Six Sub-£60 Winter Gloves, One Soggy Kent Lane: What Kept Our Hands Happy

Winter gloves are one of those purchases where the marketing copy is always confident and the reality is usually a damp palm on a cold descent. We wanted to know which sub-£60 pairs actually work for UK riders who are out in proper wet-and-cold conditions, not just a chilly morning. So we bought six pairs, fitted them to the same test riders, and spent six weeks on Kent lanes in November 2026. The weather obliged with drizzle, standing water and a few genuinely cold starts.

How we tested

We used a mix of commuting, club-pace rides and slower weekend loops around Pembury, Tunbridge Wells and the low Weald. Test temperatures sat mostly between 2°C and 9°C, with several rides finished in steady rain. We scored each glove on warmth, bar feel, water resistance, drying time and durability. We also noted the boring but important stuff: cuff length, seam placement, liner attachment, reflective details and whether the gloves were usable with wet hands.

The gloves were all under £60 at the time of testing. Prices move, so treat the figures as a guide rather than a promise.

The six gloves at a glance

Glove	Price	Warmth	Bar feel	Wet-weather performance	Drying time
Northwood Stormline	£42	Good	Fair	Very good	Slow
Bramble & Byte Commuter	£38	Good	Good	Fair	Quick
Kestrel Thermal	£55	Very good	Good	Fair	Medium
Weald Works RainGrip	£29	Fair	Good	Fair	Quick
Molehill Wet Weather	£49	Very good	Poor	Good	Slow
Chalkway Budget Winter	£24	Poor	Fair	Poor	Very slow

What worked: Northwood Stormline, £42

The Stormline was the most convincing waterproof glove in the test. It kept hands dry in steady rain for over an hour, and the cuff is long enough to tuck under a jacket sleeve without leaving a gap at the wrist. The palm grip is secure on wet hoods and brake levers.

The trade-off is bulk. Bar feel is not as precise as the best softshell gloves here, and the liner takes a while to dry if water gets in through the cuff. For commuters who ride in all weather and do not mind a slightly thicker glove, it is a sensible buy.

Best for: daily commuters and riders who prioritise dry hands over ultimate feel.

Best all-rounder: Bramble & Byte Commuter, £38

This was the pair most testers reached for without thinking. It is warm enough for most Kent winter rides, has good bar feel, and dries quickly on a radiator or airing cupboard. The reflective strip on the back is useful on early starts, and the cuff is a practical length.

It is not properly waterproof. In heavy rain it wets out after about 40 minutes, and the windproofing is more impressive than the water resistance. But for cold, dry rides and short commutes, it is excellent value.

Best for: commuters, weekend wanderers and anyone who wants one pair to do most things.

Warmest for the money: Kestrel Thermal, £55

The Kestrel was the warmest glove in the test without feeling like a ski mitt. It has a soft brushed lining and a decent palm, and it stayed comfortable on a long, cold ride around Goudhurst. It is not fully waterproof, but it shrugs off drizzle and road spray well enough for most UK winter days.

The weak point is drying time. Once the lining gets damp, it takes a while to dry, so it is not the best choice for a daily commute unless you have a second pair. It is also the most expensive glove here, which makes it a considered purchase rather than a bargain.

Best for: club riders and slower winter miles in cold, dry conditions.

Best budget surprise: Weald Works RainGrip, £29

The RainGrip was not the warmest glove, and it is not the most breathable. But it did a lot right for the money. The palm grip is good, the cuff is reasonable, and it dried faster than any other glove in the test. For short commutes and mixed weather, it is a useful spare pair to keep by the door.

It is not a glove for a long, cold ride. Below about 4°C, our testers wanted something warmer. But as a cheap, practical pair for a 20-minute commute, it makes sense.

Best for: short commutes, spare pairs and riders on a tight budget.

The disappointments

The Molehill Wet Weather, £49, was warm and reasonably water-resistant, but the liner pulled out every time we removed a wet hand. That is a small thing until it happens at a café stop in the rain. Bar feel was vague, and the glove felt bulky around the fingers. It is not terrible, but at £49 it should be better.

The Chalkway Budget Winter, £24, was the clear failure. The seams leaked within 20 minutes of steady rain, the grip was poor on wet levers, and the gloves took days to dry. They also felt cold once damp, which defeats the point of a winter glove. We would rather spend a little more on the Bramble & Byte or the Weald Works.

What to look for beyond the marketing claims

Ignore the word waterproof until you see how the seams are finished and how long the cuff is. A short cuff lets water run straight down your sleeve and into the glove. Look for a liner that is stitched in place, not loose enough to pull out with your hand. Palm grip matters more than padding on wet roads. Touchscreen fingertips are useful, but only if they work with cold fingers.

Also think about drying. A glove that takes two days to dry is a glove you will avoid wearing. A small hanging loop is a genuinely useful feature. And do not buy oversized gloves for extra warmth: too much space means less dexterity and more cold air around your fingers.

Our recommendations

For most riders, the Bramble & Byte Commuter is the best balance of warmth, feel and price. If you ride in proper rain every day, the Northwood Stormline is the safer bet. If you feel the cold badly and mostly ride in dry cold, the Kestrel Thermal is worth the extra. And if you just need a cheap spare pair for short hops, the Weald Works RainGrip is a sensible buy.

None of these gloves is a substitute for decent mudguards, a jacket that covers your wrists and a bit of common sense about when to cut a ride short. But the right pair makes a wet Kent lane feel a lot less miserable.