Review - Specialized Sub Zero Gloves

I am one of those who struggles with cold hands on the bike. It has been a problem area for a number of years and I have tried a variety of solutions. Would the Sub Zero finally be the glove that kept my pinkies warm?

There is nothing worse than a great winters ride being ruined by cold hands. I frequently amuse my friends at coffee stops by peeling off three layers of gloves. Like Russian dolls on each hand! They meanwhile will have been coasting along in normal long fingered gloves, the kind I'd reserve for July and August. So I am conscious that I have a particular issue with my extremities

  

The warmest gloves I have ever owned were a pair of mittens. The advantage of mittens is that your fingers have each other to keep themselves warm. The BIG disadvantage is the lack of control you face operating gears and brakes. Its a bit like trying to drive in your slippers, and on a mountain bike especially, could be highly dangerous.

So on paper the Sub Zero looks to tick several boxes.

• It comes with a separate thin liner glove to help layer up in extreme cold.
• It has two semi mitten type fingers that mean your digits are cosied up next to each other.
• The slightly strange lobster claw styling means that you can safely reach for the brake and hold the handlebar at the same time.

To be honest this winter has been more of the mild and damp variety so far. However, there have been a few frosty mornings to test the Sub Zero's abilities. Only once have I needed to use the liner, which actually looks like it'll make a pretty decent spring/autumn glove if used on its own. This also makes the £40-50 outlay seem a little more reasonable. Most of the time the two fingered outer mit has been more than enough - which is testament to how warm these gloves are. In fact when riding home I've sometimes found them almost too hot! So thermal performance can't be faulted. I have finally ditched all my merino liners and latex gloves in favour of these beauties. 

Useful thin liner glove

I say beauties but to be honest I did have to endure some humorous comments regarding my new claw hands. Also they are reasonably bulky so you do loose some sensitivity and dexterity when riding, but I guess that is the price you pay for warm hands.

The Sub Zero also boldly claims to be waterproof. I've had the misfortune to have tested Specialized "Hypora" shell in some quite extreme conditions. Truth be told the water does creep in after around 40 minutes. Part of the problem is those nice long cuffs, which do such an excellent job of sealing over your sleeves to keep out the cold. In the rain they unfortunately channel all the water that drips down your arms straight into the gloves.

Despite the dubious waterproof claims these gloves have revolutionised my cycling this winter. No more cursing as I try and stretch a third glove over two pairs of inners. No more dancing around trying to shake some feeling into my finger tips when I reach the office in the morning. If like me you suffer from cold hands on the bike I 100% recommend the Sub Zero.