Giro 100 Proof Gloves

For 2018 the Giro 100 Proof gloves have had a bit of a finger layout tweak over the previous model, but thankfully their exceptional warmth, comfort and waterproofing has been retained. They are quite pricey but if we are in for another hard winter they are going to be well worth the outlay.

• Pros: Sub-zero temperatures are no match, great waterproofing
• Cons: Finger layout won't suit everyone, pricey

We tested an earlier model of the 100 Proof gloves back at the beginning of 2017 when they were a full lobster style design, grouping two fingers together with a separate thumb. These are now called the Giro 100 Proof Freezing Winter Gloves.

> Find your nearest dealer here

This model, as you can see, gives you a separate thumb and index finger while bunching the other three fingers together. This, for me, removes some of the dexterity issues that Ash found in 2017, as you can use your index finger to scroll through your computer screens or use a mobile. The finger is completely compatible with touchscreens.

When I ride on the hoods I like to wrap my index finger around the brake lever and have the other three on the drop part of the bar, so this is still achievable.

When it comes to performance against the elements, I use the Gore Universal Gore-Tex Thermo gloves as my benchmark. I tested them back in January 2016 and they are still my go-to gloves for when the mercury is close to zero, despite them looking a bit worn out these days.

The Giros are right up there with them for warmth. Leaving early in the morning with the cars covered in a layer of ice thanks to a very keen northerly wind, my hands have been toasty even with the Garmin reading -2°C – to the point that when I take the gloves off my hands can be quite sweaty, but you never notice it in the gloves.

This is all thanks to the fleece lining and the Polartec Power Fill outer shell. According to the manufacturer, the Power Fill is a matrix of spun polyester yarns which creates thousands of small air pockets that trap and hold onto your body heat.

Leaving the house with warm hands already enclosed in a pair of gloves is one thing, but some gloves that are great at that can struggle if your hands start off cold and need heating; the Giros don't. If you've had to stop for a mechanical or whatever and end up with freezing cold digits, the 100 Proof gloves will soon have them warm in a few miles, especially if you keep them moving inside the gloves.

On top of all this, the Giros are impressively waterproof. I've ridden in heavy rain for a couple of hours without anything soaking through, so they are going to be awesome if you find yourself riding in the snow.

> Buyer's Guide: 21 of the best winter cycling gloves

A neat touch is the reflective strip which runs around the outside of the glove. When you signal to cars behind that you are turning, if you keep your hands flat their headlights will be reflected back at them.

When it comes to comfort there is minimal padding, but I never found that to be a real issue as there is enough to do the job.

The palm uses a diamond pattern for grip and it works well even on shiny bar tapes in the wet.

Sizing-wise the Giros are available from S through to 2XL. I normally wear a large in the majority of glove brands and the Giros fitted me fine, although I'd say I'm right on the limits for them in finger length so might be tempted to go up a size.

And so to value... At £69.99 these are some pricey gloves, but having toasty warm hands is something that shouldn't be scrimped on. The quality is very good here too, with neat and tidy seams, plus they definitely feel like they are going to stand up to plenty of winters of riding.

Those Gore gloves I mentioned earlier had an rrp of £59.99 and they are about to enter their third winter, so paying good money for decent gloves is a sound investment. The Rapha Pro Team gloves scored highly too, and are the same price as the Giros.

If you want to ride in the worst weather then the Giros are definitely worth the money.

Verdict

Very warm gloves that'll keep the rain out too, well worth the substantial investment