Reading time: approx. 6 minutes · Updated: October 2026
You keep cycling in autumn and winter, but after ten minutes you can hardly feel your fingers? It is rarely you – it is usually the glove. Many women's winter gloves are made for a stroll through town: soft and stylish, but not built for headwind, wet weather and a firm grip on the handlebar.
Here you will learn what matters in winter cycling gloves for women, how to find the right size and which glove suits which temperature.
Why your hands get cold so quickly on the bike
Your legs are working, your hands are not. They only hold the handlebar and produce hardly any heat of their own. Then there is the headwind: even at 20 km/h the air feels much colder than the thermometer says. If the glove also gets damp, it loses its insulation and the warmth is gone within minutes.
A good winter cycling glove therefore has to do three things: keep warmth in, keep wind out and stay dry. Why wind in particular is underestimated is explained in our article Cold fingers while cycling.
What women should look for in a winter cycling glove
1. Fit decides how warm you stay
A glove that is too big has air in the wrong places: the fingertips stay empty and cool down, and you grip brakes and gears less securely. A glove that is too small compresses the lining, and squashed fleece hardly keeps you warm. If you have slim hands, do not just pick "any M" – measure instead.
2. Waterproof or water-repellent?
Water-repellent is enough for drizzle and spray on the way to work. If you also ride in steady rain or snow, you need a waterproof glove with a membrane. The difference is on the label, not in the name.
3. A long cuff
The biggest draught comes through the gap between jacket sleeve and glove. A longer cuff with a Velcro fastener closes that gap and is still easy to put on and take off.
4. Grip, touchscreen and visibility
A non-slip palm gives you a secure hold, even on a wet handlebar. Touchscreen fingertips save you taking the gloves off at the traffic lights when you want to check your navigation. And because it gets dark early in winter, reflective strips on the back of the hand help drivers see your hand signals.
Finding the right size
Measure your palm with a ruler at its widest point, without the thumb. If the value falls between two sizes, take the larger one.
| Palm width | Size |
|---|---|
| 7–7,5 cm | S |
| 7,5–8 cm | M |
| 8–9 cm | L |
| 9–10 cm | XL |
| 10–12 cm | XXL |
Our winter gloves are unisex models and come in sizes S to XXXL. So even a slim woman's hand finds a size that fits snugly without pinching.
Which glove for which temperature?
| Premium Thermal Bicycle Gloves 3.0 | PolarTherm Winter Gloves 2.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 0 to 10 °C | down to –10 °C |
| Weather protection | wind- and water-repellent | 100 % waterproof (8,000 mm water column), windproof |
| Lining | ThermoCore Fleece | ThermoCore Fleece + 3M Thinsulate |
| Ideal for | autumn, commuting, dry winter days | frost, steady rain, snow |
| Sizes / colours | S–XXXL, black and yellow | S–XXXL, black and yellow |
For autumn and mild winter days: Thermo 3.0
The Premium Thermal Bicycle Gloves 3.0 keep your hands warm between 0 and 10 °C. The ThermoCore fleece is 15 % thicker than in the previous model, yet the glove stays slim: you can still feel brakes and gears well. The outer material is wind- and water-repellent, drizzle simply rolls off.
For frost and wet weather: PolarTherm 2.0
When the thermometer drops below zero or it rains for longer, the PolarTherm Winter Gloves 2.0 are the better choice. Three layers work together: ThermoCore fleece inside, 3M Thinsulate in the middle and a waterproof, windproof layer outside. The cuff is 2 cm longer than in the previous model and closes with Velcro.
You will find a detailed comparison of both models in Thermo 3.0 vs. PolarTherm 2.0, and all tested models in Cycling gloves test 2026.
3 tips for warm hands on every winter ride
- Start warm: Put your gloves on indoors, not at the front door. Cold hands in a cold glove hardly warm up on the way.
- Store them dry: Let the gloves dry at room temperature after the ride, not on the radiator. A damp glove keeps you less warm next time.
- Keep your whole body warm: If your core is cold, your body saves on blood flow to the hands. What else belongs in your winter kit is in our overview Winter clothing for cyclists.
Frequently asked questions
Are there special cycling gloves for women?
In winter, the right size matters more than a dedicated women's model. Our winter gloves are unisex and start at size S, so they fit snugly even on slim hands.
Which size do I need as a woman?
Measure the width of your palm. At 7–7.5 cm, S fits; at 7.5–8 cm, M. If you are in between, take the larger size.
Down to what temperature do the gloves keep you warm?
The Thermo 3.0 gloves are made for 0 to 10 °C; the PolarTherm 2.0 winter gloves keep you warm down to –10 °C and are also waterproof.
Can I return the gloves if they do not fit?
Yes. You can test our products risk-free for 30 days. Shipping is free and takes 1–3 days.
Conclusion: For autumn and commuting down to 0 °C, the Premium Thermal Bicycle Gloves 3.0 are enough. If you also ride in frost and rain, go for the PolarTherm Winter Gloves 2.0. You will find all models under Cycling gloves.
