Gloves - full finger

These gloves will keep your hands warm in the really, really cold weather and they’re fully waterproof too.

Lots of cycling equipment claims to be waterproof; these gloves actually are. You can dip your hands in a bucket of water with these on and nothing gets through the membrane. We know because we tried it – as well as riding in them plenty too, obviously. The bucket of water thing might not be particularly useful in normal cycling life but the ability to keep your hands dry whatever the circumstances certainly is.

These mitts offer plenty of grip and good breathability. The Pittards leather palms have a criss-cross texture that doesn’t slip on your bars even when wet while the synthetic Coolmesh back section lets the air flow right on through to keep the temperature down.

There's nothing like a bit of Knog for igniting the old form over function debate amongst cyclists, yes their stuff does look really cool, but does it actually do what it's supposed to? These long finger Ride Hard gloves don't buck that trend.

It's warming up outside! The winter lobster mitts have retreated back to the glove drawer and it's time for something a bit lighter. The Monaco full finger mitts are an ideal glove for spring and early summer, full fingered but light enough to keep you cool when the sun breaks through. They're comfortable too, and the neutral styling means you can take them to the trails as well if the fancy takes you.

Cold weather never fails to remind us of our frailties and biological shortcomings. For me winter = frozen extremities, making cycling a physically uncomfortable experience rather than the endorphin generating pleasure it should be.

Let's get this clear right off the bat, despite their Arctic good looks, toasty appearance and draught-excluding cuff the Sugoi RS Zero is not really a Winter glove, in fact the closer it gets to the eponymous Zero the more they become thermally transparent, which is awkward. And they aren't much use if it's raining or there's a lazy wind either as they seem to be entirely bereft of waterproofness and extra wind-stopping abilities. Not really a glove for the usual British Winter then, maybe it's warmer in Sugoivia that time of year.