GamJams Reviews: Winter Gloves

[All cyclists are experts, at least when it comes to our equipment choices. We know why we chose what we chose, and what we think of the product after we've been using it. GamJams Reviews channels that collective expertise - category by category - into a tidy package of articles designed to help all of us make better equipment decisions. Buying what pros get paid to use is one way to go. But the candid testimonial of fellow racers who paid out of their own pocket - that's an endorsement that really counts.]

This week's GamJams Reviews is on Winter Golves. If you want to add your own review, do it in the comments or on your own blog and throw a link in the comments.

• Given Whine and Cheese's previous reviews, I'm surprised he has a proper pair of winter gloves at all, and isn't simply wrapping each hand in two white tube socks he found in his gym bag. Still, his Giordana Alpines are in the December of their lifespan. "The palms are all worn out and there are huge gaping holes where the once grippy material existed. These holes serve as ventilators and bring in unwanted cold air. However, I have learned to keep my palms on the handlebars during all rides below 40 degrees as to retain all hot air." Just because he won't part with them, it's unclear if he recommends them or not.
• First Dropped likes the wet insulating property of the neoprene in his Performance Neoprene gloves: "They have leather on the palm so you get a nice grip (important for MTB). They are very warm, so warm that you will sweat when you wear them, but like a wetsuit, your hands still stay warm."
• Whenever Sweet Home Algomaha reviews winter apparel, I pay attention. He's in Nebraska, where it gets cold enough that he doesn't just need gloves - he needs a glove system. He reviews the Adidas Climawarm, Pearl Izumi Zephrr and Pearl Izumi Inferno, each for a different temperature range. The Pearl Izumi Zephrr gloves he uses around the freezing mark, occasionally with a liner. He advises, "Get them one size larger if you plan on using them with a lightweight insulated glove. Too tight and the fingers will get cold. And that kind of defeats the purpose of gloves."
• Not all good cycling gloves need to be cycling gloves. Flamenco Chuckwagon points out that Musto Frostbite neoprene sailing gloves are ideal for conditions ranging from "the point of 'my it's a bit chilly today' down to 'frozen snotcicles certainly ARE this year's must have item.'"
• Uff Da agrees, and plugs cross-country skiing's Swix Lobster Mitts for the coldest rides: "I used these gloves all the time when I cross-country skiied in Minnesota (even down to the single digits) and they are perfect for the bike as well."
• On The Wrobb's "only the strong survive rides" he rocks Craft Lobster Shells. Plenty warm, but not without their disadvantages: "These things are aight and super dooper warm but I lack dexterity to zip and stuff. Most importantly I cannot flick off SUV drivers."

Next week's Reviews: Handlebars & Stems.