Madison Isoler Thermal Roubaix Gloves

Madison's Isoler Thermal Roubaix gloves are a thin-pile two-in-one designed to slip beneath traditional winter gloves for additional warmth, or on their own when it's still a bit nippy for mitts but too warm for gloves proper. Credit where it's due, they play both roles pretty convincingly, but there are a few minor niggles...

Available in two colours – time-honoured murk-busting fluoro yellow or stealth black and Scotchlite – these are fashioned from a thin-pile but very rugged seamless polyester that sits tactile against the skin.

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The elasticated thermal cuffs are of a sensible length, forming a decent seal between jackets and training jerseys without creating too much bulk.

Flipping them over, the palms feature that familiar, grippy silicone detailing; this offers excellent all-weather purchase when engaging brakes and gears and works with most handlebar coverings. (Retro fans should note Benotto tape still proved infamously slippery in heavy rain, though no such problems with Bike Ribbon or genuine leather coverings.)

The gloves also afford excellent dexterity – perfect for quick tune-ups, taking photographs or remounting very stubborn tyres.

However, the fingers did not communicate reliably with my smartphones and similar touchscreen tech, which is something we've all come to expect, and this could be a deal-breaker for some.

The lack of padding translated to discomfort past the 25-mile mark and, somewhat predictably, the thin-pile fabric began absorbing moisture after 20 minutes in moderate rain and was truly sodden within 45.

Thankfully, they wick dry in a similar timescale when aided by a gentle breeze, and have remained fairly temperate. Talking of which, during a particularly mild December, I'm pleased to report they also remained ambient when temperatures crept into the teens.

Though there are only splashes of Scotchlite, some is better than none, communicating signals better along pitch black lanes than built-up areas.

> Check out our guide to the best winter gloves for cycling here

As a liner, performance is very much dependent on their hosts. On the few occasions during testing when temperatures slid down to 2°C, they proved surprisingly compatible with snug-fitting high-tech road gloves, adding an additional layer of protection against bitter crosswinds without impairing dexterity or bunching.

Funnily enough their qualities were best appreciated when paired with cheap but cheerful commuter/mountain bike versions, blocking chill while still allowing sweat to escape. These liner type designs are also useful for running, walking, photography and other outdoor pursuits.

Ultimately, there's a lot to like in terms of fit and comfort. The unreliable communication with touchscreen devices could be a deal breaker for many, though, and needs revising.

Verdict

Generally likeable gloves/liners that lend themselves to other outdoor pursuits, but most riders will expect tech-friendly digits