Out and about on your bike in winter? These gloves will help
18-2-2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Martin Jungfer
I want to be able to cycle to the office in winter. Thanks to Ziener’s Donni GTX Infinium Primaloft , my fingers no longer freeze during the half-hour ride.
From now on, I’m going to refer to these cycling gloves as «Donni». I’ll save us all from the long name. So, allow me to introduce Donni – cycling gloves advertised by the manufacturer Ziener as a «warm, windproof winter cycling glove». And since I’m still looking for gloves for commuting to the office after unsuccessful attempts (read about it here ), I was curious about the manufacturer’s statement and I ordered a pair from the shop for a test.
I went for a size 8, which usually fits me. But not in this case. The Ziener model has a slightly smaller cut. Size 8.5 would be the better choice. Ziener provides a good decision-making aid on its website so you can find the right size. To do this, you need to measure the circumference of your hand.
When I get hold of the right size, Donni feels super comfortable. The fingers are the right length and the width fits perfectly. I like that the Donni gloves don’t go too far over the wrist. The sleeves of my cycling jacket are long enough anyway.
The cuff on the wrist is made of elastic fabric and also has a Velcro fastener. This allows me to secure the gloves exactly how I like. And even that works very well with one glove already on because the precise fit gives you more control of you index finger and thumb. This also helps when operating the gears on your bike. The Velcro fastener also gets extra points from me because it’s edged in such a way that there are no sharp edges that could snag delicate fabrics.
A rubberised coating on Donni’s palm, partly with a gel layer underneath, ensures a good and comfortable grip on the handlebars. Ziener calls it «Grip Control». The silicone can also be found on the tips of the thumb and index finger. Unfortunately, the coating’s not touchscreen-compatible. That doesn’t bother me too much, though. I’m happy to spend half an hour on my bike without having to be glued to my smartphone.
What about the cold?
So yes, the gloves are comfortable and fit well. But the most important thing is whether they keep my fingers from freezing. I don’t have too high expectations. I’ve already been disappointed by other gloves advertised as winter models by manufacturers many times.
So I was pleasantly surprised by Ziener’s Donni. I tested them on several rides in temperatures between minus three degrees and eight degrees. The gloves kept me warm for about ten minutes, even in sub-zero temperatures. After that, things got difficult: Donni couldn’t cope with the wind chill, despite the «Gore Windstopper» technology. According to the advertising text, the material’s supposed to be «absolutely windproof and breathable». That may well be the case. However, the wind even cools down a windproof outer surface so much that the cold eventually reaches your fingers.
I ride at an average speed of 25 kilometres per hour on my way to work, and there are also downhill sections where I reach 40 kilometres per hour. It doesn’t really get worse than that for Donni. If the air’s humid enough, I can see small ice crystals forming on the outside when cycling at this kind of speed.
At temperatures between zero and five degrees, the insulation keeps my hands warm for longer. What I learnt from the test was that for every one degree Celsius, I gained five more minutes riding time without cold fingers. I have no problem at all with the Donni gloves when it’s a mild five degrees in winter. This could be due to the «Primaloft» insulation, a microfibre that can seriously compete with down in terms of warmth, lightness and softness, as the manufacturer of the miracle fibre puts it. And, to be fair, it really seems to work.
More than greenwashing
Outdoor brands are often at the forefront of sustainability and environmental protection. Which somehow makes sense, because customers want to experience nature and not destroy it. My test gloves come from a production facility in Indonesia. But Ziener makes sure that the people who sew them have the best possible working conditions. To achieve this, the German company has joined the Amfori association. It supports its members in making their supply chains more sustainable, ethical and socially responsible (ESG).
When selecting materials, the «Bluesign» label with its comparatively strict rules ensures that the fabric’s produced and processed without harmful chemicals and in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
And to avoid being accused of greenwashing, the company’s been certified as a Climate Partner and makes all efforts to reduce its ecological footprint transparent. Exemplary.
I’ll do my bit by making sure I use the gloves for as long as possible. In other words, when I wash them, I wash them according to the instructions on a 30-degree special gentle cycle. And they’re dried gently over a dehumidifier, never in a tumble dryer.
In a nutshell
These gloves really do battle freezing temperatures
I’ve found them – my gloves for cycling to the office on cold winter days. The Ziener Donni GTX Infinium Primaloft are my first choice for days between 0 and 10 degrees. They reach their limits at freezing point, but still save me from freezing fingers. In slightly warmer temperatures, they keep me really warm without me sweating in them. I’m also impressed by how well they fit and the impeccable finish.
Pro
- Ziener produces fairly and sustainably
- Goretex material protects hands even in light rain
- Reflective elements for better visibility (although the yellow ones would be even better)
- Cuffs with stretch material and Velcro fastener
- Very soft and comfortable on your skin
- Good grip thanks to rubber on palms
Contra
- Can’t operate touchscreens e.g. smartphones with them
- Not waterproof in heavy rain
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
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