You’re probably familiar with the Spenco Ironman fingerless gloves. With fall weather setting in, it’s time to cover those digits! Thankfully, Spenco produces the Cold Snap full fingered glove.
Generally, I wear a size large and the same size from Spenco was the right fit. When I put these on, my first reaction was how comfortable they were. The fleece lining was incredibly soft. The “Shock-tek” pads in the lower portion of the palm prevented numbness and absorbed road shock well during my rides.
Your hands naturally wrap over the bars from the contoured design. In addition, the tops of the fingers have a ridged protective layer along with a padded ridge on the knuckle area. The wrist cuff is soft enough as to not dig into your skin and has a gusset flap to seal tightly against cold air. The incorporation of the various types of materials and panels combined to achieve a natural and comfortable fit.
I rode with these in temperatures ranging from 30 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Their breathability allowed me to use them on warm days without sweating or overheating. They were there when needed during my chilly morning commute and when the day turned cold. I didn’t have to concern myself with two sets of gloves.
I was surprised with the dexterity as I could push buttons and switches without having to take my gloves off both on and off the bike. I easily shifted without excess material getting caught in a lever like some gloves did in the past.
Although Spenco says these are mountain biking gloves, there is reinforcement in the web between the thumb and forefinger for riding on the hoods. The palm and underside of the fingers have a unique coating called silicone grip dots for secure grasping. My hands didn’t slip off anything, wet or dry. I discovered a new use for them. It was just what I needed to brush off bugs from my skin and clothing. They peeled off like scraping frost from a windshield. One swipe and they were gone!
Speaking of wiping, there wasn’t anything on the glove for my runny nose. For a cold weather glove, this feature needs to be there. It’s not like I carry a box of Kleenex’s in my jersey pocket! That wasn’t enough to deter me as the Spenco Cold Snap gloves have now become my preferred cold weather gloves for cycling.
