Cyclists' hands get a raw deal in winter. Perched out up front on the bars, they take the brunt of any chill winds and, unlike your legs, they've relatively little work to do so don't even get to warm up properly. That's why a good pair of winter gloves is essential for riding in the colder months, a season that can run from late September to mid April here in the UK.
DeFeet's Duraglove Etouch gloves are not designed for cycling in deep winter conditions - in fact, they're not designed specifically for cycling, being marketed equally to runners and cyclists. The drawback of this for cyclists is that the gloves are unpadded apart from small rubber grips all over the palm. If you're used to cycling with gel padded mitts you will notice the difference. It's not that these gloves are uncomfortable, they just aren't as cushioned as cycling-specific padded gloves and over a long distance this may prove an issue.
I tested my pair on a 50 km ride here in the south coast of England on a typically balmy December day (10 degrees in the shade). The DeFeet gloves kept my hands nice and warm, even on the exposed and windy heights of the Downs, without ever overheating.
The key feature of these gloves is of course the ability to use touchscreen devices while wearing them, thanks to the conductive thread woven into three fingertips on each glove. In this respect the gloves performed exactly as advertised. I was able to use my smartphone to take photographs, send text messages and check Strava, all without the hassle of removing my gloves.
As well as their conductive qualities, the slim fit and thin material of the Duraglove offer almost surgical levels of dexterity. OK, that may be a slight exaggeration - but they are thin enough that you can tell the difference between a gel and your phone by touch. It certainly beats fumbling in your jersey pocket with fingers that are numb from the cold.
In terms of construction the DeFeet Etouch gloves feel well made. Other than the conductive fingers these aren't especially technical gloves, constructed simply of relatively thin, elasticated fabric. The cut quality is good and the material feels quite durable. I found a slight bunching of material around the collar of the glove, but nothing to detract from its feel or performance - and it may not be noticeable if you have wider hands.
More relevant in practical terms is the absence of two other cycling specific features common to other gloves: namely easy-pull tabs to help you remove your gloves, and a towelled patch for wiping the sweat off your brow. I can live without the tabs, but on winter rides an absorbent patch for wiping whatever part of my face happens to be leaking is a key feature of a cycling glove, and sorely missed here.
Despite these minor failings, I would recommend the Duraglove Etouch to cyclists looking for something to keep their hands snug for short to medium-distance rides in cold weather. For rides over 50 miles or when the temperature sinks below 7-8 degrees, you may want to look for something warmer and padded, or use the Etouch as a liner glove (although this will mean losing the touchscreen capability).
The Etouch is available in two colours, black and hi-vis yellow, with the latter option offering excellent visibility for hand signals when riding in murky winter conditions. At around £14 for a pair, I think they offer good value for money and are definitely worth a look.
DeFeet Duraglove Etouch gloves are currently available from Wiggle.com priced £13.49.
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