Carnac Windblock gloves review

Carnac’s Wind Block gloves promise spring/autumn weather protection at an excellent price but do they deliver?

Carnac Windblock gloves
(Image: © Guy Kesteven)

Bike Perfect Verdict

Versatile, top value gloves that shrug off a fair amount of weather without compromising bike feel

Pros

  • +

    Versatile windproof warmth

  • +

    Great price

  • +

    Dry fast

  • +

    Long draught beating cuffs

  • +

    Reinforced thumbs

Cons

  • -

    Digitally dumb

  • -

    No snot wipe

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Carnac is now more of a bargain brand than it was when Chris Boardman took the hour record in its aero shoes, but that makes them a great source of decent kit at a discount price. The Windblock gloves fit that profile exactly with a great balance of tactile feel and intermediate weather protection for those that aren’t always on their phones.

Performance

The multi-panel cut is definitely on the long and thin side so fat palms might feel slightly squeezed and/or short fingers might have some spare room in the ends. The extended gauntlet cuffs mean excellent wrist coverage and draught-proofing which keeps your whole hand warmer. The thin soft-shell fabric keeps windchill at bay and shrugs off light showers and drizzle well. They dry fast too so we’ve been comfortable wearing them in mixed weather from a windy 5 degrees into double figures.

There’s enough stretch to make them mobile without tight spots cramping circulation and box fingers are a blood flow bonus, too. The thumb junction gets leatherette reinforcement panels and there’s a pull-on tab in the same fabric. There’s printed and piping reflectivity, light palm padding and silicon grip detailing, too. It’s hard rather than sticky though so while it lasts well it’s still a bit slippery when wet. There’s no touch screen connectivity in the fingertips or snot wipe on the thumb either. 

Verdict

Not for wipers or swipers and not everyone likes a padded palm either but cuff length and fabric are all great for spring/autumn riding. Can’t argue with a sub £20 price either.

Tech Specs: Carnac Windblock gloves

  • Price: $TBC / £19.99
  • Sizes: XS-XL
  • Colors: Black
Guy Kesteven
Technical-Editor-at-Large

Guy Kesteven has been working on Bike Perfect since its launch in 2019. He started writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. He’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and he reviews MTBs over on YouTube.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg