Gore ALP-X Windstopper Gloves

[Catrin]

I am considering purchasing these, they will certainly be the most expensive gloves I've ever had! I already have a pair of Smartwool glove liners - should I purchase a size larger than what I think I need to make certain they are not too tight, or do the sizes run large to accommodate liners?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have those gloves, and the smartwool liners too. In fact, I have a *lot* of gloves in my quest to keep my fingers warm on the bike.
I wouldn't say those Gore gloves were warmer than any other winter biking glove I've had.

My best glove combo so far has been THREE thinner layered pairs of gloves:
1) a thin pure wool liner- I've found alpaca or cashmere to be the warmest, warmer than the smartwool ones.
2) a basic warm glove with insulation, normal fit over the liner. Those Gore might be good for that.
But when it's colder, add:
3) a loose and lightweight men's ski shell glove. I don't lose any dexterity with them at all, but they keep a windproof layer of warm air over the basic warm gloves. Something like this: http://www.rei.com/product/766531
I have small hands, but the men's shell gloves slip over my other two pairs of gloves easily and you want that extra layer of insulating air in there.
Thin enough still so that I can work my brifters.

You can carry the 3) with you on your ride and put them on when 1&2 aren't quite enough.

Of course for really frigid cold, nothing beats Black Diamond Guide gloves in my book....but you'd not likely be biking in temps around zero.

I get cold easily, and that combo of 1-2-3 can handle just about anything for me.

[Catrin]

Thank you, this is very helpful. I do have a pair of Shebeest full winter biking gloves, but they are too small to use over a liner. They are from last year - and are fine for temps above freezing as long as it isn't too windy - they are warm but do not stop the wind.

I am also considering these, they are windstoppers as well and there is a little pocket to tuck away the lobster covers.

I've noticed that my hands and arms seem more susceptible to the cold than the rest of me, or at least they get cold first.

[KnottedYet]

I've noticed that my hands and arms seem more susceptible to the cold than the rest of me, or at least they get cold first.

You might want to consider knit wool gloves (I like Smartwool) and gauntlet-length lobster claw shells.

Two sets of basic wool gloves are good, because one can dry while you wear the other.

[Catrin]

I have these liner gloves from a sale at an LBS, it makes sense to have another pair.

The second gloves I linked to - with the convertible lobster claws might be the best choice of the two - it has windstopper fabric and has that convertible claw cover for the fingers when needed. Thinking that will also be good for hiking - I like hiking in serious COLD weather - don't ask me why. Still need a balaclava as well, but I think that I will need the gloves before the balaclava.

Thankfully I have a couple of days in which to decide - I am moving next week and want to wait so there won't be any delivery problems.

[Crankin]

Lisa, where have you found the cashmere or alpaca liners? I have the Smart Wool ones, which I have been wearing under a pair of one size up unlined full fingered gloves. This has been good down to temps around 34 so far, but I still have a little tingling in my index fingers (weird). I absolutely cannot shift my brifters with the PI Amfibs I've had for years, so wearing liners under a "warm glove" just defeats the purpose of wearing layers for me. My hands were getting numb from wearing the liners under my regular full fingered gloves, because they were so tight, hence getting bigger ones. I do wear the Amfibs when I ride my Jamis, with trigger shifters. My thought was to go to chemical warmers for temps much lower than 34 or so, as I have a huge supply that I bought for winter sports from a hunting supply place. But, I'd rather try the alpaca, and save the chemical warmers for a last resort.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hi R.,
I bought the alpaca gloves at the local farmer's market/local crafts fair here- they come from the Alpaca farm near here. Try looking online for an alpaca farm near you- they are sure to sell or know of where to buy gloves, scarves, etc.

The cashmere gloves were just bought in the ladies' dept of a big dept store like macy's or something, years ago- a present from my brother to our mother. When my mother died, I nabbed the gloves and use them as liners- they are wonderful and warm and SOFT.

[Crankin]

Hmm, I think Tygab does something with alpaca, about 25 miles from here. I think I'll look for the cashmere gloves around the holidays, maybe they will be on sale.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think I'll look for the cashmere gloves around the holidays, maybe they will be on sale.

I think my brother may have even ordered the cashmere gloves online from some dept store.