the clamminess of neoprene gloves. 

Lightweight at approximately 60 grams for the pair, they’re comfortable and offer plenty of stretches. We also tried them in dry, cool conditions, with excellent results, which is a testament to this glove’s exceptional versatility.

Moreover, its three-layer construction delivers on the promise of bringing “waterproof performance and breathable fibers together”. 

Pros

• Excellent breathability without sacrificing waterproofing
• Very lightweight and packable
• Comfortable to wear thanks to a form-fitting cut
• Versatile

Cons

• Minimal reflective details

3. The Giro 100-Proof Gloves

The Giro 100 Proof gloves are a great option if you need something warmer than the Xnetic H20 gloves but don’t want to go all the way to a full-on winter glove.

These lobster-style gloves (meaning that the index finger and thumb are separate from the rest of the fingers) offer great dexterity while still providing warmth. They’re also well-ventilated, so you won’t overheat even when working hard.

In addition, the Giro 100 Proof gloves are made with a waterproof and breathable insert, so your hands will stay dry even in wet conditions. The outer shell is made of suede, which is both durable and good-looking. Overall, the Giro 100 Proof Adult Unisex Winter Cycling Gloves are the best lobster gloves today. 

Pros

• Waterproof and breathable
• The durable synthetic leather outer shell
• Ambidextrous 
• Lobster-style gloves offer great dexterity

Cons

• Expensive

4. Sportswear Unisex Siberian 2.0 Split Finger Gloves

The Craft Sportswear Siberian 2.0 Split Finger Glove is a great option for those who need a little extra warmth on their rides – particularly for women. In fact, they’re the best women’s winter cycling gloves.

These gloves have a waterproof and breathable membrane, so your hands will stay dry even in wet weather. The outer shell is made of durable synthetic leather, and the palm is reinforced with silicone for a better grip.

The big selling point of the Craft Sportswear Siberian 2.0 Split Finger Glove is its split-finger design, which allows your fingers to move independently. This can be great for dexterity, but it does take some getting used to.

Pros

• Waterproof and breathable membrane
• The durable synthetic leather outer shell
• Reinforced palm with silicone for better grip
• Split-finger design for improved dexterity

Cons

• May take some getting used to
• Sizing runs small

5. Defeet Duraglove ET

The Defeet Duraglove ET is the best backpacking 3-season glove. This is because they offer great dexterity, are made of durable materials, and have a secure fit. So you can use them in autumn, spring and winter as well. 

Primarily made with wool and polyester, the glove is form-fitting and has a water-repellent coating. The palm also has rubber grippie dots to ensure you can hold on to things. The wool is also antibacterial, which is great if you’re wearing them a lot.

What’s more, is that the thumb and first two fingers have conductive yarn. So you can use your phone without having to take off your gloves! Overall, the Defeet Duraglove ET are simple and hard-wearing gloves. They offer a good grip and are ideal for days when it’s not wintery enough to need a windproof option. 

Pros

• Durable
• Water repellent
• Breathable
• Grippie dots on palms
• Conductive yarn on thumb and first two fingers
• Antibacterial

Cons

• May not be warm enough for very cold weather

6. GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ Stretch Gloves

The GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ Stretch Gloves are excellent unisex stretch gloves – though they aren’t cycling specific. They are ambidextrous and made with Gore’s 3D glove construction. It imitates the natural shape of the hands while using less material. 

Talking of materials, these gore cycling gloves are made of 100% recycled polyester, which makes these gloves environment-friendly. They fit nicely, and even after cooling/heating, there’s enough stretch left in the material to give you a full range of motion around the knuckles and wrist. 

The most impressive bit for us is their soundproofing, especially when you consider how incredibly thin they’re. We tried them at 5 degrees C and they provided enough warmth. But, you can always wear them underneath a pair of the best winter gloves. 

Pros

• Excellent design
• Precise fit – no extra material
• Excellent soundproofing
• Competitively priced

Cons

• No padding on the palms
• Won’t work for all 

7. Castelli Estremo Winter Gloves

Castelli has successfully manufactured a winter glove that’s suitable for sub-zero temperatures without turning it into yet another cumbersome ski glove. It’s warm, comfortable, and lightweight enough to give your favorite winter glove a run for the money. 

Moreover, the blend of fabrics on these castelli estremo winter cycling gloves is beyond what we expected. They feel lightweight enough to allow you to move your fingers and wrist any way you please. The inner fleece also feels smooth and luxurious. 

Not to mention, the long wintstopper material covering the glove’s top, lives up to its name. It effectively blocks and protects your skin from chilly winds during your sub-zero bike rides. Overall, we can say their performance more than justifies the higher price tag, making them the best deep winter cycling gloves today. 

Pros

• Delivers great warmth in sub-zero temperatures
• Grippy palms
• Lightweight design
• heated cycling gloves

Cons

• More reflective details would have been nice

8. Yobenki Winter Gloves

The Yobenki are multisport winter gloves. They have a conductive fabric on the thumbs and the index, which allows you to use your smartphone, GPS, or any other touch device without the need to remove them. This makes them some of the best touchscreen-friendly gloves out there. 

They are pretty grippy as well, thanks to the silicone print on the palms. It increases grip strength by offering you a tighter grip. Besides, the outer waterproof TPU membrane takes care of any light rain. But, it’s not enough for heavy downpours. 

Wear-resistant and anti-slip PU leather design offers a better grip even during rainy days. Furthermore, as these gloves are unisex, the fit should suit a large number of people. So if you’re looking for a gift for a certain bike lover, Yobenki winter gloves are an excellent option. 

Pros

• Waterproof and windproof
• Touchscreen friendly
• Non slip palm design 
• Lightweight and warm

Cons

• The wrist may be very tight for some users

9. GORE WEAR C5 Winter Gloves 

If waterproofing is your main concern, go for Gore Wear C5 waterproof gloves. Thanks to the Gore_Tex active technology, they are completely waterproof, windproof, and breathable. They are very well made and comfortable to wear. 

Moreover, these thermal cycling gloves have a very unique design with terry cloth trim on the thumb, foam padding on the palms, and moisture-absorbing materials inside. That makes it easy to wear, but if you take them off in the rain then putting them back on proves quite a challenge. 

Other than that, they are the best winter mtb gloves. They keep your hands warm even when the temperature is down to 21 degrees F. However, you should size up when ordering Gorewear, because their gloves often run small. 

Pros

• Thin, lightweight, and easy to wear
• Waterproof and windproof
• Terry cloth on the thumb
• Thermal interior

Cons

• Not very touchscreen friendly

10. Alpinestars Cascade

The Alpinestars Cascade are warm and comfortable gloves that make rather great use of their Primaloft insulation. They have extra layers on the high-wear spots, and while there’s no padding, the extra layer adds a nice heft to the palm. 

But the problem is, they’re not really waterproof. They soak through anything heavier than light rain. On the positive side, they don’t hold water at all and remain pretty warm thanks to a degree of soundproofing and insulation. 

Last but not least, the shape is also nice. It feels great when gripping around the bars as opposed to other bulky full-on winter gloves. Overall, if you’re looking for warm and comfortable gloves for dry days, give Alpinestars Cascade gloves a shot. 

Pros

• Excellent cold and dry weather performance
• Primaloft insulation
• Warm and comfortable to wear

Cons

• Not completely waterproof

Buyers Guide For Winter Cycling Gloves

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the best gloves for winter riding. Here’s a brief buyer’s guide to help you make the right choice.

Materials

The first thing to consider is the material of the winter gloves. Winter Gloves can be made of different materials like wool, synthetic fabrics, or leather. Each material has its own pros and cons.

Wool is a great material for winter gloves as it is natural, breathable, and absorbent. However, it is not as waterproof as synthetic fabrics or leather. Synthetic fabrics are more waterproof than wool but they are not as breathable. This means that your hands might sweat more in synthetic gloves.

Leather is another popular choice for winter gloves. Leather is durable and gives a good grip. However, it is not as breathable as wool or synthetic fabrics.

Grip

Riding on wet roads can be treacherous. Therefore, you need gloves that allow complete control over your bike. That’s why the best winter gloves come with slightly tacky surfaces on the palm. It can be either a silicone gripper or extra textured material that allows a secure grip on the bars and levers. 

Moreover, touchscreen-friendliness should also be your consideration. You never know when the weather gets too gritty to upload a nice Instagram selfie for your memories. 

Waterproofing

Another important factor to consider is waterproofing. If you are going to be riding in wet conditions, then you need waterproof gloves. Most winter gloves are made of waterproof materials like Gore-Tex or neoprene.

Insulation

Insulation is another important factor to consider when choosing winter gloves. Gloves with good insulation will keep your hands warm even in the coldest weather.

There are two types of insulation- down and synthetic. Down is a natural insulation that is made from duck or goose feathers. It is very effective, but it is also expensive.

Synthetic insulation is man-made insulation made from polyester or other synthetic materials. It is not as effective as down, but it is cheaper and lighter.

Ventilation

Ventilation is important in winter gloves to prevent your hands from sweating. Most gloves have ventilation holes or mesh panels to allow air to flow through.

Cuffs

The best winter gloves come with long cuffs to help you keep all the chilly north away from your body. But longer isn’t always better. No matter the length, your cuffs should work well in unison with whatever you’re wearing to seal in the heat. 

This leads us to an important decision, whether you should wear the cuffs over the top or under your jacket?

Well, if your jacket has loose sleeves, get gloves with a tight cuff and wear them underneath. The same is the case when it’s raining. The rain will just bead off the arms without filling your gloves. 

On the contrary, running cuffs over your sleeves is a far more convenient option if you expect dry weather or occasionally remove the gloves to use a touchscreen. 

Durability

Durability is another important factor to consider when choosing winter gloves. Gloves made of leather or synthetic fabrics are usually more durable than wool gloves.

Price

Price is always a consideration when choosing any cycling gear. Winter gloves can range in price from $20 to $200. The most expensive gloves are not necessarily the best, but the cheaper gloves might not have all the desired features.

Final Thoughts

When the thermometer heads south, most cyclists leave their bikes in the garage until spring. But if you’re a diehard rider or just can’t stand being off the saddle for that long, you need a good pair of winter cycling gloves to help you brave the cold. With the abovementioned options, you will surely find a pair of gloves that will keep your hands warm all winter long.

Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Cycling Gloves

What Are The Best Cold-Weather Cycling Gloves?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on your personal preferences. Some people prefer wool gloves for their natural properties, while others prefer synthetic gloves for waterproofing.

How Do I Keep My Hands Warm While Cycling In cold weather?

You can do a few things to keep your hands warm while cycling in cold weather. First, make sure you choose a good pair of winter gloves. Second, dress in layers so you can add or remove clothing as needed. Third, keep your hands moving while riding to improve circulation.

What Are The Best Waterproof Cycling Gloves?

There are a few different types of waterproof cycling gloves available. Gore-Tex gloves are a popular choice as they are both waterproof and breathable. Neoprene gloves are another option, as they are completely waterproof but can be less comfortable.

Do I Need A Nose Wipe On My Winter Cycling Gloves?

You need a nose wipe if you suffer from a runny nose while cycling in winter. It’s usually an absorbent patch of cloth on the thumb of gloves. While most winter gloves have this feature, not all are created equal. Some of them have a nose-wipe made with a fleece-like material that feels much more pleasant against the skin.