Winter cycling - leggings and gloves

Winter cycling is, no matter how you look at it, a challenge. Problems arise from both the technical aspect—the bike—and the human aspect—the cyclist. How do you choose the right clothing to protect yourself from the encroaching cold without having to swim in a wetsuit? There are many products on the market, and each manufacturer claims theirs are indispensable. However, we prefer to rely on specific tests, so here are a brief description of several products thoroughly tested by Krzysztof Najder, one of the founders of Antymateria.

For bad weather - leggings

When it's wet or very cold, gaiters (overshoes) are a fantastic protective device that protect your shoes and lower legs - especially when riding without a front mudguard. Most leg warmers sold in bike shops are useless for everyday, non-competitive city riding because their size and cut are designed for cycling shoes, not regular shoes, and they don't reach much higher than the ankle. Hiking leg warmers, on the other hand, are usually made of too thick a material and don't cover the lower part of the shoe. I used GORE BIKE WEAR CITY IV leggings for three seasons. I was pleased – the sizing was accurate, they fit easily over my everyday shoes, and they were truly waterproof. The main drawbacks were the high price (around €67) and the uncomfortable Velcro straps at the back. Furthermore, the section near the sole wore out surprisingly quickly. This season, I bought a different model – the VAUDE GAITER LONG – primarily because of the much lower price (around 25 euros, e.g., at rosebikes.com). A pleasant surprise – they turned out to be not only cheaper but also much better! They have a much more comfortable cut, are higher, lighter, and easier to put on. Their large reflective surfaces make me, I hope, more visible. I don't know about abrasion resistance yet, but so far, I haven't seen any damage. Great!

For bad weather - gloves

In sub-zero temperatures, nothing spoils your mood more than freezing hands. What's worse, it's very difficult to catch, as most gloves on the market don't perform their intended purpose in truly freezing temperatures. Of the many models I've had the opportunity to try, only two are worth recommending: the German Chiba Hotliner Electro and (conditionally) the English Sealzkinz Handle Bar Mittens. SEALZKINZ HANDLE BAR MITTENS (around €45 on wiggle.com) often top international rankings for the warmest cycling glove. They're three-fingered ("lobster gloves"), have a relatively thick layer of Primaloft insulation, a well-chosen anti-slip material on the back of the hand, and a terrycloth thumb for wiping a runny nose. In terms of insulation, I think they're actually suitable for longer rides in temperatures around freezing, which gives them an advantage over similar but usually woefully thin gloves like the Gore Bike Wear Road Thermal Lobster Windstoppers (around €70 on rosebikes.de). However, the Sealzkinz Mittens have a few irritating flaws: a cuff that's too short; insufficient wind protection; the insulation shifts around the grip; The Velcro cuff is sewn with the scratchy side facing up, which causes it to constantly snag on clothing or items in a bag. Fortunately, this last issue can be fixed, as the Velcro can be shortened so that it doesn't protrude beyond the drawstring. The Sealzkins HBMs are far from perfect, and the fact that they so often receive excellent reviews indicates that there's little competition in the segment. Nevertheless, these are indeed relatively warm gloves suitable for cycling!

When it's very cold

In temperatures well below freezing, a longer, comfortable ride requires, in my opinion, the use of electrically heated gloves. This season, I've already tried three models, and I can only recommend one – the German CHIBA HOTLINER ELECTRO (a very favorable price of around 670 PLN on the Polish flypoint.eu, compared to, for example, around 230 EUR on rosebikes.com). These five-fingered gloves feature a thick layer of Eurotex insulation, a neoprene upper, and synthetic leather-reinforced palms. The materials used make the gloves surprisingly light, soft, and with a very secure grip. The electric heater covers all five fingers (this isn't obvious – other gloves sometimes omit the thumb). Li-Jo batteries in the very long, comfortable cuff provide 3-5 hours of warmth, depending on the setting. The switch on the back of the hand is easy to operate without removing the gloves. It's obviously an expensive product, but a day of using something more affordable (Blazewear Powermax, about €65 on amazon.co.uk) will show you what you paid for. For smartphone users, there are touchscreen patches on the index finger and thumb of the right hand. In harsher temperatures, I also recommend wearing thin silk or synthetic gloves underneath (e.g., Lafuma Silk, about 60 PLN in outdoor stores). This will keep you warmer, and after removing the outer gloves, you'll still have protection and won't freeze to the bike lock. Text: Krzysztof Najder