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45NRTH Slaps Winter with a Sturmfist, Introduces New Extreme Winter Cycling Gloves

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Sturmfist_4_GL1806-04

You’re familiar with the Cobrafist, now lay your eyes on the new 45NRTH Sturmfist line. Built to help you give old man Winter the finger while keeping said finger from getting frostbite, the Sturmfist gloves take a decidedly 45NRTH approach to winter gloves. The rise of fat bikes means a lot more people are braving the cold and are willing to pay for better cold weather cycling gear – as long as it works.

Many winter gloves are labeled as simply, winter gloves. The Sturmfist gloves are tiered based on what temperature ranges you expect to encounter, either 15-35ºF, or for the more robust winter pedalers, 0-15ºF. Labeled as the Sturmfist 4 or Sturmfist 5 based on the number of fingers, though both look to offer a good amount of dexterity considering their temperature ratings.

While these should be great for other winter activities as well, the Sturmfist gloves are purpose built for cycling thanks to a first among cycling gloves…

Sturmfist_5_GL1803-01 Sturmfist_5_GL1803

When you’re riding in extremely cold temperatures, your handlebars can actually act as heatsinks, pulling the heat away from your hands through conduction. To prevent conductive heat loss you can either slap on a set of AME’s heated grips, or slip on a pair of the new Sturmfist gloves thanks to the layer of aerogel insulation in the palms. Supposedly an industry first use in a cycling glove, aerogel is a fairly old technology which is essentially a silica gel that’s liquid components have been replace with gas. The resulting “frozen, solid, or blue smoke” as it has been called is extremely light and one of the best known thermal insulators.

Aerogel

aerogel 5

Early aerogels were also fairly fragile and brittle – not great for clothing. Now, new versions of aerogels are stronger and more flexible thanks to the work of organizations like NASA. The resulting materials are not only incredible thermal insulators, but much less bulky than options like down since aerogel does not need loft to insulate. We’re assuming they’re also still pretty expensive which is why you only find aerogel in the palm of the Sturmfist while the rest of the glove uses a Polartec NeoShell outer with Polartec Alpha insulation on the back of the glove (300g insulation for the 4, 100g for the 5). The use of the NeoShell outer should make these plenty waterproof.

Sturmfist_4_GL1806 Sturmfist_4_GL1806-02

In order to offer additional protection from the cold, the Sturmfist 4 uses a glove in a glove construction with an inner Merino wool liner plus a removable Merino Wool glove liner. The Sturmfist 5 also uses merino wool, but just a built in liner presumably to increase dexterity in the glove meant for “warmer” temperatures. Of course the 4 also combines the ring and pinky finger to aid in head retention and still allow for the use of just your index finger for one finger braking or operating a road shifter.

Sturmfist_5_GL1803-03 Sturmfist_4_GL1806-10

Sturmfist_5_GL1803-08 Sturmfist_4_GL1806-05

Due to the differences in construction the 5 sticks with an extended velcro cuff while the bulkier 4 uses a drawstring cuff that is easier to use with the thicker gloves and fit over jacket sleeves. Along with the waterproof Pittards WR100X Armortan goat leather palm and fingertips for durability, both models have the requisite soft suede nose wipe on the thumb.

Merino_Liner_GL1810 Merino_Liner_GL1810-01

The 100% merino wool liner will also be available separately for $50 to either use as mid-ride spares once the first pair gets soaked in sweat, or for use with the Cobrafist pogies. Utilizing a 250g merino wool, the gloves combine a rib-knit cuff with flat lock stitching, silicone printing for grip, and touch screen compatible thumb, index, and middle finger tips.

All gloves will be sold in sizes 7, 8, 9, and 10 (s, m, l, xl), while the Sturmfist 5 will sell for $100 and the Sturmfist 4 for $130.

45nrth.com

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Gunnstein
Gunnstein
9 years ago

And here I was expecting a Panzerfaust.

Gunnstein
Gunnstein
9 years ago

In non-medieval units I get -18 to -9.4 C, and -9.4 to +1.7 C. Looks interesting, esp. the 4-finger.

Tom
Tom
9 years ago

In non-medieval units (yawn) I have NEVER found a size 10 to be a true XL. That will be critical for these, being that they are winter gloves, and tight fit = not so good.

Perhaps a test of these? At $130, I’d want some real world feedback, but they would make a heck of a Christmas present!

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

Hmm, good winter bikes gloves tend to make great ski gloves.

gringo
gringo
9 years ago

Medieval units indeed. Aside from MBA mag the ENTIRE bike industry runs the smooth and logical Metric system….Oh, and also FOX who had to import Imperial sized tools to their Taiwan factory. LOL

But really, why only F’s when C’s are used by essentially the entire planet?

Dude
Dude
9 years ago

Great snow glove, I’d love a pair for snow biking. But cold and snow are relatively easy to design for: insulation, padding, etc, it’s all been done in snow sports. Somebody make a glove that works when it’s 35F and raining, please.

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
9 years ago

If light weight is your bag, then insulation doesn’t get any lighter than aerogel. As for units, there are loads of websites where you can learn to do the very complex unit conversion. You can even download apps to help you if you don’t have the math skills needed.

Gunnstein
Gunnstein
9 years ago

You have a point, Dude. Rainwear is harder to do. (And with pogies there is no need for fancy expensive snow gloves.) Anyway, I still think they should have called it the Panzerfaust.

Gunnstein
Gunnstein
9 years ago

Seems I hit a nerve about the units. Sorry guys, I understand it must have been hell groving up with that mess. 😉 Anyway, it was meant as a friendly hint to the editors. Everyone else, feel free to ignore.

Brendan
Brendan
9 years ago

Why not kelvin?

Limba
Limba
9 years ago

If anyone tries these below -5oC or even better, -10oC give us a review. I’ll buy them if they work at those temperatures and don’t fall apart.

Sam
Sam
9 years ago

45nrth is in the U.S., the U.S. uses Fahrenheit. Deal with it.

Willis24
Willis24
9 years ago

So I wonder if NeoShell, Gortex and OutDry are all on a level playing field? If so, there may be some cheaper alternatives that are not cycling specific and are more aimed at outdoor construction work. In any case, I applaud 45N for releasing something that actually works. I purchased another brand that used a model name of Siberia and nearly got permanent damage once moisture built up in the glove a long way from shelter.

Fat Bike Freak
Fat Bike Freak
9 years ago

What is that in metric?

James
James
9 years ago

Sturmfist? Badass. They should have just gone full german on the gloves: Handschuh (hand-shoes). On second thought, maybe not.

The NCC Crew
9 years ago

We had a great chance to see these in person before they were launched. They’re fantastic.
We put together a video about them here: http://youtu.be/eeu9yd2vqU8

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

When and where can I get these?

Adam2
Adam2
9 years ago

I agree! Give the rest of the world a little metric!

Lars
Lars
9 years ago

I hope they make a mitten version. Gloves don’t work in cold weather.

someslowguy
someslowguy
9 years ago

DUDE –

Have you ever heard of Glacier Gloves – http://www.glaciercycling.com/

They worked pretty well for me last December/January for wet/muddy above freezing CX racing.

Whitekitten
Whitekitten
9 years ago

Hold on, does the “45” in 45NRTH use metric or imperial units?

Mike D
Mike D
9 years ago

Oh Whitekitten… that’s a mighty big spoon you’re using to stir the pot with 😀 But hey, you got a laugh outta me for it.

I’m most excited about the ‘100% Merino wool’ liner! In my experience, nothing keeps me warm and dry like my wool components. I’d really like to use the liner with these shells, or any shell, for that matter.

Limba
Limba
9 years ago

I just did a 90 minute road ride at 0oC wearing latex gloves under my normal best winter gloves (junk Hot Paws $20). My hands never got cold. I don’t know if the latex idea will work at – 5 or -10oC but I’ll report back if it works. It might save people a lot of money.

jeff
9 years ago

Where can you buy these online?

Limba
Limba
9 years ago

I’m reporting back. My hands are freezing at anything colder than -10oC with junk Hot Paws gloves with the latex liner. I might buy these or Rapha’s Deep Winter gloves.

yoslater
yoslater
9 years ago

I can’t wear these under 15 F, my hands get cold. They are comfortable, I can still use all the levers with ease (unlike mittens) and I can feel the heat gel working but I still get cold. I feel that the wind proof front is not working….I do have cold hands and this has been an issue in all winter riding and XC skiing. Thinking of spraying the front with some windproof spray. My buddies have them and love them, but not warm enough for me.

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