The Best Winter Cycling Gloves of 2024

The Castelli Espresso GT Glove ($130) is the best all-around winter glove we tested. While it does not win outright on any individual criteria, it’s clearly the glove of choice for riders who only want to buy one pair of gloves that will protect them for a few hours of riding during 95% of the conditions that winter will throw at them.

To be fair to the Espresso GT, its comfort is absolutely top-shelf, and we’d quickly point out that its breathability is simply on another level compared to similarly warm models. That’s important because conditions in winter are highly variable, day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute. Changes in ride intensity relative to speed, changes in altitude, changes in precipitation, and wind speed all conspire to make keeping hands comfortable a tricky test.

The Espresso GT features PrimaLoft Gold insulation along with a GORE-TEX membrane that makes them completely waterproof and windproof. While Castelli isn’t explicit about what makes the Espresso GT breathe so well, this is really what separates it from other gloves offering a similar level of warmth and protection.

Why this breathability is so important isn’t about extreme cold, but rather more mild conditions. Most gloves in this category are not useful above the mid-40s F and thus leave a gap where they are way too warm. Thanks to their impressive breathability, this gap all but disappears with the Espresso GT.

This leads us to another great feature of the Espresso GT, which is the zippered back. While other gloves offer a nice flexible cuff, the Espresso GT goes further, opening up completely thanks to a YKK zipper that runs from the cuff to the knuckle area. This makes removing and refitting the Espresso GT mid-ride super easy, which is a nice upgrade over all the other winter gloves we tested.

At $130, the Castelli Espresso GT Glove sits at a high price point but offers a corresponding level of performance thanks to a pitch-perfect blend of warmth, waterproofing, breathability, and ease of getting in and out. If you only want one glove for anything winter will throw at you, the Espresso GT is the one to buy.

The Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Gloves ($47) from Showers Pass provide excellent protection from the rain to keep your hands dry while cycling. The Crosspoint Gloves are fully waterproof with 3 bonded layers: a wear-resistant knit exterior that feels like a regular knit glove, a waterproof-breathable Artex membrane, and a Coolmax moisture-wicking antibacterial knit lining.

What makes the Crosspoint shine is their simplicity and supple comfort during the ride, especially considering how much protection they provide against rain and wind. The Crosspoint gloves are barely noticeable after a few minutes on the bike because they fit and articulate so well. When the intensity ramps up, there is no loss of control or feedback through the handlebar, making the Crosspoint glove a great choice for fast group rides and road races. The silicone print on the palm provides a reliable grip in wet conditions. 

While the Crosspoint Waterproof Knit gloves fit and feel like just about any other knit option, Showers Pass ups the ante with the Artex membrane. Most knit gloves only provide moderate protection from wind and little, if any, protection from water, so this really expands the versatility of these gloves to a much wider conditions range.

At just $47, the Crosspoint is a great value and outperformed a few gloves we tested that were nearly double the cost. Showers Pass also keeps the branding on these gloves subtle, so they pair well with whatever winter kit you choose to wear. If you want a simple, durable, and high-performance glove that is ready for anything from fall all the way through to spring races, check out the Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Gloves from Showers Pass.

The name of the Ornot Merino Gloves ($45) is a bit of an oversimplification. While they are 20% Merino wool, there are a host of other materials, mainly nylon and polyester, that help them fit and perform better than a 100% merino glove ever could. Thankfully, these gloves still feature that soft and natural comfort we associate with wool fiber. 

Before even putting on the merino glove, we knew they would be comfortable, just from their appearance. The blended fabric is clearly well-sourced and has a nice density to it. The Merino Gloves are not articulated, but that’s not necessary for a high-quality merino-blend fabric in this application, as its stretch allows it to conform perfectly to the individual shape of the hands and fingers.

The Bluebird color scheme of our test pair is brilliant and gives the Merino gloves a cheerful look that actually makes us want to wear them. The subtle Ornot patch on the cuff also matches the pattern of the grippy texture applied to the palms, giving them a subtle yet classy style. 

Getting the Merino gloves on was even easier than expected because the cuff is ribbed and the wrist hem is reinforced, making it easy to tug on this part of the glove to get them in place. These gloves make a great “just in case” option for rides that start or end in colder weather or feature long descents. Keep them in your pocket until your hands are cold, and they will still be super easy to put on, even while riding. 

Of course, the Ornot Merino gloves also work great for rides that start cold and stay cold. They pack a surprising amount of protection for such a lightweight and simple glove. A big reason why they stay comfortable in cold conditions is that they breathe well, preventing any chilling effect from clammy hands. Yet, there is enough density in the weave of the merino blend to block light to moderate wind.

If you’re looking for a lightweight, packable glove that excels in mild to moderately cold weather, such as the mid/low 40s F, the reasonably priced Ornot Merino Glove is a great choice. 

You can usually tell a good product when it doesn’t change year after year, or better yet, ever, like the Rapha Deep Winter Gloves ($190). These gloves are aptly named and are honestly overkill for what most riders are willing to venture out into during the dark and cold months. But for those of us who road ride just as much in the winter as in the summer, these are a wise investment in comfort.

Built with a bevy of technical layers, including a waterproof and breathable OutDry membrane, as well as PrimaLoft insulation, it’s fair to say that your enthusiasm to ride might fade before you hit conditions these gloves can’t handle. We’ve ridden them in sleet, hail, and wind chill into the single digits for century rides and beyond and never once lost feeling in our fingers. 

The fit of the Rapha Deep Winter Gloves is on par with their excellent protection. Because of the articulated shaping, these ride like much thinner gloves. There is just enough freedom inside to allow the hand to relax and move naturally, which is vital to maintaining circulation and comfort. Although Rapha offers a merino liner (sold separately) to go inside, we think it would need to be exceptionally cold for that to be necessary.

Getting into the Deep Winter Gloves isn’t hard, assuming you’re still at home and your hands are still warm. Thankfully, a wide Velcro strap ensures that the generously sized, flexible cuff is sealed completely against cold air and moisture. The shell also extends separately over the cuff, allowing the sleeve of a jacket to slide between them for a nice sandwich of protection around the wrist.

When things warm up, the Rapha Deep Winter Gloves do an admirable job of staying comfortable, but there is only so much a glove this burly can do to wick away sweat vapor. The good news is that the lining is so luxurious and fits so well that even with a bit of moisture build-up, there is no discomfort or loss of dexterity. 

If you love heading outside to ride when others on the group text have lost hope and given in to the indoor trainer, or you hate cutting the ride short because of numb hands, the $190 price tag for the Rapha Deep Winter Gloves makes some sense. There are less expensive gloves that can match their comfort or their protection, but few that can do both.

Pearl Izumi’s AmFIB Lobster Evo Gloves ($95) take the simple route to keeping your hands super warm by grouping the outer fingers together instead of isolating each finger on its own. The look of these gloves is a bit different, and dexterity isn’t their strong suit relative to less protective, more stretchy gloves, hence the reference to lobster claws.

However, when you consider that the ring finger and pinky do virtually nothing for shifting and braking, while the warmth gained from the split-finger design is substantial, the AmFib Lobster Evos make a lot of sense. It’s a function-over-form product, and when it’s below freezing and we’re 20 miles from home, the look of our gloves is about the furthest thing from our mind.

Digging deeper into the technology of the AmFIB Lobster Evo Gloves, we find a 170g PrimaLoft Gold insulation w/Crosscore technology, which provides supreme warmth while minimizing bulk. The AmFIB fabric that constitutes the main body is highly water-resistant and windproof but also articulates easily to the position of riding on the brake hoods. An Ax Suede Laredo synthetic leather palm makes the AmFIB Lobster Evo Glove as grippy as it is durable. A 3D-shaped gel pad provides bar comfort without any loss of feedback or control at the handlebar. 

One of the drawbacks to a glove like the AmFIB Lobster Evo is that it might be able to protect against conditions that you’re just not that interested in riding in. This is a glove for folks who live and ride where winter is harsh and relentless and isn’t just a game of waiting for mild conditions to go outside.

Likewise, while you are still able to use the pointer and middle fingers independently, these gloves are simply bulkier than lighter options, and therefore dexterity and tactility are slightly limited as a result. Given the right conditions, however, that is a tradeoff that most people are willing to make for warm hands.

If you routinely face sub-freezing temps or maybe have issues with keeping your hands warm in the upper 30s to low 40s with traditional five-finger glove designs, the Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Evo Glove is a great pick. At $95, they’re also offered at a competitive price relative to the competition.

While not completely waterproof, as their name might suggest, Sportful’s No Rain Gloves ($60) are made to fend off light precipitation and road spray and do so effectively. The No Rain Gloves also feature a dense pattern of silicone across the un-padded palm for exceptional grip and dexterity, whether shifting, braking, sprinting, or taking a selfie.

What impressed us most about the No Rain Gloves, however, was how incredibly comfortable they are. From the moment we put them on, our hands felt cradled by their soft interior, which provides balanced stretch and light compression across every part of the hand and fingers. Every seam is positioned correctly to avoid irritating or restricting the fingers, which helps them achieve a level of comfort that its rather simple construction hides nicely. 

On the road, the No Rain Gloves feel weightless and take away nothing from the control and feedback we are accustomed to when riding gloveless. Depending on the intensity of the ride, the No Rain Gloves can protect against temperatures as low as the upper 30s F, provided it’s dry.

At a more chill pace, the No Rain Gloves can breathe well enough to be comfortable into the low 50s. The sweet spot is high the 40s F, with light precipitation. The No Rain material not only expels small amounts of water readily but also seems to adapt to a humid environment to become even more comfortable. 

Those who live in mild but damp winter climates could get a lot of use out of the Sportful No Rain Gloves. They are perfectly suited for the best conditions of temperate winter riding, with light precipitation and temps that rarely approach freezing. Even for milder days in typically harsher winter climates, the comfort of the Sportful No Rain makes them worth having as an option at just $60.

Rapha’s Merino Gloves ($75) are a wonderful choice for milder temperatures and weather and place a premium on grip and dexterity in all conditions, as well as touch-screen compatibility by featuring a palm constructed with Ax Suede. The top panel on the back of the Merino Glove is a merino blend that is 38% merino wool, and 62% nylon. The weave of the top panel is a waffle pattern that encourages body heat to insulate the hand until it turns to sweat vapor, then wicks away quickly. 

One of the reasons some folks avoid wearing gloves is that palm padding can take away from handlebar control or even affect bike fit in some cases. Thankfully, the Rapha Merino Gloves have no padding and the AX Suede palm is thin and provides a great bar feel so controlling the front of the bike feels just like riding gloveless.

Designed to slide seamlessly under jacket sleeves, the ribbed cuffs are elasticated for a secure fit, with a pull tab making for easy removal. While they are not designed for steady rain, they can protect your digits from road spray on long wet descents or a moderately damp road race or group ride.

The Rapha Merino Gloves are a great option for mild conditions, from the upper 50s to mid/low 40s, depending on intensity. They are on the expensive side of the spectrum for what they are, but if you prioritize dexterity, natural bar feel, and touchscreen compatibility, these are a great option to consider.

The Assos Ultraz Winter Glove ($135) is the warmest glove Assos offers and is built for deep winter riding, featuring Assos’ twinDeck construction, a double-layer of brushed Lycra, and the Airblock membrane. This type of fabric increases loft to keep warm air close to the skin to insulate the hands, while the Airblock membrane fends off the bitterly cold winds of winter.

The fit of the Ultraz Gloves is excellent, assuming you choose the correct size. These ran smaller than we expected, and our tester’s hands were cramped and restricted in the size large Ultraz on his typically size large hands. So, size up, and you’ll be able to enjoy how well the Ultraz articulates to the position of riding on the brake hoods. 

The Ultraz Gloves feature a neoprene cuff to seal out the elements and fit easily under most jackets’ wrist cuffs. A Microfiber palm and padding keep hands comfortable on the bars. On the outboard side of the pinky finger, a reflective fabric lends a hint of visibility for the low light conditions of winter riding. 

As is the case with much of the Assos winter collection, the Ultraz Winter Glove does not protect against steady rain and road spray. The Ultraz gloves are hydrophobic enough to cope with light and intermittent moisture for a long time, though. Being designed in Switzerland, this makes sense, as this alpine climate has little rain in the winter but a consistent pattern of snowy stretches punctuated by cold, windy, dry days.

So, if that sounds like the climate where you ride, the Assos Ultraz Winter Gloves could be a great pick. Just trust us when we say that you’ll want to size up for a comfortable fit with great dexterity.

Featuring a durable nylon construction and insulation in key areas, the Sportful WS Essential 2 Glove ($70) with GORE-TEX Infinium is a versatile model for moderately harsh winter conditions. The gloves work well in temperatures ranging from cool to cold, depending on riding intensity, and conditions between dry and damp.

Gore-Tex Infinium is one of the most popular and effective materials in the world of cycling apparel, as it is highly water-resistant, blocks wind, and breathes easily, thanks to its densely woven but lightweight composition. It provides a nice balance of moderate warmth and good weather protection for riding in light, intermittent showers or on unpredictable weather days.

The microfiber palm is soft and padded for a nice balance of support and cushioning, along with a great feeling of control and feedback on the handlebars. Silicone texture applied to the areas that interface with the brake hoods further bolsters confidence in wet weather.

The velcro closure ensures that winter stays out, and a microfiber panel down the center of the inner wrist helps increase grip when sliding the WS Essential 2 Gloves on and off. The length of the cuff also ensures gap-free coverage of the wrists when worn with a cycling jacket. The WS Essential 2 Gloves are also available in a nice selection of colors that can coordinate or contrast with many of Sportful’s most popular winter jackets. 

The Sportful WS Essential 2 Gloves are comfortable across a wide range of temperatures from the mid-50s down to the high 30s F, possibly even lower at very high intensity, making these a sensible option for the conditions experienced most often during early season training and racing.

The Perfetto Light Gloves ($70) from Castelli are highly adaptable to a wide range of conditions because they stand up resolutely to cold wind and light rain but also offer excellent breathability and are supremely light. The key to the Perfetto’s versatility is GORE-TEX Infinium fabric, which provides complete protection from wind and a high level of water resistance in a thin material that never feels clammy or heavy, even if temps or the ride intensity soar. 

The Perfetto Light Glove features the Castelli Damping System (CDS) on the palm to absorb jarring vibrations. This gel pad is positioned at the lower-middle portion of the palm and noticeably dissipates road buzz and adds security to the grip over bigger hits like potholes and fissures in weathered road surfaces. 

Around the CDS palm, silicone grippers further bolster grip and dexterity, allowing the Perfetto Light to mimic that feeling of riding gloveless. Touchscreen-friendly material on the thumb and forefinger ensures relatively good smartphone control, while reflective accents lend a bit of visibility for motorists.

We wish these were made in colors to match or contrast the wide range of color options available in the Perfetto range of jerseys, but alas, the Castelli Perfetto Light is only available in black. Still, these are attractive and low-profile gloves that are great for fast rides and races in mild to moderately harsh winter conditions.

An excellent choice for damp and cold early-season races and fast-paced training rides, Rapha’s Pro Team Winter Gloves ($110) use a warm, fleece-lined fabric for wind protection and breathability. The exterior is treated with DWR to fend off light rain and road spray. 

The palm is suede which means that the Pro Team Gloves have excellent grip in dry or wet conditions as well as all the control and feedback akin to riding gloveless. The index finger and thumb feature a conductive material that is touchscreen-compatible for relatively easy operation of smartphones and cycling computers. 

The Pro Team Winter Gloves cuffs are handsomely stamped with the Rapha Pro Team type and are also elasticated so they merge well with jacket sleeves to keep the elements out, while a burly pull tab provides a generous anchor for pulling the Pro Team Gloves on and off. 

The Pro Team Gloves work well in a wide range of temperatures and conditions, depending on riding intensity. At higher intensities, they will protect against moderate amounts of rain, road spray, and wind in temps as low as the low 40s F. On easier-paced rides, the Pro Team Gloves breathe well enough to stay comfortable up into the mid-50s F. 

Overall, the Pro Team Gloves are a massive upgrade over their predecessors, because they not only offer better performance but look and feel made to hold up to much greater use and abuse. At $110, the Rapha Pro Team Winter Gloves aren’t exactly cheap, but for riders who tend to ride in milder winter conditions or at very high intensities, they could be the perfect quiver-of-one glove for all your winter riding.

The Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gel Glove ($45) is a perennial bestseller for cool weather, and it’s easy to understand why when looking into all the nice benefits they offer at such a reasonable price. 

On the back of the Cyclone Glove, the three-layer softshell material provides a luxurious fit, robust cold-weather protection, and excellent dexterity. An Ax Suede Uno synthetic leather palm allows four-way stretch for unparalleled fit, breathability, and bar feel. The cuff is extended to encourage overlap with jacket sleeves for a fully sealed wrist. 

The index finger and thumb feature a conductive material that is touchscreen-compatible for easy operation of smartphones and cycling computers. A large patch of reflective material spans the back of the Cyclone gloves, adding well-positioned visibility for rides in low-light conditions.

While gel padding inserts in a winter glove may not be for everyone, we acknowledge that many riders are used to having them in summer gloves and will appreciate the continuity of having them in the Cyclone Gel during their winter riding.

The Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gel Gloves are an excellent value not only because of the $45 retail price but also because they are useful during the many months of the year when temps hover in the mid-40s for at least a few hours daily. If you’re looking for a glove to get you through most fall, spring, and mild winter conditions, these are a versatile and affordable option to consider.

Sportful’s Giara Thermal Gloves ($50) are a midweight option that is more useful in milder conditions than their name would suggest. We categorize these as nice jersey-pocket insurance against cold that hasn’t yet arrived or as a temporary glove to wear until both body and temperature have warmed up enough to go gloveless. There is a narrow sweet spot where they are just right, between about 42 degrees and 52 degrees F. They aren’t quite insulated enough for temps below 40 degrees, and above 52 degrees, they feel too insulated and can’t breathe sufficiently from within. 

The palm is synthetic suede and features gel padding in the ulnar nerve region, along with silicone stripes across the top of the palm for added grip. The back of the Giara Thermal Gloves is made of a windproof face and a soft-brushed interior. The overall feel is luxurious and dexterity is well-preserved.

The cuff is a stretchy double layer and forms a pleasantly tight seal against the wrist to keep wintery conditions out. A hearty pull tab features on the cuff to help ease getting them on and off. All the seams are placed intelligently to pamper the hand and fingers without irritation.

By forgetting the “Thermal” label, these gloves immediately performed better in our minds. Sometimes, there’s a lot in a name, and if it’s just not a very accurate one, that can be distracting. So, if you’re looking for a solid glove for cold starts or twilight chilliness and tend to go gloveless above the low 50s, the Sportful Giara Thermal Gloves could be an excellent pick.

Although only named after two seasons, we could see the Assos Spring Fall Gloves Evo ($80) being used year-round, especially for those of us who like to experience the golden hour. These are the ultimate gloves for staying 100% comfortable when there is just a slight chill in the air, as there often is as the sun is just breaking the horizon or about to disappear beyond it. 

Another thing we love about these gloves is that although they would never be described as “burly,” they could definitely be called “bomber” and look like they will probably outlast most bikes. Since most of our most used gloves end up with split seams and relegated to the trash bin, it’s nice to see Assos taking durability seriously, especially in a glove that costs $80 and isn’t necessarily all that warm. 

We love Assos products, but versatility is not a high priority for the luxury cycling brand from Switzerland, and this glove is further evidence of that observation. Many people would probably just suck it up and go without gloves in the slim temperature range where the Spring Fall Evo glove is most effective, which is from about 48-55 degrees F. And many still would go gloveless even below where these gloves are only marginally better than bare hands. In other words, these are another niche offering from a company that arguably has every niche dialed in perfectly. 

If you see that narrow temperature range as another opportunity to ride in supreme luxury, then the Assos Spring Fall Gloves Evo may be worth the cost because they are supremely comfortable, look great, are built to last, and preserve 99.9% of the control and handlebar feedback of bare-hand riding.

Pearl Izumi’s Thermal Gloves ($30) prioritize dexterity and handlebar feel in cool conditions. We loved stashing them in pockets for long chilly descents during rides that were otherwise warm enough to go gloveless. We also utilized the Thermal Gloves on chilly starts and twilight rides into the late-autumn sunset, which always seem to arrive way too early and bring with them a biting chill.

The soft microfiber palm of the Thermal Glove is both durable and quite supple and provides an excellent grip and feel on the bars. The index finger and thumb feature a conductive material that is touchscreen-compatible for simple tasks on smartphones and touchscreen cycling computers. The back of the Thermal Glove features a brushed thermal fabric for warmth and comfort with no excess bulk.

The Thermal gloves have an extended slip-on cuff that fits neatly under the wrist cuffs of most cycling jackets. They are also available in Arctic Blue as well as black, and the branding is super minimal, matching the simple and functional vibe of this glove. 

The Thermal Glove is thin enough to be used as a supplemental liner inside of a much thicker glove during extreme cold. On their own, we can recommend them for temps as low as 45 F, but not much lower, as the material isn’t dense enough to effectively block wind. Conversely, this lack of density helps the Thermal Glove breathe well enough to keep on into the high 50s F when desired.

At just $30, the Pearl Izumi Thermal Gloves are a very affordable cool weather riding glove that will keep your hands happy and comfortable while riding in mild temperatures and weather during the fall, winter, and spring.