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Best winter gloves?

7K views 37 replies 19 participants last post by  EddieMac 
#1 ·
As an ex-smoker my hands tend to get cold easily. Although I have some mid-priced winter riding gloves, once it gets much below 50 degrees I find that my hands are what makes me call my ride off sooner than I had planned (I can tolerate cold legs, and a good jacket and boots keep the rest of me comfortable). I may have to buy heated grips or heated gloves at some point but I'm hoping for some recommendations for some really good, really cold weather gloves for riding. (I would have put this thread in the specific section on Gloves but I doubt anyone much goes there to see what is posted.)
 
#2 ·
I have found that my Winter Silks brand glove liners make a good addition and are thin enough not to be a burden. As far as brand of glove, I personally use Spartan and have no complaints. I'm sure there are loyalists of other brands who will tell you why their preferred brand is better.
 
#3 ·
I'm on the hunt for some good winter gloves as well. Haven't found much at the local motorcycle shops, and Motorcycle Superstore closed the retail location that was nearby. I don't like not being able to try on gloves before I buy them. One of those things where if the fit isn't right, they're just not comfortable.

I bookmarked some (somewhat pricy) gloves that look like they'd do the trick but I don't want to spend the bones and have to send them back via mail if they don't fit properly.

I learned last winter that it's not always good to trust what other people say about things. Bought a set of gloves that some folks said were "really good" when it got cold... Figured those positive reviews must have come from people who've never ridden for more than five minutes when it's in the mid 30's or colder. "THESE GLOVES ARE GREAT WHEN IT'S 32 DEGREES OUTSIDE!!"

Yeah, not after 20 minutes...
 
#4 ·
I got a pair of winter gloves, they were great down to 40 degrees. Anything below that and I couldn't take more than 10 minutes at highway speeds. I broke down and bought a pair of heated gloves, it was soooooooo much better. I used them down to 14 degrees, I'll never give them up, even though they are marked "Harley Davidson" on the back. Yeah, they were the last ones I could find for under $200.
 
#5 ·
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I have not been riding in cold where I needed them, but the rain covers that came with my "Arizona" gloves (and tuck into the internal pouch) could be used in real cold as they would stop the wind from hitting the leather of the gloves themselves. I believe they are really mittens, but that would be okay--I won't be typing with them anyway.

I don't know if it's possible to get just rain mittens, but maybe a grocery sack or something might work in a pinch.

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#6 ·
I run with heated grips so the gloves are just to help out. My hands are rather large so I found few brands that even carry my size. I just ordered some Rev-it gloves that have yet to arrive so I will know more once I get them. Meanwhile I can say that I have never yet found gloves that would get me through the winters. My hands always caused me to give up riding by the time it was down to about 25F or so. The rest of me was ready to continue colder. This year, with motorcycle specific gloves rather than simple winter gloves, I may extend my range.
 
#20 ·
Well so much for hopes. My new gloves are very nice but I doubt they will give me even 5 degrees more of cold weather riding. As much as I like them they seem to give me no more than I got from previous gloves under similar circumstances. Oh well, I am no worse off than I was and I do have some nice new gloves. Sorry I could not provide more help here.
 
#10 ·
One mistake many make is getting their winter gloves too small. You don't want skin tight winter gloves. Even electric. I have to get a size larger than I normally wear for winter gloves. The loft of the glove gives air pockets which is needed to help keep you warm. I really wish the manufactures would take that into consideration when they make winter gloves the same size as normal gloves. But with few exceptions they don't. I think Gerbing does because I've not had to send theirs back because they were to small but I'm not sure. It's been a while since I got them but I think I remember that being true.
 
#13 ·
I went to church late last night. When I left, it was still in the 50s, so I took my Tourmaster "winter" gloves. Not heated, just insulated. They were fine on the way there. Fast forward 1.5 hours later, it's in the 40s, the sun is behind some clouds and going down fast, and my hands were cold 5 minutes into the ride. I should have brought the heated gloves.
 
#15 ·
I have not seen them lately in the US. At one time they were considered basic winter equipment but the last time I checked they were only available from Canada, no US vendors at all. You cannot see to control things with hippo hands so you ride by feel only. That means you can't wear much under them, maybe some thin summer weight gloves would be OK but nothing with padding or thick insulation.
 
#16 ·
What controls do you have? I've got flashers and brights. Easy to control by feel. I wear some thick insulated gloves under them.

Also, they ship to the US. No issues at all, just slightly pricey. Cost about $100 total.

Where my insulated gloves would only allow me to ride for about 20 miles before freezing, the hippo hands work with an even thinner glove for the entire ride.
 
#18 ·
What controls do you have?

Where my insulated gloves would only allow me to ride for about 20 miles before freezing, the hippo hands work with an even thinner glove for the entire ride.
Left hand has horn, turn signals, hi/low beam, windshield height adjustment, multi-function LCD display and radio controls. Right hand has starter button, kill switch and cruise controls. I need to be able to feel what I am doing if I can't see it.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Heated grips sure help and will get me by at least until the temps drop in the 40s. After that the only thing I've found is heated gloves. I use Gerbings.

On edit. A couple of years ago a friend of mine and I left the Big Bend area at 4 in the morning when I thought the temps were in the thirties. As we climbed through the mountains the temps quickly dropped to the low 20s. I had the heated gloves on with the heated coat and was very comfortable 'til we could get into Alpine, about 80 miles away, and get some warm breakfast. After that, not so cold.
 
#23 · (Edited)
Bikemaster Hand Mitts - Product # 15-6912



Product Information

  • Deflects wind, rain, snow from hands
  • Insulated and fleeced lined to keep hands warm
  • Designed to fit on most motorcycles
  • Dual slot openings for mirrors and cables; tapers down with hook and loop closures
  • 200 denier polyester body material is colorfast, UV resistant and water repellent
  • Check all functions for proper operations before operating the vehicle
  • Makes is easy to justify to others why you do not wave

Price? Around $40.00

Available from Tucket-Rocky, generally any dealer can order them
 
#31 ·
I don't ride in the winter or cold much but I did while I was living in Lincoln Nebraska for a few months. Boy does it get really cold really fast there guys. I bought mine from here, http://www.motorcyclehouse.com/Motorcycle-Gloves-For-Men.htm. They have several regular glvoes but I bought their heated gloves along with heated grips. If its cold enough to wear heated gloves the grips only help. It never got too hot with both on btw. I usually only use the grips now since it doesn't get too cold in California with my regular gloves. Something to think about...
 
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