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I’ve long struggled with cold weather cycling gloves.  In the summer, I have generally ridden with fingerless gloves from Specialized or Assos. Last summer, I experimented with going bare handed.  But a winter glove that works for me (rather than against me) has been elusive.  My issues probably sound familiar: gloves are either too thin to keep my fingers warm or so bulky that I can’t shift and lose the feel of the bike.

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As winter began to creep into my rides this year, and my gloveless approach drew stares on group rides, I decided to give the DeFeet Wool Duraglove a shot. CycleLife’s Matt Moore had recommended them to me repeatedly, but I had written them off. They didn’t seem like cycling gloves to me, and I doubted there ability to outperform other gloves on the market.

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And for the first time in my years of winter riding, my hands were comfortable. I found that they block moderate wind fairly well, and they keep my hands warm even on chilly mid-winter days. I’m a huge fan of wool’s insulating and anti-odor properties on many other pieces of cycling wear, but I was surprised at how well it performs as gloves. The Duraglove also features a rubberized pattern on the palm for additional grip, keeping your hands from slipping even in wet weather.

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On really cold days (when the temperature dips below freezing), I’ve added an Assos glove liner underneath the Duraglove for some extra warmth, but even in high-30s, I’ve been fine with just the wool.  And one of the best features of the Duraglove: the price – it’s one of the cheapest winter cycling gloves on the market (just don’t tell my wife; I bought her a pair for Christmas).

Enjoy the ride.

-Steve