I have been using the Altura Night Vision Waterproof Winter cycling gloves for five months now, and so I thought it was about time to write a little review of them.
Winter Cycling Gloves
Hopefully someone will find it useful, and although winter is now drawing to an end, they might be available on sale during the Spring months, and I am fairly certain they will be released once more (perhaps updated slightly) for the Winter of 2014.
Altura Night Vision Waterproof Winter Cycling Gloves
Firstly, I should start by saying that I bought these gloves primarily to commute to and from work. In addition to this, I have also used them on several longer winter cycle rides of 60kms or more in wet and cold conditions, and even once or twice unloading lorries outside on a forklift in the rain!
Therefore, although they might not have been used on an extended bicycle tour, I feel that I have tested them out pretty thoroughly.
Winter Cycling Gloves Review
Ok, so first off, I bought these gloves in black. You might be thinking that this seems at odds with the name Night Vision, but they do have a reflective trim, which means that they get picked up in headlights when cycling along the roads at night. A handy feature.
I was initially concerned that this trim would start to peel off, or even rub away, but five months, it is still there, and the gloves look practically like new.
My next concern, was that I would wear away the palms of the Altura Night Vision cycling gloves, like I seem to do with every pair of cycling gloves I own, but again, there is no sign of this at all. Top marks for quality here.
Better than Neoprene cycling gloves?
I have previously owned neoprene type gloves, but whilst they kind of keep your hands warm, they never feel particularly great.
The Altura Night Vision Waterproof cycling gloves have a thinsulate interior, which makes them feel like real gloves. Very comfy and warm.
The only downside to this, is that after extended cycling days (and I mean 50 kms plus), the tips of the fingers start to feel damp from sweat that hasn't wicked away enough.
Combine this with a cold wind, and your fingers do start to get a bit cold. Nothing in comparison to not wearing the gloves at all, but certainly noticeable.
Are they waterproof cycling gloves?
That leaves us with how waterproof they are. Here, they score top marks, and my hands were nice and dry after a torrential downpour one cycle ride home from work. (This was torrential, as in roads were starting to surface flood due to how much water was coming down!).
So in conclusion, I have found the Altura Night Vision Waterproof Winter Cycling Gloves to be excellent value for money, and they are in more than good enough condition to see me through the next winter.
With luck, I will even take the same pair with me on my next cycling tour around the world to use on the Scandinavian sections of the trip.
Overall, I give them an 8.5 out of 10, and would recommend these gloves for almost any cyclist, ranging from the commuter to the bicycle tourer.
Interested in other waterproof cycling gear? Check out this Sealskinz Beanie review.
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