GripGrab Neoprene Gloves review

We recently produced a guide on cycling in the rain, with the correct gloves being one of the essential pieces of kit outlined. Neoprene gloves are designed specifically for very wet conditions. For those unfamiliar with this concept, it is the same material as a wet suit. Neoprene traps acts to retain body heat, providing a layer of insulation to keep you warm.

Comfort is hugely important for a pair of gloves and we can report that the Grip Grabs fit nicely and are comfortable over long rides. Padding on the palm adds comfort on poor road surfaces whilst a textured finish adds grip when your bars get wet and slippery. Internally they feel very smooth, with no annoying seams rubbing against your skin.

One of the downsides of neoprene is that it isn't very breathable, meaning things can get rather sticky on milder days, or when the temperature increases mid ride, consequently we found that the gloves were too warm to wear comfortable when the mercury rose above 10 ºC.

When the heavens opened the gloves became saturated with water pretty quickly, but they did a good job of retaining heat and keeping our hands warm. The added weight from the water was noticeable, but this is a general problem with neoprene gloves and not just these particular ones.  Once they have been saturated with water, drying can take a while, with the makers suggesting you dry the outside then turn them inside out to dry the inside. This might not be logistically possible if you need to wear them two days in a row.

In wintery dry conditions the gloves start to feel a little cold around freezing point. Considering this, you may wish to wear a heavier duty glove on the coldest winter days. They also don't feature a snot patch, which has become a welcome addition to cycling specific gloves, and is invaluable when your nose starts to run on a cold ride.

With a RRP of £39.99 these gloves are not cheap, especially when their limited versatility is considered.

For more information head over to Grip Grab.