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Best Winter Cycling Gloves Tested in 2025:
The Best Insulated Gloves for Warm Fingers on Cold Rides:
In Our Comprehensive Comparison: These Winter Gloves Impress With Reliable Thermal Insulation, Windproof Materials, and First-Class Comfort – Ideal for Road Cycling,
Mountain Biking & Touring.
Anyone who regularly rides in cold weather – whether road cycling, mountain biking, commuting, or on extended tours – knows: Good winter cycling gloves aren't a luxury, they're essential. Poorly insulated gloves, slippery grips, or restricted finger mobility can quickly lead to numb fingers, reduced bike control, or dangerous situations. Especially on longer rides in the cold, winter gloves truly separate the wheat from the chaff.
In our comprehensive Winter Cycling Gloves Test 2025, we asked ourselves: Which gloves really provide reliable warmth, optimal grip, and allow for precise control – without compromising breathability and comfort?
Today's best winter cycling gloves need to do much more than they used to: They should be wind and water-resistant, enable perfect finger mobility, and guarantee warm hands even in sub-zero temperatures through high-quality insulation. Particularly impressive in our winter glove test were models with breathable membranes, non-slip palms, and well-designed ventilation systems.
Together with cyclists, commuters, and product testers, we evaluated the most popular models – from budget-friendly options to premium solutions.
Our goal: To find the best winter cycling gloves for 2025 – for everyone who wants to ride safely, comfortably, and with warm hands, even in the cold.
Anyone who regularly rides in cold temperatures or undertakes longer winter tours should rely on ergonomic cycling gloves with reliable insulation and non-slip grip surfaces. This prevents cold damage, supports handlebar control, and significantly increases riding comfort – as many testers in the "Winter Cycling Gloves Test 2025" were able to confirm.
✅ Ergonomic Design with 3M Cotton – for natural hand position without cramping
✅ 5-Layer Insulation & Velvet Lining – keeps warm from 14°F to 41°F (-10°C to +5°C)
✅ Double-Sided Waterproof Coating – reliable protection against moisture
✅ Non-Slip Leather Palms – perfect grip and maximum abrasion resistance
✅ Touchscreen Function on All 10 Fingers – operation without removing gloves
✅ Elastic Cuffs with Connection Clip – perfect fit and space-saving storage
The Following Features Are Crucial When Buying Winter Cycling Gloves:
Recognizing Poor Quality – What You Should Pay Special Attention to When Buying Winter Cycling Gloves:
Avoid inferior winter gloves with these weaknesses to ensure you really have warm and protected hands
in the cold:
📌 Inferior Materials: Cheap cycling gloves with thin insulation or simple synthetic materials quickly lose their thermal performance. Such models fail especially at temperatures below 32°F or in wet conditions. High-quality winter glove test winners, on the other hand, rely on 3M cotton with 5-layer insulation and waterproof coatings that reliably keep you warm even at 14°F (-10°C).
📌 Missing Functional Features: Cycling gloves without touchscreen function or with slippery palms often lead to dangerous situations or operational problems – especially on longer rides. Good winter glove test winners should be touchscreen-compatible on all 10 fingers and offer non-slip leather palms for perfect
handlebar contact.
📌 Poor Workmanship: Leaky seams, stiff materials, or missing elastic cuffs are clear warning signs. They not only lead to cold fingers but also to restricted mobility. A true cycling glove test winner must be waterproof, breathable, and equipped with soft velvet lining – only then are warm, dry hands guaranteed in any weather.
Top 5 Best Winter Cycling Gloves Tested: Our Test Winner for Warm Hands 2025:
If you regularly ride for long periods in cold temperatures – whether commuting, touring, mountain biking, or simply on winter rides – you know: The right cycling gloves determine warmth, safety, and riding comfort.
Anyone who rides for hours in the cold needs more than just thin fabric gloves – it requires a functionally well-thought-out solution with 3-layer insulation that protects your hands and thinks ahead.
In our current "Winter Cycling Gloves Test 2025," we tested various models over several weeks at different temperatures, on long tours, and in daily use.
The focus was on:
Pros:
✅ 3-Layer Coating with Thermal Fleece Lining – Reliably keeps hands warm in extreme cold and feels cozy soft
✅ Touch-Sensitive Technology – Easy smartphone operation and message replies without removing gloves
✅ 100% Water-Repellent Coating – Complete protection against rain, snow, and moisture on wet, cold days
✅ Non-Slip Silicone Coating – Perfect grip on handlebars, hiking poles, or ski poles even in wet conditions
✅ Soft Thermal Fleece Lining – High wearing comfort even for sensitive skin, without scratching or irritation
✅ Breathable Nylon Outer Material – Prevents sweating inside the gloves while blocking cold air from entering
Our Rating
Our Verdict:
The ThermoSlim Gloves from NaturVibes are the clear favorite in the 2025 Winter Cycling Gloves Test.
For anyone who wants to ride warm, dry, and with perfect grip in cold weather—without compromising finger dexterity—this model is the right choice.
The 3-layer coating with thermal fleece lining, the 100% water-repellent outer layer made of durable nylon, and the non-slip silicone coating on the palms make them the ideal solution for cycling, hiking, skiing, or any outdoor activities in cold weather.
Despite their excellent thermal insulation, the gloves remain flexible, breathable, and comfortable, even during longer rides in freezing temperatures.
What particularly impressed us: The touch-sensitive technology enables hassle-free smartphone use without removing the gloves, the soft thermal fleece lining protects even sensitive skin, and the innovative material combination ensures that cold air stays out while perspiration can escape.
No wonder the ThermoSlim Gloves have been awarded as Winter Glove Test Winner multiple times.
Cons:
❌ Not available in retail stores
❌ Frequently out of stock
AmFIB® Gel Gloves
by Pearl Izumi
Our Rating
Vorteile:
✅ Wind and Water Protection: AmFIB® softshell fabric blocks wind and repels moisture effectively
✅ Premium Craftsmanship: High-quality AmFIB® softshell construction
Cons:
❌ Limited Extreme Cold Performance – Best suited for temperatures 25-40°F; fingertips can get cold below that range
❌ Sizing Runs Small – Many users recommend sizing up for proper fit
❌ Not Fully Waterproof – Water-resistant but not suitable for prolonged heavy rain
❌ Premium Price Point – At $80-95, significantly more expensive than budget alternatives
Our Verdict:
The Pearl Izumi AmFIB® Gel Gloves are a high-quality solution for serious cyclists who ride regularly in cool to cold conditions and value premium craftsmanship.
The PrimaLoft® Gold insulation with Aerogel technology provides excellent warmth-to-weight ratio.
The 1:1® Control Gel palm padding is effectively reducing hand fatigue on longer rides.
However, the gloves show limitations in extreme cold:
They work best in the 25-40°F temperature range but may leave fingertips cold in sub-freezing conditions. The water resistance is good for light rain and road spray but won't hold up in heavy, sustained precipitation.
Those who ride occasionally in moderate winter weather and prioritize bar feel and dexterity will appreciate this model.
However, for regular winter riders facing extreme cold or wet conditions, the ThermoSmart Test Winners offer superior all-around performance at a more accessible price point.
Castelli Perfetto RoS Glove
by Castelli
Our Rating
Vorteile:
-
✅ Efficient insulation: Provides consistent warmth in moderately cold conditions
-
✅ High-end material quality
Cons:
❌ Very Poor Value for Money – Significantly overpriced for the performance delivered
❌ Mediocre Fit: Doesn't fit optimally, could be more comfortable
❌ Inaccurate Touchscreen Operation: Smartphone use often frustrating and imprecise
❌ Average Wind Protection Performance – Lets cold air through, not optimally insulated
Our Verdict:
The Castelli Perfetto RoS Gloves are an above-average solution for performance-oriented riders in moderate winter conditions
– especially if you value Italian craftsmanship and premium materials.
However, the gloves show clear weaknesses in real-world use: The water resistance is insufficient for prolonged rain and the fit is only mediocre – a real drawback for longer rides. The touchscreen function also doesn't work precisely enough, which becomes frustrating with frequent use. Most critically, the premium price is hard to justify given these limitations.
Those who ride occasionally in dry, cold weather and prioritize bar feel over all-weather protection can be satisfied with this model. For riders facing regular heavy rain or extreme cold conditions, however, the ThermoSmart Test Winners are clearly superior while costing significantly less.
Bottom Line: Premium price without premium all-weather performance. Better alternatives exist at lower cost.
4. Giro Proof Winter Cycling Gloves
by Giro
Our Rating
Pros:
✅ Good Palm Grip: Non-slip palms provide secure handlebar control
✅ Decent Material Quality
Cons:
❌ Insufficient Thermal Insulation – Fingers go numb quickly in cold, not suitable for sub-freezing temperatures despite claims
❌ Poor Water Protection – Lets moisture through, hands get cold and wet quickly in rain
❌ Inadequate Wind Protection – Cold air penetrates, no effective insulation against wind chill
❌ Missing Reflectors – No visibility in poor lighting conditions, safety hazard
❌ Poor Value for Money – Too expensive ($95) for the performance and quality delivered
❌ Excessive Bulk – Bulky design significantly restricts finger dexterity and bar feel
❌ Unreliable Touchscreen Function – Works inconsistently, often frustrating to use
❌ Inadequate Nose Wipe – Too narrow to be functional, poor design choice
Wiederholen
Our Verdict:
The Giro Proof Winter Gloves are aimed at occasional riders who need a basic glove solution for short rides in mild winter weather.
The grippy palms are pleasant, and the construction is a nice extra – but in the direct Winter Cycling Gloves Test 2025, it quickly becomes clear:
For extreme cold or longer rides, these gloves are only marginally suitable.
They offer barely any thermal insulation, let water and wind through, and showed significant deficiencies in visibility during practical testing.
For extreme winter conditions or reliable protection, the ThermoSmart Test Winners from NaturVibes are clearly the better choice.
5. Specialized Element 2.0 Winter Gloves
by Specialized
Pros:
✅ Decent overall fit: Generally comfortable and acceptable on
the hand
✅ Moderate grip stability
Cons:
❌ Inferior Material Quality – Cheap construction, rapid deterioration of seams and materials
❌ Inadequate Cold Protection – No real insulation, fingers go numb at temperatures as mild as 23°F (-5°C)
❌ Poor Water Protection – Lets moisture through immediately, hands get soaked in rain or snow
❌ Lack of Wind Protection – No insulation against cold air, unsuitable for true winter riding
❌ No Visibility Features – No reflectors, safety hazard in poor lighting conditions
❌ Low Durability – Falls apart quickly, not suitable for regular use
❌ Poor Value for Money – Too expensive for the lack of quality and functionality delivered
❌ Unreliable Touchscreen Function – Works only sporadically, often frustrating to use
Our Verdict:
The Specialized Element 2.0 Winter Gloves appear at first glance to be a solid all-rounder from a trusted brand – and may work for short city rides in mild weather. However, long-term testing quickly reveals their weaknesses: Too cold, too leaky,
too poor durability.
They are clearly designed for occasional use, not for reliable winter protection or extended outdoor rides.
In direct comparison with the ThermoSmart Test Winners from NaturVibes, it becomes clear: These gloves are more of a lifestyle accessory than a true winter solution – especially disappointing given the Specialized brand premium.
Our Rating
Sources
German Society for Sports Medicine (2023). Cold protection & cycling control.
Iserson, K.V. (2016). Glove protection in extreme cold. Wilderness Environmental Medicine, 27(4), 508–514.
Glove and hand position vs. ulnar nerve pressure in cycling. (2011). Journal of Hand Surgery.
German Association for Cycling Safety (2024). Winter glove requirements.
German Institute for Material Testing (2020). Waterproof membranes in outdoor gloves.
Federal Association for Traffic Safety (2023). Reflective elements on winter gloves.
Research Institute for Refrigeration Technology (2022). Glove material temps: -20°C to +5°C.