The GripGrab Insulator 2 are comfortable, warm, and minimally padded gloves that allow for a lot of movement. They're a great cool-weather glove, although their limited weather proofing makes them unsuitable for very cold days and wet riding conditions, and they're pretty expensive too.
Looking for gloves as the temperatures fall? Our best winter cycling gloves buyer's guide lists our top choices.
I've been testing these gloves for the last month or so in exactly the sort of riding conditions they were designed for – the cool but dry weather of autumn. They do have a little insulation, but really only in the form of some slight fleeciness inside the gloves. That said, I did wear them on days when the temperature dipped as low and 3°C and I found them fine, at least for short periods.
The material used for the palms and the backs of the gloves appears to be the same, with a fleecy inner and no noticeable differences in the material beyond the colour.
On the palm there is no padding or reinforcement, although there is an impressively grippy silicone pattern across the middle of the palm and on the thumb and two forefingers. This works well, giving you a little more grip, and the silicone seems to be stuck down well, so it feels like it should last for a while before peeling too.
The gloves' fingers themselves are pretty long – extending around 15mm over my own finger tips. I sorted this by pulling the gloves on further, but it was still noticeable when I first put them on.
The touchscreen elements on the forefinger and thumb worked well whenever I used them for pinching maps, typing or answering calls when needed, while both thumbs have microfibre wipes on the back.
They Insulator 2s come in black or the high-visibility colour I tested. They have small reflective patches on the outside of the little finger and a couple of small logos on the back of the hand and forefinger. These aren't going to light you up like a beacon but it's always good to have some reflectives when you're riding at night.
GripGrab doesn't make any claims about weatherproofing against wind or rain for its Insulator 2 gloves, so if you are looking for greater protection, these aren't the ones for you.
Value
The £34.95 RRP for these gloves is probably a little steep considering the absence of any wind- and water-resistant properties.
The Stolen Goat Climb & Conquer 4 Seasons Gloves are now £40 and Mike really rated them when he tested them. They're suitable for a wider range of conditions, but like the GripGrabs they have a minimalist design with no additional padding.
I also reviewed the £44.99 Bontrager Circuit Windshell gloves a couple of years ago, which offer impressive windproofing and a more extensive gripper matrix on the palm.
Conclusion
GripGrab has created a good pair of gloves with its Insulator 2s – though I feel the price is a little high side considering they're neither windproof nor waterproof. Extensive early autumn riding proved they were ideal for the drier and cooler conditions I encountered, but without more weatherproofing their use is limited and they aren't cheap.
Verdict
A good set of gloves for cool and dry rides – though more protection against the elements would have been good
Make and model: GripGrab Insulator 2 Hi Vis Spring-Autumn Gloves
Tell us what the product is for
GripGrab says: "The Insulator 2 are versatile lightweight gloves that will keep the chill off your hands on spring and autumn days.
In the changeable conditions of the transition seasons, the stretchy highly breathable material ensures a close and comfortable fit. The flexible material and silicone gripper pattern also ensures a secure grip on the handlebars and levers, with zero loss of feel or control.
These are a lightweight and versatile spring-autumn layer, which will keep your hands at a comfortable temperature as the weather cools."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
* Cool weather insulation
* Secure grip and control
* Soft thumb sweat wiper
* Touchscreen compatible
* Reflective detailing
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Appears to be strong stitching used throughout and the connection between the silicone grippers and material doesn't suggest any peeling will take place any time soon.
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
Does what it says – not great for cold or wet weather, but excellent for cool, dry days.
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
They don't have any additional reinforcement in the normal areas but they're appear to be well made.
Rate the product for fit:
7/10
Fit around the palm is very good, although fingers are a little longer than I would have liked.
Rate the product for sizing:
6/10
I tested a medium, they fitted medium on the palm but finger definitely on the XL side.
Rate the product for weight:
6/10
Rate the product for comfort:
8/10
Their soft and fleecy inner material makes these comfortable.
Rate the product for value:
Slightly overpriced considering their lack of weatherproofing.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Easy – washed at 30°C, stuck them out to dry on a drier. I wouldn't attempt to tumble dry them though.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well – cool but dry weather is where these gloves really thrive.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The grip – the silicone grippers are very effective.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The long fingers – makes me think I have stubbies...
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
You could compare them to Stolen Goat's Climb & Conquer 4 Seasons Gloves, which are thicker and more suited to a wider range of conditions but also have a minimalist design with no additional padding. Bontrager's Circuit Windshell gloves offer impressive windproofing and a more extensive gripper matrix on the palm and now cost £44.99.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Maybe
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe
Use this box to explain your overall score
A good pair of gloves for cool and rain-free days, though they're a little expensive considering their lack of resistance to wind and rain.
Age: 35 Height: 6 ft Weight:
I usually ride: CAAD13 My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo
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: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed,
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