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Craft Siberian Split Finger Glove

8
£40.00

VERDICT:

8
10
The business for super-cold paws, but reduced sensitivity can make them difficult to use with road bike controls
Weight: 
108g
Contact: 
www.craftsportswear.co.uk

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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The first thing you notice about Craft's Siberian Split Finger Glove, other than the fact that they look like something only a giant lobster could wear comfortably, is their weight. They are incredibly lightweight for a full winter glove.

Made from wind and weatherproof fabric, these are also insulated and have a soft fleecy lining. Combine this with the lobster claw shape, designed to maximize heat retention in fingers whilst still allowing for the use of brakes, gears etc and you've got a mitt/glove constructed with the fiercest cold in mind. They've also got reflective bits and bobs all over the place, a soft nose wipe area and silicone grippy patterns on the softshell palms.

In wear, the sizing was distinctly unisex, with the size small being perfect in the hand but the finger sections being too long for me. That said, they are a unisex glove and it's not really too much of a problem, especially when you bear in mind the already reduced sensitivity anyway. The cuffs fastened nice and snug at the wrist (with Velcro) and kept out draughts, while the finger sections were incredibly warm, even in the coldest nastiest conditions - without too much extra bulk.

As expected from this design, sensitivity was radically reduced, and road bike controls were pretty much out of the question - for me at least. For rapid fire style or grip/twist shift gears they were fine, and braking was no issue at all. The palms were comfortable too, with no real numbness problems, although I only rode mid-distance rides in them, rather than all-day outings.

Verdict

The business for super-cold paws, but reduced sensitivity can make them difficult to use with road bike controls

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Craft Siberian Split Finger Glove

Size tested: Small

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?

Aimed at winter cyclists for extreme conditions.

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

Wind and water proof fabric outer

Fleecy lining

Reflective accents

"lobster claw" design

Sizes XS-XL

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very well made and good quality fabrics.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Excellent warmth, especially for the weight and bulk.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Will last for years.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
10/10

Super light for the warmth and protection.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Very comfortable both in terms of wear comfort and also warmth.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Good value as they will last for years but there aren't that many days cold enough to warrant them. Usually.

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

Performed very well indeed.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Light weight, reflectivity, warmth.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Unisex fit (fingers a touch too long for size).

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, especially one who suffers from cold hands.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

A very light and warm alternative to heavy full fingered gloves for deep winter riding. Not ideal for road bikes though.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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