Winter Gloves for Gravel

The nature of gravel and forest roads make their surfaces less certain than pavement. While you may not have to worry as much about riding in traffic, there are still hazards that demand more durable materials from your kit. Snowy surfaces are slick, gravel can slide over gravel, and you may not be able to resist those sections of muddy singletrack that beckon from the road's shoulders. As a result, your gloves should be able to withstand the rigors of a rougher ride and the occasional falls that accompany it. Look for gloves that are made of high-quality materials that are built to last with features like ripstop shells, full grain leather palms, a reinforced forefinger to thumb joint, and double-stitched seams. Leave your mesh at home.

Winter weather often worsens slick surfaces, be they the ones under your tires or the ones under your palms. When driving rain or tire spray covers your handlebars and controls in water and grime as you descend washboarded gravel tracks, you want your gloves to provide as much flexible grip as possible. Avoid the pitfall of sizing down to chase better dexterity and control over your brakes and shifters–gloves that are too small will restrict blood flow to your fingers, which will in turn make them colder and, potentially, numb. Instead, try winter gloves in your normal size that feature silicone or suede low-slip surfaces across critical areas like your palm and fingers. And if you like taking photos along your route, making sure your new gloves are touchscreen-compatible is essential in wintertime. Unlike in summer, winter's cold wind and rain can quickly chill your hands if you bare them for that idyllic panorama.

Adventure riders who intend to spend multiple days in the wild should take a close look at the materials used in their gloves' construction to make sure they're not only durable, but will also serve collecting firewood around camp, and be capable of drying out overnight even if it's cold and rainy. Be careful about drying them near open flames–it's probably safer and more effective to turn them inside out and stick them in your sleeping bag overnight to let your body heat evaporate any moisture caught between their shell and insulation.