We should start a glove thread for people who exclusively live in Chicago or the Upper Midwest. I’ve spent a small fortune trying to get the right gloves and glove layers over the years.
Every time I start a conversation about cycling gloves and realize I’m talking to a rider from the U.K. I immediately discredit everything they’ve said (I say that tongue-in-cheek) — I mean, there is winter, and then there is WINTER
Also, here’s a plug for my favorite piece of shoulder season riding gear:
The roadie inside you will reject it. The gravel grinder inside you will say it’s too small. But it holds a rolled up windvest, an pair of liner gloves and a headband absolutely perfectly. I hate having clothes in my back pocket. Maybe that’s just me.
I wish I had kept the picture, but didn’t…last year was organizing my storage bin in the mudroom with all my gloves, beanies, wind vests, etc. The mound of gloves was unbelievable…I buy riding gloves like some women buy shoes.
I have a HB bag, but have only used it twice…at The Rift and SBT GRVL. I refuse to use it on a regular basis!!
Me too I think we’re a bit off topic here, but anyone who races in the Midwest would probably find some of this info useful, so I’ll stick with it…
What gloves do you use when the temp is below 40F but above freezing?
If I’m out below 32F, I use lobster gloves. But they’re far too warm for anything above that… especially if it’s sunny.
I’ve got a good system for the 40s…
In the mid/upper 40s I’ll wear the Giro Xnetic gloves (black, not the neon pictured below) - they are shockingly effective for being so slim, and if it’s going to be below ~45F, I’ll wear a Rab merino liner glove inside them (links below). But if it gets below 40F I have a gap that I’ve never been able to get quite right.
Well, first of all…I don’t do that anymore. But below 40 and above 35, I have a pair of old Specialized gloves that came with liners…but the liners sucked, so I use a pair of Mizuno glove liners in them.
Below 35*, it is Lobster gloves
40-45*; Specialized waterproof gloves (can’t remember the model name, but they have a nice fleece lining. May augment with thin liners depending on conditions.
45-50* is my gap where I struggle…I occasionally get Raynaud’s, and that temp always kills me. either too warm or too cold.
50* I have some Pearl Izumi fleece gloves that work really well for that temp.
ETA - I may need to check out those Giro gloves and the Primalofts…been a hot minute since I bought some gloves and I’m getting itchy.
Craft Hybrid gloves FTW. This review is spot on - Reviewed: Craft Hybrid Weather Glove - VeloNews.com. These go from 32 (with mitten cover) to 55 quite easily. These are my go-to for fall gravel riding in the upper midwest.
I’ve never been a fan of a wind shell that tucks into the top of the glove…they work really well, but I always seem to have the shell bunched up in the top of my glove when not in use.
Not gloves, but pogies, I shot a black bear a couple years ago and had the hid soft tanned so I can make pogies out of it, still need to get after that project.
Sub freezing is lobster gloves for me.
I have some Swix XC skiing gloves that I wish they would put a wind proof layer on the shell. Leather palms, mid weight, but not wind proof and that is what kills you on the bike, even on a fat bike at 5 mph is enough wind.
Put me in the group with a dozen pairs of gloves, none of which i love for riding, either too hot or too cold.
The front 44 is pancake flat and then the back 44 is loaded with undulations – too bad they don’t route us all the way down Faro Springs and then back up Harrison Rd! That would be FUN!. This is a fun one but I’ve skipped it a few years, I’m thinking next year is the year to get back into it.
First two starting waves are generally open to only cat 1 & 2 riders or those who have a documented history of riding at a high level. Waves 1 and 2 are also legit competing for $ so expect close and fast finishes. However, wave 3+ is open to all and I’ve started twice in 3, once in 4, once in six, and once in 12. I’ve had one sketchy moment in my first three start when I was a bit behind a crash – there was a car parked on the outside of a corner in Oshkosh. I made 27 miles in that first hour.
I did Wave 2 last year and it was fine. Didn’t really find it chaotic at all….needed to pay attention to some early crosswind areas, but overall I would rate it as a fast group ride.
The last few miles can be a bit sketchy though as you are coming back into town, traffic picks up and there is less room to maneuver. But if you are a good bike handler, you can rail the last 2 turns and place well in your wave.
For me, Bar Mitts brand pogies work really well. There are other, more insulated types by 45, etc, but I decided to give these a try after coming across a few online recommendations. The key thing they do in low temperatures is block the wind while allowing you to wear lighter weight gloves that don’t limit your dexterity.
It’s not uncommon for me to wear just a pair of thick, long-fingered padded gloves with these and be fine down to low single digits. Really puffy insulated gloves are overkill when you’ve got these on your bars.
(I say that tongue-in-cheek) — I mean, there is winter, and then there is WINTER 
I think we’re a bit off topic here, but anyone who races in the Midwest would probably find some of this info useful, so I’ll stick with it…
