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review
Gloves - full finger
Craft Siberian Split Finger GloveCraft Siberian Split Finger Glove

Craft Siberian Split Finger Glove

8
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 16, 2013

5
£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
How we test

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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

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,

 

Winter gloves
lobster gloves
Craft Siberian Split Finger Glove
Craft
Lara Dunn

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. 

Add new comment

5 comments

Avatar
evo-playa | 11 years ago
0 likes

I use the 2012 version on my commute to work. They are the cats whiskers. Takes a couple of miles to warm up, but once the blood is pumping they stay warm.

My commuting bike has Shimano 2300 shifters, and I've had no problems using the thumb shifters or the brake lever shifters.

The only problem is once you have them on its tricky to unzip jackets and fish inside pockets etc. But for warm fingers its a minuscule price to pay.

Avatar
Edgeley | 11 years ago
0 likes

I found changing gears on my road bike the other day impossible wearing normal gloves on account of having no feeling in my hands whatsoever in sub zero headwindy deluge conditions not having sufficiently eaten. These can't be any worse!

Avatar
Roberj4 | 11 years ago
1 like

These are by far the best 'deep' winter gloves that are on the market (and I've ever owned). I've spent a few years and ££££ buying other brands, finding a warm pair.

I have a 'RSI' problem with my right hand index finger a nightmare in the cold using STi shifters but no problem with these by Craft, sheltering against the cold and wind. They have an added proper glove lining which you put on first then the lobster glove over this.

With the snow & rain 16th March this year my cycling colleagues told me how envious they were while their hands suffered. We rode 53 miles none stop and yes my gloves were wet through but it was only the last 8 miles my index finger eventually started to suffer.

The split finger design is fine for feel with plenty of room inside. Great to wash.

Fleece lining inside! more like a quilt lining...just buy you won't regret

Avatar
misforturob | 11 years ago
0 likes

I ride a road bike with full mitts in the winter and can still use the controls fine, so can't see how it would be a problem with these.

Avatar
3cylinder | 11 years ago
0 likes

I have some craft lobster mittens and the two finger split means they are totally fine with road bike shifters (I have shimano). I suspect it might be tricky if you have the little thumb lever inside the hood, but if you have up and down on the brake levers it works a treat.

What is not so easy is working zips one handed wearing them....

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