Review of Best Winter Cycling Gloves
Cold hands can turn a brilliant winter ride into a slog. The right gloves will keep you warm, let you shift gear and brake with confidence, and — crucially — keep you connected to your phone, GPS or lights. Below we picked one strong winter glove from a variety of cycling shops. For each glove I summarise the key features, who it’s best for, and any caveats — and I include a link to the product page so you can check sizes, colours and current price.
1. Le Col — Hors Categorie Deep Winter Gloves
Why I picked them: Le Col’s Hors Categorie Deep Winter Gloves are billed as the brand’s warmest winter glove, built to balance insulation and dexterity for road riders who need good control on the hoods in cold, wet conditions. Key features include a DWR-treated outer, silicone palm grippers, reinforced wear zones and an elongated neoprene cuff for extra coverage. Le Col
Main features
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Windproof and water / shower-resistant outer with DWR treatment. Le Col
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Silicone grippers on the palm for secure control of hoods and levers. Le Col
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Microfibre suede nose wipe on the thumb and reinforced panels where you hold the hoods. Le Col
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Elasticated/neoprene cuff to keep warmth in and spray out; reflective detailing for low-light signalling. Le Col
Best for: Road cyclists and long-distance riders who want true winter warmth without heavy mitts — great for early-morning club runs and cold commutes where you still need precise lever feel.
Caveats: Premium price (they’re positioned as a high-end glove) and a close fit — consider going a size up if you plan to wear thin liners underneath.
Link: Le Col — Hors Categorie Deep Winter Gloves. Le Col
2. Sigma Sports — Rapha Gore-Tex Insulated Waterproof Gloves (sold via Sigma)
Why I picked them: Sigma stocks a selection of premium winter gloves; Rapha’s Gore-Tex Insulated model is a dependable, weatherproof choice that couples GORE-TEX rain protection with Primaloft insulation for warmth with minimal bulk — a classic mix for riders who need waterproofing on top of insulation. Sigma Sports
Main features
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3-layer Black Diamond GORE-TEX fabric for fully waterproof, breathable protection. Sigma Sports
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Primaloft® Gold insulation to keep fingers warm while keeping glove bulk low (helps retain dexterity). Sigma Sports
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Touchscreen compatibility and an ergonomic cut optimised for levers/hoods; temperature guidance listed by the manufacturer (~-4 to 5°C). Sigma Sports
Best for: Riders who regularly face cold, wet conditions and want a lightweight glove that stays dry. Ideal for commuters, winter club riders and anyone who prefers full-weather gear without bulky lobster mitts.
Caveats: Even with Primaloft, waterproof gloves can feel slightly stiffer than non-waterproof winter gloves; sizing is important for dexterity. Check Sigma’s stock and size options before buying.
Link: Rapha Gore-Tex Insulated Waterproof Gloves at Sigma Sports. Sigma Sports
3. Decathlon — Van Rysel / RC900 (900) Winter Cycling Gloves
Why I picked them: Decathlon’s in-house Van Rysel (often shown as “900” or “RR 900”) winter gloves offer strong value: they’re insulated, touchscreen-compatible and sporting gel/technogel palm inserts for comfort on longer rides. Decathlon tends to combine practical features with aggressive pricing and wide size availability. Decathlon+1
Main features
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Warm lining with Technogel or gel inserts in the palm for shock attenuation and improved grip on long rides. Decathlon
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Touchscreen-capable fingertips so you can operate a phone without exposing hands. Decathlon
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High customer review counts on Decathlon pages — reliable value option for recreational and commuter cyclists. Decathlon+1
Best for: Riders who need functional, comfortable cold-weather gloves at a friendly price — commuters, new winter riders, and anyone who needs an effective everyday glove.
Caveats: These aren’t the warmest waterproof gloves on the market — they’re warm and practical, but in truly wet and below-freezing conditions you may prefer a waterproof or neoprene model.
Link: Decathlon — RR 900 / 900 Winter Cycling Gloves (Van Rysel). Decathlon+1
4. BikeTart — Giro Proof Winter Gloves
Why I picked them: BikeTart’s range includes several genuine winter gloves; the Giro Proof glove is a tried-and-tested waterproof option that uses a waterproof liner (OutDry/OutDry-like construction on certain models), Polartec or PrimaLoft insulation and touchscreen fingertips — a good all-rounder for mixed UK weather. The product description highlights OutDry® and Polartec® Power Dry® insulation features. Biketart+1
Main features
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Waterproof outer with a liner system (OutDry® depending on SKU) for reliable wet-weather protection. Biketart
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Insulation core (Polartec® / PrimaLoft in different versions) to balance warmth and breathability; fleeced interior with AGrid heat retention tech detailed in the product copy. Biketart+1
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Reflective accents and touchscreen-compatible fingertips. Biketart+1
Best for: Riders who need a waterproof, insulated glove for commuting or winter trail/road rides where moisture management is crucial.
Caveats: Waterproof gloves with heavier insulation can reduce bar feel; if you prioritise high dexterity in freezing dry cold, look at thinner insulated options or lobster-style gloves depending on climate. Check BikeTart’s sizing and stock before purchase.
Link: BikeTart — Giro Proof Winter Gloves. Biketart+1
5. Merlin Cycles — DexShell Arendal 2.0 Winter Cycling Gloves
Why I picked them: Merlin Cycles stocks the DexShell Arendal 2.0, a glove designed for very cold temperatures with PrimaLoft® Gold insulation and Porelle® waterproof inserts. Merlin’s product page lists recommended usage temperature ranges and highlights the PrimaLoft insulation, which is a good fit for riders facing sub-freezing commutes or long winter rides. Merlin Cycles
Main features
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PrimaLoft® Gold thermal insulation for high warmth-to-weight ratio; Porelle® waterproof breathable inserts to keep hands dry. Merlin Cycles
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Durable abrasion-resistant outer shell and impact resistant glove back for tougher conditions; reflective logo for visibility. Merlin Cycles
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Merlin cites a recommended temperature band (illustrative guidance around -15°C to 0°C depending on sensitivity) — useful if you ride in very cold climates. Merlin Cycles
Best for: Gravel riders, winter commuters and anyone riding in consistently cold, wet environments who needs proven insulation and waterproofing.
Caveats: These are built for cold and wet — they may be overkill for mild wet days. As with other insulated waterproof gloves, dexterity is a trade-off for warmth
Link: Merlin Cycles — DexShell Arendal 2.0 Winter Cycling Gloves. Merlin Cycles
6. Tredz — GripGrab Ride II Waterproof Winter Gloves
Why I picked them: Tredz lists GripGrab’s Ride II as a waterproof winter glove with a breathable membrane and DWR treatment — GripGrab is a respected name for cold-weather cycling accessories and the Ride II is a good mid-range water-resistant glove that performs well for commuters and road riders. Tredz’s product page highlights waterproof/breathable construction and DWR on the outer fabric. Tredz
Main features
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Waterproof and breathable insert plus PFC-free DWR finish to repel water. Tredz
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Ergonomic fit and touchscreen fingertips; a practical, everyday winter glove aimed at commuters and mixed-weather riders. Tredz
Best for: Riders who need dependable waterproofing and comfort for everyday commuting or winter leisure rides without stepping up to the most expensive premium gloves.
Caveats: Not the warmest option for extreme cold (it’s more of a mid-winter, wet-weather performer). If you regularly face sub-zero temps you might prefer the DexShell or Primaloft-insulated options above.
Link: Tredz — GripGrab Ride II Waterproof Winter Gloves. Tredz
