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Need Winter Cycling Gloves? The Answer Sleestak 3 In 1 Mitts Are Severely Underrated

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Answer Sleestak 3 in 1 winter mitt glove gloves cold weather (8)

I would assume that if you asked most cyclists why they don’t ride more in the winter, the answer would be two-fold. First, no one likes cold hands and feet and second? Quality winter gear is expensive. Given the fact that sometimes it feels like it takes longer to get dressed than the actual ride, it’s clear that cold weather cycling requires quite a bit more equipment.

When it comes to winter riding gloves, there is no shortage of options. However, if you need something seriously warm that is also affordable, the herd gets thin, quick. That’s why I am very happily surprised by the Answer Sleestak 3 in 1 mitts. Available for just $39.99, these might be the best winter gloves you’ve never heard of…

Answer Sleestak 3 in 1 winter mitt glove gloves cold weather (2) Answer Sleestak 3 in 1 winter mitt glove gloves cold weather (1)

To be completely honest, when I tried on the Sleestaks for the first time I really didn’t expect much out of the mitts. They just don’t feel very substantial, how could these be very warm? Boy, was I wrong. As it turns out, these may be the warmest gloves I’ve used. They’re so warm in fact that I question Answer’s rated temperature of 20ºF (-7ºC). My hands tend to get pretty cold, especially my fingertips. With the Sleestaks though, I’ve comfortably ridden down to about 3ºF (-16ºC) and could easily go lower, especially if I added a thin liner.  Even in the single digits I still found myself pulling off the mitts occasionally to cool down. If anything, the Sleestaks might be too warm.

Answer Sleestak 3 in 1 winter mitt glove gloves cold weather (4)

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Combined with their PrimaLoft insulation, I’m sure a lot of that warmth comes from your last three fingers in the same lobe, with your index finger and thumb in their own separate fingers. Those who have to brake with two fingers will find this arrangement challenging, but for the rest of us using one finger braking the division is perfect. The Sleestak is also less constricting than 4 finger gloves which aides with blood flow through your extremities. It also seems that the super lightweight build of the mitts help with dexterity since I was still able to operate zippers, clips, bike racks, shifters, and wipe your nose (with the soft terry cloth thumbs) without any fuss. If you do find yourself needing more dexterity, the mitts are very easy to remove and put back on when you’re done.

I should point out that while the 3 in 1 design does work with road shifters, it is a bit more tricky to use than with a standard glove. However, due to the working temperature range of the Sleestaks, when it’s cold enough to use them I would much prefer to be riding frozen trails than out riding the road. Because of this they have gotten very little use on the road bike.

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If there is one weak point to the design of the Sleestak, it may be the lack of waterproofing. In reality though, I found the outer nylon ripstop shell and Amara palm to be effectively water resistant to keep snow and ice from getting your hands wet. I wouldn’t go putting your hands in an icy stream and expect them to stay dry, but considering how warm the Sleestak is, the lack of waterproofing never presented itself as an issue.

Also, it is possible for them to bunch up a bit between the bar and your hand, but I haven’t found a glove that works at these temperatures that doesn’t. The key is that even with the slight bunching, they still offer great control and feel of the bar making techy moves way easier than they should be at 10ºF.

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Realistically, there are better gloves out there if you’re planning a polar fat bike expedition or spending long hours in extreme temperatures. But if you’re like most of us and plan on riding for a few hours in temperatures well below freezing, the Sleestaks are a refreshing reminder that highly functional gear doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Sleestaks are available in black, red, and green in S-XL and retail for $39.99.

answerproducts.com

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22 Comments
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Veganpotter
Veganpotter
9 years ago

While I’ve never tried this pair of gloves, I have used numerous versions of split finger gloves. The “two finger per hole” gloves have always worked better as a whole. Whenever I’ve used a glove like this, I wind up with three comfy fingers and an EXTREMELY painful index finger.
Maybe these are that much better? Hopefully, the price is definitely good although I’d never wear my lobsters much over 0 degrees Celsius…too warm

Matteo
Matteo
9 years ago

If they are properly made to work below 0ºC that’s may the reason because they aren’t waterproof.

King County
King County
9 years ago

For the price, these seem awesome. I’d had success with my Answer Strike gloves, which seem to be a cold rating warmer than these Sleestaks for cold spring/warm winter riding. I’m not sure how I would do with 1 finger braking. I’ve been using 2 fingers for so long. I’ll have to try 1 finger and see how I adapt.

Mattbyke
Mattbyke
9 years ago

I love the name. Anyone remember the Sleestaks?

BikeHoarder6
BikeHoarder6
9 years ago

Surprised there is absolutely no mention of the
show “Land of the Lost” where the Sleestaks struck terror into the hearts
of lost travelers. Nowadays I’m feeling old when my co-workers return a
dumbfounded stare when I reference old tv shows/movies?

“Who the hell is Maxwell Smart”?

Adam2
Adam2
9 years ago

Nice review! They look like great gloves! Thank you for doing the temperature conversion!

Tad Dickman
Tad Dickman
9 years ago

They hit the nail on the head with price and design. Well done Answer.

Champs
Champs
9 years ago

I’m with Veganpotter and Matteo. The 2+2 lobster configuration is warmer, and one-finger to two-finger movement adaptation is easier than the other way around. If waterproofing is a priority, I’d go one size up with Glaciers and ride with some burly liners. For most people, waterproof gloves in snow and ice make as much sense as floating mitts for baseball..

On the subjectivity of temperature ratings, I just don’t buy them. Personally, and perhaps ironically, I can’t wear lobsters until temperatures hit the single digits. In Portland, you’ll see people wearing them with balaclavas in any subfreezing weather. It’s all subjective.

Rico
Rico
9 years ago

Mattbyke I do haha. They would go in that triangle hut and move those jewels around and wreak havoc. that scared the crap out of me as a little kid.

Thos gloves look good. I ride mostly road but it’s brutal in wind. I have tried about every hi end winter road glove on the market but I always fall back on some Dakine mtb gloves.

Brad Thecommenter
Brad Thecommenter
9 years ago

I will never use lobster / or combined finger gloves again! Last winter, I was cut-off by a motorist and wasn’t able to successfully give him the middle finger. I basically gave him a lobster claw to see in his rear-view mirror.

Make sure you always have a middle finger handy, that’s my advice.

(None of this applies for non-urban riding; I’m in Chicago).

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

Answer has a couple other winter gloves that are hugely under rated as well.

The choppers are a bit thicker than the sleestaks http://www.answerproducts.com/apparel/gloves/chopper-mitt/

And the strikes are some of the best all around winter gloves you can find anywhere
http://www.answerproducts.com/apparel/gloves/strike/

Ace
Ace
9 years ago

I think these gloves do look very nice but a problem i have is sweating and using two pairs of gloves on longer rides,are there any gloves that can solve that problem?

Brad
Brad
9 years ago

Not interested in the gloves as they are too warm for here, but thank you for the temperature conversion!

Sam
Sam
9 years ago

@Ace- Your gloves are to warm.

I have a pair of Swix gloves with the same layout and similarly mystical warmth that are my go to glove for <20 F.

lonefrontranger
lonefrontranger
9 years ago

the gloves I use to solve the sweating / overheating problem are a thin disposable latex or nitrile exam glove under my main glove. they’re the same disposable exam gloves I use to work on my bikes, and I can frequently get 2-3 or more uses out of a single pair if I’m careful not to tear them. Adding them as a liner means that the fill / loft lining of the main glove doesn’t get wet / sweaty and stays cleaner and dry for less laundering and much greater warmth. My hands do sweat into the nitrile liners, however they stay much warmer and I don’t get cold cracks or chafing.

Gixxer
Gixxer
9 years ago

@Brad Thecommenter…funniest thing I’ve read all year.

Sarah
9 years ago

The gloves look nice but I’m a girl. maybe i’ll get one for my brother for his birthday 🙂

Biggermig
Biggermig
9 years ago

Who tested these? Marshall, Will, or Holly?

Dominic
Dominic
9 years ago

I’m still looking for winter biking gloves that ARE waterproof. Slush is a terrible mistress, and as tough as my fingers are, they don’t deal with the cold very well, so once the gloves get wet i’m toast.

TB
TB
9 years ago

Bar Mitts. I wear summer gloves down to 20F using Bar Mitts.

GC
GC
9 years ago

Looks like a solid value. Another glove to consider is Planet Bikes Borealis. Same price range and offers two finger braking. Have worn them on my road bike down to the mid teens and my fingers were very warm considering the wind chill at road bike speeds.

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