Winter gloves: suggestions?

[Savago]

Dear friends

It is starting to get a bit chilly and I was looking for suggestions concerning gloves for riding in the winter.

Anyone got any recommendations on brands/style?

What about heated gloves? I'm asking because about 3 years ago, I got a heated vest by Tourmaster and love it (but I'm unsure about routing the wires from the vest to the gloves).

Best regards

Savago

[cookiedough]

they do make gloves with batteries built into the glove if so desired.  My theory if it gets too cold to ride wearing decent normal non-heated heavy duty gloves by getting my finger tips cold is all which happens this time of year in WI into the upper 30's/lower 40's, is too darn cold to enjoy riding any cycle long distances.

My 98 Valk std/tourer does not have a windshield vs. my 2001 I/S, and let me tell you,  come spring or this winter will be on a HUNT ASAP for a windshield since my 280lb. frame with no windshield surely is a big barn door against the wind over 60 mph and brutally cold this time of year with cold 20+ mph winds around 40 degrees makes me NOT want to drive much over 55 mph.   

[Willow]

You get winter in Sunnyvale?

Tourmaster makes fine cold weather gloves. 

[Oss]

if you have the tourmaster synergy jacket liner I can tell you that the gloves that attach to it are terrific
They are pretty waterresistant and from what I am told and experienced no possible shock hazard

Ive worn em in pouring rain around 35 degrees while on high heat mode on the controllers when leaving Valker's estate in the north Texas panhandle in late March and no shock and I was snug as a bug in a rug   Was wearing the old Killamanjaro jacket over the liner at the time

Never owned gerbings but folks like em too

Locally tho I am on the beater bmw with heated grips most cold winter days

[hubcapsc]

Heated gloves are great, but because of the wire routing issue
you mentioned, you really wish you'd gotten a heated jacket
liner instead of a vest. I gave up on my vest and got a liner.
There's no wires to route, just a plug-in right there at your cuff.

Until it gets cold enough to use them I just use my thick
leather gloves (http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-elkskin-ropers.html)
with silk glove liners...

-Mike

[Savago]

You get winter in Sunnyvale?

Not in the Valley, for sure.

But it gets really cold in the high passes.
:-)

[Jess from VA]

I'm also unsure about a wire hookup to your vest, but checking with Tourmaster should answer that question.  

Generally speaking most people need/want a dual controller (for jacket/vest and gloves), because the gloves need turned up, but if the vest is turned up that high you cook yourself.  No crap, I once burned my nipples with my Gerbing gear in the learning-to-use-it stage.  Everything was great at idle in the driveway, but after 10 minutes at higher speed (with more volts/amps), I was getting burned.  Then, I had hooked the dual controller to my belt, but my jacket covered it up, and I could not finagle the tiny knob wearing my fat boxing (electric) gloves.  Anyway, If you go with electric gloves, you are going to want a dual controller.

If you get non-electric insulated gloves (which I prefer), I can tell you that Thinsulate is a sucky glove insulator (however good it may be in jackets), and Thinsualte is the most commonly used insulation in bike gloves.  Instead, you want gloves insulated with synthetic down; either Thermolite or Primaloft.  And, IMHO, you want leather for windblock qualities. No matter what the insulation is, cordura nylon outers let cold air in (just like cordura tongues in riding boots).  I did a lot of shopping around for mine.  Gloves that don't even list the insulation type should be passed on.  I finally found some great leather gauntlets with Thermolite... in a Harley dealer.  Yeah, but at least the logo is stamped in the leather and not bright orange, or I would not have bought them.  

The Gerbing heated gloves (and perhaps others) are nice because they are not as fat as insulated gloves, and give more dexterity while riding, but I have no problems with my cold weather Hog gauntlets.

One other thing.  It may seem strange, but if you have gloves with enough room in them, putting on a pair of skinny silk liner gloves (or other thin man-made glove liners) under your regular gloves will about double the warmth of any gloves.  But then you may be back to feeling like you are wearing boxing gloves.

And if you do buy good insulated leather winter gloves, take the time to seal them with mink oil.  Put it on thinly with bare fingers only, and a tooth brush on all seams.  And let it soak in for a day or two.  You may still smear up your controls a bit, but the added protection and waterproofness are worth it.

[msb]

I usually ride at least 9-10 months out of the year here (unless we have an unusually cold Winter such as last year) , but I am not a big fan of plugging in either. I do have an electric vest that I will use when on longer rides, but also find that my very good set of thin Merino Wool long johns and undershirt (same ones I use for fishing in colder weather) work exceptionally well under my leathers. Also use thermal glove liners similar to these under my normal riding gloves...there are several versions available designed with various heat-containing materials. I find that they are more than adequate. Maybe a good option for you where temps get cooler, but not overly frigid? Certainly a lot more comfortable that bulky or heated gloves.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KSHCT7/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B072KSHCT7&pd_rd_wg=tgXyE&pd_rd_r=S9X5907YCSH3TD94N273&pd_rd_w=pGujw

[sandy]

I have a pair of gauntlet gloves made by Olympia. They have 100 grams of thinsulate. I ride down to mid 30's in the AM going to work. Whatever you find, check the amount of thinsulate.

[Mr Whiskey]

If you get non-electric insulated gloves (which I prefer), I can tell you that Thinsulate is a sucky glove insulator (however good it may be in jackets), and Thinsualte is the most commonly used insulation in bike gloves.  Instead, you want gloves insulated with synthetic down; either Thermolite or Primaloft.  And, IMHO, you want leather for windblock qualities. No matter what the insulation is, cordura nylon outers let cold air in (just like cordura tongues in riding boots).  I did a lot of shopping around for mine.  Gloves that don't even list the insulation type should be passed on.  I finally found some great leather gauntlets with Thermolite... in a Harley dealer.  Yeah, but at least the logo is stamped in the leather and not bright orange, or I would not have bought them.  

The Gerbing heated gloves (and perhaps others) are nice because they are not as fat as insulated gloves, and give more dexterity while riding, but I have no problems with my cold weather Hog gauntlets.

One other thing.  It may seem strange, but if you have gloves with enough room in them, putting on a pair of skinny silk liner gloves (or other thin man-made glove liners) under your regular gloves will about double the warmth of any gloves.  But then you may be back to feeling like you are wearing boxing gloves.

And if you do buy good insulated leather winter gloves, take the time to seal them with mink oil.  Put it on thinly with bare fingers only, and a tooth brush on all seams.  And let it soak in for a day or two.  You may still smear up your controls a bit, but the added protection and waterproofness are worth it.

Couldn't agree more!! Thermolite or Primaloft
As for heated gear, Gerbing used to come with a "Y" cord for jus' the purpose you intend (vest to gloves). I like my Gerbing G3's, but they could be warmer IMHO. Most say the newer G5's don't heat as well as the old style G3's (maybe because they're part cordura & part leather). Still...worlds better than unheated gloves. Wore US military surplus D-3A's with the wool liners forever (still got a pair in my field coat pockets)
http://www.theopsdeck.com/GLOVES/PROD%20-%20GLV.RC%203383%20D3A%20Glove%20System.htm
but Gerbing G3's are what I use for anything below 'bout 35°.
Now...Gerbing controllers don't have the best reputation, I've had 2 repaired & only one of those still works. My next controller will be a wireless "Heat Troller" from Warmnsafe.
http://www.warmnsafe.com/dual-remote-control-heat-troller/
(Works jus' fine with Gerbing.)
Best of on your search, I'd say go with the "wired" gloves.
Killed me to throw that plastic down, course I bought jackets & gloves for both Sugar & myself. There was a bit of "sticker shock"...
but that mostly went away the very first time we got caught up BRP in the cold, rain, & fog! I never leave home without 'em now

[DirtyDan]

I have a pair of gauntlet gloves made by Olympia. They have 100 grams of thinsulate. I ride down to mid 30's in the AM going to work. Whatever you find, check the amount of thinsulate.

+1 on the Olympia gloves

Dan

[rocketray]

if on a Standard our Tourer they do sell some clear plastic handguards that block the vast majority of the cold wind that really suck the warmth out of your hands...

[Jack B]

I had some made by National Cycle.

[Jess from VA]

Whisky, I still have two pair of my old USAF issue gloves like those.  Leather over wool liners.  Mine are too tight to ride with the wool liners in though.


All our liners were grey.


Still have two M65 field jackets too.  OD and Woodland



When I got out, I owed them 17.5 years of inactive reserve, so I kept a couple duffels of uniforms and gear.  Even though my chances of getting recalled were slim to none.  Most of it is gone, but odds and ends remain.

[Oldfishguy]

I use Gerbings heated jacket liner and when it gets really cold I wear the heated wired gloves too.  These extend my riding season a month on each end. They are AWESOME!  Heated gear is the way to go in the northern climates.

As far as military gear goes:  I found a pair of new, old stock, Army boots from the early 1980's a few years back on Ebay.  That was my era of serving; they make great riding boots, and I actually don't mind polishing them now. 

Best of luck

David

[mark81]

Best gloves I've used so far were alpine stars drystar st-1.  Wore them out last year and have since been discontinued. haven't found anything that is as warm and fits as well.

[Savago]

It seems that Tourmaster has now some battery powered heated gloves:
https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/tour-master-synergy-74v-heated-leather-gloves

That would certainly solve the wires routing issue. I wonder if those gloves are good?

On the other hand, the wired ones are less than half the price:
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Synergy-Electrically-Leather-Motorcycle/dp/B009A0MG30/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509636724&sr=8-1&keywords=Tour+Master+Synergy+Heated+Leather

I can find lots of videos on the second one, but none showing how the wiring would look like. I must assume that you should route the wires under the motorcycle jacket?

Does that get in the way while riding?

[jmann]

For around town riding in the winter I have a nice heavy pair of leather gauntlet gloves I like but when I ride any long distance I prefer my ski mittens. I read about someone using them in the winter and so I tried them and I found they work pretty well. I think it's because your fingers are all together and share the warmth. I also wear a thin wool glove inside those and it really does keep my hand comfortable. I never found a heavy non heated glove that would keep my fingers from  getting cold after a short while at speed. You do lose a little dexterity with the mittens but the trade off is a comfortable hand. When my hands get cold it makes the ride miserable. My .02

[MarkT]

I've gone to Warm N Safe electric gear.  They used to provide controllers to Gerbing but they reverse-engineered them and outsourced to China, stealing the intellectual property but since WNS didn't have a proper patent (they are expensive, and so is suing for infringing) WNS could do nothing but complain on their web site.

I don't support ahole companies that rip off the little guy.  Anyway, WNS makes great products, the gloves and jacket liners are top shelf; been really happy - no matter how cold it is, I'm wrapped in warmth with just the gloves and liners powered by a dual control.  All of my bikes are wired with the plug-in.  As long as the roads aren't slippery - I can ride.  Takes an extra 5 minutes to suit up and plug in.  Most folks don't know about electric gear and just figure I'm crazy or frozen. Oh yeah, when it's really cold I add a balaclava so my face doesn't freeze.  The electrics are used when temps dip below 40 for any distance ride (over 15 miles). Goes w/o saying, windshield required, and Bakers in closed position. And distances are much greater here out west than they were when I lived in WI.  I've ridden with temps close to zero with this gear and was still comfy.

[Oss]

savago the tourmaster gloves plug right into the jacket liner at the cuff of the sleeves.  No wiring issues at all
I put the dual controller in the left pocket of my jacket and use the lowest settings when I wear the gloves,  My reasoning is that once too hot that it burns that sucks but if still too cold I can turn up a click and in a few moments all is great again.  The only thing to do is watch whether the grey wire or black wire is controlled by which switch  It will take one minute to figure that out  if that much

I ran the power from battery to a spot at the petcock so it is real easy to plug in the jacket liner any time I want to use it.   If I use the heated gear 10 times a year that is a lot as I said before most of long winter riding is on the beemer just because abs is safer if I brake on icy road.  So far so good

[3fan4life]

Heated Gloves are the best way to go.

I have a pair of Gerbing G3's and a pair of G5's.

The G5's can be used with a bettery or directly plugged in.

They are good gloves but the G3's are by far better gloves.

They are by far the most comfortable and best fitting gloves that I have ever used.

+1 on using a dual controller and Gerbing does make a "Y" cable that maes them easy to use with your heated vest.

[Savago]

Guys

Thanks all for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

I've found that Thermalite/Primaloft gloves can be good for 3 seasons (autumn/winter/spring) and there seems to exist quite a few options in the market:
a) Primaloft:
https://shop.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-taurus-gtx-gloves
https://shop.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-aquila-h2o-gloves

I was looking for something with armor at the knuckles for better protection in case of a fall (I use my hands for work i.e. keyboard). I use to joke with my wife that in case of a crash, I can break anything but my hands and my skull.
:-P

It seems that most of the heated gloves lack armor at the knuckles.

[98valk]

for any glove to work best and to increase exposure time, a wind block is a must for the hand grips. second is the base layer one wears. 100% cotton is no-no.  when the body's core temp starts dropping, it pulls blood from hands and feet, etc.

http://outersports.blogspot.com/2006/05/100-cotton-comfort-enemy-1.html

http://outersports.blogspot.com/2006/05/layering-for-cold-weather-activities.html

[Jess from VA]

A good amount of padding and strong cover material will prevent all drag injuries and many (but perhaps not all) impact injuries.  When you think about it, given the kind of impact injury that can occur on a bike, no amount of armor can guarantee no impact injury (ie broken bones).

All my thin summer gloves are armored.  All but one of my heavy insulated gloves have no armor.

The armor on my most expensive insulated gloves takes the paint right off the bike with even the most casual touch (even throwing them to the seat and one bouncing off and hitting the rear fender marked the paint).  After discovering that, I never wore them again.  When I called the Mfgr, they had me look at the small print on the documents that came with the gloves..... and there was a warning about this issue.  Buyer beware.

Here are a pair of the (few generations later than my) HD thermolite leather gauntlets.  Not cheap, but much cheaper than those you posted.  If your main goal is warmth, these are the warmest gloves I've ever had (that you can still ride a motorcycle with).
https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/windshielder-gauntlet-gloves

And I'll bet they are warmer than both of those Revit gloves with man made outers.

[scooperhsd]

My solution to cold weather riding is called a cage (car). When I was in college, I did do some really COLD weather riding on campus - I remember a ZERO degree night going up the hill from the computer center to my dorm - 20 MPH and I still froze my tailend off.

I have ridden from DC down to my current house in 40 degree weather (~200 MILES) - not fun.... stopped about every 30 minutes to warm up.

[Mr Whiskey]

Still have two M65 field jackets too.  OD and Woodland

For a starving biker in the dead of winter surplus M65 was the only way to go!
I gave $20 for my first one & wore it 20+ years (even came with the button in liner).
Still haven't worn it out, jus' out grew it "laterally". Sugar wears it now, loves it!
She bought me a brand new one in black 2XLT not long ago (they go all the way up to 5XL), & then promptly had to hand sew all the buttons back on it (they jus' don't make things like they used to, & I sure do love that girl).
http://www.alphaindustries.com/mens-field-coats/alpha-industries-m-65-field-coat.htm?utm_creative=e&utm_device=c&msclkid=caa117ad833d19934fcf4e517cf6395e&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(ROI)+Field+Coats+Branded&utm_term=field+jackets+m65&utm_content=Field+Jacket+M+65
Love it! Got used to all the pocket space over the years, button in removable liner, rain hood, velcro cuffs for gloves, velcro closure at turn up collar, draw string bottom, not to mention zip and snap closure front. (Don't think I could get comfortable in anything else!)
I sprayed 2 coats of Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent on the whole jacket couple of hours apart, & I'm pretty much good to go.
I basically never leave home without my "rig" as she calls it, & my D-3A's (with black wool liners) are always in the pockets

[Mr Whiskey]

My solution to cold weather riding is called a cage...

'ats a 4 letter word 'round here

[Mr Whiskey]

Hey Savago, don't know if these are still available... but at that price sure is worth a phone call
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/6-gl1800-classifieds-4-sale-owner/360529-gerbings-heated-sets.html

[cookiedough]

For around town riding in the winter I have a nice heavy pair of leather gauntlet gloves I like but when I ride any long distance I prefer my ski mittens. I read about someone using them in the winter and so I tried them and I found they work pretty well. I think it's because your fingers are all together and share the warmth. I also wear a thin wool glove inside those and it really does keep my hand comfortable. I never found a heavy non heated glove that would keep my fingers from  getting cold after a short while at speed. You do lose a little dexterity with the mittens but the trade off is a comfortable hand. When my hands get cold it makes the ride miserable. My .02

yah,  mittens are warmer than most non heated electrical gloves that is a given, but I personally would be worried about holding onto the handlebars, brake/clutch levers, and turn signals/low-high beam switches safely with mittens on.

I have thought about trying it once, but chickened out but have used them a few times on my scooter since is automatic all the way twist and go throttle is about it much easier to ride with bulkier winter mittens on.

thanks all for the suggestions on primaloft or thermolite liners will be looking for a pair that fit snug to go under my normal cold weather riding gloves.  dual non electric heated gloves 2-pair on is good enough for me no way spending 150+ bucks on just a pair of electrical heated gloves.  If it gets that cold to need them,  snow will be on the ground more often than not and under 36 degree temps is too cold for my riding style on any cycle.

[old2soon]

I found online some goat skin artificial fleece line snow mobile mittens that I've personally ridden down to about 27 degrees F and these old arthritic bones have stayed warm. I have looked but the box and the receipt are long gone and the mfg label is worn where I can no longer read it. I Know-really not much help. And the goatskin was quite flexible outa the box and switch controlling and function levers were Not an issue. If I happen across the info I'll post back. Maybe just enter goatskin snow mobile MITTENS! RIDE SAFE.

[scooperhsd]

I've ridden with mittens before. When you're used to 2-finger clutch / brake, it takes some getting used to.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've ridden with mittens before. When you're used to 2-finger clutch / brake, it takes some getting used to.

Same here. On a snow machine it's fine. On a motorcycle, probably not the safest.

[old2soon]

I've ridden with mittens before. When you're used to 2-finger clutch / brake, it takes some getting used to.

Same here. On a snow machine it's fine. On a motorcycle, probably not the safest.

              Ride my mittens quite a bit in the cooler/colder weather and I do NOT feel any less safe. Adapt overcome improvise. RIDE SAFE.

[jmann]

I've ridden with my mittens for many miles and I have to say that I have never had an issue with the controls and have never felt "unsafe'. I bought mine at a ski store in all black and they were far less expensive than heated gloves and performed quite well.

[MarkT]

Back in the day I used to ride my Ducati in WI, below zero with army surplus gauntlet arctic mittens. The ones with fur on the backs.  Hands were never cold, while that fact made up for the loss of dexterity.  The mittens were loose; never felt like I had less control.  Distances there were much less than here.  I was always where I was going within 10 miles.  Still have them but really no need for them.  Maybe if I was sitting on a really cold deer hunting stand.

[cookiedough]

I bought these 20% off on sale at farm and fleet store for glove liners that fit nice and thin for glove liners.  2 layers of gloves is best with a glove liner one thin layer tighter fitting snug and comfy but not too tight and the outer layer of gloves thicker and warmer but still not too bulky.  I tried on both pairs below and liked them both but the cheaper and thinner layer was comfier and I am all about comfort when riding.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/g-6568-seirus-innovation-deluxe-thermax-gloves-liner.html

these were also 20% off but a tad bit bulkier but am sure warmer but double the price.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/g-6569-seirus-innovation-heatwave-glove-liner.html


I do not trust myself to wear mittens on any front brake and clutch lever too cumbersome for my tastes.

[Savago]

Just to finish the story, I ended up buying the REV'IT! Taurus GTX.

The good:
- comfy
- warm
- good protection
- looks pretty cool

The bad:
- probably not warm enough for non-Californian climate
- too expensive