dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves review

Your best friend for cold road rides

Our rating

4

50.00
65.00
50.00
85.00

Russell Burton / Our Media

Published: January 14, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Our review
Value-packed performers, combining warmth and weatherproofing without the bulk

Pros:

Spot-on sizing and fit; warm; good weatherproofing; less bulky than most

Cons:

Not enough grip for muddy gravel rides

The dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves are designed to combine warm insulation with resilient rain protection.

In testing, especially on the road, they impressed in cold weather, while turning in a decent performance in the wet too.

The fit felt natural, they aren't too bulky and they did a good job of protecting my hands from the elements. Away from the road, the lack of grip could be an issue for gravel riding, though.

dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves specifications and details

dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves for road cyclists
The Aeron Lab palms are minimally padded, which makes for a great on-bike feel. - Warren Rossiter / Our Media

The Aeron Lab gloves employ two fabrics from Polartec to reach dhb's protection goals.

First up is Power Shield. This membrane is made from plant-based and non-PFAS materials and is claimed to combine wind-proofing, breathability, plenty of stretch and high water resistance.

Polartec also says it delivers high abrasion resistance and durability.

The second material is Polartec Alpha, which is described as an ‘active insulation’ fabric. Simply, it's a high-loft fleece that’s been arranged in a grid pattern.

This texture leaves plenty of air pockets between the fabric and skin. So, while the gloves keep warmth in, they shouldn’t get clammy.

Dhb uses this material as a lining for the whole of the top of the Aeron Lab gloves, from wrist to fingertips. This leaves the underside and palm as a thinner skin, promoting unencumbered movement and a more natural-feeling grip at the bar.

The gloves also include touchscreen-compatible fingertips.

They're available in a wide range of sizes (XS-2XL).

dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves performance

dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves for road cyclists
Polartec’s Alpha is a highly lofted fleece that’s arranged in a grid pattern. - Warren Rossiter / Our Media

On the road, the dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves are nigh-on perfect for cold winter rides.

They’re impressively warm and offer great wind protection, but don’t overheat your hands.

On one of my test rides, the weather took a serious turn for the worse – a heavy downpour became a hailstorm, then a thunderstorm prompted more heavy rain. Even with plenty of surface water to contend with, the gloves took it all in their stride.

By the end of these extreme conditions, the gloves had started to wet out and hold a little water, with the outer fabric no longer able to repel the onslaught. However, most importantly, my hands didn’t get cold.

dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves for road cyclists
Polartec's Power Shield and Alpha insualtion make up the heart of the glove. - Warren Rossiter / Our Media

I also used the Aeron Lab gloves on a couple of chilly gravel rides. They kept my hands warm and dry, but the smooth palms couldn’t match the grip of more off-road focused winter gloves such as the 100% Briskers.

Fit-wise, the dhb gloves also impressed. I tested the XL – my usual glove size – and they fitted my large hands perfectly (my hands measure 8.5in from the heel of my palm to the tip of my index finger and 4.25in across the widest part of my palm).

With no intrusion or irritation from seams, I’ve been impressed by their resilience too, with little sign of wear even after being used and abused in some quite torrid conditions.

dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves bottom line

dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves for road cyclists
The dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves are designed to combine warm insulation with resilient rain protection. - Russell Burton / Our Media

The dhb Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Gloves have fast become favourites for cold winter rides.

The warmth, fit and, most importantly, lack of bulk make them feel more natural on the bike than traditionally bulky winter gloves.

They might be a little limited for gravel use, but the tactile palms and touchscreen-compatible fingertips add to a well-rounded package.

Product

Branddhb2
Price85.00 AUD,50.00 EUR,50.00 GBP,65.00 USD

Features

br_gendermens
FeaturesSizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL
Materials: Main Body/Lining - 100% Polyester; Palm - 100% Polyurethane
Colours: Black