Every cyclist who has ever ridden through the winter will know that as it drags on you are ready to try more and more innovative solutions to try and keep your hands warm. We have covered a wide range of options for the best winter cycling gloves but the vast majority feature some variation of five-finger gloves. When it’s freezing, there’s another option: the mitt.
We covered the Gore Infinium Thermo Split Gloves but Pearl Izumi offers another version of the same concept. Instead of keeping just one finger apart, the lobster style divides your fingers into two pairs. Pearl Izumi also claims water resistance while Gore does not. For those who have trouble keeping their fingers warm, the Pearl Izumi AmFib Lobster Gloves are an option worth considering. If that sounds like what you need, keep reading to learn all about how they excel and how they don’t.
Design and aesthetics
When it comes to aesthetics, the Pearl Izumi AmFib Lobster Gloves are unlikely to win any awards. They come in two black variations, but the lobster style is an unconventional look. Still, the palm and back of the knuckles use a leather alternative, and you have a choice of a light tan or black color. The rest of the glove remains the same.
The top of the glove retains the same AmFib softshell technology and the feel is that of a very traditional softshell. It’s soft to the touch with a tight knit designed to ward off wind and a bit of rain and there’s a coating to help it wick away moisture. As you approach the wrist, the outer shell folds over so the seam remains protected inside the cuff. It’s a smart design that adds protection to the seam, but also makes the wrist look a bit bulky and puffy. These gloves are first and foremost utilitarian, so it’s best to forget about any idea of fashion.
The cuff, despite looking bulky, is actually quite thin and has excellent length. The underside has a single zigzag stitch of elastic to keep it snug near the palm. At the back edge there is a hook-and-loop closure. The hook side is the outer side, and the two sides are very thin. The hook side sits against the same material as the palm and there is an overhang which makes it easy to grip for opening. If you want to cinch the wrist there is plenty of length at the closure to cinch it in and the length of the glove allows it to be easily tucked into a jacket.
Beneath this top layer is the insulation and the membrane. Pearl Izumi does not give much information on the membrane but expects a performance similar to other waterproof membranes on the market. As for insulation, you get Primaloft Gold with cross-core technology. It is essentially the best standard synthetic insulation in the industry. It retains warmth even when wet and dries quickly. In this use, the post-consumer content amounts to thirty-five percent. The interior is a fleece very similar to almost all gloves on the market.
Flip the gloves over and take a look at the palm and you’ll see a large expanse of AX Suede. This is a similar material to that used by MAAP on the palm of their Apex Deep Winter gloves, but Pearl Izumi uses a different version. Instead of staying in faux suede, the same polyester base goes through an additional finishing process. Instead of feeling like suede, it feels more like leather and eliminates the need for silicone while adding durability. Beneath the knuckles and moving up towards the area between the thumb and index finger is a second layer of the same material. Between the two layers there is a cushion of gel that favors the outside of the hand. There’s also a tactile interaction point on the thumb and where the tip of the index finger should be. The back of the thumb uses a different faux suede to provide a place to wipe your face.
Performance
If I could only have one pair of deep winter gloves, it would probably be these. I have a really hard time keeping my fingers warm, and the Pearl Izumi approach is better than any five-finger option I’ve tried. They aren’t cheap, but to get the same level of cold weather performance you need to spend a lot more money on alternatives. If you want to get through the coldest days, start with these lobster gloves before trying anything else. If your rides are going to get wet as well, get more than one pair.
There are details beyond the cold weather performance that also make them appealing. One of those details is smartphone compatibility. Pearl Izumi makes sure you can use your smartphone without removing your gloves, although realistically you’ll be using your thumbs and not your finger. There is a touch screen dot on the index finger but given the lobster design it is almost completely unusable.
Another great attribute is the precision of fit. I often have problems with the fit of the gloves. I’m perpetually on the line between small and medium and tend to have to use a medium even if it’s a bit chunky. Pearl Izumi gets the support just right and the fit is perfect. Although there is inherent wiggle room in the design, my fingers stick out exactly where you would expect and there is no tension between thumb and index finger. Everyone will need something different when it comes to fit, but these are true to size compared to the fit guide.
As we head into the colder and drier end of winter, these are gloves I would recommend. The lobster design keeps my hands warm and my fingers pain free. When the sun warms things up in the afternoon, I put them away and switch to a lighter glove like the Sportful Fiandre Gloves or even the Castelli Perfetto Pink Gloves.
And what about dexterity? Despite all the pre-engineered designs, the design works – even with electronic or mechanical shifting. When braking, it’s common to keep two fingers on the brake and two fingers on the drops, so nothing is really different here. To move the reason this isn’t an issue is because of the width of the glove segments. There’s enough width to keep your index finger on the brake lever and shift with your middle finger.
Verdict
Pearl Izumi doesn’t call them deep winter gloves, but that’s what they are if I’m being honest. While they aren’t cheap, they’re more affordable than deep winter options with a five-finger design – they’re warmer, too.
What they lose, however, is some dexterity. On the bike it’s barely noticeable, but when your hands aren’t on the bars things can be tricky. It’s also hard to get a specific snack out of your jersey pocket. Zippers can be tricky, as can pulling a neck warmer. This is only made worse by the fact that it is difficult to remove your hands from these gloves without taking the liner with you.
Apart from these few weaknesses, the Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Gel Gloves top the list.
Technical specifications: Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Gel gloves
- Price: £84.99 / $85 / €89.95
- Available colors : Black, black/dark beige
- Sizes available: XS-XXL
- Weight: 71g per glove, medium size