A new product from Kogel Bearings’ sister company Handske Gloves is looking to bring more color to spring and fall cycling.
With a colorful design not to be confused with that of Handup Gloves, Handske produces small-batch, colorful gloves for riding when temperatures are in the 40s and 50s.
With temperatures finally above freezing in the Midwest, I slipped on a pair of the Last Match Teal gloves to see if they could keep my hands as warm as the teal gloves are colorful.
The Handske gloves feature a windproof outer layer that is quite colorful. Handske windproof cool-weather gloves. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
Handske Windproof Gloves
Right now, Handske offers two gloves: a cycling glove and a windproof cycling glove. We reviewed the windproof option since cyclocross and gravel are synonymous with cold and wet weather.
Handske does production runs in batches of a few hundred, so a given design will only be available for a limited time. At the time of publication, Handske has six different colorful designs available. I opted for the teal Last Match Teal glove for this review. If you cannot decide on one design, Handske offers gift packs of three or six gloves.
Handske uses a breathable windproof membrane for the outside of the full-finger gloves and a brushed inside to help keep your hands warm. The thumb is full terrycloth for when you have to wipe your nose, and the index finger has a touch-screen tab.
The thumb is fully terrycloth for nose-wiping purposes. Handske windproof cool-weather gloves. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
One aspect of the gloves that stands out is the silicone grip printed with 3D block Hs. “H” stands for “holding onto the bike,” or something like that.
The gloves have a silicone grip to help you hold onto the bike. Handske windproof cool-weather gloves. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
The cuffs cover your wrist, but there is not a strap for tightening them. The glove does have a neoprene band that I found helps keep the glove on just fine.
Handske claims the gloves work in temperatures in the 40s or 50s, so if you are looking for gloves for December cyclocross or late-winter gravel, you might want to look at something like the Shimano S-PHYRE Winter Glove.
The Gloves in Action
After wearing the Handske Gloves last fall and this spring once the temperatures cleared the 30s, I was happy with their performance, with one big exception.
The Handske windproof gloves are relatively thin, making them quite dexterous, a big plus for cyclocross. Last fall I used them several times while photographing cyclocross races, which to me demonstrated their nimbleness.
Photographing cyclocross races is another use of the Handske gloves. photo: Kiersten Kloeckner
The silicone grip is another highlight of the glove for cyclocross use, as it made holding onto the handlebar much easier.
Temperature-wise, the brushed interior provided some nice warmth that other similar gloves do not have. I used them in temperatures in the high 40s and 50s and would probably recommend them for temperatures down to around 45. Anything colder and you will likely want a thicker glove.
The one major problem I had was a after a couple of uses, the stitching on the cuff of one glove started to come undone. I contacted Handske, and the company quickly sent a replacement.
Then, with the second pair of gloves, it happened again after just a few uses.
I spoke with Ard Kessels of Kogel, and he told me the design flaw is because a manufacturer used the wrong stitching on the gloves. The process used caused the stitching to come undone if just one thread comes loose.
To remedy the situation, Kessels said the company will warranty any defective gloves and communicated that to its entire email list. To find the defective pairs, the company is currently doing a check of every pair in its office before shipping.
Handske is aware there is an issue and was easy to work with to get a replacement pair.
Handske has experienced issues with the stitching on some of its gloves. Handske windproof cool-weather gloves. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
It is a bummer to hear about Handske’s manufacturing issues. The windproof gloves were a nice pair of cool-weather gloves that kept my hands warm and protected from the wind.
However, there is a risk that gloves from the current batch may have their stitching undone. Given Handske produces runs of just a few hundred gloves, hopefully the next batch will be as durable as they are colorful.
More info: handskegloves.com
