Rain gloves are difficult to do well. One option is full neoprene, which feel and function like little wetsuits for your hands. The other option is a larger insulated glove with a rain barrier, which aren’t as clammy as neoprene but usually soak through and impede dexterity. Using OutDry (similar to a GoreTex barrier), the Castelli Tempesta Gloves keep the rain out, but they don't really keep the heat in…
On a few hour-plus rides in the rain on coldish (50 degrees Fahrenheit) days, my fingers ended up pretty numb. While OutDry keeps the rain from penetrating the inner part of the gloves, the outer material gets soaked, which probably contributed to the cold fingers, despite the dry interior.
However, the reflective trim on the outside of my pinkies and the backs of the hands is a positive — extra visibility is always good in bad weather.
Little silicone designs on the palm and fingers add grip when dry, but are quickly overwhelmed in the rain. I found the rubber patch between the thumb and index finger provided good traction on the hoods in the rain, but the palm and fingers of the gloves felt greasy when on the tops or in the drops.
The large neoprene cuff with Velcro can be a help or a hindrance, depending on what jacket or jersey you’re using.
If you have tight cuffs on your jacket, it’s handy to pull the glove over the top and secure it. But if the jacket is designed to come down over the wrists, then the extra bulk can be annoying.
In general, I’m a fan of Castelli’s clothing and its rain gear in particular. The Gabba and Perfetta jersey/jackets revolutionized cycling rain gear. Castelli’s Idro rain jacket with Gore-Tex ShakeDry is exceptional. And the brand’s NanoFlex warmers are a go-to for rainy days. All that to say, I went into this test with a positive bias, but came out a little disappointed.
Sure, riding in the rain with Tempesta gloves is still better than using a standard glove without a water-resistant or -proof layer, but I’d still recommend straightforward neoprene gloves over these for warmth and less bulk.
