Customer Reviews

Gore Bike Wear Radiator II Glove, Black, XX-Large

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been using these gloves for commuting for the past two winter seasons in Lansing, MI. My winter commute is about 20-30 minutes long and runs east-west, so if there isn't a headwind on the way *out*, there will be a headwind on the way *back*. Being a farming area, there isn't a whole lot to block the wind during the winter, so I need super-warm gloves.

First, what these gloves are not: Super-thick gloves to be used while standing around idly. These won't keep your hands warm in the car, at the bus stop, etc.

However, they *will* keep the wind out absolutely perfect, and are pretty well insulated. There have been extremely, extremely few occasions when my hands were cold with these gloves on, and it always involves an extremely strong, constant headwind where the temperature is in the 0-5°F range before taking wind-chill into account. I don't wear these gloves if it's above 40°F, because they're simply too warm. I like to be cool, and hate to be cold. Above 45° and I put on some long-finger gloves (Pearl iZUMi Cyclone Glove), and I'm fine.

I also own a pair of Pearl iZUMi Barrier Cycling Glove gloves, which *are* warmer than these. However, I've never had to get them out for a ride. I wear the Izumi Barrier gloves if I'm going to be out shoveling, or if I go out in the car, because my body isn't generating any heat, and stopping the wind doesn't do anything because there is none.

With regard to sizing, I would recommend ordering up at least a size from what you normally order. For reference, I fit Louis Garneau medium-size summer gloves (discontinued; Amazon doesn't sell the same pair), Large Gore Bike Wear Xenon Glove, and XL Gore Bike Wear Radiator II Glove. I read on another review site about the liners pulling out -- I haven't had that problem. If you get them too small, I suppose that could be a problem, but I'm pretty sure the liners are sewed in place, even at the tips of the fingers.

These are quite warm and windproof for their weight and lack of bulk. They aren't explicitly waterproof, but water mostly beads on the backs, and they are very breathable. But they really bottom-out at about 35 degrees - Just not enough insulation for real winter riding. And they are too warm to wear above about 45. So, they are pretty expensive considering the narrow useful range. Additionally, I have gone through two pairs of these with the seams coming apart after only a few months of use commuting. Gore has been great about replacing them, but it's not worth the trouble and shipping expense.

I love Gore Bike Wear. I own two jackets, a vest, and a windstopper skullcap, so I chose their gloves over Pearl Izumis for my girlfriend.
On a very cold day, her fingers were chilled while mine, wearing Specialized (gloves with inserts) were toasty.
Otherwise, they have worked well - and she even uses them for cold morning dog walks and shoveling snow with no problem. All in all, they do the job in most "rideable" cold weather situations.

I really like the gloves. They were everything I hoped they would be with one small exception. At the end of the fingers there were threads inside and it has been a while and still they have not spread to the sides. It could be it's just my pair. I would still recommend them.

I bought these for paragliding upon the recommendation of a friend who already had a pair. I have found them to work very well for paragliding although they were designed for bike riding. They are fairly flexible, yet warm.

I got these to upgrade from a pair of older and tight fitting Chima-Star winter gloves. At first I was skeptical, I wore them walking the dog and they did not seem too warm. But while riding it has been a different story. On a recent 90 minute ride at 32 degrees they kept my hands very toasty. My work commute is 30 minute's each way and so far so good down to 20 degrees in the AM. Absolutely wind proof, very comfortable and not bulky. The cuffs tuck in nicely under sleeves of my windbreaker. The only downside is they do run small, I have about average hand size, but I still got the XXL, there isn't much room in there for liners.