If it’s over 30 degrees, I’m riding. Since that’s my mantra, having a variety of gloves to keep my digits warm in the 30-50 degree range is essential. This spring, I broke out the Bontrager Race Windshell Gloves for my still-cool morning rides.
Bontrager Race Windshell Gloves Features:
- Profila Softshell provides windproof protection from cool and windy weather
- Synthetic leather palm provides great durability and supple grip
- inForm Fusion GelFoam padding reduces hand fatigue
- Silicone grip on palm
- Absorbent nose wipe on thumb
- Adjustable wrist closure
- Reflective elements enhance visibility
- Colors: Visibility Yellow (tested) or Black
- MSRP: $39
Be Seen and Be Warm
I’m on a high-vis color kick, so the combination of the Race Windshell gloves and the RXL Stormshell Road Shoe Covers in visibility yellow is a great way to brighten up an otherwise dark-colored kit. Every bit counts and donning the combination certainly adds an element of visibility.
The Race Windshell’s are a great glove for rides in the 40’s to the low 50’s. I’ve tested plenty of Bontrager gear with Profila Softshell material and I’ll say it is good stuff for wind protection and water resistance. The construction of the gloves are such that they are not meant to withstand torrential rains, but the front-facing Profila material does protect water from soaking through. It gets wet on the outside, but only penetrates through the stretchy material on the sides of the fingers. So, good enough for a light rain, but not for a torrential downpour.
A nice feature of these gloves is the extended cuff length. They are cut almost an inch longer than typical gloves to further reduce the chance of the dreaded sleeve/glove gap. The single Velcro closure does a great job of cinching things down.
I’m loving the synthetic palm with an abundance of silicone grip dots and a nice section of InForm palm padding. Dancing around the bars results in a nice combination of grip and tactility with the Zipp Service Course Cyclocross bar tape I’m running. Shifting and braking with my SRAM Force22 shifters is easily-done as well. Long rides were comfortable and warm at high speeds in the shade.
I will say that the fit of the thumb pocket is a bit odd. It feels quite roomy in diameter and length. My other fingers have a perfect fit in the size Large gloves, but my thumb sort of floats around in no man’s land. Additionally, the seams are very pronounced in the thumb pocket. On the bright side, the back of the thumb features snot-wiping fleece material — an essential feature for cold weather.
The Good
- Love the hi-vis yellow
- Blocks the wind for extra warmth on rides from upper 30’s to 50 degrees
- Excellent coverage with a little longer cuff
- InForm gel padding adds comfort without being overdone
- Fingers are nice and grippy
- Excellent snot wipes
The Bad
- Thick seams are especially noticeable in the thumb
- Oversized thumb pocket makes for a loose fit
The Bottom Line: Bontrager Race Windshell Gloves
Love the visibility yellow color and the Profila Softshell material is comfortable, flexible and warm. Don’t let the oversized thumb pocket sway you as these gloves will do a great job keeping your digits warm on early-morning rides.
Buy Now: Available at Bontrager.com or your Local Trek Dealer
