Loffi Glove

The aptly-named Glove from Loffi was "designed to make journeys happier for everyone", and I think it's a nice idea well executed. Technically it's a decent cycling glove that I was happy to use on training rides and commutes alike, and although it won't exactly change the world (Loffi isn't claiming it will) if it raises a smile or snigger amongst one of your fellow road users during your next ride, then Glove has done its job for the reasonable asking price.

• Pros: Unique, well made, nice and grippy
• Cons: Novelty element may be lost on some, they're not the warmest

Glove has a reflective smiley on the top and one on the palm side – the latter is also functional because it acts as a gripper. The reflective print is quite small and won't be immediately noticeable to others when you're riding, but if you're indicating then the vehicle behind you will spot your cheery outstretched hand. Loffi hopes this could lead to a little bit more harmony on the roads, however small the gesture of wearing a smiley cycling glove may be.

> Buy these online here

While it may look like a novelty product, Glove isn't just a pretty face; I was impressed with the performance and used them solidly for about a month, on commutes and training rides, and didn't miss my non-smiley ones at all. The lining is really comfortable, the grip provided by the smiley is more than adequate and you can operate a touchscreen phone or GPS easily thanks to the touch-sensitive AX suede fabric.

They're water repellent enough to keep your hands dry during a downpour, and there's a fleecy bit on the thumb to wipe away sweat and nasal detritus.

I noticed that Loffi is quite vague about recommended weather conditions on its website, simply describing them as warm. After enquiring, Loffi told me a temperature range of 5-15°C is ideal, although some customers report that they're fine when it's colder than 5°C. I'd say they definitely aren't warm enough for temperatures plunging anywhere near zero, so you'll need to invest further in a liner or some deep winter gloves to cover all seasons. Perhaps a thicker and warmer Glove is something Loffi could introduce in the future.

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With its worryingly happy demeanour in this era of political crisis in the UK, some might suggest that Glove falls into the category of those slightly OTT cycling safety products – think your flashing indicating helmets with remote controls and apps and god knows what else, or massive high-vis vests covered in Christmas tree lights and so on. Or that the smiley faces act as a way of trying to appease other road users who might not otherwise treat you with the respect you deserve as a cyclist.

I don't think that's the case here. Loffi's Glove functions exactly the same as any other decent technical cycling glove, just with an extra feature. If you're unlucky enough to encounter a seriously dangerous and/or careless driver then wearing Glove probably won't do anything to counter their behaviour towards you or anyone else, but it might make fellow considerate road users smile.

I particularly recall riding back through Bristol one evening having just taken the new Cervelo S5 out for a test ride, and after stopping at a box junction, the cyclist next to me scowling as I pulled up on my all-the-gear-no-idea rocket ship bike and full Lycra; then as he spotted my smiley emoji cycling gloves, the scowl turned into a bemused chuckle. I'd like to think that on first impressions this gentleman thought I was a moron who took myself way too seriously, and rode off thinking I was just a moron... and that's good enough for me.

While Glove is unique as far as we know, compared with what other non-smiley gloves are out there for mid-range temperatures they're neither overly cheap nor overly expensive. Sportful's NoRain gloves are a bit more at £40, and you'll save a considerable amount of cash compared to the £55 Hirzl Grippp Tour FF 2.0. But you can go cheaper: Lusso's Windtex Terrain Red Gloves are £30.

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Overall, I'm happy to wear the Loffi Gloves for all occasions – they're a good conversation starter on a group ride, and while "making journeys happier for everyone" may be stretching it, they're not going to make you appear any less agreeable to other road users.

Verdict

Comfortable, well made and with a cheery bonus feature