Gear News

The Rider Firm launches layered glove system for winter cycling

Dissent 133, from the same stable as Hunt Bike Wheels, offers unique solution to beating wet and frozen hands

Winter brings with it many challenges for cyclists, not least when it comes to keeping your hands warm and dry when riding. Cold and wet hands can quickly ruin a ride, and do nothing for your motivation when it comes to riding in inclement weather.

Luckily, at least as far as your hands are concerned, the team at The Rider Firm has you covered, literally, with the company’s new Dissent 133 three-layer glove system. Could this be the answer to cold, wet hands this winter? The three layers comprise of a silk liner, thermal glove, and either a windproof glove and waterproof glove, designed to be worn on their own in the right conditions, or all together if it’s particularly foul out there.

The Dissent 133 (named so because there’s an average of 133 days of rain in the UK every year, apparently) system follows the theory that you would layer your clothing when the weather gets bad, so why not your gloves, too?

Dissent 133’s three-layer glove system is designed to keep your hands comfortable, regardless of the conditions (Pic: The Rider Firm)

Explaining the new system, The Rider Firm’s Tom Marchment said: “We knew that creating a system that had a membrane very close to the surface of the glove and kept the wind/rain out of all the thermal layers in our gloves would make a big difference, and we knew supple/low bulk layering would also provide excellent warmth and dexterity.”

The system is available in three options. All four gloves can be bought together in the ‘Ultimate Pack’ for £95, while the ‘Waterproof Pack’, featuring all but the windproof layer, is yours for £80. Finally, the ‘Windproof Pack’ features all but the waterproof layer, and can be bought now for £58.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the gloves – or check out this video to see how the system works.

Base layer – Silk Liner Gloves

The base layer is a silk liner glove – slim, full-fingered and made from 100% silk to offer high-wicking properties, according to Dissent 133. It’s made from a lightweight material to ensure plenty of dexterity and comfort, with Dissent 133 promising an excellent fit and flexibility from the high-gauge fabric.

Thermal layer – Defeet DuraGlove E-Touch

Defeet may be a familiar name when it comes to cycling gloves, and Dissent 133 has called upon the company’s expertise for the thermal element of the glove-layering system.

The Dissent 133-branded gloves boast a knitted construction with touchscreen-friendly middle finger, index finger and thumb. A popular choice in the pro peloton, the DuraGloves also boast a silicone palm and finger grips, with a Cordura yarn woven into the exterior of the glove for abrasion resistance.

The silk liner and Defeet DuraGlove E-Touch are then topped by one of the two outer layers.

The system includes a silk base layer, DeFeet DuraGlove thermal layer and then a windproof or waterproof outer – with the latter pictured here (Pic: The Rider Firm)

Windproof layer – Showerlite Gloves

The showerlite glove is the lightest, smallest-packing of the two outer layers available in the Dissent 133 system, pitched as ideal for cyclo-cross and spring races when extra wind protection is needed, without impacting dexterity.

Alongside being windproof, the knitted outer is bonded to a breathable barrier and water-resistant membrane (waterproof to 10,000mm, so it’s no slouch in that regard either).

DWR treatment offers an extra layer of water resistance on the surface of the glove, which features a unique closure system, offering one-handed tightening and extra width around the knuckles, said to make for easy fitting/removable.

The gloves are built to be extremely packable, but also offer full coverage (i.e. no vulnerable holes/slots where weather can get in), according to Dissent 133.

The Dissent 133 ‘Ultimate Pack’ includes four gloves, designed to be worn on their own or as a combination of three

Dissent 133 layered glove system, pic - The Rider Firm

Waterproof layer – Outdry Lite Gloves

Dissent 133’s Outdry Lite Glove is the big-ticket glove of the system and is dubbed the ‘most technically advanced of the three layers’.

The glove itself, as well as being the outer layer of the Dissent 133 system, is layered with OutDry tech. Better known for its use in climbing, mountaineering and outdoor equipment, the seamless OutDry waterproof membrane is bonded to an inner fabric boasting two-way stretch and antimicrobial and anti-odour treatments.

The outer shell, meanwhile, comes from Swiss firm Schoeller and is treated to apparently offer a self-cleaning surface. The end product is a glove which repels water, oil and dirt, according to Dissent 133.

Touch screen fingertips, a nose wipe on the thumb and reflective side strips complete the build.

Website: Dissent 133