Cold hands, warm motorbike
December 30, 2008 5:39 AM Subscribe
Looking for winter motorbike mitterns - warm, waterproof, preferably with protection, and not gloves.
Asking for my dad, who has cold hands to a Reynauds extent and would like to have his fingers grouped together for warmth.
He's looking for something in leather or Gore-Tex, mittens suitable for rain and cold, and preferably designed for motorcyles with Kevlar or carbon fibre type protection. He's tried really good gloves and has heated grips, and is (hopefully) joking about electrically heated gloves being the next step.
Nothing he's found so far comes close and it's become one of those endless, fruitless quests, but even a suggestion of the correct search terms would be useful. A partial match for the requirements would be good, also.
I suggested the Awesome Power of AskMe might be able to help. He's in Ireland, so something on the web is absolutely fine as long as they'll ship to here.
I did spot this previous but it's not motorbike-specific, which would be the first preference.
Thanks!
Asking for my dad, who has cold hands to a Reynauds extent and would like to have his fingers grouped together for warmth.
He's looking for something in leather or Gore-Tex, mittens suitable for rain and cold, and preferably designed for motorcyles with Kevlar or carbon fibre type protection. He's tried really good gloves and has heated grips, and is (hopefully) joking about electrically heated gloves being the next step.
Nothing he's found so far comes close and it's become one of those endless, fruitless quests, but even a suggestion of the correct search terms would be useful. A partial match for the requirements would be good, also.
I suggested the Awesome Power of AskMe might be able to help. He's in Ireland, so something on the web is absolutely fine as long as they'll ship to here.
I did spot this previous but it's not motorbike-specific, which would be the first preference.
Thanks!
Best answer: Aerostich sells a semi-mitten rain cover, which is meant to go over regular gloves.
Langlitz sells, I think, an old-style leather and fur mitten, but a lot of what they sell is not on the website so you'd have to phone them. They aren't cheap, but the quality is really high.
And Olympia sells several models of mittens (under gloves --> winter, if that link won't go directly).
If none of those are to his preferences, do some searching for snowmobile mittens -- you'll gain warmth at the possible expense of protection. And, several companies (including Aerostich, I think) sell electrically-heated gloves, which can be combined with a heated vest or jacket for total comfort. Keep the core warm, and the fingers will follow.
Finally, the best thing he could be doing -- much more important than mittens which are awkward to ride in -- (and assuming that he can't afford heated gloves and vest or doesn't want to fuss with the cord) is be using a combination of heated grips and either bar muffs (eg "hippohands") or bark-busters (plastic shields in front of your hand that block brush and wind, mostly sold to off-road riders). That way he can wear thin gloves for good sensitivity, while still having toasty warm fingers.
posted by Forktine at 7:37 AM on December 30, 2008
Langlitz sells, I think, an old-style leather and fur mitten, but a lot of what they sell is not on the website so you'd have to phone them. They aren't cheap, but the quality is really high.
And Olympia sells several models of mittens (under gloves --> winter, if that link won't go directly).
If none of those are to his preferences, do some searching for snowmobile mittens -- you'll gain warmth at the possible expense of protection. And, several companies (including Aerostich, I think) sell electrically-heated gloves, which can be combined with a heated vest or jacket for total comfort. Keep the core warm, and the fingers will follow.
Finally, the best thing he could be doing -- much more important than mittens which are awkward to ride in -- (and assuming that he can't afford heated gloves and vest or doesn't want to fuss with the cord) is be using a combination of heated grips and either bar muffs (eg "hippohands") or bark-busters (plastic shields in front of your hand that block brush and wind, mostly sold to off-road riders). That way he can wear thin gloves for good sensitivity, while still having toasty warm fingers.
posted by Forktine at 7:37 AM on December 30, 2008
Best answer: I found snowboarding gear to be usually superior that most middle-of-the-road winter motorbike stuff, and often cheaper as well. I've even crashed in my pair of snowboarding gloves, and they held up fine, granted it was pretty low speed, and the wet pavement reduced the friction issue.
Other than that, I'd second Aerostitch stuff. I've been more than happy with everything I've ever bought from them.
posted by gofargogo at 10:40 AM on December 30, 2008
Other than that, I'd second Aerostitch stuff. I've been more than happy with everything I've ever bought from them.
posted by gofargogo at 10:40 AM on December 30, 2008
Here is another semi-mitten option (called a "lobster claw" glove, I think), from a European company.
Here is the link for Hippo Hands; you can find generic ATV handlebar mitts for cheaper, though less spiffy. Motorcycle police use these in a lot of places, so there are a lot of manufacturers, both high-end and low-end.
posted by Forktine at 8:12 PM on December 30, 2008
Here is the link for Hippo Hands; you can find generic ATV handlebar mitts for cheaper, though less spiffy. Motorcycle police use these in a lot of places, so there are a lot of manufacturers, both high-end and low-end.
posted by Forktine at 8:12 PM on December 30, 2008
Response by poster: Thanks, those look like good leads! I think I've got a new MeFi convert, so my dad may well be along to say thanks himself at some point.
posted by carbide at 7:07 AM on December 31, 2008
posted by carbide at 7:07 AM on December 31, 2008
Hi Guys,
I'm Carbides's picky Pa.
Thanks for your very helpful comments.
I'm a bad case - already use heated grips (honda vfr vtec) and held gloves - the tops of my fingers are still frozen. Imagine using heated grips while riding the Spanish Pyrenees in May?
I'll probably try gerbing electrically heated gloves if I can find a local supplier in Ireland.
Online is certainly the best way to shop for many products. however I find that, particularly with motorcycle gloves, it's critical to get the fit and feel as close to perfect as possible.
p.s. I wonder why my daughter reckons I'm picky?
Thanks for your advice - I'll let you know how I fare.
JBG
posted by johnnybgoode at 1:53 AM on January 21, 2009
I'm Carbides's picky Pa.
Thanks for your very helpful comments.
I'm a bad case - already use heated grips (honda vfr vtec) and held gloves - the tops of my fingers are still frozen. Imagine using heated grips while riding the Spanish Pyrenees in May?
I'll probably try gerbing electrically heated gloves if I can find a local supplier in Ireland.
Online is certainly the best way to shop for many products. however I find that, particularly with motorcycle gloves, it's critical to get the fit and feel as close to perfect as possible.
p.s. I wonder why my daughter reckons I'm picky?
Thanks for your advice - I'll let you know how I fare.
JBG
posted by johnnybgoode at 1:53 AM on January 21, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by carbide at 5:41 AM on December 30, 2008