So, this is my first winter riding....and it looks like I'll be sticking with it. I've generally had good luck piling on layers of clothing, economically, mostly from Fleet Farm. One area of almost zero success has been my mittens. I have to alternate balling up my hands into fists just to keep 'em warm. I stopped by REI to check-out their stock...expensive...and they didn't seem that thick...but I'm open to them working if they really are better. Is there a good, economic, way to get some hand warmth? Or, should I just buck up and spend $80-$100 on REI mittens?

Go to a bike shop - Pearl Lobsters are only 70 bucks there (good for several hours outside on the bike in January - been there many times)

Best cheap alternative is a set of choppers and liners - Kaplan Brothers is a good source

I bought Goretex grandoes from Thrifty Outfitters for about 70. Midwest had a convertible glove with removable fingertips for ~45 or 50.

Go to Kaplan Brothers before REI. I got an AWESOME pair of deer skin ski mittens for 25 bucks last year. My hands never get cold in them.
I didn't see any in stock a few weeks ago but its gotten colder since then. I don't know what brand they are but they're yellow and black and have a very good wrist cuff.

I use a pair of choppers I got at a surplus store and put some wool mittens inside as liners for a total cost of $10 and they have served me well for over 12 years. I still ball up my fingers on occasion but that's part of why mittens are so great.

They also hold up well against blood and snot!


I bought some Louis Garneau lobster gloves last year and am a bit disappointed in them. A little cheaper than the PI ones but I can't wear them below 25°F for more than 30 mins (though my fingertips may be more sensitive to cold than most).

Chopper mittens are the best and will last for years and years. Buy really extra big ones and get extra double thick will liners. -25 and you will have warm fingers. Kaplan Brothers has these.

Ditto on the Chopper mittens. Get the ones that have a removable liner that you can remove and dry out.

+1 I am very happy with mine.


Also, get a couple of wide-mouth sport drink bottles like this:



Cut off the bottoms and remove the tops. Shove them in your gloves after you ride to dry them out. Otherwise they stay wet! The ridge in the bottle helps keep them in place.

The best thing I have found for winter riding is a pair of atv pogies. These work best with flat bars and are available at fleet farm for $19.95. With tees on the bike I either don't wear gloves or else I will just wear a thin pair of liners that are usually around $1.99. So far this has been the warmest setup I have ever had for my hands.

No need to spend $100

Icearmor X Gloves - $40
They're a little difficult to dry once they get wet, but they are super warm.

super cheap option is a pair gloves each with a plastic bag, plus each with a stocking hat. Once your hands get too warm (they will) shove the plastic bag and hat in your coat.

Plastic bags are a great backup to bring with you in the winter. no lie - on wednesday I put one over my head (only half way) cause my helmet was still wet from monday.

I've worn DROP brand snowboarding mittens for the last three winters. I got them at Marshall's for 19 bucks. My hands have never been cold in them.

Thanks for the replies. I checked out Kaplan bros and picked up some chopper mittens, wool liners, and some more socks. Good store...much cheaper than REI and a lot closer than Fleet Farm. Plus, I picked up some great tacos across the street at the market. Anyway, if that doesn't work (and maybe I just have sensitive fingers), the next stop will be the ATV pogies -a little conspicuous looking...but I'm already pretty conspicuous with all the reflectors I have at night. The plastic bag and bottle (for drying) sound like good tips I'll have to adopt. Thanks again...

My hands get cold easily. I wear PI Lobster Mitts, but even those don't cut it, so I added some Bar Mitts (pogies designed for bikes) which work incredibly well.

Choppers rule, thousands of years of Scandinavians can't be wrong. D'oh I forgot about lutefisk.

Hey! Watch it!


(but don't smell it. Uff da!)