Winter gloves

[Keen but clumsy]

Hi all,

I have terrible circulation and am just remembering how much I hate winter cycling. Fingers completely white and numb after a 20 min ride even with gloves on. Get great chill pains as they warm up. Any recommendations on extra warm winter gloves for commuting with? Apologies for being a wuss!

Cheers,

KbC

 

[Fiona N]

Unless you've got Reynolds (I think that's the correct spelling) Syndrome which includes particularly bad peripheral circulation, or other circulatory problems, you might also consider training you hands for the cold. Peripheral circulation can be improved by exposing the skin to the cold repeatedly either by cycling without gloves or putting your hands in cold water a lot. It's been known for a century that workers in cold and wet - think gutting fish on a North Sea trawler - develop a much improved circulatory system with the off-switch (the point at which your brain decides the fingers and toes are expendable) reset for much lower temperatures. For many people in modern life, they experience cold so little that their brains switches off circulation to the fingers as soon as it's merely coolish.

I cycle for as long as possible in the Autumn without gloves and now find that I only need them when the temperatures drop below freezing -then the wind chill gets a bit too much to overcome.

 

[Davidc]

You can get gloves with heaters in them. Like these

 

[gavintc]

I too have dreadful circulation and have found that I need a range of gloves to match the conditions. When I rode in very cold Scottish winters, the only gloves that really worked were some 3 finger gloves I bought from a Canadian cycle shop when I was on holiday over there. Look for the 3 finger glove - it really works as it allows you to change gear and still allows the benefit of the mit concept. My next best gloves rely on a layer system - a inner glove covered with a separate waterproof one. If necessary, I will put 2 inner layers on - a really thin pair of running gloves first. It is worth getting gloves slightly too big as the extra air inside acts as insulation.

 

[MossCommuter]

Unless you've got Reynolds

Reynaud's

 

[Keen but clumsy]

I think I might have Reynaud's actually as I have suffered from really sore hands in moderate cold since I was a kid. I do look the idea of trying to be a man and get used to it - I'll give it ago. Having said that I really like the sound of the three fingered glove - I've been doing some research and will probably order a pair. I'll probably have given up on the being a man idea by the time it takes to deliver them

Thanks for the tips though (and the spelling lesson as I would probably have gone Reynolds too!)

Cheers,

KbC

 

[E11a]

I'm going to state the obvious ... sorry.

If you do have Raynaud's (it's worth getting a diagnosis) don't ignore it or try to be brave. It can be a little bit more serious than just having cold hands/feet, etc. shouldn't be a problem if you're sensible and know what you're dealing with. Thermal socks and thick fleece-lined gloves (or several layers) usually work for me, and taking gingko biloba during the winter seems to stave off the chilblains.

It's worth having a look at the Raynaud's Disease and Scleroderma Association.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

layers.

silk ones as a base with merino ones over worn under full finger windproof (I prefer leather) outers. brilliant so long as they stay dry.

 

[summerdays]

I use Sealskin Winter Gloves ... and sometimes put liner gloves in them as well... if its Raynauds keep the rest of your body warm, warm your gloves on a radiator before going out, and have / take a warm drink as well.

 

[marcw]

Is the rest of your body warm? I've been reading and apparently your fingers and toes getting cold is usually because your body is keeping all the heat as that's where your vital organ are. If you keep your core warm the rest will follow seems to be the gist of it. Do you wear a windproof jacket?

 

[TrevorM]

Reynaud's

Isn't Reynolds Syndrome an incurable preference for steel frame touring bikes

 

[Davidc]

Isn't Reynolds Syndrome an incurable preference for steel frame touring bikes

 

[thistler]

Unless you've got Reynolds (I think that's the correct spelling) Syndrome which includes particularly bad peripheral circulation, or other circulatory problems,  you might also consider training you hands for the cold. Peripheral circulation can be improved by exposing the skin to the cold repeatedly either by cycling without gloves or putting your hands in cold water a lot. It's been known for a century that workers in cold and wet - think gutting fish on a North Sea trawler - develop a much improved circulatory system with the off-switch (the point at which your brain decides the fingers and toes are expendable) reset for much lower temperatures. For many people in modern life, they experience cold so little that their brains switches off circulation to the fingers as soon as it's merely coolish.

I cycle for as long as possible in the Autumn without gloves and now find that I only need them when the temperatures drop below freezing -then the wind chill gets a bit too much to overcome.

That is really interesting. I may be too much of a wimp to try it but it's a good thing to know....

 

[Keen but clumsy]

Given that I ride a steel tourer it is possible that I suffer from both Reynaulds and Reynolds!

Good advice. I do wrap up warm - windproof jacket, thermal, etc. I also do a lot of running and generally find that I need to wear a layer more than everyone else even when doing fast reps or races. I'm generally the one racing with a thermal under my club vest.

Still thinking that the three finger glove is the way to go. Feet don't generally seem to be such a problem but plan for winter is seal skin socks.

Thanks again all.

KbC

 

[Fiona N]

Reynaud's

Thanks Mosscommuter