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Apparel Education - Winter Cycling Gloves & Pogies

Posted by hkidston on 09/21/22
Last modified: 09/28/22

Two cyclists ride with flat bar bikes in the winter with pogies on the handlebars.

Clothing choice is the key to comfort when riding in the cold. To help you dress the best for your riding style and climate, we’ve created a guide to choosing items that will keep you warm and dry from head to toe all winter long.

In this edition, we’ll focus on gloves and pogies. Cold, numb fingers are not only uncomfortable, they make riding unsafe if you can’t shift or brake properly. Follow these guidelines to learn how to keep your hands warm when biking in the winter.

A cyclist pulls on a 45nrth sturmfist 5 glove to prepare for a winter bike ride.

Above 32°F (0°C)

When the temperature is above freezing, lightweight gloves are usually enough. Choose a pair with fabrics that will block the chill and help manage moisture.

  • Water- and wind-resistant outer shell
  • Merino wool lining

Our Nokken glove is a good example of a lightweight, weather-resistant winter bike glove.

  • Close up image of a cyclist holding the handlebars of a flat bar bike while wearing 45nrth Nokken gloves.
  • A pair of 45nrth Nokken gloves, one with the palm facing down and one with the palm facing up.

Below 32°F (0°C)

When the temperature drops below freezing, you’ll want more insulation to retain body heat, with outer fabrics that block cold air and liner fabrics that wick moisture.

  • Water- and wind-resistant outer shell
  • Merino wool lining
  • Insulation in key areas

Our Sturmfist Five and Sturmfist Four gloves are good examples of insulated winter bike gloves.

  • A pair of 45nrth Sturmfist 5 gloves, one with the palm facing down and one with the palm facing up.
  • A pair of 45nrth Sturmfist 4 gloves, one with the palm facing down and one with the palm facing up.

Extra tips:

  • Before riding, make sure your gloves allow enough movement and grip to shift and brake safely.
A cyclist reaches for the brake lever on a flat bar bike while wearing 45nrth Sturmfist 4 gloves.
  • For warmth without the bulk of gloves, pogies are a great option. Look for pogies that use wind- and water-resistant materials and have vents for heat and moisture management. Cobrafist is our heavy-duty pogie for extreme cold, while Draugenklaw is our lightweight pogie suited to high-intensity rides or milder conditions.
  • Pogies can also hold chemical hand warmers for additional warmth or snacks to keep them from freezing.
  • On extra-cold rides, a thin liner glove like our Risør provides extra insulation inside a pogie without excess bulk.
A cyclist rides a flat bar bike with their hands in a pair of 45nrth winter cycling pogies.

Ready to gear up? Explore our full line of winter cycling gloves and pogies and stay tuned for more winter wear guides to help you learn how to stay comfortable when biking in the cold.