Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Alé Nordik Glove

6
£45.00

VERDICT:

6
10
Despite a few flaws, these are a decent pair of winter gloves that will suit many riders
Weight: 
63g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

The Ale Nordik gloves are relatively svelte yet cosy, only undone when the windchill hits freezing. To be honest, for me there aren't many gloves that can deal with a sub-zero windchill effectively, and those that can tend to be thick and cumbersome. The Nordiks aren't this at all, which allows good feel and dexterity.

Outside, they're built of a softshell fabric, while on the inside you'll find a thin fleece lining for comfort and added warmth. It's a good combination, and suits everything but the wettest or coldest of weather, making them good for most winter weather conditions. You'll also find a soft snot panel on the back of both hands for seamless nose wiping.

> Find your nearest dealer here

They fit flush to the skin, offering great dexterity at the fingers, so you can still reach into your back pockets easily and operate things like zips, or peel a banana. You'll also be able to operate your phone thanks to the silver touchscreen fingertips on the forefingers, which is a nice... touch.

Padding is adequate, if not totally plush. You could argue this is in keeping with the aesthetics of the glove, but it's an area that could use a little more padding, especially if you struggle with pressure points on your hands. Nevertheless, unless you're heading out on a winter century, they'll do a decent job in most cases.

Styling is understated – unusual for Ale – but still keeps some flourishes with the upper covered in a shiny black Ale logo, and fluoro yellow grippers on the palm and the topside of the fingers. I can't see how such narrow strips of fluoro is supposed to be high-vis, but it does look stylish. They're also attached to the softshell very well too, although an upper shiny layer began to peel off after a few rides.

> Buyer's guide to the best winter cycling gloves

The actual bulk of the grippers have stayed in place, so build quality remains pretty decent across the board – no seams or sticking has come undone, and I would see these lasting for use next year as well.

That's just as well, because £45 is relatively high for a pair of gloves that will probably be defeated by the coldest weather Britain will offer this winter, and could use a touch more padding for the longest of rides.

That said, for everything else they're a decent, stylish pair, with ample padding for anything up to 60-80-mile rides in mid-single figure temperatures. A decent offering from Ale.

Verdict

Despite a few flaws, these are a decent pair of winter gloves that will suit many riders

road.cc test report

Make and model: Ale Nordik Glove

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Ale say: "[This is a] winter glove for intermediate season"

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Features:

- Antislip silicon on the palm

- High cuff without velcro

- Touch fingertip

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

The only flaw I noticed was the upper layer of the silicone grippers starts to peel away almost immediately – although the body of the silicone remained stuck fast to the glove itself.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Very good performance overall, although could arguably use a little more padding and isn't quite up to 'deep winter' riding duties.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Aside for the slight peeling of the silicone, they seem tough enough.

Rate the product for fit:
 
7/10

A close fit that guarantees good dexterity.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

Sizes about right – a large is a smidge too small for me, as I'd expect.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10

Lightweight for a pair of winter gloves, with the inevitable shortcoming in the dankest conditions.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
7/10

Comfortable with a fleece back internally, as long as you're warm enough.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

£45 is a lot for 'winter' gloves that can't quite do the freezing or super-wet shifts, to be honest. But if you avoid these conditions in general, they could be up your street.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Came back as new – it appears the silicone peeling only occurred during actual use, rather than in the wash.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well, if you keep clear of temperatures approaching zero or deluges.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Understated styling, yet unmistakably Ale. Comfortable inner.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Inability to deal with deep winter truly effectively, and a slight perceived lack of padding.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? I need a little more padding, personally.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, if they avoided deep winter riding, or simply run hot.

Use this box to explain your score

A good all-round glove, but just coming up short to be all things to all winter riders.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 27  Height: 188cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Canyon Ultimate CF SL 9.0 SL (2016)  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding

Latest Comments