WHat's You Preferred Method to Keep Hands Warm in Winter?

[Goat_Herder]

I rode to work on 12/31 and the cold winter morning caught me offguard.  Although I wasn't cold, my finger tips were getting numb after the 30 minute ride on the freeway in 30F temp.  That got me thinking about upgrading my winter gear, particularly with my gloves.

So the question to you - what's your preferred method to keep your hands and fingers warm?   Thoughts on heated grips versus heated gloves?

Thx

[Howie]

Heated grips are nice because they are there.  They warm your palms well, but don't do much for the parts that are exposed to the wind.  heated gloves work better.

[Speeddog]

I use an electric vest... it keeps everything warm.

[Raux]

surprisingly a kidney belt with heat packs kept me pretty warm, but they aren't electric so it's a pain to reheat them.
would prefer an electric vest

I have 2 levels of winter gloves. the heavy duty and medium duty. I have silk liners to be able to take it a notch up as well.

[Slide Panda]

Wind proof gloves, (A* Apex) supplemented with thin liners. The ones I have are a synthetic fabric, but silk would be same for bulk.

Also ensure that your neck and head are good and protected/warm. Our neck carries big volumes of blood, close to the surface. Leaving it exposed will rob you of overall warmth and you body will respond by constricting blood flow to the extremities. 

[Triple J]

We're in the same area, so I'll tell you what worked for me when I used to commute year-round. 

A heated jacket and heated grips with regular summer gloves (i.e. thin palms) was good to the mid-40's. Handguards made that effective to about 40. Below 40 I would put a pair of the Aerostsitch plastic mitten things over my gloves and my hands stayed warm to about 30. Below that it just sucked no matter what. I gave up on thick winter gloves because they were too thick for the heated grips to be effective. It's amazing how much a heated jacket helps keep everything else warm though.

IMO, in Seattle, a heated jacket and heated grips are must have items. I've had to use the grips in August before. I've never used heated gloves, because I like the convienance of grips...a lot of the time I'd need them in the morning, but by afternoon it was 70*, so not needed. I didn't want to always carry 2 pairs of gloves. I also like the feel of thinner summer gloves over the thick winter ones.

[freeclimbmtb]

I stand with my hands over the woodstove.  Mostly because its about 20F out. (5F with the windchil)

[He Man]

Below 30 degrees and anything for more than an hour becomes dangerous since u cant hit the brakes fast enough if u need to.
Heated gloves are a great option thats light weight and works great.

But what i hate about them is the thickness of the glove .i feel like i have the dexterity of a 12 yaer old. If i could i would run heated grips and hippo hands.

[Goat_Herder]

Good advice.  Really appreciated.  I typically wear a 3-season jacket and overpants in the spring and fall.  The A* Apex does a really good job from 60 down to maybe 40 degrees.  For winter, I've added handguards, which helps a lot.  With a thermal suit and thick gloves on, I do ok.  But it can be better (more comfortable).  It's mainly finger tips. 

I found a set of heated grips with controls at CycleGear for $39.99.  I might give that a try.  Anybody has any experience with them?

http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/deluxe_heated_grips/web1007441

But what i hate about them is the thickness of the glove .i feel like i have the dexterity of a 12 yaer old. If i could i would run heated grips and hippo hands.

I agree, HeMan.  Having thick winter gloves is bad enough.  With another liner inside, it'd feel like wearing those foam Hulk fists.

[Triple J]

Stop by Moto International in Seattle. The sell very nice heated grips that work very well...about $70 IIRC, can't remember the brand. They look similar to the Cycle Gear ones (i.e., they're full grips, not bar wraps that go under normal grips).

[seevtsaab]

What Howie said.

Heated grips are great, must have some wind protection as well. If you want to survive into the teens (F), heated gloves.

In your case I'd add grips, I use mine year round as in the NE you can have large temp changes morning - noon - night.

Heated gloves end the suffering. I'll ride till snow flies, I left home one morning at 10F.

If I did longer rides in the cold, or road conditions allowed riding into the winter I'd use a heated jacket liner.

[Goat_Herder]

Got it.  Thanks guys.  So I guess if I were to summarize - Heated grips are cheaper and convenient.  Along with handguards, I should be fine for commuting in Seattle/PacificNW.  Under extremely cold condition, it's time for either heated gloves or hot coco (with Bailey) by the fireplace.   

[He Man]

Yes but they have heated glove liners for only $100 bucks!!! with controller (powerlet)

to me its a no brainer for comfort, but if the distance is short, and ur around 30 degrees heavy winter gloves + heated grips will work just fine.

[10/10ths]

After years of buying thicker and thicker winter gloves, then heated grips, I finally bought Gerbings Microwire heated gloves, jacket, pants, and socks.

Holy hot hands, Batman!!!!

Heated clothing is THE way to go.

Don't waste money on grips and gloves, just buy a heated jacket and a pair of heated gloves and start enjoying riding year 'round.

Cheers.

[Speeddog]

~~~SNIP~~~

Heated clothing is THE way to go.

~~~SNIP~~~

Amen, brother.