Gloves for Cold Hands

**dbb** · 12-06-2012, 08:19 PM

A co-worker has perennially cold hands during her ride down the Cap Crescent. Last winter I loaned her my Moose Mitts to try and they didn't work for her. She currently uses chemical warming packs in her gloves but it her fingers still get cold. This morning, she was looking at a Swiss (possibly) pair of electrically heated gloves that were about $175. I offered to solicit the wisdom and experience of the collective. Thoughts on alternatives or products? Thanks.

**off2ride** · 12-06-2012, 08:58 PM

What works for me are Windstopper gloves like GORE and pure Merino Wool glove liners like Smart Wool or Arcteryx. Staying DRY is the key to a comfortable ride in freezing temps.

**Arlingtonrider** · 12-06-2012, 09:13 PM

How far does she ride? I have a pair of pretty simple REI gloves that were fine in todays temps (31 - 47??) for my 8 mile commutes. The tops are just thick nylon/spandex with a flannel like inside with leather on the outside (underside?) of the palms and fingers. I think, just like with clothing, the trick might be keeping your hands from getting wet, and then cold, by using gloves that are somewhat breathable. When it gets into the mid-20s, I'm happy to have my Moose Mitts.

**KLizotte** · 12-06-2012, 09:43 PM

If her hands are getting that cold in *early* Dec while in heavy duty gloves and moose mitts she should speak to her doctor asap. Excessively cold hands are a symptom for a variety of medical conditions (e.g., thyroid disease, Raynaud's). My mother used to wear gloves (even in summer) to go grocery shopping because the shopping cart handlebar would make her hands go numb; turns out it was caused by a treatable medical problem.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...ers-sign-.html

**TwoWheelsDC** · 12-06-2012, 10:10 PM

Potential medical conditions aside, a decent pair of ski gloves would probably do the trick. I wore my snowboarding gloves on cold days on my motorcycle (that's a 0ish degree wind chill) and they worked well. Also used them on the bike into the teens and they were almost too warm. I've also put fleece gloves over my PI full-fingered gloves, which works extremely well down into the low 20s. In both cases I was just using stuff I already had, so no need to buy new stuff.

**jabberwocky** · 12-06-2012, 10:20 PM

Yup, ski/snowboarding gloves. I have a set of Gore winter cycling gloves that work fine down to about 20 degrees, but colder than that and I dig out my Burton snowboarding gloves. Bulky but very warm.

**KS1G** · 12-07-2012, 07:37 AM

Layers, wind blocking, and not too tight so she can wiggle fingers a little. May also be a time factor - my old commute was long enough to end just as I started to warm up; therefore I felt particularly cold. I'm warmer now on the longer ride that gives me enough time to really get blood flowing. She should also check what she uses for head and feet - I've noticed a good head covering in particular helps keep hands and feet warmer.

**GuyContinental** · 12-07-2012, 07:55 AM

If she has a circulatory problem, standard winter glove fare isn't going to cut it (maybe Moose Mitts). I have some serious circulatory issues from years of mountaineering (frost bite) and too many years doing winter whitewater paddling and have been tempted by these:

http://cozywinters.com/shop/heated-cycling-gloves.html

The price is just steep enough that I haven't pulled the trigger but 110 deg for 8 hours sounds pretty fine to me.

I get by with PI lobster claws and thick liners but under 30 the first joint of six of my fingers gets dangerously cold (all of these guys have had at least minor frost damage).

**txgoonie** · 12-07-2012, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by GuyContinental

If she has a circulatory problem, standard winter glove fare isn't going to cut it (maybe Moose Mitts). I have some serious circulatory issues from years of mountaineering (frost bite) and too many years doing winter whitewater paddling and have been tempted by these:

http://cozywinters.com/shop/heated-cycling-gloves.html

I have a friend with Raynaud's Syndrome, and he just got a chance to test out the WarmGear gloves at Cap Cross and was very pleased with them. From his FB post:
"Got to test out the new battery heated gloves at yesterday's race. First impression is good....they kept my hands warm enough (outside temp was ~40 deg) and provided very good dexterity for shifting/braking. I would recommend them to anyone that has circulation issues and races/rides bikes in cold weather. This is the only glove I have found that works and isn't overly bulky."

If you're someone who suffers from cold hands, it may be worth it. If your hands or feet or ears are cold, it's misery. I too do the liner under the PI lobster claws, but with the same effect as GuyContinental. I bought skiing gloves end of season last year and will be trying those out too. (Anybody wanna start a cold toes thread, cuz that my real issue;-)