The material is not quite as strong or expensive as some of the other options out there, but it certainly seems like a solid choice for people on a budget. There is a double lining, and the material is comfortable for even longer rides. Personally, I found the cuffs to be annoying, and so removed them and rode without cuffs. While these would be great for keeping in as much warmth as possible in really cold conditions, during my rides in high winds and air temps down into the teens, I still had no need for the cuffs. The solution to fitting a variety of different mirrors works pretty well, though this cover is only suitable for handlebar-type mirrors. It just does not make a lot of sense to go around without any type of protection whatsoever. Even in milder weather, they can come in handy so that the hands and fingers do not get colder than they should.

Bar Mitts for Winter Riding | Bicycling Cold Hands? Try Bar Mitts for Winter Riding | Bicycling

A thin under-glove layer can make a big difference in how well a glove works—just make sure you still have plenty of room to move your fingers! A set of gloves like the ones from Dissent listed above are great because they’re designed to be layered, so they fit together well. And if you do opt for an extra liner, make sure it’s merino wool or polyester, not cotton. Any tips for emergency glove situations? The pre-formed openings help everything hold shape and sit correctly in place once installed, and the 3D design around the switches and levers prevents any snagging or catching. Are they as durable as some of the more expensive options out there? Probably not, but they can get away with a little bit more considering the price. This depends on the set you buy, but most share similar principles. Mirrors are a common way to hold the muffs in place, either by securing a strap around them or removing the mirrors and poking the mirror through a hole in the muff.

When is the Best Time to Use Bike Pogies?

The mitts also come with a storage pouch, so people do not need to add an extra bag to the bike. The company understands that this already adds some bulk to the bike, so there is no reason to also travel with a standard bag attached somewhere else. Only the Oxford Bar End muffs differ in their installation, attaching to the universal bar end plug. We like this solution for its simplicity and low visual impact. If only used occasionally each year, these have the capability of lasting for a while. If people are continually riding outdoors, they might want to invest in something a bit more heavy-duty and with better materials.

Bar Mitts - Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Every different location needs something slightly different when riding a bike. For some people, they can get by with a little lighter coverage, because it does not get quite as cold. This still provides a very close-fitting design so that the hands are closed off from anything outside. No one should ever not invest in a set of bike pogies if they are considering riding a fat bike during cold weather. Heated grips and heated gloves work great but aren’t nearly as cheap or straightforward as this old-school solution.

Finally, the reflection with these mittens helps out when visibility is a bit low. It never hurts to have a little bit more visibility on the bike. Instead of having to add other reflectors, this is just another way to be seen by others traveling around.

Bar Mitts Products – Bar Mitts

Some people mightn’t like the idea of having to cut into a brand new product they’ve just bought, but Oxford has thought this out carefully and once installed, everything looks neat and tidy. I first tried the Bar Mitts on a 200-km brevet wearing wool liner gloves under the Bar Mitts. At the start, my hands were comfortable in the 35F (2C) temperature. As the temperature rose above 40F (4.5C), my hands started to feel too warm, so I partially opened the side zippers of the Mitts. They are a little thinner than some of the other options, and the materials are not quite as warm. However, some people like the fact that they are pretty thin and easy to use, and the price is impossible to be. That’s right, sometimes it just gets cold enough that your hands need a little extra help staying warm, and for that, we turn to gloves that provide their own heat. We’ve known riders brave enough to wear these 100% wind- and waterproof cycling gloves in temps as low as -40 and return with still-functioning fingers.

Layering Glove Systems

It might not have all the benefits of the more expensive options out there, but it is a great way to stay on budget for those who do some colder riding. In addition to things like waterproofing and windproofing, we like to look for few other features, too. A large terrycloth nose-wipe section on the index finger is key if you’re a heavy snotter (no judgment here). We also like some kind of smart phone enabled addition to the index finger so you can at least answer calls without taking gloves off. And of course, bonus features like padding for mountain bikers, electric heating elements for fat bikers, and little loops to help pull gloves on and off are great bonuses.

Bar Mitts

On one ride, I rode four hours in the rain with temperatures in the high 30s and lower 40s. The neoprene material of the Bar Mitts kept the rain and wind off my hands, so I believe that my hands were much warmer than they would have been in gloves alone. And most of all, I really liked being able to use my hands to grab food or my camera without first having to pull off a big glove and hold it in my teeth. Braking and Shifting Not Ideal In All Bar Positions If you do, make sure you’re wearing a liner layer between the handwarmer and your skin, otherwise you risk burning yourself! And put it on TOP of your hand, not under your palm. What about layering gloves? If you’ve never used them before, there’s a bit of a learning curve to riding with pogies. Specifically, you can’t keep pulling your hands off the bars to fiddle with things, take drinks, etc., as naturally as you would without pogies–it takes a little extra forethought. However, the ease of moving your hands in and out of the pogies depends largely on whether or not you have the cuffs installed.I actually like my Bar Mitts so much that I have started to keep them on my bike for any rides under 45 degrees (much to the chagrin of my friends, family, and dog). Now, I just throw on some summer-weight gloves—or no gloves at all—and enjoy my ride without fear of numb fingers, ever. (And make sure you invest in our chamois and embro set to stay protected from the cold.) Material: Outer layer – 50% leather, 46% polyester, 4% elastane; Middle layer – 100% polyurethane; Inner layer – 92% polyester, 8% aluminum; Insulation – PrimaLoft Gold