Cycling gloves with touch: The top 3 in the test

Several requirements for transition gloves

A glove for the transition period must fulfil several requirements at the same time. The fit comes first: Only if the material wraps around the hand without creases and is elastic will it provide the necessary sensitivity for steering, shifting and braking. The palm needs grippy elements to stay securely on the handlebars even in wet conditions. Touch zones on the thumb and index finger are indispensable today, as hardly any rider wants to take off their gloves every time they want to operate a GPS computer or smartphone.

Manufacturers use windproof membranes and water-repellent outer materials for weather protection. The aim is to prevent cold fingers and heat build-up in the sunshine. A long cuff protects the wrists and prevents cool wind from creeping into the jacket sleeves. The weight range in the test extends from the 38 gram Sportful Aqua Light to the 100 gram Hestra Windbreaker Tracker 5 Finger.

Evaluation and test criteria

Weather protection accounts for 40 per cent of the overall score. The gloves must be windproof and allow raindrops to roll off quickly. If the outer skin becomes saturated with water, this increases the cooling effect of the wind. In a spray test after washing, the models from Cube and Sportful showed good results, while the outer skin from Canyon and Nalini did not repel water as well.

The touch function accounts for 30 per cent of the evaluation. The test was carried out with a Garmin Edge 1050 and various iPhones and Samsung smartphones. Tapping, swiping, scrolling and swiping were tested. With Specialized, only the index fingers are conductive, which means that one-handed pinching is not possible. With the Q36.5, there were repeated problems with iPhone operation, while Castelli and Sportful achieved good results on all devices.

Handling and equipment make up the remaining 30 per cent. The ease of donning and doffing, the grip on the handlebars in the rain and the scope of the equipment were assessed. BBB and Castelli achieved top results here, while the equipment list for Nalini and Sportful was shorter.

1st place: Castelli Perfetto Light Gloves wins with a score of 1.3

The Castelli Perfetto Light shows how a glove should ideally be designed for the transition period. Pre-shaped fingers and an elastic, supple material offer a fit that is unrivalled in the test. As a result, the performance also works: wind stays reliably outside, as do raindrops, even if the beading behaviour could be a little better. The touch function is impressive with the thumb and index finger of both hands, and all gestures on the GPS computer or smartphone are effortless. Silicone print on the palm ensures excellent grip on the handlebars, while reflective details increase visibility - a deserved test winner.

2nd place: GripGrab Ride 2 Spring-Autumn Gloves with a score of 1.5

The GripGrab Ride 2 Spring-Autumn is made of firm neoprene, which means it fits a little tighter and is not quite as easy to put on and take off due to the tight cuff. On the handlebars, however, it is impressive: the medium-weight glove offers very good grip, provides a lot of control and is noticeably warm. In signal yellow with plenty of reflective material, it is also highly visible. It provides excellent protection against the wind and almost completely repels raindrops. The touch function works reliably, swiping and tapping is unerringly successful. The towelling thumb is ideal for wiping your nose, but quickly becomes soaked in the rain.

3rd place: Sportful Aqua Light Gloves with a score of 1.6

The Sportful Aqua Light is rather small, which is why a size larger may be advisable - especially if you have strong hands or long fingers. Due to the short, tight cuff, putting them on and taking them off requires a little more fiddling than with the other candidates. However, once the lightest glove in the test is in place, it impresses with a perfect fit and impeccable control on the handlebars. Touch operation is precise and all gestures are reliably recognised. The weather protection is also impressive: The glove insulates well against wind, and even keeps out rain surprisingly effectively for its lightweight construction.

Technical details

Castelli Perfetto Light Gloves

• Weight (size XL): 48 grammes
• Touch function: Thumb and index finger of both hands
• Equipment: Palm with silicone grip, reinforced crook of thumb, reflective material
• Price: 70 Euro >> available here
• Country of manufacture: Vietnam
• Individual notes: Weather protection 1.8; Touch function 1.0; Handling/equipment 1.0

GripGrab Ride 2 Spring-Autumn Gloves

• Weight (size XL): 68 grammes
• Touch function: Thumb and index finger of both hands
• Equipment: Reflective material, towelling thumb
• Price: 40 Euro >> available here
• Country of manufacture: Pakistan
• Individual notes: Weather protection 2.0; touch function 1.0; handling/equipment 1.3

Sportful Aqua Light Gloves

• Weight (size XL): 38 grams (lightest glove in the test)
• Touch function: Thumb and index finger of both hands
• Equipment: Palm with silicone grip, reflective material
• Price 49,90 Euro >> at Tradeinn or Bike24 available
• Country of manufacture: China
• Individual notes: Weather protection 1.5; touch function 2.0 Handling/equipment 2.3

The 11 test candidates

1. Grade 1.3 Castelli Perfetto Light Gloves
2. Grade 1.5 GripGrab Ride 2 Spring-Autumn Gloves
3. Grade 1.6 Sportful Aqua Light Gloves
4. Grade 1.7 Hestra Windbreaker Tracker 5 Finger
5. Grade 1.8 BBB AirShield Windproof
6. Grade 1.9 Cube All Season Long Fingers
7. Grade 2.0 Specialised NeoShell Gloves
8. Grade 2.3 Tchibo Windprotection gloves
9. Grade 2.6 Nalini Essential
10. Grade 2.8 Canyon Midseason Gloves
11. Grade 2.8 Q36.5 Hybrid gloves