Comments on: The winter kit http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/11/the-winter-kit/ The adventures, rants and ramblings of Ken & Sheldon, two guys who like to ride bikes. Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:29:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Winter Riding | Bikeridr http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/11/the-winter-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-764 Winter Riding | Bikeridr Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:05:37 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=2978#comment-764 [...] off you and to keep you dry. For some solid product reviews you can link to one of Ken’s articles here. For me, keeping my hands and feet warm is key. Once you get moving, your core stays pretty warm on [...] [...] off you and to keep you dry. For some solid product reviews you can link to one of Ken’s articles here. For me, keeping my hands and feet warm is key. Once you get moving, your core stays pretty warm on [...]

]]> By: Ken Hurd http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/11/the-winter-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-647 Ken Hurd Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:17:55 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=2978#comment-647 @Sam, the only other glove combo I've tried was non-bike specific, I paired a <a href="http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619502&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302698935&bmUID=1259679038363" rel="nofollow">MEC Cascade Overmitt</a> (which is fricken bomb proof) with a slightly lighter glove or mitt underneath. As far as warmth goes, you'll need to adjust your 'undermitt' depending on the temperature. A couple of downsides to this approach though: <ul> <li>It's a mitt, so you don't quite have the options you get with the separated index finger of the Firewall or a regular glove</li> <li>I found that when it got really cold the 'grippiness' on the face of the mitt wasn't very 'grippy'</li> <li>They're pretty big, so their a little clunky feeling</li> </ul> Another thing I've heard nothing but rave reviews of are "Pogies" or "Moose Mitts" – essentially massive gloves that fit over your entire handlebar/brakes/grips to provide warmth and shield you from the wind. This allows you to wear a much lighter glove underneath. I don't know anywhere locally that sells them, but CommuteByBike has a good review of your options <a href="http://commutebybike.com/2008/01/18/pogies/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. @Sam, the only other glove combo I’ve tried was non-bike specific, I paired a MEC Cascade Overmitt (which is fricken bomb proof) with a slightly lighter glove or mitt underneath. As far as warmth goes, you’ll need to adjust your ‘undermitt’ depending on the temperature.

A couple of downsides to this approach though:

  • It’s a mitt, so you don’t quite have the options you get with the separated index finger of the Firewall or a regular glove
  • I found that when it got really cold the ‘grippiness’ on the face of the mitt wasn’t very ‘grippy’
  • They’re pretty big, so their a little clunky feeling

Another thing I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews of are “Pogies” or “Moose Mitts” – essentially massive gloves that fit over your entire handlebar/brakes/grips to provide warmth and shield you from the wind. This allows you to wear a much lighter glove underneath. I don’t know anywhere locally that sells them, but CommuteByBike has a good review of your options here.

]]> By: Sam http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/11/the-winter-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-644 Sam Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:36:13 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=2978#comment-644 The Sugoi Firewall Z Glove are amazing. they truly keep your hand warm. however, they are not durable at all. I use them for winter mountain biking, 6 rides in and I already wore out the material between the finger and the mitts part on both gloves. its sad because i was falling in love with those gloves. any recommendation for really warm gloves guys ? The Sugoi Firewall Z Glove are amazing. they truly keep your hand warm. however, they are not durable at all. I use them for winter mountain biking, 6 rides in and I already wore out the material between the finger and the mitts part on both gloves. its sad because i was falling in love with those gloves. any recommendation for really warm gloves guys ?

]]> By: Sheldon Smart http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/11/the-winter-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-639 Sheldon Smart Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:06:17 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=2978#comment-639 Also, the Sugoi HydroLite jacket, is AWESOME! It's super light. Keeps the wind out totally, while able to still breath so it's not like wearing a garbage bag. It's also super tough. I've gone down wearing it, snagged it on trees, all kinds of things, and it still looks like new. It's sort of what I'd expect Frodo's Mithril chainmail armor to be like hahah... Also, the Sugoi HydroLite jacket, is AWESOME! It’s super light. Keeps the wind out totally, while able to still breath so it’s not like wearing a garbage bag. It’s also super tough. I’ve gone down wearing it, snagged it on trees, all kinds of things, and it still looks like new. It’s sort of what I’d expect Frodo’s Mithril chainmail armor to be like hahah…

]]> By: Sheldon Smart http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/11/the-winter-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-638 Sheldon Smart Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:00:40 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=2978#comment-638 Although these say they're only good for moderately cool weather, I've found them to be shockingly warm. I wouldn't choose these for -15 or below but I've worn them up to that and been gold, and not just for riding. They have sort of become my all round gloves now. The also look wicked :-D http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=47042&menuItemId=0&eid=1366 Although these say they’re only good for moderately cool weather, I’ve found them to be shockingly warm. I wouldn’t choose these for -15 or below but I’ve worn them up to that and been gold, and not just for riding. They have sort of become my all round gloves now. The also look wicked :-D

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=47042&menuItemId=0&eid=1366

]]> By: Ken Hurd http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/11/the-winter-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-636 Ken Hurd Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:33:13 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=2978#comment-636 @fendercase It's funny you should say that, and yes, I've had identical experiences. If I'm on the bike (ie. holding on to a corked handlebar, or rubber grips) they're gold, but if I'm holding onto something cold (ie. a shovel or metal ice chipper) they're no good at all... Similarly I find they're next to useless if they get wet. If it's warm enough, you're ok, but if it cold and/or windy you're going to regret putting those bad boys on. Really their main strength is the padding in the palm and the material on the back that cuts the wind. I think their utility is rather 'cycling' specific, if I was doing anything where my hands might get wet (ie. xc skiing) I'd probably be using a different type of glove. @fendercase It’s funny you should say that, and yes, I’ve had identical experiences.

If I’m on the bike (ie. holding on to a corked handlebar, or rubber grips) they’re gold, but if I’m holding onto something cold (ie. a shovel or metal ice chipper) they’re no good at all… Similarly I find they’re next to useless if they get wet. If it’s warm enough, you’re ok, but if it cold and/or windy you’re going to regret putting those bad boys on.

Really their main strength is the padding in the palm and the material on the back that cuts the wind. I think their utility is rather ‘cycling’ specific, if I was doing anything where my hands might get wet (ie. xc skiing) I’d probably be using a different type of glove.

]]> By: fendercase http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/11/the-winter-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-635 fendercase Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:27:17 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=2978#comment-635 Hey Ken & Sheldon, I have a pair of the Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gloves. I've had similar gloves from MEC and I like them and hate them at the same time. I like having gloves on when its cold outside so I wear these but I find that they actually make my hands colder. -4 outside I should be able to shovel the walk without crying like a little girl about how near frostbitten my hands are. Do either of you have a similar experience with the material they make these gloves out of? Ian Hey Ken & Sheldon,

I have a pair of the Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gloves. I’ve had similar gloves from MEC and I like them and hate them at the same time. I like having gloves on when its cold outside so I wear these but I find that they actually make my hands colder. -4 outside I should be able to shovel the walk without crying like a little girl about how near frostbitten my hands are. Do either of you have a similar experience with the material they make these gloves out of?

Ian

]]> By: JANE http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/11/the-winter-kit/comment-page-1/#comment-632 JANE Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:14:48 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=2978#comment-632 This is a great read! This is a great read!

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