Why We Like The Road Pogie Handlebar Mittens
There's only so much layering you can do when temperatures dip below freezing. Too much, and shifts become sloppy, if existent at all, and braking near impossible — a terrifying endeavor on icy roads. The Road Pogie Handlebar Mittens act as an insulated den for your hands, so you can opt for more streamlined gloves underneath, and keep shifting and braking precise, without freezing your digits.
Details
- Burly winter-ready pogies that create a toasty home on your bars
- 5-millimeter thick neoprene cuts through rain and wind
- Nylon lamination adds an extra hit of waterproof durability
- Wide internal space allows you to keep your hands where you want them
- Can be partnered up with cycling gloves of your choice underneath
- Medium opening is 8.5in, large is 9in
- External routing version has a hole with a zipper closure to allow for cable routing
- Item #BMI0002
- Material
- [membrane/laminate] nylon, [face fabric] 5mm neoprene
- Closure
- [external routing, internal routing] hook-and-loop cuffs, [external routing] zipper
- Activity
- commuting, mud/sand/snow, road cycling
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
5 based on 3 ratings
Review Summary
Fits Small
Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.What do you think about this product?
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageApril 28, 2022
Shines in the wet and cold but size up
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
First, a word of caution: I ordered these in the medium size and thinking that with my small hands and women's road bike that is all I would need. And, eventually, I have found this to be true. But I was shocked at how small these looked at first. I doubt you have anything to lose by sizing up to a L or XL. I almost wonder why they make these in a medium but I guess without using a large pair I can't compare them. These took some getting used to, even though I sometimes ride with pogies on my flat handlebar fat tire bike. However, once I got used to riding with these, I discovered that they really shine in certain circumstances. First, I must admit I don't like wearing lobster gloves when riding my drop bar road bike because I learned that I grip the breaks and press the shifters with exactly three fingers. Not two, not four, five is right out. Hence I typically wear a light glove so I can maintain some dexterity. A light glove is not enough for me when temperatures approach freezing. And bike commuting year-round in Wisconsin means there are plenty of sub-freezing days. Once I got used to the mitts, I was comfortable in a pair of light biking gloves down to about 15 degrees, which is when I switch to my fat bike (its disc brakes don't freeze up like my rim brakes do) and lobster gloves. To my great delight, these mitts really, really shine in the wet and cold. I left the mitts at home the first morning I was planning to use them because they weren't as quick and intuitive to put on as I expected in my pre-coffee morning rush (I also needed the external cable mitts, which have a bit more going on). Biking without them when the temperature was in the 30s and raining, compared to biking with the mitts in the same conditions a week later showed me their worth. My hands froze in less than a mile without the mitts. With the mitts, my hands stayed both warm and dry. The neoprene does a great job of protecting your hands from rain, and the smaller space of the medium mitts traps a lot of heat around my hands. I wear them a lot now so that I can get by with just my lightweight gloves. About a month and a half into using them, I'm getting comfortable moving my hands in and out of the mitts to signal my direction, and installing/removing the mitts from my bike is quick and easy. Though I was initially frustrated with the size (couldn't return because I had already thrown away the tags in anticipation of how much I would like these) I would highly recommend these for bike commuters or bikers who get their rides in no matter the weather. They get five stars despite the size because they help me continue to enjoy bike commuting. Well done, Bar Mitts.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
February 18, 2021
Problem Solved
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
- Size Bought:
- Large
- Height:
- 5' 10"
- Weight:
- 160
I have difficulty with keeping my hands warm. When I go skiing I need mittens when everyone else is wearing gloves. Even using heavy winter cycling gloves or "lobster" mittens I was not comfortable in temps below 40F. So this was my latest attempt to find comfort. Bingo! These really to work. It took about an hour of riding to get accustomed to them but they really are excellent. One thing. With them attached to the bike they catch the wind. You will get blown around a bit. Not a deal breaker but something to be aware of. Anyway, this has solved my Winter riding cold hands problem.
January 9, 2021
Very very warm
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
- Size Bought:
- Large
- Height:
- 5' 6"
- Weight:
- 150
I did not believe these things were as warm as advertised until I tried them. I only use these for road rides below 30 F and wear my usual spring gloves (that would usually only be used for spring rides above 50 F). My coldest so far was 14 F and I used only a medium weight glove and still sweat slightly. No freezing fingers until I am warmed up any longer! A little tough to handle in brisk cross winds but not terrible. I wear a small/medium glove (7.5) and sized up to large for more room to place my hands in quickly. The larger gap had no effect on warmth. I can't imagine using the small. I have had them 3 seasons. Simple straightforward design in strong material with no durability issues at all as far as I can tell.
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