Good gloves are essential for the winter months. They’re subject to a pretty tough life and once you’ve found a design that suits your hands, buy 20 pairs and stockpile for future use as perfectly shaped finger wear is a thing of beauty.
Fit is desperately important – too short or tight around the fingers and you’ll inhibit your circulation, too loose and you’ll end up with folds of material annoying your palms. We say this because we weren’t enamoured with the fit of the Countdown; the short length left us literally cold.
However, if they fit you, then you’re onto a winner as the waterproof shell, thermal liner and super-tacky synthetic leather palm have proved hard wearing and practical. One glove did lose its liner but we’ve not heard of any other problems and Gore assure us it’s an isolated problem.