If your kids are going to continue to cycle throughout the cold winter months, then a pair of good quality warm children's winter cycling gloves become an essential purchase. This is because they need to be able to keep gripping the handle bars, change gears and of course brake - whatever the temperature. They also need to be able to handle a cup of warming soup! 
Winter gloves are also important for toddlers and younger children sitting in cargo bikes, bike seats or trailers, who loose heat quickly.
Winter cycling gloves need to be wind proof and reasonably waterproof and sized for smaller hands.
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Credit is due to Polaris for realising that winter cycling takes many forms, and that one glove doesn't suit the needs of all kids. Whilst many manufacturers have a range of adult gloves, most only have one winter kids glove on offer. It's great therefore that Polaris have four different kids winter gloves - the Mini Windgrip, Mini Attack, Mini Hoolie and Mini Torrent, which go up in level of protection.
All Polaris kids winter gloves come in four sizes, based on the circumference of your child's hand (excluding the thumb), and tend to come up a bit on the larger size.
Small = 11.5-13.0cm (approx 5-6yrs)
Medium = 13.0-14.5cm (approx 7-8 years)
Large = 14.5cm-16.0cm (approx 9-10 years)
XL = 16.0-17.5cm (approx 11-12 years)
Cycle Sprog used and recommended gloves
The Mini Attack is a warm winter glove but it is not completely wind or waterproof. Whilst this might sound bad, it's worth remembering that if it was, then little hands would probably get very hot and sweaty on all but the coldest days. With the Mini Attack, the wind and waterproof fabric is to the back of the hand to prevent the worst of the cold and wet getting in.
The glove does have a knitted cuff rather than the velcro, meaning water ingress during torrential downpours, plus it can be difficult to let the heat out your child is getting very hot through exertion. However, the Mini Attack is a good choice if you're riding on crisp, dry winter days, or when it's light rain. Our youngest wore them all last winter for weekend mountain biking and didn't complain of cold hands. He did overheat several times on the very steep climbs - but we do live in Cumbria! The rest of the time he found them to be a great all rounder (here's our review of the Polaris Mini Attack if you want more detail on how it performed).
==> Click here to buy the Polaris Mini Attack Gloves from Amazon
The Polaris Mini Hoolie Children's Cycling Glove is a fully windproof winter glove, and is weatherproof (meaning it will repel water up to a point, but isn't 100% watertight). It's particularly suited to riding in the dark, due to the high visibility trim, and their RBS glove (RBS stands for "Really Bright Stuff") is good for low light conditions, particularly when signalling. They come in yellow or orange with black trim, or black with orange.
The velcro adjustable cuff gives more options for keeping out the cold and rain, or releasing heat. The silicon print on fingers and palm add additional grip in the wet and there is a fleece nose wipe on the thumb (lovely!!) This glove would be ideal for those who cycle to school all year round.
==> Click here to buy the Polaris Mini Hoolie at Tredz
As the name suggests, the Mini Torrent is Polaris's most extreme winter cycling glove. Designed to be fully waterproof, it contains a Hipora membrane lining to ensure no water seeps through from the glove surface to hands. This glove is ideal below freezing due to its thinsulate padding and insulation - if it's worn in warmer conditions you're likely to get complaints of hands getting too hot. An ideal glove for those who cycle through extreme conditions, or where your child is expending no energy themselves and getting cold extremities (i.e. in a cargo bike, tagalong)
The RRP of the Mini Torrent is £22.99 and they are available from Little Pro and Amazon.
The Polaris Mini Windgrip gloves are designed for year round use - they are, as the name suggests, windproof, so will stop fingers getting cold on milder days. They're not waterproof or thermal, so are best suited for those who cycle on dry, mild autumn and spring days only. The palms are grippy, so good for those needing optimum control of their bike (think racing!)
==> Click here to buy the Mini Windgrip gloves from the Little Bike Company
Cycle Sprog used and recommended gloves
Our youngest Sprog is now wearing an older version of these gloves - his older brother had them several years ago so he gets the hand-me-downs. Both picked these as their glove of choice on really cold winters days and they've been very happy with how they keep hands warm. I'm also assured that the waterproofing works. The cuff is waterproof too which is a problem with some gloves. However you do need to make sure their jacket comes down over this they have narrow wrists, or else the glove just fills up with water!
Buy now - Chiba Kids Eurotex Waterproof Gloves from Merlin Cycles
The Altura Night Vision 3 has a sleek look, with added colour and a long cuff.
We used the Altura Cresta gloves for several years when our boys were younger and frequently buy adult Altura products, as they are so well designed for the British climate, so expect this glove to perform well. It's designed to have maximum visibility - check out the reflective material which will be picked out by car headlights - and warmth, whilst maintaining breathability. Cuff extensions will provide extra warmth (and hopefully keep the rain out), and an inner thermal lining should keep little hands dry and warm. The external fabric is designed to be windproof. This glove is likely to be a good all rounder for daily use through the chilly and wet winter months.
The Altura Youth Night Vision 3 has and RRP of £19.99 and is available in three sizes (5-6, 7-9 and 10-12)
===> Click here to buy the Altura Night Vision 3 from Cyclestore
If you're looking to inject a bit of fun into your cycling, then the Loffi gloves might just be the answer! Designed with a smiley face that is visible to traffic when signalling, this new brand is aiming to bring happiness to our roads. They've just released two kids sized gloves - medium (roughly ages 5-8) and large (roughly ages 8-10). They do an XS adults glove that they say will fit older kids, for £35.99) For smaller hands, their small size comes in mittens format and is aimed at ages 4 - 5 years. Colour choice is either black or yellow.
Buy now: Loffi kids gloves are available direct from their website
The nice thing about the Maddison kids winter cycling gloves is they're not all black! With yellow and pink options available they're a bit more colourful, which can be useful on dark winters days. The Protec is their heavier weight offering, and Maddison claim these gloves are waterproof, windproof and breathable. They have a micro-fleece lining to keep hands warm and dry. As with the other gloves they've got a cuff adjuster plus reflective print and detailing for enhanced visibility. These gloves come with silver thread on the tips of the thumb and index fingers to allow for basic control of touch screen devices without the removal of the gloves, so these are a good all round choice for mobile savvy kids, or those navigating using a device.
The Maddison gloves sizing is done in cm's not years. Their website states - "measure across back of palm for glove size" and you don't include the thumb. Their ranges for their youth sizes say XS - 6cm-7cm; S 7-7.5cm; M 7.5-8cm; L 8-9.8cm
Buy now: The Madison Protec Youth Waterproof Long Finger Gloves from Tredz.
The Element is the Protec's younger sibling - it's a lightweight thermal glove that is windproof and breathable, so is ideal for milder and drier days. It's showerproof rather than downpour proof. The Element has the same touch screen friendly features as the Protec and has a double layered fabric in the high wear area between index finger and thumb ensure a long life. It's therefore not surprising that when Cycle Sprog follower Stephen recommended these, he told us that his 7 year old daughters have been using them for several years.
The Madison Element kids gloves have an RRP of £14.99 and come in the coral colour pictured above, or blue.
Buy now: The Maddison Element kids gloves from Tredz.
Endura are another popular choice for winter cycling kit - they're designed to keep you dry and warm in whatever a Scottish winter can throw at you, and we've been impressed with everything we've bought from them in the past.
Their Autumn/Winter kids cycle glove offering is the Nemo. It's got an interesting feel super stretch neoprene outer, which should be very waterproof, with a wicking terry inner to stop too much sweat building up. There's silicone grip on the palm, and a deep cuff with a velcro wrist strap adjuster to stop rain or snow getting down inside. The reflective trim is functional. These gloves are ideal for hardened winter cyclists who go out in all weather conditions - Endura even say they're ideal for snowballing! However, we've had mixed reviews on these from Cycle Sprog readers.....
The Nemo gets the thumbs up from Dad of two Toby, who told us "You won't find warmer and more dexterous, I promise. They are amazingly good, and for snowballs too."
However, Mum of two Victoria told us "The sizes are very off, my 5 year old wears the age 7-8 and she is very petite and my 7 year old wears the 9-10. Also they did not keep my 5 year olds hands warm - she screamed the whole way to school while cycling and they were blocks of ice when we arrived!"
The Endura Nemo full finger kids cycling gloves have an RRP of £16.99 and are available in Small (approx 7-8 yrs), Medium (approx 9-10 years) and Large (approx 11-12 years).
===> Click here to buy the Endura Nemo gloves from Tredz
Whilst kids cycling gloves are designed specifically for the purpose of cycling, it's of course possible to use other kids winter gloves for cycling in. Here are a couple that Cycle Sprog readers have recommended:
Cycle Sprog reader Joanne recommends the Kipsta "Keep Warm" gloves. They're designed for football and rugby, so don't have all the features of the dedicated kids cycling glove, but Joanne tells us: "They are really flexible, have a great grip, fleecy lining and polyester outer so they cope with light rain. The gloves wash well and are cheap (£4.99) so I can justify a couple of pairs each. They start at age 6 which is tiny and fits my 4yr old well."
Another reader, Richard, seconds that, saying "The Kipsta makes a great glove for cyclo-cross races - not too thick and still grippy when muddy. But not hugely warm for a longer ride though, I'd say good for 5 degree ish on anything more than a quick spin."
Buy now: Kipsta "Keep Warm" gloves from Decathlon for £4.99
Cycle Sprog reader Alice recommends the Gap Warmest Gloves (RRP £16.99) for on and off the bike. She says "I’ve been buying these from Gap in increasingly bigger sizes for years. They seem to work very well, and are not too bulky to change gear. Often heavily reduced".
Buy now: Gap Warmest Gloves
One of the REALLY REALLY annoying things about kids sized winter cycling gloves is that it's almost impossible to find a pair for children under 5 years old. What about all the 2, 3 and 4 year olds out there who want to ride all year round?
This has long been a problem, and unfortunately, Sealskinz, whose smaller sized gloves we used to recommend, have stopped making them. However, we have been told about Gordini, who made toddler sized gloves for ages 1 (XXS), 2 (XS), 3 (S), 4 (M), 5, (L) and 6 years (XL). Obviously hand size varies, so they are for guidance only.
Whilst not cycling specific gloves, the manufacturers claim they are ultra breathable, waterproof and windproof. The gloves have palm and thumb reinforcement. We're not sure if they're flexible enough for braking and changing gear, but should be suitable for balance bikers and those on tagalongs.
The Gordini Tots gloves come in a range of colours and are available from Amazon.
For younger children who are sitting in a cargo bike, trailer or bike seat, you need to make sure their hands are really warm. Unlike young cyclists, they are sitting still and not generating body warmth. Extremities like fingers will get cold quickly. Mittens are a good way to keep smaller hands warm, as you're not fiddling trying to get fingers into the correct holes.
The Didriksons Biggles Zip Mittens come with a zip down the side, to help you get your child's hands into them - something we think will really help when you're rushing to get out the house. They're made of 100% Polyamide Weave, which is water resistant, but the tapes aren't seamed, so they're not 100% waterproof. Warmth is provided by fleece pile. The mittens come in ages Baby - 2 years, 2-4, 4-6 and 6-8 years, and five bright colours. They have a starting RRP of £18 and are available on Amazon They also do a slightly cheaper version without the zips.
It's always useful to have a little pair of "normal" gloves to have tucked away in your rucksack. Picture the scene - you've stopped for a break, the winter cycling gloves are too cumbersome and so come off, but it's too cold to go without gloves - you know the result if they get freezing fingers, so best be prepared. Alternatively, you may find their hands warm up too much in their winter gloves up a hill, and they won't keep them on. They can also be used under other mitts and gloves in extremely cold weather.
We also find really cheap thin gloves are good for turning short fingered cycling mitts into autumn/winter cycling gloves in an emergency situation (i.e. you've turned the house upside down and can't find the warm kids winter cycling gloves anywhere!)
Go Outdoors have some really cheap kids sized stretch gloves which should do the job just fine - they also have a grippy palm if your child ends up needing to use them for cycling in. They are one size and cost just £2.00.
Finally, if your kids are prone to taking their gloves off and losing them (especially if they're sitting behind you in a rear bike seat or bike trailer and you can't see them!) then the good old fashioned piece of elastic is a good idea.
Glove Glue is a great alternative - it's a correctly sized piece of elastic which comes with clips, meaning you don't have to sew anything. Glove Glue is available from Amazon.
Other articles you may find useful:
This article on the warmest children's winter cycling gloves was originally posted on 10th October 2012, and was last updated in January 2020 to reflect the latest stock
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If you're cycling all year round with your family, you'll love our article on kids winter cycling jackets:
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My kids both have small hands, but HATE even the best gloves because they struggle to change gears and brake.
I thought it would be better this year because they both have drops with the gear shifts built into brakes (the ones you push left or right).
But no. Kids still want to wear their lightest gloves, even when my hands are freezing in my heaviest winter ones.
Out of interest which ones have you tried Sara? My youngest struggled when he was v small, but has done well with the Polaris Attack ones. The older is using Chiba ones that have been discontinued - they were good for flexibility but not on waterproofness. The eldest gets very cold fingers and can't seem to cope, so it's become an annual problem of finding a pair we like and them being discontinued.... frustrating. The youngest sn't so susceptable to the cold, thankfully!!!
A very timely article. Just chatting about how to find some decent cycling gloves for our two and then hey presto your article pops up. Thanks!
Glad to be of help Louise! The annual struggle to find gloves can be quite tiresome! Would be interested to know which ones you end up with. Karen
It’s always wise to take a second pair in winter. Biggest problem I find with kids gloves is when the inner liner gets damp from either rain or sweat as they’re removed the finger lining pulls out of the fingers. Kids then can’t get them back in and the glove is useless. Had this with adult gloves too. I’ve spent ages poking linings back in fingers but TBH when this happens it’s best to just buy new. What are the best gloves you tested that don’t have liners?
Hi Rob - good idea about taking two pairs (especially if it's raining!) We had one particularly bad pair of gloves a few years ago that I spent more time turning in the right way - a thankless task indeed. Our youngest has been wearing the Polaris Mini Attack for two winters now and we've never had any liner problems and his fingers remain warm. Karen
Thanks a lot for this!
I’ve been hunting high and low for decent gloves to fit my 5 year old. As a few people above, he doesn’t like thicker ones as he can’t feel the grips or brake properly (I feel the same towards thicker gloves!) but definitely going to give some of the Polaris gloves a try now.
Ben
Glad to be of help Ben. Would be interested to hear your verdict on the Polaris gloves. Our youngest has been wearing the Mini Attack for over a year and gets on well with them. It can help to let them wear the thicker gloves as much as possible off the bike too, so they loosen up.