Winter Gloves

[jadziadax8]

Any ideas on the best low-cost winter gloves? I'd love to buy some Helds, but can't justify $120 for a pair of gloves. I live in northern IL, so need something good to extend my season. Is there anything in particular that I should be looking for (long gauntlet, types fo stitching, materials, etc)? I'm a woman with small hands. Right now, my choices are the following gloves I found on New Enough:

1. Olympia Model 4650 Ultima I Gloves

2. Tour  Master Cold Front Carbon Gloves

3. Women's Tour Master Polar-Tex Gloves

[turboderek]

the Tour Master Cold Front Carbon Gloves are good to about 45 degrees.  They are my winter gloves here is so california.

[Doug Just Doug]

I've always found Olympia gloves to be top notch at their price points. Though I've been wearing some of more expensive brands lately, I still haven't found anything warmer for serious Winter riding (non-electric anyway) than my old (and discontinued) Olympia nylon/leather overstuffed Goretex gauntlets. I asked Olympia last year and was told that their GT Weatherking II are the warmest models they still make. BTW, as much as I love New Enough, Olympia is selling certain closeout models cheap on its website: http://www.olympiagloves.com/

[cosmoose]

I've done a lot of riding in the cold.  No glove, even $100 (sigh) ones, has ever really made it "good."  But other things have:

1) Heated grips.  You can get grip heaters for $40 or so anymore.  Makes life way, way better, and they're always there, even on cool spring evenings.  

2) ATV bar muffs.  These are the heavy artillery of winter riding.  They not only kept me from going numb at -7 F, they actually let my hands warm up once I got riding.  Amazing.  Ugly, but amazing.  



Also pretty cheap around $30, plus some fussing with installation.  

If you're gung-ho on gloves, I'd look at snowmobile gloves.  My wife has a pair I envy.  Super-thick insulation and waterproof, for less than similar moto-gloves.  

Ride warm!

Dave

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I second the heated grips. Hell, I have heated grips and heated gloves

The best winter gloves I ever bought were Frank Thomas (Aqua) gloves. I found them in Canada, were about $70CAD and kept my fingers warm and dry for two years. They're starting to lose their insulative abilities, but they're still the best I've ever had.  Oh, and I have small hands too :thumbsup

[Nimh]

They aren't the cheapest, but about half your mentioned amount.  I have the Joe Rocket Nitrogen gloves which at least for me, tend to run a little on the small side so depending on your hands, may fit you well.

http://www.newenough.com/joe_rocket_nitrogen_gloves_page.htm

I only have a heated vest, and haven't yet found a need for heated grips with these, but I stop riding around the freezing mark.  Good stitching, doubled up leather in the palms, shield wipers on both thumbs and even survived well in a recent low speed getoff - ehem.. I've heard.

[Jeff N]

The best winter gloves I ever bought were Frank Thomas (Aqua) gloves.

+1 On the Frank Thomas Aquas. Waterproof, too. If you've a Cycle Gear nearby check 'em out, they usually do clearance sales where you can find some real bargains. I found some sorta-summer Frank Thomas gloves that usually cost $100 for $19.99 on their dis-continued rack.
 
http://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/index.php?pge_id=10&category_id=7&subcategory_id=9

[bluepoof]

+1 On the Frank Thomas Aquas. Waterproof, too. If you've a Cycle Gear nearby check 'em out, they usually do clearance sales where you can find some real bargains. I found some sorta-summer Frank Thomas gloves that usually cost $100 for $19.99 on their dis-continued rack.
 
http://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/index.php?pge_id=10&category_id=7&subcategory_id=9

+2 on the Aquas.  I bought mine after a friend on a tour had only vaguely damp hands after one particularly bad day of 10 solid hours of pouring cold rain.  I've been really happy with mine.

[919rider]

Forget new gloves...
Aerostich heated grip wraps: $45 http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Warm-Wrap-Grips-p-16731.html
 
Hippo Hands: $60 http://www.hippohands.com
 
Both items can be moved bike to bike.
 
25 degrees with my summer gloves, and my hands get warm.
 
Kevin

[servicerifle]

919Rider's suggestions sound pretty good...grip wraps and hippo hands.

Alternatively, Gerbings sells a glove liner (not listed on the website, you have to call them) so if you already own a pair of warm-ish that are a bit too big, these things will work great.

[TC Rides]

I tried about 30 different gloves from various manufacturers and ended up with a pair from The North Face. Here's the link:

http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=ASA2

Pretty good glove for $50

I don't think Gerbing doesn't sells their glove liners anymore because people were getting burned hands, myself included.

[tripledigits]

TourMaster Winter Elite
 
I bought a pair of these this winter and they are really an improvement over my 1 season old Olympia winter gloves.  My hands would get cold at about 25 F with the Olympia gloves and heated grips.  The TMs are warm at that temp.  They have a built in shell, which I haven't used yet, which would provide even more wind protection in really cold or wet weather.
 
The insulation in the Olympia gloves seemed to pack down over the course of a year, and my thumbs in particular started to freeze.

[jadziadax8]

TourMaster Winter Elite
 
I bought a pair of these this winter and they are really an improvement over my 1 season old Olympia winter gloves. My hands would get cold at about 25 F with the Olympia gloves and heated grips. The TMs are warm at that temp. They have a built in shell, which I haven't used yet, which would provide even more wind protection in really cold or wet weather.

I like the rain cover.  If I get them, I could fulfill my old dream of being a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.  

[Dr Gil]

Ahhh, the winter glove thread.  Reliable as rain.

I just ordered a set of Frank Thomas Aqua's from Cycle World because of the high marks given here.  Hopefully they won't just end up in my "glove drawer" (yes, an entire drawer/graveyard specifically for motorcycle gloves) with the other unused "waterproof/warm" gloves I've purchased that turned out either not to be "waterproof/warm" or simply too bulky to use while riding a bike.  

I like the idea of using snowmobiling gloves figuring they would be both waterproof and very, very warm but I'm simply not willing to sacrifice the protection that dedicated motorcycle gloves give.  With me, riding gloves (winter or summer) are primarily to protect my hands.  It's a deal killer.

[jadziadax8]

I just ordered a set of Frank Thomas Aqua's from Cycle World because of the high marks given here. Hopefully they won't just end up in my "glove drawer" (yes, an entire drawer/graveyard specifically for motorcycle gloves) with the other unused "waterproof/warm" gloves I've purchased that turned out either not to be "waterproof/warm" or simply too bulky to use while riding a bike.

So which ones are in that drawer, so that I may avoid them?

[FJRmgm]

I have a pair of the River Road Taos and they ROCK!!
 
My hands get cold easily but not with these guys - best winter gloves I have EVER had. Totally wind and waterproof and comfortable. Get some.
 
http://www.ridegear.com/rg/item/F-28650/shop/River_Road_Taos_Cold_Weather_Gloves.html

[ol Rocket]

So which ones are in that drawer, so that I may avoid them?

I've seen his glove drawer and it's full, but kind of jumbled.  In fact, I borrowed a pair of dry gloves one time and wound up with one motorcycle glove and one pair of faded Old Navy boxer shorts.  

I was afraid to ask whose they were.

[jed]

I picked up a pair of BMW Motorrad goretex gloves the other day.  They're warm and dry no doubt.  The only gripe I have (and hopefully it will go away) is that my right thumb cramps up with them on.  This hasn't happened with my other gloves.  Oh, Held Steves are in no way warm or waterproof in case you were wondering.

[cosmoose]

So which ones are in that drawer, so that I may avoid them?

These are my "wish I had bought something else" glove:
 
http://www.theridestop.com/servlet/the-3524/Olympia-%234100-Weather-King/Detail
 
They had all the right specs: leather, gore-tex, insulation.  They cost $100 when I got them.  They don't work worth a damn.  
 
But maybe I expect too much.

[Twisty]

I bought the Olympia Ultima 1 gloves this fall. I DONT have heated grips or anything fancy like that. I DO however have plastic handguards that keep the wind off my hands.
Between the gloves and the wind protection, I am good down to around 20 degrees for 20 minutes before my fingertips get cold. I have ridden almost an hour in mid 30 degree temps without much problem.
I chose these gloves because I figured they would offer fair warmth without sacrificing all control feel, and I am quite happy with them.

I think someone should make heated control levers, as I think thats what makes my hands cold faster than anything. I store my bike in a garage that gets down to about 40 degrees, therefore the metal levers are COLD when I start my ride. I tend to always rest two fingers on the levers, and those fingers get cold faster than the others..... someone be ingenious and come up with something I can buy

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I think someone should make heated control levers, as I think thats what makes my hands cold faster than anything. ... I tend to always rest two fingers on the levers, and those fingers get cold faster than the others..... someone be ingenious and come up with something I can buy

I've thought this many times myself!

[JonS]

The Tourmaster Polar Tex gloves are the ones I have asked for at xmas. My warm jacket is a tourmaster and I am very impressed with it. Its also the warmest jacket I've owned. I've looked at a lot of gloves and think my chances are very good with that brand.
 The Frank Thomas gloves that have been recommended look very good too, but I'm done searching.

[bandit-o]

I've got the Tour Master Carbon cold fronts as well as the TM silk liners.  I find this combo to be effective down to 35-40 degrees.  At that temp. and after more than 1 hour of riding interstate speeds my fingers start getting numb.  They are also very stiff initially but have since broken in well (approx. 1-1/2 mo's).  They're quite bulky and you certainly lose some dexterity.  However, they are waterproof as advertised and the carbon knuckles do look kinda cool .

I think it is a decent deal for the money; $64 w/ shipping from NE + $10 for the liners.  YMMV

[MDHCO]

Olympia Gortex gloves and heated grips, no problems.

[Squonk]

I've got the Tour Master Carbon cold fronts as well as the TM silk liners.  I find this combo to be effective down to 35-40 degrees.  At that temp. and after more than 1 hour of riding interstate speeds my fingers start getting numb.  They are also very stiff initially but have since broken in well (approx. 1-1/2 mo's).  They're quite bulky and you certainly lose some dexterity.  However, they are waterproof as advertised and the carbon knuckles do look kinda cool .

I think it is a decent deal for the money; $64 w/ shipping from NE + $10 for the liners.  YMMV

We had our first cold morning here in Phoenix (about 39 degrees) and I was comfortable with the same setup as above.  It does take a few ride until your used to the bulkiness of the gloves.  A riding buddy of mine was so impression with the gloves that he bought a pair of his own and loves them as well.

[MDHCO]

[RaiderSix]

Hey guys, new here. I'm going to be selling my warm car with nice heated leather seats so I can ride full time on my '02 R6. I went to Cycle Gear and had them order the Frank Thomas Aqua gloves that a few of you were raving about. Are they the "urban" aqua gloves like these?
 

[PhilBiker]

My ownership experience with Marsee winter gloves has been exemplary.  Here is a newer model which replaces the older ones I have.  Internal fleece glove with a waterproof liner.  You can wear the liner over thin leather gloves in the warmer times, and put the fleece liner in for cold times.  Warmest glove I've ever ridden with, though admittadly I haven't ridden with a whole lot of others.

Oh, and HEATED GRIPS ARE A MUST!!!  You can get Kimpex elements for about $30 give or take and your hands will thank you.  Easy peasy to install if you're handy with a soldiering gun.

[chornbe]

I think someone should make heated control levers, as I think thats what makes my hands cold faster than anything.

I was thinking that exact thing recently, and in fact started looking at options. I think some heating elements and a thin layer of goretex wrapping could be just what the doctor ordered. Not that I'm going to do it, mind you... but it's one of those "maybe one day" things.

$.02

[chornbe]

Hey guys, new here. I'm going to be selling my warm car with nice heated leather seats so I can ride full time on my '02 R6. I went to Cycle Gear and had them order the Frank Thomas Aqua gloves that a few of you were raving about. Are they the "urban" aqua gloves like these?
 

So, uhm.... what about snow/ice days?

[Stripes]

I have a pair of the TOURMASTER Winter Elite gloves and I love 'em. I also have heated grips which allow me to ride with my summer gloves on most of the fall time. But when it gets really cold, like now, I wear my TOURMASTER gloves and don't usually need the heated grips. I also wear them when it rains hard, they have a wiper built into the thumb and also have pull out rain covers which make them 100% waterproof. The gauntlet goes halfway up my forearm and you can tighten them so no wind ever gets in. For $89.00 I haven't found a cold weather glove I like better yet!

[RaiderSix]

Snow and ice days I will throw my studded tires on the R6 and zip off to work as usual. Just kidding, I will just rent a car using the money I save from not having a $441.35 cage note every month.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Hey guys, new here. I'm going to be selling my warm car with nice heated leather seats so I can ride full time on my '02 R6. I went to Cycle Gear and had them order the Frank Thomas Aqua gloves that a few of you were raving about. Are they the "urban" aqua gloves like these?
 

Mine look nothing like those, but then again they're almost 3 years old. I'll get a picture of them tonight to show you what I have.

[Boxerdawg]

I guess I'll have to weigh in on my fave winter gloves: Rev'it Celcius H2O PCM Winter Glove


What I like about them.
1) warm without bulkiness.  I can fasten my helmet D-ring strap with them on.
2) Waterproof
3) Excellent hard armour protection

Downside:  Pricey at $150.  
They've been through one winter season of riding and so far proven worth the $$

edit: Oh yeah, they look cool too!

[Jeff N]

Frank Thonas Aqua Winter gloves. Definitely waterproof as shown by my wet ride to the WRCM last year.


Almost identical to the glove Dante is describing.

[Jeff N]

This a the semi-summer glove that I described as a deal at $19.99 on the clearance rack at Cycle Gear. I was mistaken as describing it as waterproof. It defintely is not, but it's supple and provides a good feel.



Can you believe the original list price was $100 + ?

[SWriverstone]

For what it's worth, Gerbing electric gloves are awesome, and I figured out a way on my ride to Newfoundland this fall to make them easy (yes! easy!) to use:
 
Most people dislike using the Gerbing gloves alone because of the wiring hassle (having to run the harness through your jacket, sleeves, etc - a major PITA).
 
What I did was rig up the wiring harness to the bike (on/off switch down on the left side). Then I ran the main wires up to my tank bag and zip-tied them to both sides of the tank bag straps (if you don't have straps, you could find something else that would work). The end result was that the wires to power the gloves extended from either side of the tank bag just far enough to reach the grips/gloves.
 
This system worked great—on my Newfoundland ride, temp variations were significant, and I'd often switch back and forth between the Gerbings and my Helds several times a day.
 
With the Gerbing wires attached to the tank bag (and tucked inside when not needed), I never had to muss with running wires inside my jacket. I just pulled the Gerbings out of my tank bag, plugged them in and I was all set! When they got too warm, I just unplugged them and stowed both the wires and gloves in the tank bag.
 
Just a helpful tip in case anyone's never tried this.
 
I found out there's a big difference between riding in winter for a couple hours..and riding in the cold for 6-8 hours a day for several days! I couldn't have done the trip wthout my Gerbings!
 
Scott

[RickC1957]

TCrides also has the Gerbing electric gloves and last March on the Moonshine run, they gave him 1st and 2nd degree burns! I use heated grips, my trusty teknic race gloves and silk liners, I'm good til the mid 30's...if any colder...I have lost the thrill of riding in the cold..even with heated gear.

[SWriverstone]

I've heard of burnt hands with the Gerbing gloves...but don't get it. It must be an anomaly—'cause mine don't get anywhere NEAR hot enough to burn (but they get plenty warm, bordering on uncomfortably hot).
 
Scott

[bluepoof]

Hey guys, new here. I'm going to be selling my warm car with nice heated leather seats so I can ride full time on my '02 R6. I went to Cycle Gear and had them order the Frank Thomas Aqua gloves that a few of you were raving about. Are they the "urban" aqua gloves like these?
 

Mine look pretty similar to that.  The gauntlet is styled a little differently, but the padding and finger areas look the same.

Now, to be fair, I live in California. So what's warm and comfortable for me may not be appropriate for wherever you are.  But these have been good winter gloves for me for a year and a half now.

[Mac]

I use the tour master winter elite
http://www.newenough.com/tour_master_winter_elite_gloves_page.htm
They have kept all but the tips of my fingers warm down to 21 deg f.

[dabrew]

Mine look pretty similar to that.  The gauntlet is styled a little differently, but the padding and finger areas look the same.

Now, to be fair, I live in California. So what's warm and comfortable for me may not be appropriate for wherever you are.  But these have been good winter gloves for me for a year and a half now.

hahaha, I know, we complain when it gets below 40 degrees. I've still been using my summer gloves with heated grips, but looking to get a little more warmth without the bulk

[Cpl Punishment]

Got some Alpinestars a size too large. So I can fit some thermal under gloves inside. Mebbe I'll get a set of heated grips for Xmas.

[Green01SprintST]

I'm still using an old pair of leather Tour Masters that I bought probably 20 plus years ago.  I try to remember to grease them up each year to keep them semi-water proof and when they eventually do end up wet I just turn them inside out and let them dry overnight.  When used in conjunction with my grip heaters I have no need for anything more hi-tech.  

[ChuckBecker]

HippoHands or those ATV bar muffs greatly simplify the entire problem.  My bro's been trying to taunt me into heated grips, but I'm a bit put off by the on-bike and on-rider wiring (my and 'luctricity don't get along).  A friend has knuckle guards on his V-Strom, I ordered a pair from the Suzuki accessory catalog and with very slight modification they fit my Speed Triple.  Anything you can do to keep wind and rain off your hands makes a huge difference.

[dabrew]

  A friend has knuckle guards on his V-Strom, I ordered a pair from the Suzuki accessory catalog and with very slight modification they fit my Speed Triple.  Anything you can do to keep wind and rain off your hands makes a huge difference.

I wouldn't mind seeing a pic of that. That idea has crossed my mind a few times, I guess I'm just to lazy to do the research

By the way, I'm "dsb" over on BARF

[Raptor]

I wouldn't mind seeing a pic of that. That idea has crossed my mind a few times, I guess I'm just to lazy to do the research

By the way, I'm "dsb" over on BARF

Here's a clicky to "a" pic...not sure it's "the" pic...

http://www.fjrtech.com/getdbitem.cfm?item=30

[Raptor]

I've done a lot of riding in the cold.  No glove, even $100 (sigh) ones, has ever really made it "good."  But other things have:

1) Heated grips.  You can get grip heaters for $40 or so anymore.  Makes life way, way better, and they're always there, even on cool spring evenings.  

2) ATV bar muffs.  These are the heavy artillery of winter riding.  They not only kept me from going numb at -7 F, they actually let my hands warm up once I got riding.  Amazing.  Ugly, but amazing.  



Also pretty cheap around $30, plus some fussing with installation.  

If you're gung-ho on gloves, I'd look at snowmobile gloves.  My wife has a pair I envy.  Super-thick insulation and waterproof, for less than similar moto-gloves.  

Ride warm!

Dave

Can someone post up a "clicky" to ATV bar muffs?  TIA.  

EDIT:  Nevermind.  I found them.  But, they're not available in USA...only Canada.  

[jadziadax8]

Update:  I bought the Women's Tour Master Polar Tex gloves.  So far thay've been OK.  First off, even the smalls are big on me.  I feel like I'm slipping around in them.  I've ridden in temps in the lower 40s.  My hands have been warm, with only my fingertips cold.  I anticipate that a pair of good glove liners will fix this problem easily, and I should be able to ride in much colder temps.

[Nesbocaj]

  I have been happy with the Orina 118 glove:
http:// http://www.adventuremotogear.com/gloves.mgi

 But have added electric gloves for this winters riding.

[emon07]

I sometmes user the TourMaster Glove Liners, but below 45 degrees the TourMaster Winter Elite are my choice.  They are a full feature glove and not as bulky as they look.  The have a squigee on the thumb and a built-in raincover.  Not too pricey for $80.00