Pro are a company best know for their components so gloves are something of a departure, the Pro Bikegear Ultimate winter glove is part of Pro's first range of gloves and at £25 is one of the most expensive.
First impressions are that this is quite a slender glove to be named 'ultimate' and aimed at wintry conditions. Pro say that it's designed for comfortable use down to around minus 5 degrees but I found that just below freezing point was my limit before reaching for a glove liner or my own trusty, but bulkier, winter gloves.
The size of these gloves is impressive, their thin construction using a windproof membrance on the outer layer limits the need for insulation. The drawback of this is, as I have mentioned, that the minus 5 degrees claimed range of temperature is a little on the hopeful side. Being thin and lacking any form of waterproofing also makes them a bit of a gamble in the good old British winter, any dampness in cold conditions could quickly lead to your hands losing warmth.
Grip comes courtesy of silicon anti-slip print on a breathable surface. I found that this worked perfectly well as I like to feel what the bike is doing beneath me but do be aware that this is a thin layer so padding may not be adequate enough for some.
One element of design on the Pro Ultimate winter gloves that I particularly liked was the long, stretchy cuff which was perfect for pulling over the sleeves on my cycle jacket for a further improved windproof benefit, the softer fabric on the inside of the cuff was well positioned for wiping sweat from my brow too. The simple yet professional aesthetic of these gloves has impressed me as well, our test model was all black with reflective trim but they are also available with blue or red panels to compliment the black.
Verdict
As a lightweight glove for spring or autumn rides this fits the bill. I dont think it cuts the mustard as a true winter glove though. The lack of adequate waterproofing and of enough insulation to deal with temperatures below freezing would lead me to look for something bulkier; the Pro X-Pert could be an option.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Pro Ultimate winter gloves
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
6/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for value:
6/10
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, very comfortable in milder ( zero to ten degrees) conditions.
Would you consider buying the product? No, its neither one nor the other. Its not tough enough to be a true British winter gloves and in milder conditions I could get away with using a cheaper alternative.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe if they like to have a glove for every season!
Age: 24 Height: 5ft 10 Weight: 66kg
I usually ride: at the moment my Orbea Ora tri/tt bike My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb, triathlon
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