Our Antipodean readers may want to skip this article and come back to it in June as the Austral winter begins. Anybody reading in the northeastern states may want to get down to their closest bike or ski shop stat. But regardless of where you are on the globe, if you ride in, let’s say, sub-freezing temps the lobster claw glove/mitt is the way to go. The origins of the lobster claw mitt are not well documented. I’ve heard they were originally developed for cycling by Pearl Izumi and then adopted by the nordic skiing crowd. But I was first introduced to them over ten years ago while working as a ski-tech and salesperson in a ski shop.
It’s no secret that mittens keep one’s fingers warmer than gloves do. Ten thousand years of circumpolar field testing provides all the data one could ever need to prove that theory. Cycling in mittens, however toasty they may be, is a bit cumbersome and leaves one fumbling about the levers. Gloves, on the other hand, provide the dexterity required but since they insulate each finger separately they don’t allow for finger-on-finger conduction (that just sounds hot doesn’t it?) that keeps hands warm.
This is why our friends at companies like Swix, Toko, and Pearl Izumi developed the lobster claw hybrid. Often times, take hybrid bikes for instance, with compromises the consumer ends up with something that works but does neither function the product is designed to do very well. Not so with the lobster claw mitt. Or is it a glove? They serve both the dexterity function and warmth function very well. The split-finger mitten pairs the pinky/ring finger and middle/pointer finger to provide finger-on-finger conduction that gloves lack. This also allows the rider the dexterity to actuate shifting and braking levers with the middle/pointer combo while still gripping the bars with the pinky/ring combo on slippery road surfaces.
While I’m not tied to any one brand, I know lobster claw mitts come in various weights depending on your insulation needs. Mine have ample insulation over the tops of my hands but have no insulation in the palms. This provides me with a solid grip and feeling for the bars but may not provide enough warmth for some riders. They also breath extremely well. These are designed for riding in cold and dry conditions. Yes, they still provide warmth in wet conditions but they are not waterproof.
So if you’re looking for a system to keep your hands warm whilst riding in cold temps, don’t overlook a good pair of lobster claws. I originally purchased mine for nordic skiing but find they are my go-to mitts for winter cycling. I’ve ridden them in temps down into the teens F and they do not disappoint.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
I picked up Pearl Izumi Barrier claws for Christmas. I went from popsicle fingers to sweaty fingers. I'll make that trade any day. I did three hours in 23-27 degrees F today and didn't have any real finger problems. My feet on the other hand...
@Collin
Pearl Izumi neoprene shoe covers work for me.
@Marko
I have a pair of neoprene covers that are good, but my problem is one of sweaty feet. My feet sweat absurdly large amounts, and as soon as that happens, they get cold. I'm currently experimenting with various socks to see if any help alleviate the matter. A double layer of SmartWool socks didn't do the trick today.
@Collin
Try a vapor barrier. If the sweat can't evaporate, you won't get cold. Might give you some swampy feet, though.
@Collin, @ZachOlson
There are some great GoreTex sox; I fucking hate them, but they breathe just enough and you'll likely stay warm because, as @ZachOlson says, if there is no evaporation, no coldness.
I ride Castelli Diluvios. Keeps the White Ladies clean, too.
Even though we are having a very cold summer down here, just to make you feel good, I did a roller session outside on Saturday (needed a quick ride). The temperature on my Garmin (yes Frank) at 11am was 44 degrees. Celsius!
I picked up a pair of Sidi's winter boot last week (Diablo MTB, Hydro road). My feet have never been this comfortable at 1°C.
I realized I was planning my routes based on how fast I would have to ride (speed + wind = instant foot freeze). Shoe covers seemed like a half solution for a city that will hover between 0 and 10°C for at least two more months.
The problems: No one stocks them, so you have to guess at the size (standard width only, whole sizes, designed slightly bigger to accommodate a thick sock). It's more of a boot feel than the glove feel of a summer shoe. The heel is a bit loose due to the design.
What clinched it for me was arriving home after a ride just before it started snowing. I was extremely comfortable and could have stayed out an extra hour. I touched the bare unwrapped aluminum of the bar tops and they were ice cold.
I'm looking forward to riding my full repertiore without worrying about the temperature or amount of wind.
DeFeet charcoal blaze socks on the inside. Thanks for the sock tip, Frank.
@Geoffrey Grosenbach
I've been rocking the same DeFeet socks with a regular pair underneath. Toes are a little cold at the end of the ride, but I haven't lost any toes in awhile.
Now (and I hate to do this) I need a detergent recommendation. Yesterday's ride covered my new jersey (below"”from my coffee shop) in spots of grit, salt, and oil on the back. Most came out in the wash, but it's clearly the sign of a budding Velominatus, that white needs to be WHITE (and riding white in less than pristine conditions is, I know, a pretty stupid idea)...
@Steampunk
Again, that IS a sweet jersey. And if any of you peeps have yet to see the website/facebook page of Domestique, I suggest checking it out. Great looking coffee shop but so much more.
@Collin
Zach is right. Try a thin liner sock, bread bag, thicker outer sock. In that order (or just do the bread bag first without liner). Problem solved.
@Marko
In terms of product review, the jersey is as comfortable as it is handsome. I've not worn any Kallisto gear before, but it's a good fitting and very comfortable jersey. I also rather like riding around in a jersey that says "domestique" on it.