Living in a place with brutally cold winters means I've spent years battling the dreaded frozen-fingers-on-the-bike problem. There's nothing worse than losing feeling in your hands halfway through a ride. It not only makes it uncomfortable but also impacts your control and safety. I’ve tried countless gloves, layering techniques, and even some DIY hacks, all in the quest for warm, functional hands. Finally, I think I've cracked the code, and I want to share my hard-won wisdom with you!
Like many cyclists, I was constantly searching for gloves that could actually keep my fingers warm in the wind, especially when the temperature drops into the 20s. I started out with regular winter gloves, but they were always too bulky and didn't provide enough dexterity for shifting and braking. I needed something that balanced warmth with good bike feel. I tried different brands and materials, but nothing seemed to work perfectly. I was constantly rubbing my hands together trying to get some blood flow back into my frozen fingers. It was frustrating!
Then, I started hearing about bar mitts (also known as pogies). I saw several cyclists using them, even in relatively mild temperatures. Some people were even riding without gloves inside the mitts when it was in the mid-30s! I was skeptical at first, but the more I heard about them, the more curious I became. The general consensus was that bar mitts are a game-changer for winter cycling. So, I decided to give them a try. I was amazed at the difference they made. The wind chill was almost completely eliminated, and my hands stayed significantly warmer.
I also experimented with layering. I found that a thin beanie under my helmet made a surprising difference. The key is to trap heat escaping from your head, which then helps keep your core temperature up, ultimately benefiting your extremities. I found a great Fashion Bonnet Hat For Men And Women Autumn Knitted Solid Color Skullies Beanies Spring Casual Soft Turban Hats Hip Hop Beanie Black that works perfectly for this. It's thin enough to fit comfortably under my helmet and provides a good layer of insulation. I especially like the fit and feel of this particular beanie, which you can find at WholeCustomDesign if you're looking for something similar.
Before discovering bar mitts, I was using crabgrab Clawva gloves. They're super comfy and work well in a range of temperatures. I found that pairing them with a buff and a thin beanie worked well down to the high 30s. However, below that, my fingers would still get cold. That's when the bar mitts became essential.
Someone recommended BikeIowa's pogie lites. I found that with those, I could comfortably ride without gloves down to around 30 degrees. Adding a light glove would get me through to about 5 degrees. That's a pretty impressive range!
I also tried Joe Rocket snowcross gloves. While they were warm, I found that they didn't provide the best bike feel. Similarly, 100% Brisker gloves are good, but I found myself rubbing my hands together on longer rides to keep the circulation going. The Brisker gloves do offer good bike feel, so I often use them even in the 20s if I'm not going on a long ride.
Based on my experiences, here are my top tips for keeping your fingers warm while cycling in cold weather: