Price: £89.99 / $120 / €99.95
Weight: 116g per pair- medium
Sizes: XS-XXXL
Colours: Black / Neon Yellow-Black
Winter rages on here in the UK and I’ve been testing a range of winter gloves through a particularly cold period, with temperatures regularly around freezing or just above. A perfect testing ground for capable winter gloves.
This glove review is for Gore Wear’s latest winter gloves; the Gore-Tex Insulated Trigger. These are Gore’s new heavy hitters and its warmest cycling gloves. They use a lobster-style design with three fingers together, whilst one, the trigger finger, (hence the model name) is separate from the rest.
The gloves are really light for their size, and feature a Gore-Tex ePE (expanded polyethylene) liner and Polartec Primaloft Gold insulation to provide warmth. They are available in two colours and have a retail price of £89.99 / $120 / €99.95.
I’ve been able to test them out in some challenging weather of late and have been very impressed. In short, they are the most capable winter gloves I have used to date.
I test a lot of winter cycling gloves, and you can read about my current best of the best selection in our best winter cycling gloves guide.
Design and Aesthetics
The Trigger gloves are available in two colours, Black and the neon yellow colour I have been testing. These colours feature prominently across Gore's winter glove range. Warmth-wise, they move ahead of the C5 Thermo gloves from Gore which we also rate highly.
The gloves feature 'Gorewear' and 'Gore-Tex' wordmarks and a small red Polartec label on the cuff which indicates the insulation used in the gloves. They have a sturdy Velcro cuff and gripper sections on the fingers to aid touchscreen use. They are also 'pre-shaped' according to Gore to provide a more natural fit, you can see a light natural curve in the fingers with the gloves off, and it certainly seems to help.
As you might expect for a flagship product, premium materials are used here. As mentioned, there is a Gore-Tex ePE (expanded polyethylene) liner. This means you're still getting the classic Gore-Tex benefits - waterproofing, windproofing and breathability - but the material Is now PFAS-free, meaning it isn't made with potentially harmful polyfluorinated substances. This liner sits between the lining and outer textile of the gloves.
The popular Polartec Primaloft Gold insulation is used to provide warmth. You can tell there's plenty of it, but the gloves don't feel restrictive because of it if you get the sizing right. Reviews and feedback online can sometimes accuse Gore Wear gloves of coming up a bit small. Check the size guide, but I've worn a US Medium / EU size 7 pair, and usually wear a medium in gloves and they have been perfect for me.
Performance
These gloves are designed in Gore's words to 'maximise thermal protection' and when most of us look at a lobster-style glove, I think it's safe to say we think of warmth first.
I can tell you these are the warmest gloves I have used. I've found them comfortable and warm down to freezing, no chilly fingertips, no slightly cold hands, no nothing. I appreciate we all feel the cold differently, I don't tend to suffer too much in the cold or battle with Raynaud's like some people but if you're riding in the cold and want some really warm gloves, I'd suggest at least checking these out. You could always size up and use a liner glove if needed but they have been plenty warm for me.
What has also surprised and impressed me is the blend of warmth, breathability and lightweight Gore has achieved. I have completed several rides with odd lobster gloves on to test them head-to-head. One such test was against a glove we rate, the Pearl Izumi AmFib gloves, for my money the Triggers triumph in both breathability and warmth.
Some gloves have kept my hands warm, but my hands have gotten sweaty and a bit uncomfortable. My hands have been perfect in the Trigger gloves and they breathe very well. My hands just don't get sweaty in them. Your three fingers are also kept separate inside the larger section of the glove, which means they stay that little bit more comfortable and don't rub against each other.
I've shied away from bigger gloves historically because I didn't want to lose dexterity but I find I can shift, brake and operate a bike computer and even text on my phone with the gloves. Climbing on the hoods out of the saddle requires a slight change in hand position due to three fingers being together, but overall it's been a very pleasant experience.
The lack of individual fingers means the insulation can continue uninterrupted and you just end up with a warmer glove all around. Only when I got the scales out did I clock the weight, these gloves are lighter than several other pairs of winter gloves I have been testing including the Madison DTE Waterproof gloves. This is where your money goes I think; you're getting excellent warmth, breathability and low weight for the extra spend.
The yellow version may end up looking grubby, particularly if you ride with them off-road but these are tools for grim winter riding and it's fair to expect them to end up grubby with use. Mine have stood up well to all-round winter use though. There's also no dedicated nose wipe panel, but I've wiped my gloves on the back of the thumb a lot and it's stayed remarkably tidy and streak-free. It has stood out for me and is another strength.
I've found the gloves to be highly water resistant, I haven't ridden in heavy enough rain for them to be compromised and the gloves have stood up to an assault from my tap and shower tests. In really heavy rain the larger cuff may be a weak point. You'll need to run a waterproof jacket sleeve over it, possibly an ask with a more fitted jacket cuff or cinch the velcro cuff down tight. Overall though, they will deal with a lot of water.
Value
I think these gloves provide good value for the money, and to be honest I wouldn't have been too surprised if they carried a higher RRP.
These are deep winter gloves, designed to keep your hands warm, and they will. I think if warmth and comfort are your priority and you want a quality pair of gloves, this represents a good investment in your own comfort.
Verdict
For cold, low-intensity winter riding, right now, these are the gloves I will be reaching for. Logging solo winter miles in near-freezing temperatures has been very pleasant in these gloves and my hands have been toasty warm, and importantly not sweaty.
Quality and construction seem very good, and the dexterity is still there, including touchscreen compatibility. Gore has done a fantastic job, and I relish wearing and riding in these gloves.
