SIX OF THE BEST
Winter gloves, £25 £65
Madison Winter Storm Softshell £24.99
SO GOOD… Madison use a pre-curved fit and knuckle bellows to keep these gloves mobile. The broad-strapped cuff provides a decent wrist seal. They dry reasonably quickly if they get doused. Silicone fingertip pads give good grip on levers and shifters. They’re cheap too. NO GOOD… The Winter Storms have a cold and scratchy initial feel, and always felt the coolest of all the similar-weight gloves here. Bulky seams make them more noticeable when riding than those other pairs too. The plasticky palm can be slippery on wet grips. Unnecessary extra stitching details make them more leaky. www.madison.co.uk
ION Haze Amp £54.95
SO GOOD… ION’s cunning glove and over-mitt combo works well in a range of conditions. The microfleece-lined, windproof softshell fabric gives impressive protection without any fit or control compromises. If more weatherproofing is needed, simply pull the ‘Claw Guard’ raincover out of its cuff ‘garage’. The synthetic suede palm with silicone strips offers excellent bar feel/grip, and the long cuffs give a snug jacket connection.
NO GOOD… Your thumbs get left out of the pull-on mitts, so can suffer in really cold/wet conditions. The reflective detailing on our gloves started peeling off immediately. They’re also a tad pricy. www.ion-products.com
Leatt DBX 2.0 WindBlock £31.99
SO GOOD... A soft jersey palm with silicone print gives the Leatt gloves excellent grip, feel and control. They’re breathable, comfy in mild conditions due to their low bulk, and afford slightly better defence against wind than standard gloves. Most of the upper dries quickly. NO GOOD… They’re barely any warmer than regular gloves, and the palm and thumb have no thermal protection. There’s no waterproofing and in wet conditions the palm quickly starts to feel soggy. The doubled-over cuff is short, leaving your wrists exposed, and takes much longer to dry than the upper. www.hotlines-uk.com
Gore C5 Gore-Tex £64.99
SO GOOD... These were the only gloves that kept our hands dry and warm even in the filthiest conditions. Rain bounces off the outer layer, so the lightweight insulation can do its job. The super-long cuffs provide excellent sealing, and Gore-Tex’s great breathability means minimal sweating and clamminess. Now the inner liner is tethered, it doesn’t pull inside-out when you remove your hand. NO GOOD…. The non-stretchy fit makes the C5s baggy in places and contributes to slip between the outer and liner, which reduces control compared to a singlepiece glove. Premium materials and construction mean a premium price. www.gorewear.com
Endura Strike II £32.99
SO GOOD… Gel padding and silicone strips give the Strikes a cushioned but grippy palm, and the rounded fingertips feel dextrous. We like the full snot wipe on the first finger, and the reflective logo. There’s plenty of soft insulation to keep your hands warm in cold, dry conditions. NO GOOD… These gloves give a remote rather than connected ride feel. With the waterproof membrane on the inside, the outer insulation is left to get wet, making it less effective in the rain. They can get sweaty fast if working hard, and take a long time to dry. The short cuffs may leave your wrists exposed. www.endurasport.com
100% Brisker Cold Weather £26.99
SO GOOD... The Briskers have the fit, grip and feel of normal gloves but with impressively good cold and damp protection, right down to frost point. A silicone-detailed palm and fingertips add extra wet grip to the already high-traction Clarino palm. Excellent breathability stops them feeling clammy. They’re an excellent price too. If you want waterproofing, the 100% Hydromatics (£34.99) add that along with an extended cuff, but still breathe really well.
NO GOOD…. The outer and Clarino palm take slightly longer to dry than on other, lighter gloves on test, and the cuff could be a little longer. www.silverfish-uk.com