Known as one of the true leaders in the industry for bike pogies, the mittens can easily be installed when the temperature gets to a certain level. Most people do not want to ride with these installed at all times, so it makes sense to wait until the colder months to utilize them. 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. They use Oxford’s proprietary Rainseal technology to keep out wind and rain, are built from durable 1500D polyester, and are insulated for the coldest UK weather. It is an excellent entry-level option, but the ones above are all better the more a person rides outdoors. I distinctly remember this lesson from 20+ years ago when during my first winter riding, no amount of thermal liners or windproof gloves could keep my hands from turning into stiff, frozen crab’s claws by the end of the commute.

Best Winter Cycling Gloves: Keep fingers warm from mild Best Winter Cycling Gloves: Keep fingers warm from mild

As for the Bar Mitts specifically, I found their construction to be durable, reliable, and the installation and ease of use to be top-notch. While perhaps you could find lighter or more stylish pogies from a different brand, it’d be tough to improve upon the utility and functionality that the Bar Mitts provide.

There you have it – the cheapest way to keep your hands warm in the coldest months of winter. They can be a real game-changer and won’t break the bank. Worth a look. 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 - Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

This article does a huge disservice to winter cyclists by not discussing how to keep your hands warm when temperature is below 20 degrees, other than putting a huge insulation bag on the edges of your handlebar. Begin Media LTD, trading as Begin Motorcycling, is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Seopa Ltd (FRN: 313860). Other key features include removable velcro cuffs which you can use if the temps are really cold, or remove if you don’t need them. The mitts include expandable bar end plugs, which hold them in place on your handlebars. Zippers at the front of the mitts provide temperature control and ventilation, and also aid in the ease of installation.That kept things comfortable until the temperature got up to near 50F (10C). At that point, I easily peeled the Bar Mitts off the handlebar and stowed them in my saddlebag for the rest of the ride. Overall, I was pleased, but I decided that my hands felt a little cramped in the medium size, so I exchanged them for a large. The mittens remain upright and open so you can slide your hands in and out of them, and have space to shift and brake. Made with stiff, water-resistant polyester with a thermal lining, these will keep you warm in the harshest of UK conditions. We will say, though, when we say “ultra-cold,” we’re still talking about temps hovering in the low 20s, not into the teens and single digits. For that, you’ll need to add either a heating element or to consider pogies (more on that in a moment). 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.

BAR MITTS Cold Weather Road Bicycle Handlebar Mittens, fits

Reflective strips on the front are places to catch the light of oncoming traffic and increase safety. All in all, this is considered the standard for people who want to stay warm during those cold months. It takes virtually no adjustment period whatsoever to start using them as intended. Fat bike riders should consider this an essential part of riding equipment. It might sound silly, but as you try your gloves on, before taking the tags off, try using them on your bike inside. Grip the bars, use the brakes, test your shifters. If you can’t brake or shift easily, or you don’t feel like your grip is solid, you may need a different pair. Until recently, pogies belonged pretty much to the boating crowd. But with the growing popularity of fat bikes and winter riding, many cold-weather cyclists have found that pogies work just as well on their handlebars. The design keeps your hands and bars completely protected from the elements and gives you better circulation. You also get improved mobility when it comes to shifting and braking.We like how they attach to the bar end, meaning you can fit them when it gets cold and forget about them until it’s time to take them off.