My Hands are Freezing...Help?

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onetracker

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OK. My cold weather kit and feet are all dialed in for cold weather ATB riding. When the temps drop below 30 degrees, I just cannot keep my hands warm. I have tried a gazilion gloves, cannot seem to get the lobster style to work in the woods. I shake my hands, wiggle my fingers, tried glove liners. Anyone got any ideas or tips that work? :popcorn:
 
Tried hand warmers...I actually think that makes it worse. I think the hand warmers make my hands sweat. It is my fingers, especially my thumbs that get cold.
 
The first 30 minutes are the worst, bar none.

Our crew was out when it was in the teens two weeks ago. I wanted to saw my fingers off. About 30 minutes in they finally came back, the thumbs being last. I shake my fingers really hard in order to get the blood to flow out that way. After that I was good to go. YRMV.

That is the only advice I can offer. Just get used to it? 😛
 
I've found that keeping my core warmer has helped both my hands and feet. Nothing will work if your core isn't warm enough.
 
Norm said:
I've found that keeping my core warmer has helped both my hands and feet. Nothing will work if your core isn't warm enough.
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Truth. Your body will work to keep your guts warm before its wastes calories too keep blood to your fingers and toes. It's your body trying to stay alive.
 
2 gloves to speak of and although you aren't into the lobster claw thing there is a second option listed as well... the issue with dexterity I haven't gotten over yet either but once I was riding for half an hour I didn't much care either because I was toasty... I have very sweaty hands and feet when I ride and have never found a good solution for under 30 degrees that actually worked to stay warm... I've always just made do... I have Castelli Diluvio neoprene gloves and Gore Tool gloves that I love equally but neither work at keeping the hands anything other than manageable at or below the 30s...

Fred recommended the Giro 100 and Giro 100 proof (lobster claw rated down to 15 degrees)... I picked up the G1P at Halter's and rode last night in 33 degrees which is not necessarily cold at all but I usually have a bit of a tingle in the tips of my fingers shortly into any ride at 30 degrees... not so with these bad boys... my hands were HOT the whole ride...

they have a thin liner glove with soft fleece lining and an outer lobster claw (also with super soft fleece lining)... these thing are mint! I'm sure I could have ridden without the liners but was just excited to wear them so I went with the whole package...

either way... these are definitely worth a look (I haven't tried the 100's only the lobster claws)...

ArmyOfNone said:
Warmer: http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/cycling-gloves/proof.html
Warmest: http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/cycling-gloves/100-prooftm-new.html

The latter are tough to use on the road. But when its that cold you hopefully will be in the woods!
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Just back from a ski trip Zermatt/Verbier. No scenery, delicious chocolate, amazing fondue, incredible beer or fast skiing at all ha ha
I had rechargable heated gloves from Herrington catalogue plus hand/toe warmers. Layers of wool & heavy underarmor.
At the end of the day I was in danger of frostbite anyway & my ski mates were complaining about over heating.
There must be an answer but I haven't found it yet.
 
I find my Pearl Izumi Amfib half lobster are too warm until it's mid-20's or less. Half lobster means plenty of dexterity still as forefinger and middle are both in normal fingers, two smallest are joined.
 
Pearl Izumi lobster claws are sooooo toasty warm. I cant even wear them unless it is under 20. You get used to the less dexterity thing too. Much better to get used to THAT rather than cold hands.
 
+1 on wear more on your core, and wear roomy gloves. Warm up gradually not to spike your heart rate and put your body into emergency mode. Also climb more hills. If you think the 1/2 lobsters will work, I have used some with thumb and first finger and then the the last three joined. I am a one finger breaker, so they are ok with me. The gloves pictures a few posts back look good too. Good luck!
 
I wear biking gloves with a pair of hardware store N.Y. Giant Big Blue over them.They don't keep you warm in the teens but look really cool!I noticed that keeping my fingers off of any metal like the brake lever helps.
 
Arwen's Mom said:
Pearl Izumi lobster claws are sooooo toasty warm. I cant even wear them unless it is under 20. You get used to the less dexterity thing too. Much better to get used to THAT rather than cold hands.
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don't like Spock hands, I prefer thumb, index alone and the other three in the claw. That's the way my Burton Mitts (Ronin Mighty Mitts) are. Dexterity-wise this makes more sense to me and still plenty.
 
The heat packs really work but you have to use gloves with pockets. Don't stuff the heat packs inside the gloves. If you can find a pair, try the PEARL IZUMI's P.R.O. Lobster Wind Mitts. They are full finger gloves with a pocket on top for storing the wind shields. Stick a pair of heat packs inside the pockets 30 minutes before your ride. If you warm the top of your hands then you will immediately circulate warm blood into your fingers. These gloves are not bulky like most winter gloves and they work great down to 15 degrees with the packs (35 degrees without).

pro-lobster.jpg


Good luck.
 
On the way to the trail head I put my gloves and shoes up near my windshield and turn the defroster on maximum heat which heats up everything nicely and can usually stay pretty warm unless its bitter cold out.
 
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