These are comfortable, warm and hard-wearing gloves that offer a great level of performance for their price; a bargain.
Pros
+
Comfortable with good dexterity
+
Great value
+
Will work for a range of riding
+
Durable
+
Touch screen compatible
Cons
-
Won’t be enough for freezing temperatures
-
Not great in the rain
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Galibier Ardennes gloves
Price: £27.88 / $36.48 / €33.52 Weight: 62 grams per pair - Medium Sizes: XS-XXL Colours: Black / Orange
We are just about a month away from Milan San Remo, a race I always associate with the coming of spring proper, a time when cyclists can maybe take the mudguards off and pack away the extra layers. Warmer temperatures mean lighter weight kit, and in Britain the mercury has risen slightly in the past week or so with some warmer, wetter days. By the time these glove's namesake Ardennes classics races roll around, we should all be a lot more comfortable when riding outdoors.
Enter the Galibier Ardennes gloves, an affordable yet quality pair of lightweight gloves from the Irish brand that has earned a loyal following for itself thanks to its quality, yet affordable cycling kit.
The Ardennes gloves take the best budget spot in my best winter cycling gloves guide right now, coming in at £27.88 / $36.48 / €33.52 per pair. The gloves are available in two colours and Galibier claims they are 'designed to provide warmth without the bulk, ideal for cool but not freezing temperatures'
I've ridden with these gloves for close to two years and have found them to be a comfortable, versatile, good-quality option that is still going strong.
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The finishing may not be quite as neat as some, but the gloves are soft and comfortable inside(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski )
Sillicone gripper on the palms (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski )
Design and aesthetics
The Ardennes gloves are available in black and orange versions, and I've tested the black version as seen in the pictures. They are on the thin side and are pretty light at under 70 grams for the pair.
There is a 'Galibier' wordmark on each pinky finger with a red 'G' and that's your lot for branding.
The gloves pull on - there's no velcro strap or zip to deal with - and the neoprene cuffs aren't super long, but cover the first part of your wrists, adding to the glove's versatility. The neoprene cuffs however aren't so short that they don't play nicely with long jersey sleeves or winter jackets etc.
The palm uses AX Suede material, with a silicone gripper pattern on top. Internally, the back of the hands section is lined with soft fleece, and the gloves are comfortable to wear. There's an additional panel on the outside of the hands which the brand says is a 1.4mm thick membrane which provides extra insulation.
My gloves aren't touchscreen compatible but newer versions of these gloves have been updated with a touchscreen-compatible forefinger.
Performance
The Ardennes gloves work well across a range of temperatures (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Performance has been great from the Ardennes gloves, I've used them for primarily road riding in autumn, winter, and spring on easy and hard rides and they have kept my hands comfortable and warm in a range of temperatures.
Galibier states a usable temperature range of 2-12ºC / 35-53ºF. I think down to single digits and around freezing they are probably a bit lightweight for steadier riding. However, I have used them for hard rides in the cold around these sorts of temperatures and they have kept my hands warm and comfortable when working hard. I was surprised on one or two cold rides at how well the gloves performed given their lighter weight.
Of course, it's going to depend from rider to rider, but for the money they will bring a lot of versatility and give you a good all-around option for a lot of riding. Galibier does have the heavier-duty Barrier glove if you want more winter protection.
Their lightweight and dexterity means you could use them easily for gravel or mtb riding as well. The cuff length means they would also work with a short-sleeved jersey and not look out of place.
The gloves aren't waterproof, there isn't a waterproof membrane or any seam sealing, so I wouldn't recommend them for riding in the rain.
They have worn very well across many washes, the only wear and tear I can see is some slight cracking on my silicone palm grippers on my own pairs. This gives me confidence that despite their accessible price point, they are a hardy, good-quality offering that should last you several seasons at least.
The cuff sits at a mid-length, suitable to work with a range of kit and types of riding (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Value
The Galibier Ardennes gloves are a great value buy that will prove their worth and work well for a range of riding and conditions.
At under $35, you can't go wrong here, and after over a year of use and lots of washing, I can attest to the glove's sturdy construction and quality. They aren't going to fall apart on you.
Verdict
These are quality gloves that would be perfect for spring autumn and milder winter use, or when riding hard. They have proven to be a durable, well priced option that you can do a lot with.
They won't stand up well to a lot of water or really cold temperatures, but for the money they are a good quality and well designed option from Galibier.
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Testing scorecard and notes
Design and Aesthetics
A simple, functional design that works well, newer pairs have been upgraded with touschreen compatability
8/10
Wet weather performance
Not wateproof, will succum to rain and lots of spray
6/10
Cold weather performance
Surprisingly effective at times, won't be so worn in single digit temps, but will work well for more intense riding
8/10
Comfort and fit
True to size and comfortable with no niggles or issues for me
9/10
Value
Excellent, a good pair of glovs for the money and mine are stll going strong
Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as a tech writer. Despite having a degree in English Literature he has spent his entire working life in the cycling industry in one form or another. He has over 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last five years before joining Cyclingnews being spent running an independent workshop. This means he is just as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike, and he isn’t afraid to pull a bike apart or get hands-on with it when testing to really see what it’s made of.
He has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines. He has a keen eye for pro-team tech and enjoys spotting new or interesting components in the wild. During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has already interviewed some of the sport's biggest names including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar and Alberto Contador. He's also covered various launches from brands such as Pinarello, Ridley, Specialized and more, tackled the Roubaix Challenge sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale SuperSix Evo, tested over 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and has created helpful in-depth buying advice relating to countless categories from torque wrenches to winter clothing.
