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Gore Universal Gore-Tex Thermo Gloves

9
£59.99

VERDICT:

9
10
An absolute must for anyone who suffers from cold hands. Proper toasty and excellent quality
Weight: 
145g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Any rider who cycles year-round tends to have a plethora of gloves for every weather condition and temperature range. The one that was missing for me was a full-on deep-winter design – until now, that is. When the temperature reaches freezing the Gore Universal Gore-Tex Thermo Gloves keep on going, keeping out the best that Mother Nature can throw at them. Truly awesome!

It was -6°C according to my Garmin, and my evening's ride was being cut short as my leg muscles, feet and face weren't really feeling the love. My hands, though, they were toasty as hell. Normally at this temperature I'd be using a pair of liners but the Gore Thermos weren't even struggling.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy these online here

Gore-Tex has long been renowned for its wind stopping properties and it's a great first defence against the cold. These Thermo versions go a step further, offering an extra lining. The downside is that they aren't the most breathable – especially at temperatures above 5°C – but until you take them off you don't really notice it.

Even if you take them off for a quick bike repair and the dampness turns to cold, as soon as you put the gloves back on they are warm within seconds. Another highlight is that the lining stays put, unlike with so many gloves. No trying to push everything back into position at the side of the road here.

Gore-Tex is also waterproof too, plenty of testing in a rain swept January has proved that. Water will eventually get in if the cuffs aren't covered, but a good waterproof jacket with long sleeves will stop that happening.

Another big plus of the Gore's is comfort. Even though they are quite a big glove they never feel like it. Changing gear and braking isn't hindered, and you have enough dexterity to get things out of your jersey pockets. Finger length is pretty generous too.

> Check out our guide to the best winter cycling gloves here

You get a hard-wearing palm made from a synthetic leather which is standing up well so far to daily abuse, and offers plenty of grip in the wet even with shiny bar tapes. Padding is minimal but plentiful all at the same time, if you know what I mean – sufficient: you get exactly what you need, where you need it. An eight-hour ride certainly never left me with any ill effects.

As far as the build quality goes, you can't fault them. All the stitching is tight and I haven't felt a single seam go when taking them on and off.

Sixty quid might seem expensive for a pair of gloves, but here I think it's a good investment: they're extremely comfortable and should last well.

Verdict

An absolute must for anyone who suffers from cold hands. Proper toasty and excellent quality

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Gore Universal Gore-Tex Thermo Gloves

Size tested: XL, Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Gore says, "A glove designed for riders requiring an insulated GORE-TEX® glove that offers the highest levels of rain and wind protection and is covered by the lifetime 'Guaranteed To Keep You Dry®' GORE-TEX® promise."

The Gore Universal certainly live up to the hype, they are the warmest gloves I've ever worn.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Thermo lining

Palm with synthetic leather

Absorbent material on thumb for wiping away perspiration

Foam padding on palm

Velcro width adjustment

Reflective insert on little finger

Reflective logo

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Strong stitching and well put together, plus little extras like the fact that the lining stays put when you take them off really makes them shine.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

As far as keeping the water out and keeping the warmth in, the Universal Gore-Tex Thermos are hard to fault. Only the fact that they aren't the most breathable stops them getting a full 10.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

A decent hard wearing palm means they should last.

Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10

Brilliant fit. They offer plenty of dexterity and are cut close without being tight.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10

The sizing was spot on in relation to the size chart.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10

For thick gloves they aren't at all weighty.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
10/10

Superb.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Good value considering the quality and performance. You can get them about 20 quid cheaper online too.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

A simple 30 degree wash and leave to dry naturally and they are as good as new.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Absolutely brilliantly. They are lovely to wear, fit nicely and are very warm.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Warmth even at -6°C.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Can get a bit clammy above 5°C.

Did you enjoy using the product? A resounding yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

I have a huge range of gloves for all weathers and temperatures but I've never had a pair that would keep my hands warm at such a low temperature without having to resort to liner gloves. They're not just good, they're exceptional. Even though they are quite bulky they don't feel it thanks to a superb cut and flexible material. True they can be a bit too warm, but this doesn't detract from how good they are.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: Mason Definition

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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1 comments

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BadgerBeaver | 8 years ago
1 like

I have these gloves and I couldn't agree less with this review. 

It's probably only fair that I say that I didn't pay for them myself: I bought them at Evans using a gift voucher card I was given as a leaving present. I would otherwise perhaps not have purchased such an expensive pair of gloves. 

In the rain I found them much less waterproof than various Endura gloves I have had in the past. 

In the deep cold, I found my hands were cold within the first hour. 

 

Thismight have been something to do with the fit. I don't have massive hands but I am using the "XL" size and these appear to have short fingers. Maybe this is pulling into my hands and cutting circulation and making my hands seem colder than they would otherwise be in better fitting gloves. 

It's worth noting that I am using the second pair from the same shop. The first were taken back when I noticed that some of the stitching was coming undone when I picked them up to use them for the first time. 

It was tempting for me to suggest that if I had spent my own money on these, then I would feel ripped off, given the price. However, even at half the price these would be a bit of a let down. 

They look nice though. Hope that helps.

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