MTB COLD WEATHER GLOVE GROUP REVIEW

There may not be a more staple cold weather glove in the group than the 100% Brisker. This glove has gone unchanged for many years, with only new colors added to the spec sheet. They are offered in sizes XS – 2XL for men’s, S – XL in women’s, and Youth sizing S-XL, all in a wide variety of colors. The glove is made mainly of nylon and Polyester with some Spandex mixed in for flexibility. The single-layer palm provides some of the best bar feel of the gloves on test, but this does come at a cost of overall warmth.

I noted above that I have both L and XL. I typically wear a large, but ordered some XL’s a few years back to try and run a thin liner inside and bring the overall warmth up. While this worked for heat, I lost the dexterity to properly feel the bar and brakes, so it didn’t prove to be the ultimate solution.

Price: $34.50
Size Tested: L & XL

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

Warmth: 5/10
These are not the gloves for the dead of winter rides for me. They offer a substantially warmer feel than a traditional glove, but fail when temps drop below 40º for my hands.

Bar Feel: 9.5/10
Easily one of the best bar feels of gloves on test; there is a reason they have been around for so long. Even as a typically gloveless rider, I don’t mind slipping these on during shoulder season rides.

Durability/Construction: 8.5/10
I have purchased at least 5 pairs of these over the years, one of which, my original pair, is a dedicated trail work glove. After a season of abuse, the rubber fingertips do end up coming off, which impacts smartphone use, and with that said, the touchscreen compatibility is acceptable – nothing to write home about, but it gets the job done. The only gloves I have put holes in are the trail work gloves. Winter riding comes with crashes, and these have held up much better than I would have thought based on how thin the palm is.

Fit/Comfort: 9/10
The overall comfort of the Brisker’s is hard to beat. They are the winter glove for the minimalist. Overall, I am happy to leave these on all day.

Website: 100percent.com

New to the Brisker line of gloves are the Xtreme’s. This is a glove that takes its roots from the OG Brisker, but adds more thermal layers to handle colder temps. The 100% Brisker Xtreme is offered in sizes S – 2XL and in only two colors at this time. The insulation all around the glove has been increased, including on the palm, boosting insulation. The thumb has a dedicated lens wipe as well as touchscreen-compatible fingertips. The inside of the glove is given a microfiber fleece for added warmth. There is also an extended cuff to help keep the wind off your wrists on rides.

Price: $49.95
Size Tested: L

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

Warmth: 9/10
The 100% Brisker Xtreme’s are a big step up in warmth when compared to the OG Brisker. I found these to be the warmest glove on test by a decent margin.

Bar Feel: 4/10
One thing I loved about the original Brisker was its unbeatable bar feel. Sadly, that is not the case with the Xtreme. With more insulation comes the side effect of a less connected feel to the bar.

Durability/Construction: 8/10
While these have only been through one season that was split between many different gloves, I feel these are going to hold up for many to come. The internal seams are stout and the materials feel durable. Where I could anticipate the failure point occurring is where the cuff is stitched together. Overall, they are the heaviest glove on test and have a robust feeling to them; so they are not one I would worry about falling apart. I never had luck using my phone in these; after about 5 tries of clicking an app, I could get it to open, but no way could I send a text.

Fit/Comfort: 4/10
This is where the glove starts to fall off for me, and it is an important category for serious mountain biking. The size large Brisker Xtreme tested fits more like a medium, so consider sizing up. The tight body made gripping the bar something that had to be thought of and not just something that happened. There is not a ton of thumb dexterity to be had here. I know going to an XL would help this aspect, but I am always in a size large, so it would be hard to know before making the purchase. As with most bike gear, we would recommend trying on multiple sizes before you make your purchasing decision.

I am pretty picky about seams on all my gear, and the Brisker Xtreme’s have some very thick seams that are very apparent when riding. There was no single specific hot spot like other gloves on test, but it was noticeable all around. When gripping the bar, they felt restrictive, more so than any of the gloves on test.

Website: 100percent.com

While Specialized makes a ton of different bikes, they also have a vast riding gear catalog covering every aspect of riding. These gloves were purchased a few seasons back and are now increasingly hard to find. The new version is the Neo-Shell, but it seems more focused on road riding than MTB. The Trail Series Thermal glove features a 3-layer softshell upper with a hydrophobic suede palm. Both the thumb and index finger work well with touch screens. The cuff is elastic, with a Velcro strap with a solid range of adjustment to fine tune the fit.

Price: $49.95
Size Tested: L

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

Warmth: 7/10
These gloves do a great job of cutting the wind chill, but don’t have thick insulation for the coldest days. They are great for someone who doesn’t struggle with the cold all that much, but wants more insulation than a standard riding glove. What I have done with these gloves is wear a latex glove as a liner if the temps are below 38 degrees and I am on an e-bike. This trick adds another layer of insulation that works surprisingly well, without robbing much bar feel.

Bar Feel: 7/10
The Ax Suede palm is thin but has a tendency to bunch up under the hand, especially when riding hard. This never caused me to turn away from a trail, but it was worth noting. I really like the silicone grippers on the index finger for braking; this was noticeably helpful.

Durability/Construction: 9/10
I have been very impressed with how well these have held up over a few seasons. The silicone grippers are slowly peeling off, but there are still enough there to keep these gloves in the rotation. The gloves’ internal seams are noticeable but not distracting, and none of them have come apart so far. Having the Velcro cuff means you are not stretching out the gloves every time you take them on and off, which will aid in their lifespan.

Fit/Comfort: 8.5/10
Overall, the Specialized Trail Series Thermal Glove was very comfortable. They fit on the larger side of a large when it comes to hand volume. Finger length is normal, and there is plenty of thumb dexterity. The internal seams are thin and have no uncomfortable edges. The Velcro wrist strap allows you to find the perfect tightness, as there is an ample amount of adjustment space. As I mentioned earlier, I can run latex gloves as a first layer with these due to the extra volume. I have tried some thin glove liners, but there is not quite enough room to be comfortable on descents.

Website: Specialized.com

These gloves came in with our kits for the 2025 Mid-Power E-Bike Shootout, and boy was I stoked I selected them! These gloves thrive in that 40º range, depending on how sensitive you are to the cold. They are not marketed as a full-on winter glove; Endura has some more heavy-duty options in their line. The glove features a windproof softshell backing with some added knuckle protection. The palm is a thick synthetic leather with a large silicone logo to aid with grip when it gets wet. The upper part of the thumb is a soft terry cloth fabric (great for wiping your nose/glasses). The cuff is elastic with a Velcro strap. While not marketed as touchscreen compatible, I found the thumbs work well enough for answering calls and zooming on Trailforks; texting is hit and miss.

Price: $50.00
Size Tested: L

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

Warmth: 7/10
For only being marketed as a windstopper glove, they offer a good amount of overall warmth. It will offer plenty for those that are looking for something burlier than a normal riding glove. Below that 40º mark is when riders like me with very cold-sensitive hands will find their limits.

Bar Feel: 8.5/10
The synthetic leather palm is one of my favorites on test; it is thicker than the Brisker, but offers a similar feel with more grip on the bar. There are little slits on the top side of the second knuckle, which help your fingers curl around the bar better.

Durability/Construction: 5/10
While the palm feels the most crash-resistant on test, the glove fell apart in other areas. On both gloves, the fleece thumb came apart at the seam from the rest of the glove during the 4th ride. While this was a bummer, I continued using them that week, putting more than 30k feet of riding in with no other issues. I have been meaning to get these to a seamstress for repair, but have yet to take the time to do so.

Fit/Comfort: 8.5/10
I really like the way these gloves fit. For a size large, they are snug on the hand without being restrictive. The leather palm is a great interface between your hand and the glove. Having the Velcro wrist strap makes taking them on and off easy, ultimately making them an easy glove to spend all day in. The seams on the inside are on the thicker side but have no sharp edges and fade into the background on rides.

Website: Endurasport.com

Over the past two seasons, I have had really great experiences with all of Fox’s gear, and the Defend Pro Fire gloves are no exception. This is hands down the most premium-feeling glove on test. All the small things are executed very well, as they should be in the most expensive offering we tested. The palm is made of a waterproof AX Suede material with silicone grippers found on every finger and is touchscreen compatible. The backing is a 3-layer softshell with DWR treatment. The interior is lined with a microfiber fleece material with small cutouts to help with breathability.

Price: $74.95
Size Tested: L

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

Warmth: 8/10
For my sensitive fingers, these gloves did the trick down to around 30 degrees; anything below that, I added a latex glove as a base layer. The warmth between the Defend and the Ranger glove is nearly identical, but the Defend just feels more refined all around.

Bar Feel: 8/10
The dexterity was neither the best nor the worst here. It was very acceptable for what the glove is intended for. I really like the extra silicone on all the fingers; I have never lost grip with these gloves, even when riding hard. On longer trails 4min+ the palms do tend to bunch up, but not enough to demand a stop to adjust them.

Durability/Construction: 9/10
These are the gloves I found myself most likely to reach for, so they saw a ton of use at home and on a few trips. None of the silicone has come off any of the fingers, and there are no loose threads to be found. They have held up very well, as they should for over $70.

Fit/Comfort: 8/10
The fit on the Fox Defend Pro Fire gloves was excellent for my hands. They were tight enough to feel secure but not restricting in any way. The fingers do have some pronounced seams you can feel but are not uncomfortable. They are a bit snug trying to get your hand into, but the overall volume I feel is true to what a size large glove should offer. When gripping the bar, the glove does not pull on you in weird ways.

Website: Foxracing.com

The little brother to the Defend Pro Fire gloves, the Ranger offers similar warmth in a more simplistic package. The shell is a neoprene-like material, with the inside being fully fleece-lined. The thumb, index, and middle fingers have oversized silicone gripper pads. The palm is similar to the Defend Pro, being AX Suede, but in this case being water-resistant vs. waterproof. There are conductive threads found in the thumb and index finger for touchscreen compatibility. The extended cuff features a heavy-duty pull tab to help slip the gloves on. Another thing the Fox Ranger Fire gloves feature is a small fleece patch on the thumb to wipe that runny nose.

Price: $59.95
Size Tested: L

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

Warmth: 7.5/10
The Fox Ranger Fire gloves have a very similar warmth profile to the Fox Defend Pro glove. The neoprene-like outer shell on the Ranger feels like it lets in a touch more wind chill, but not by much. With that said, at times when there was not rushing wind, they did not breathe all that well. This created some sweaty palms in warmer temps. A good problem to have, I guess?

Bar Feel: 7/10
The underhand bar feel is also nearly identical to the Defend, but the looser overall fit caused them to bunch up significantly more. If you had a larger hand volume, this might be less of an issue for you. You still have a great connection to the grip, but with just a little more material movement.

Durability/Construction: 9/10
No complaints in this department. The seams are robust and built to take some abuse. The added finger loop that helps with putting the gloves on is very securely attached to the glove, allowing you to really utilize it to put the gloves on. And the silicone gripper pads are the largest and most robust on test.

Fit/Comfort: 8/10
For a large, they fit slightly on the bigger side, mostly in the volume department. They are not big enough that I would suggest sizing down, but enough that it is worth noting. I like this, as it allows for running a thin liner if the temps are in the low 20s. I prefer the cuff on these Rangers over the Defends; it is slightly longer and a bit softer. The seams are present but not uncomfortable, most notably felt on the index finger.

Website: Foxracing.com

The Alpinestars Stella-A-Dura Thermal gloves are some of the sleekest on the market, with a very thin profile that resembles a traditional glove more so than a winter glove. Hidden inside is a wind-blocking membrane upper with a suede palm. Inside the glove is a brushed fleece lining. At the low-profile cuff, there is a Velcro adjustment strap. On the thumb there is a soft fleece layer for mid-ride nose wipes. And of course they are touchscreen compatible, which is the most effective of all the gloves on test.

Price: $64.95
Size Tested: L

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

Warmth: 5.5/10
The Stella-A-Dura Thermal gloves sit right next to the Briskers when it comes to overall warmth, but slightly edge them out when it comes to cutting down the windchill. The tighter overall fit also keeps the material on your skin, further helping with the insulation factor. Air gaps between skin and material do make a difference. Also worth noting, the cuff is very short, so you will get some wind on your wrists, which amplifies the cold.

Bar Feel: 9.5/10
When it comes to bar feel, Alpinestars made a clear winner. The tight, low-profile fit means minimal bunching under the palm, and the stretchy upper conforms with your hands on the grips.

Durability/Construction: 7/10
This will bleed into the next section as well; the seams are burly inside these gloves. The stretchy material may feel less susceptible to ripping, but the sections of the glove are essentially welded to each other with robust seams. The suede palm is on the thicker side, ready to brush off any rubber-side-up moments.

Fit/Comfort: 6/10
This is a tough one to score; I almost want to split it up, but for the sake of consistency I won’t. This glove has a “race” inspired fit, with no extra material and a low volume, meaning they fit quite snug. You could likely size up if you wanted to, and you should if you have a higher volume hand. My hands are “skinny” so if you know you have thicker palms/fingers, sizing up may be worth it.

Where this glove falls apart for me is the seam feeling, which is a great shame. There is a robust section that sits on top behind the thumb that has a reinforced overlapping seam. This thick stitching digs into my hand and is quite uncomfortable. It has slightly improved with time, but still leaves an indentation on my skin after less than a minute with the gloves on in a riding position.

Website: Alpinestars.com

The POC Essential Softshell may not stand on the podium for the warmest of gloves in the group but for those looking for something that sheds wind better than your standard riding glove they may fit the bill. These are the only gloved on test to feature additional padding on the palm, while not for everyone this a good option to have if you are looking to help deaden some of the forces transmitted through the bars. One thing I really liked about the Pox Essential Softshell was the added loop on the cuff to better help put them on.

Price: $60.00
Size Tested: L

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

Warmth: 5.5/10
These gloves do not offer any sort of fleece lining, which really brings them down in the warmth department. They do a great job at cutting wind, but when the temps drop below 40º, they stay in the garage. They are similar to the 100% Brisker, but cut wind better.

Bar Feel: 5.5/10
While some may appreciate the thicker padded palm, it is not something I got along with. I found there to be a fair amount of material buildup, which asked for more adjustments on trail than I would have liked.

Durability/Construction: 7/10
These gloves definitely feel high quality. No concerns were raised in this area other than the silicone pads. These pads seemly are put on the glove with a Elmers glue stick, with one coming completely off on the first ride. Outside of this issue, they have proven to be pretty darn tough.

Fit/Comfort: 7/10
I really liked the overall fit of these. They were loose enough to not cause any movement restrictions, but also secure where you wanted them. The seams do not seem as refined as the exterior may show, and the lining was on the scratchy side. They are not the least comfortable on test, but also not at the top of my list.

Website: Pocsports.com

The TLD Swelter Pro takes a minimalist approach to the cold weather glove. The glove itself is one of the thinnest on test, and overall offers the most stretch. The extended cuff does a solid job at keeping wind off your wrists. Across all the fingers is a silicone micro-print for added grip, which feel very integrated into the glove and not an afterthought. The conductive thumb and index finger feature works very well; you can reliably type a text, which can’t be said for most of the gloves on test.

Price: $70.00
Size Tested: L

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

Warmth: 5.5/10
The minimalist approach for the glove does not lend itself to being the warmest. While the 3-layer upper does a solid job of cutting wind, when the temperatures dip below 40 degrees, the lack of insulation starts to show. For my extra-sensitive hands, these did not cut it, but I can see how riders that are looking for something just a little warmer than a traditional glove would really enjoy them.

Bar Feel: 8/10
These offer an excellent connection to the bar; the only reason I do not give them a 9 is due to getting some material bunching under the palm when riding hard. This is in part due to how stretchy the material is, but also the larger overall fit.

Durability/Construction: 8.5/10
Any product with the TLD name on it comes with an expectation of quality, and the Swelter Pro’s do not let you down. The exterior ripstop material will shed off branches with ease. The silicone grip across the fingers blends seamlessly into the glove, and delivers solid grip with little to no noticeable degradation throughout testing. Where the glove body intersects with the cuff there is an extra layer over the seam to help keep this high-wear zone from ripping.

Fit/Comfort: 8/10
If you are after a stretchy, minimal approach to a winter glove, you are really going to like these. Comfort wise they leave very little to be desired. Our size large fit on the bigger side of the spectrum: not so much that sizing down would be mandatory, but certainly worth noting if you’re usually on the small end of a large. The larger overall fit paired with the very stretchy build caused the palm of the glove to bunch up on longer trails, and I had to stop and adjust them on runs over 2min long. If you have a higher volume palm, I do not see this being an issue, but it is worth noting.

Website: TroyLeeDesigns.com