Fingerscrossed Gloves

Fabric Tech and Weather Performance

The materials story across the FINGERSCROSSED glove range is built around one honest premise: UK riding asks a lot of a glove. You need windproof back-of-hand panels that block the kind of headwind chill that makes a November morning genuinely unpleasant, combined with palms that keep you connected to the bars when everything gets damp. FINGERSCROSSED address both ends of that problem with purpose-selected fabrics rather than a catch-all solution.

Winter models use thermal fleece linings that trap warm air close to the skin - the difference between arriving at a café stop with functioning hands and arriving barely able to unzip a jersey pocket. Where conditions get properly grim, neoprene integration adds a layer of insulation and structure that holds up against prolonged wet exposure, much like a good winter sock does for your feet. The outer face uses windproof construction that cuts through exposed riding without creating a clammy sealed environment.

DWR coating across the shell handles road spray and light showers without soaking through immediately - useful on the kind of ride where it's dry when you leave and drizzling twenty minutes later. Worth noting: DWR does degrade over time, particularly if gloves are washed regularly at high temperatures or with fabric softener. Keep the wash cool and skip the softener to maintain that water-beading performance.

The silicone palm prints are a detail that earns their place. Rather than a uniform gel pad that deadens feedback, FINGERSCROSSED use strategic silicone printing - grippy where your hands actually load the bar, absent where they don't. The result is confident bar control in wet conditions and enough vibration dampening on rough B-roads to reduce fatigue on longer rides, without that numb, disconnected feeling that over-padded gloves can create. Riders who find GripGrab gloves a touch bulky in the palm may find this approach suits them better.

Understanding the FINGERSCROSSED Fit and Range

FINGERSCROSSED organise their glove range clearly around temperature and use case, which makes choosing straightforward once you know where your riding sits. Summer mitts prioritise airflow and minimal weight - thin back panels, open fingers, and just enough palm coverage to protect against abrasion and road buzz. These are the gloves for warm-weather road riding, sportives, or gravel days where sweaty hands are more of a concern than cold ones.

Step up to the full-finger options and you're into gloves designed for shoulder-season and winter use. The construction gets more substantial: longer cuffs to seal against jacket sleeves, more coverage across the knuckles, and those thermal and windproof layers described above. This is where the neoprene and fleece integration becomes relevant, and where the touchscreen-compatible conductive fingertips pay off most - you're wearing these gloves on rides where pulling one off to tap a screen is genuinely annoying.

On sizing: FINGERSCROSSED gloves are cut close. That anatomical fit is deliberate - it eliminates the fabric bunching across the palm that causes pressure points and reduces bar sensitivity. If you're between sizes, go up. The same applies if you tend to layer thin liner gloves underneath for extra warmth, or if you simply prefer a bit of breathing room in the fingers during winter. True to size works for most riders on the summer range; for the winter full-finger models, sizing up gives you that small air gap that actually helps retain heat. Check the brand's sizing guide before ordering - hand circumference measured across the knuckles is the most reliable reference point.

The fit across the hood and drops is particularly dialled on the full-finger models. No ridge of bunched fabric catching on bar tape, no slipping when you move between hand positions. It's a small thing until it isn't. Riders who've tried Castelli gloves and liked the precision fit will be on familiar ground here.

Layering and Care for UK Riding

Gloves don't operate in isolation. On a British winter ride, your hands are the first thing to get cold and the last thing to warm up, so it's worth thinking about them as part of a system. FINGERSCROSSED's winter gloves pair logically with their own base layers and jackets - the cuff lengths are designed to layer neatly without creating a gap at the wrist that lets wind in. Pair the gloves with overshoes and thermal socks for complete extremity coverage on days when the temperature drops below five degrees.

For shoulder-season riding - that ambiguous period from March to May and again in September and October - the summer mitts alone often aren't enough, but the full winter gloves can leave you overheating on the climbs. A thin merino wool liner worn under a light full-finger glove gives you flexibility: liner off on the ascent, both layers on the descent. Merino manages moisture well and won't leave your hands clammy if you're working hard.

Care matters more than most riders realise. The DWR coating that keeps road spray from soaking through is a surface treatment, not a permanent property, and it degrades with heat and certain detergents. Wash gloves at 30°C or below, use a gentle cycle, and avoid fabric softener entirely - softener coats fibres and actively reduces water repellency. After washing, a low-heat tumble or air dry is fine. If the DWR starts to bead less effectively, a DWR re-proofer spray (applied after washing and activated with a low-heat tumble) will restore most of the performance. The same logic applies to the silicone grip prints: high heat and aggressive detergents will degrade adhesion over time. Treat the gloves gently and they'll last several seasons without significant performance drop-off. Riders who've used Gore gloves will recognise the same care requirements around membrane and coating maintenance.