Recently swapped gloves..

[LimeyRider]

Due to my car failing its MOT i'm stuck commuting to work. In the mornings it's getting down to -3c to -5c and I HATE being cold.. So I've ditched my winter bike gloves for a set of heated gloves - and here is my issue.

The heated gloves I bought are not armoured/protective, essentially just a (very) thick winter glove with heating elements, now in my eyes being able to use my hands properly and not focussing on my hands being agonisingly cold seems safer than going with a more protective glove? I feel I'm more likely to have an accident when I'm going man down with my hands being freezing.

Just getting a feel for other people thoughts, whether i'm being an idiot here or if the heat for hands outweighs the protection for hands?

 

[R-Rated]

Due to my car failing its MOT i'm stuck commuting to work. In the mornings it's getting down to -3c to -5c and I HATE being cold.. So I've ditched my winter bike gloves for a set of heated gloves - and here is my issue.

The heated gloves I bought are not armoured/protective, essentially just a (very) thick winter glove with heating elements, now in my eyes being able to use my hands properly and not focussing on my hands being agonisingly cold seems safer than going with a more protective glove? I feel I'm more likely to have an accident when I'm going man down with my hands being freezing.

Just getting a feel for other people thoughts, whether i'm being an idiot here or if the heat for hands outweighs the protection for hands?

Are they thick enough to stand up to a slide? How about a tip over where you might try to break your fall by extending a hand towards the ground?

If the answer is yes then go for it.

Armor is good but like you pointed out it is not protecting your circulation in the hands. Being uncomfortable will reduce your focus while riding. Having cold stiff hands will reduce dexterity making movements slower.


Worse might be getting cold weather injuries to your hands leading to permanent joint and skin damage.

I am sure you know this but just in case - be sure to insulate your body's core as the body will shut down circulation to the extremities to keep the core temp up.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Due to my car failing its MOT i'm stuck commuting to work. In the mornings it's getting down to -3c to -5c and I HATE being cold.. So I've ditched my winter bike gloves for a set of heated gloves - and here is my issue.

The heated gloves I bought are not armoured/protective, essentially just a (very) thick winter glove with heating elements, now in my eyes being able to use my hands properly and not focussing on my hands being agonisingly cold seems safer than going with a more protective glove? I feel I'm more likely to have an accident when I'm going man down with my hands being freezing.

Just getting a feel for other people thoughts, whether i'm being an idiot here or if the heat for hands outweighs the protection for hands?

It is abrasion resistance I'd be more concerned with than armour on gloves, not to say armour is not important, but in winter you will be riding slower and more cautiously, and you are more likely to have a slide on ice where abrasion resistance is more critical.
I agree that it is better to be able to control the bike while you are on it, but it is well worth noting that you are far more likely to have a spill riding in freezing temperatures. You need to weigh up the odds.

 

[LimeyRider]

They've got a sort of synthetic leather on them, not sure how tough it is, but a small slide I think they would be alright, anything over 30-40mph I think would be an issue but due to the weather conditions I won't be doing that on the route I take anyway.

Good to know the armour isn't something considered as a high priority though

 

[SOGGY BAWS]

They've got a sort of synthetic leather on them, not sure how tough it is, but a small slide I think they would be alright, anything over 30-40mph I think would be an issue but due to the weather conditions I won't be doing that on the route I take anyway.

Good to know the armour isn't something considered as a high priority though

I know it is like tempting fate, but when did you last have an off??

If you are in the habit of sliding down the road, might be better to be cold with more protective gloves, but if you havnt had a spill in a long time, I'm sure you'll be dandy.

I'm a fan of oxford handlebar muffs when it is as cold as that. Keeps the rain and the cold wind chill off, lets you use whatever gloves you want to.

 

[LimeyRider]

I know it is like tempting fate, but when did you last have an off??

If you are in the habit of sliding down the road, might be better to be cold with more protective gloves, but if you havnt had a spill in a long time, I'm sure you'll be dandy.

I'm a fan of oxford handlebar muffs when it is as cold as that. Keeps the rain and the cold wind chill off, lets you use whatever gloves you want to.

I've been lucky, have never come off, touch wood I never will, maybe I'm being over cautious, but because I've never come off I almost expect to have it happen at some point in the near future, my luck will only get me so far

 

[Drakhen99]

Just my $.02, but I'd say cold protection is more important than armor, for winter gloves. If they're leather, you'll get at least SOME abrasion resistance, and something is better than nothing. Having warm hands makes a huge difference in your confidence and ability to control the motorcycle, so I'd go with that.

-John