Price: £27.88 / $36.48 / €33.52
Weight: 62 grams per pair - Medium
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colours: Black / Orange
We are just about a month away from Milan San Remo, a race I always associate with the coming of spring proper, a time when cyclists can maybe take the mudguards off and pack away the extra layers. Warmer temperatures mean lighter weight kit, and in Britain the mercury has risen slightly in the past week or so with some warmer, wetter days. By the time these glove's namesake Ardennes classics races roll around, we should all be a lot more comfortable when riding outdoors.
Enter the Galibier Ardennes gloves, an affordable yet quality pair of lightweight gloves from the Irish brand that has earned a loyal following for itself thanks to its quality, yet affordable cycling kit.
The Ardennes gloves take the best budget spot in my best winter cycling gloves guide right now, coming in at £27.88 / $36.48 / €33.52 per pair. The gloves are available in two colours and Galibier claims they are 'designed to provide warmth without the bulk, ideal for cool but not freezing temperatures'
I've ridden with these gloves for close to two years and have found them to be a comfortable, versatile, good-quality option that is still going strong.
Design and aesthetics
The Ardennes gloves are available in black and orange versions, and I've tested the black version as seen in the pictures. They are on the thin side and are pretty light at under 70 grams for the pair.
There is a 'Galibier' wordmark on each pinky finger with a red 'G' and that's your lot for branding.
The gloves pull on - there's no velcro strap or zip to deal with - and the neoprene cuffs aren't super long, but cover the first part of your wrists, adding to the glove's versatility. The neoprene cuffs however aren't so short that they don't play nicely with long jersey sleeves or winter jackets etc.
The palm uses AX Suede material, with a silicone gripper pattern on top. Internally, the back of the hands section is lined with soft fleece, and the gloves are comfortable to wear. There's an additional panel on the outside of the hands which the brand says is a 1.4mm thick membrane which provides extra insulation.
My gloves aren't touchscreen compatible but newer versions of these gloves have been updated with a touchscreen-compatible forefinger.
Performance
Performance has been great from the Ardennes gloves, I've used them for primarily road riding in autumn, winter, and spring on easy and hard rides and they have kept my hands comfortable and warm in a range of temperatures.
Galibier states a usable temperature range of 2-12ºC / 35-53ºF. I think down to single digits and around freezing they are probably a bit lightweight for steadier riding. However, I have used them for hard rides in the cold around these sorts of temperatures and they have kept my hands warm and comfortable when working hard. I was surprised on one or two cold rides at how well the gloves performed given their lighter weight.
Of course, it's going to depend from rider to rider, but for the money they will bring a lot of versatility and give you a good all-around option for a lot of riding. Galibier does have the heavier-duty Barrier glove if you want more winter protection.
Their lightweight and dexterity means you could use them easily for gravel or mtb riding as well. The cuff length means they would also work with a short-sleeved jersey and not look out of place.
The gloves aren't waterproof, there isn't a waterproof membrane or any seam sealing, so I wouldn't recommend them for riding in the rain.
They have worn very well across many washes, the only wear and tear I can see is some slight cracking on my silicone palm grippers on my own pairs. This gives me confidence that despite their accessible price point, they are a hardy, good-quality offering that should last you several seasons at least.
Value
The Galibier Ardennes gloves are a great value buy that will prove their worth and work well for a range of riding and conditions.
At under $35, you can't go wrong here, and after over a year of use and lots of washing, I can attest to the glove's sturdy construction and quality. They aren't going to fall apart on you.
Verdict
These are quality gloves that would be perfect for spring autumn and milder winter use, or when riding hard. They have proven to be a durable, well priced option that you can do a lot with.
They won't stand up well to a lot of water or really cold temperatures, but for the money they are a good quality and well designed option from Galibier.
