Best winter cycling gloves reviewed 2025: For cold and wet riding | Cyclist
  • Newsletter
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Merch & Back Issues
  • Instagram
  • Podcast
  • Track Days
  • Cycling Electric
  • Compare bike insurance
Cyclist
  • Reviews
  • Buying guides
  • Pro cycling
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Ask CyclistAI
  • Rides
  • Track Days
No Result
View All Results
Log In/Sign Up
  • Reviews
  • Buying guides
  • Pro cycling
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Ask CyclistAI
  • Rides
  • Track Days
No Result
View All Results
Log In/Sign Up
Cyclist
No Result
View All Results
  • Reviews
  • Buying guides
  • Pro cycling
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Ask Cyclist
  • Rides
  • Track Days
Products featured or reviewed by Cyclist are independently selected by our editorial team. Cyclist may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase through a retailer link.
Home Clothing

Best winter cycling gloves reviewed 2025: For cold and wet weather riding

Gloves to keep you riding outside all winter long

best winter gloves
Katherine Moore
Capture.jpg-2-min-150x150.pngkatherine-moore-cyclist-150x150.jpgbyEmma ColeandKatherine Moore
Published: January 7, 2025 | Last updated: January 7, 2025

A solid pair of winter gloves is a must-have item for any cyclist looking to continue riding through the colder months.

Our extremities tend to feel the cold first and worst, so gloves (and socks) will ideally need to be windproof, insulating and breathable as well as offering water resistance, or be completely waterproof depending on the weather.

They’ll need to be fit for purpose. This means that they will need to offer considerable flexibility to ensure you can easily and safely brake and change gears, as well as offer good grip on the handlebars.

Reviews of the best winter cycling gloves

  • Assos Ultraz Winter Gloves: RRP £105 – Read our full review
  • Café du Cycliste Classic gloves: RRP £70 – Read our full review
  • Castelli Perfetto RoS Gloves: RRP £85 – Read our full review
  • GripGrab Polaris 2 waterproof winter gloves: RRP £89.95
  • Le Col Hors Categorie Deep Winter gloves: RRP £80
  • Maap Winter Gloves: RRP £85 – Read our full review
  • Pas Normal Studios Logo Deep Winter Gloves: RRP £90 – Read our full review
  • Rapha Winter Gloves: RRP £85 – Read our full review
  • Sportful Fiandre gloves: RRP £110 – Read our full review
  • Universal Colours Mono Thermal gloves: RRP £65

Keep reading for full reviews and detailed buying advice.

Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.

If you would like to ask your own question you just need to Login, Register or subscribe.

Why should you trust our advice?

gwp-winterbikes-0550

We’re cyclists who know and love cycling kit. We hit the road, the trails, we commute by bike and we enjoy chilled leisure rides too. And that’s how we test products: out riding.

Our choices are based on our extensive experience of reviewing cycling gloves over the years. From frozen fingers to aching palms and soggy hands, we’ve gone through it all and we know what it takes to keep extremities warm on a cold winter ride.

Our guide takes you through the best winter cycling gloves on the market listed and all have been tried and tested by the Cyclist team.

Best cycling gloves for winter 2025

Assos Ultraz Winter Gloves 

ASSOS Ultraz Winter winter gloves
Katherine Moore

£105 | View offer

  • Pros: Designed for deep winter riding in low temperatures, Easy fit with pull-on neoprene cuffs
  • Cons: Showerproof but not waterproof

The combination of Assos’s ‘Airblock’ windproof outer, insulation and fleece liner make these gloves a wonderfully warm option for riding even in freezing temperatures. They’re easy to pull off and refit on the go, which is essential if you need to use a touchscreen or do anything that requires much dexterity. While they will stand up to lighter rain showers, they won’t withstand use in heavier downpours, so are best for drier, colder rides.

  • Read our full Assos Ultraz Winter Gloves review

Related Posts

Best winter cycling shoes 2025 reviewed: Boots for cold weather riding

Best winter cycling base layers 2025: Keep warm on the bike

Best bike lights 2025 reviewed: Front and rear light sets rated

Best winter cycling socks 2025: Keep your feet warm while riding in the cold

Café du Cycliste Classic gloves

cafe_du_cycliste_classic_glove_review_1

£70 | View offer

  • Pros: Comfortable, low bulk
  • Cons: Not designed for very cold temperatures, lack padding in the palms

Designed for cold rather than freezing temperatures, these Classic gloves use a layered construction to trap warm air between the inner and outer fabrics and provide thermal insulation.

The palms are made of synthetic leather and reinforced with a third layer of synthetic leather in the usual contact points with the handlebars. We found these gloves strike a good balance between insulation and the necessary dexterity for effective use of the bike’s controls.

We also noted that they have enough insulation to keep your hands warm in classic southern UK winter temperatures and are more than adequate for the typical temperatures of around 5°C to 10°C. However, compared to others, these gloves do lack padding in the palms so aren’t well suited to super-long days in the saddle.

  • Read our full Café du Cycliste Classic gloves review 

Castelli Perfetto RoS Gloves

Castelli Perfetto RoS winter gloves
Katherine Moore

£85 | View offer

  • Pros: Cosy fleece lining, warm even when wet
  • Cons: Rated for use in milder temperatures between 4° and 14°C, tricky to get on once wet

More of a transition season and early winter glove than a deep winter offering, the Castelli Perfetto RoS gloves quickly became a go-to for milder rides. Their single-layer construction made the ride feel as close as you can get to feeling like you’re not wearing gloves, with impressive dexterity and grip. Despite their thin material, the fleece-backed material offers plentiful warmth down to 6°C, though they’re certainly the type of glove that’s best left on once fitted, as when damp they can be much more tricky to get back on.

  • Read our full Castelli Perfetto RoS Gloves review

GripGrab Polaris 2 waterproof winter gloves

gripgrab-gloves-1

£77.37 - £82.58 | View offer

  • Pros: Fully waterproof, good warmth, good grip, 75% recycled
  • Cons: Bulky

Made for the coldest and wettest days out on the bike, these are the only fully waterproof gloves in our guide. The GripGrab Polaris 2 have a rating of 15K (15,000mm), which translates to dry hands even in torrential downpours.

The gloves are brilliantly warm thanks to the three-layer construction and PrimaLoft Gold insulation on the palm and back of the gloves, ensuring hands remain toasty. All this insulation does mean they are on the bulkier side but this isn’t overly so that the gloves become burdensome to actual cycling.

They also have padded and grippy palms with silicone strips on the first three fingers and upper palm, which gives them good handlebar grip.

Notably, GripGrab says 75% of their material is recycled, which makes them a great choice for the environmentally conscious. Shown here are the black pair but you can also nab these in hi-vis if that’s your jam.

Le Col Hors Categorie Deep Winter gloves

£80 | View offer

  • Pros: Good dexterity, decent warmth for UK winters
  • Cons: Not fully waterproof, need to be careful on sizing

Made from polyester and elastane. the Hors Categorie Deep Winter gloves are Le Col’s warmest offering. Featuring windproof and thermal fleeced materials to keep the winter out, the gloves have a comfortable snug fit and keep hands toasty. While the gloves offer decent levels of warmth, they aren’t bulky and instead have a notably slim design. They are very dexterous so using levers is a breeze.

Added to this are the silicone grippers on the palm, which ensure good grip on the handlebars. Like many in this guide, the Le Col gloves have an elongated neoprene cuff for a neat overlap between glove and jacket to ensure you stay warm and reflective panels on the side for added visibility.

There is also a microfibre suede nose wipe over the back of the thumb. Of note is that these gloves are not fully waterproof but have a DWR coating for some water resistance. Also, Le Col’s size guide is unique so it’s definitely worth measuring your hands before buying. These a versatile pair of winter gloves, which are ideal for a classic British winter weather ride (unless the heavens open).

Maap Winter Gloves 

MAAP Winter gloves
Katherine Moore

£85 | View offer

  • Pros: Fantastic performance in milder drier conditions, touchscreen-friendly fingertips, good dexterity
  • Cons: Not quite warm enough for deep winter riding

Employing a technical three-layer material, the Maap gloves achieve impressive performance for a low-bulk winter glove. Recommended for use in single-digit temperatures, the windproof gloves keep your hands warm and dry in all but the coldest and wettest conditions. True to size and with a generous wrist length that tucks in well under a winter jacket, the gloves are well suited for milder wintry rides as well as transition season riding.

  • Read our full Maap Winter Gloves review

Pas Normal Studios Logo Deep Winter Gloves

Pas Normal Studios winter gloves
Katherine Moore

£90 | View offer

  • Pros: Good for sub-zero temperatures, rubberised elements improve grip on bars, wide soft nose wipe
  • Cons: Bulk impacts dexterity

Designed for the very coldest conditions with temperatures below zero, these are highly insulated gloves that perhaps look more akin to ski gloves than most winter cycling gloves. While the serious level of thermal insulation does work a treat, it does come at the cost of dexterity – and cash. It’s also good to find that the nose wipe is both generous and soft; a key feature when heading out on the bike in these conditions.

  • Read our full Pas Normal Studios Logo Deep Winter Gloves review

Rapha Winter Gloves 

rapha winter gloves
Katherine Moore

£85 | View offer

  • Pros: Well insulated, stylish design, generous faux suede nose wipe
  • Cons: Tend to become sweaty at milder temperatures

While the appearance of the Rapha Winter Gloves may not scream ‘performance’, they certainly deliver in spades, being both very warm in single-digit temperatures and surprisingly waterproof through multiple heavy downpours. The only downside I could find is that the fleece lining has a propensity to become sweaty during rides in milder temperatures.

  • Read our full Rapha Winter Gloves review

Sportful Fiandre gloves

Winter gloves
Joseph Branston / Cyclist

£110 | View offer

  • Pros: Low bulk insulation, plenty of grip
  • Cons: Not fully waterproof

Fiandre is Italian for Flanders and denotes Sportful’s range, which is designed for the very harshest conditions.

These particular gloves have been made with technology from material experts Polartec to ensure warm, dry hands regardless of conditions. They have a Polartec outer membrane that creates an impermeable surface from rain and a fleece-lined inner, which helps keep hands warm.

We found these gloves coped well with all conditions and offered protection from the wind and cold without being too bulky. The palms are heavily silicone printed from fingertips to cuffs, so there’s masses of grip and the gloves have a slight pre-curve, which offers better grip on the handlebars.

The gloves are not fully waterproof (only water-resistant) but feature a waterproof zip and an extra-long cuff ensuring a good overlap with a jacket.

  • Read our full Sportful Fiandre gloves review

Universal Colours Mono Thermal gloves

£65 | View offer

  • Pros: Quality wind and rain resistance, flexible, plenty of silicone grippers, high recycled content
  • Cons: Not warm enough for sub-zero rides, no gel inserts

Good things come in threes and so Universal Colours has designed these thermal gloves to be triple-layered.

The internal fabric is soft brushed material for comfort and warmth, the middle is made from Polartec Alpha recycled insulation and the outer from Polartec NeoShell softshell, which offers premium wind and rain protection. These are a warm pair of gloves without the bulk. For sub-zero temperatures, however, these gloves would need an additional thin pair of gloves underneath.

We found they offer considerable bar grip as they have lots of silicone dots on the palm and it is really easy to operate bike levers and a bike computer – the gloves are very flexible and have touchscreen inserts on the thumbs and index fingers. That said, they don’t have gel inserts to aid with vibrations on the bike.

The Mono gloves also have reflective details and we found they didn’t bunch. Plus they come with the brand’s trademark swig of goodness. They are made with majority recycled fabrics and in an internationally audited factory to ensure social and environmental good practice.

What should I consider when buying cycling gloves?

Warmth

The primary reason we buy a pair of gloves is to keep our hands warm. Some brands will provide useful guides such as temperature gauges as to when the gloves should be used but, if not, look for features like windproof materials, fleece linings and double material constructions for a toasty feel.

Waterproofing

Getting any of your three contact points (backside, hands and feet) wet on a ride can be miserable and enough to put you off cycling for at least a week.

Brands will utilise waterproof technologies – such as Gore-Tex – to provide an impermeable barrier to even the heaviest downpours without diminishing the gloves’ ability to breathe. Some gloves are water-resistant rather than completely waterproof but ultimately, keeping warm is the key thing, and that doesn't necessarily depending on being 100% waterproof.

Dexterity

Changing gear and braking are two very important aspects of riding a bike. This means that gloves need to provide a real-life feel, akin to gloveless hands, which will let you be in total control of your levers and shifters.

Comfort and grip

Like dexterity, gloves without grip are pretty useless for cycling and, in fact, quite dangerous. Some brands will use silicone grippers to increase grip and also make handling stuff such as mobile phones easier. Glove designers may also incorporate strategic padding to cushion your hands.

Nose/glasses wipe

It’s gross but it’s useful. Some winter gloves will include a soft panel for wiping the runny nose you’ll inevitably get on cold days and you’ll be grateful when it saves you chafing your chilly face. If you're not using it for your nose, it's handy for wiping mist or rain off cycling glasses. Just don't mix the two.

Size

As with any piece of kit, make sure your new pair of gloves fit properly and assess the size guides before buying. Some riders prefer to err on the larger side for winter gloves as the extra space within makes them warmer.

If you’re trying on gloves in a shop, it’s a wise idea to opt up a size compared to what you might think would work best. When you get onto the bike and onto the drops or shifters, the material of the gloves is pulled a little tighter, so if you have a snug fit off the bike, then it may become restrictive or even uncomfortable in the riding position. It's just like an aero-cut jersey or jacket; they don’t seem to fit quite right off the bike, but once you’re riding it all makes sense.

Sizing up is also a good idea if you’re planning to use glove liners (ie, a thin additional inner glove), which can be a good option for particularly cold weather, or for riders who really struggle to keep their hands warm.

Want to learn more about the science behind cold hands? Read our in-depth feature explaining why your hands and feet get cold when you're cycling.

Tags: AssosCastelliMaapRaphaWinter cycling
ShareTweetPin
Previous Post

Best budget cycling glasses 2025: Protect your eyes while riding for less

Next Post

Five new things in pro cycling for 2025

Capture.jpg-2-min-150x150.pngkatherine-moore-cyclist-150x150.jpg

Emma Cole

Having spent time working and living abroad, from Martinique to Kazakhstan, plus a brief dabble in the world of finance (try everything once and all), Features Writer Emma finds the best cycling comes with a slice of adventure, warranted or not. She is particularly partial to ultra-endurance, gravel and bikepacking and has a penchant for all things green and sustainable. When not waffling on about jam sandwiches being the answer to long days in the saddle, Emma likes to hit a tennis ball, often emulating Roger Federer’s backhand. Well, close enough. Instagram: @ecole.uk Twitter: @emmasecole Height: 180cm

Capture.jpg-2-min-150x150.pngkatherine-moore-cyclist-150x150.jpg

Katherine Moore

Freelance cycling journalist and guide Katherine Moore is based on the edge of Dartmoor, the perfect (if somewhat unforgiving) testing ground for bikes and kit. A road cyclist who picked up gravel riding and bikepacking in its early days, Katherine is a keen advocate of the extensive network of off-road riding we’re blessed with in the UK, as well as some of our quieter tarmac, and loves nothing more than scouting out new routes to share. Previously at Global Cycling Network, Katherine has written and presented for a myriad of cycling and travel titles including BikeRadar, Bikepacking.com, The Radavist, Cycling Weekly and Lonely Planet, as well as hosting the Unpaved Podcast and creating the East Devon Trail bikepacking route. Height: 165cm Saddle height: 66.5cm

READ NEXT
shimano_105_di2

Opinion: Down with electronic shifting!

Manage Subscriptions

To manage an existing Cyclist magazine subscription, please visit Manage your account or visit our subscription FAQ page. To subscribe, or for other enquiries, please contact us.

Sign up to the Cyclist newsletter to receive curated emails direct to your inbox.

Sign up to our newsletter

Categories

Reviews
News
Buyer's Guides
How To
In-depth
Deals

Useful Links

About us
Contact us
Mag subscriptions
Cyclist Track Days
Cyclist podcast
Cyclist app
Feeds
Privacy policy
Terms & conditions
Refund policy
Sitemap

Subscribe to Cyclist Magazine

Copyright © Diamond Publishing 2023. All rights reserved. Metropolis International Group Limited, 10th Floor, Southern House, Wellesley Grove, Croydon, CR0 1XG. Registered in England. Company No. 04611236

No Result
View All Results
  • Newsletter
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Merch & Back Issues
  • Instagram
  • Podcast
  • Track Days
  • Cycling Electric
  • Compare bike insurance

Copyright © Diamond Publishing 2023. All rights reserved. Metropolis International Group Limited, 10th Floor, Southern House, Wellesley Grove, Croydon, CR0 1XG. Registered in England. Company No. 04611236

Already a Cyclist subscriber?

Log in to access Cyclist Rides using your email pertaining to your subscription

Forgotten Password?
Not a subscriber yet?

Don't forget a subscription to Cyclist includes:

  • The latest issues before they hit the shops
  • Exclusive subscriber covers and monthly discounts and deals from brands you love
  • Exclusive access to Cyclist Rides website
  • Discounted tickets to Cyclist Track Days and free tickets to Cycling Electric Demo Days
  • Exclusive offer: 60 days of FREE Laka bike insurance
Subscribe
Already registered to cyclist.co.uk?

Log in to post comments and use Ask Cyclist, our AI platform that answers your questions based on our articles.

Forgotten Password?
Haven't set up a cyclist.co.uk account yet?

Join the discussion! Register to comment on our latest articles

Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In