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As fall gave way to winter I found I needed something warmer for cool bay area mornings and liked the look of Giro's Ambient City glove. Let me start by saying you could wear these as dress gloves even with the soft microfiber panel on the thumb; they're that refined. Once again Giro has a beautifully cut full-fingered glove with an inside finish that equals the classy exterior. The Pittards leather is rich and supple with a gusseted closure and quilted X-Static® AGrid™ anti-microbial thermal fleece lining. The Ambients are ideal for 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit. I wouldn't wear the gloves in the wet or see them as warm enough for anything below 40 degrees. For those temperatures Giro has their hardier Pivot, Proof and 100 Proof gloves (love that last name). The Ambients also feature something called Touchscreen Technology™ that allows you to operate a smart phone without taking them off. When you do take them off you'll notice your hands retain the quilted pattern for a few minutes. I did a double take the first time I took them off.

Giro continues to produce exceptional gloves. I'm on record declaring the Giro LX the best long-fingered cycling glove, period. On warmer afternoon rides I've taken to wearing an old pair of half-finger LXs over long-fingered LXs. The combination looks like a Keirin glove without the carbon knuckles.

If you think the Ambient City gloves might be a little too refined for your taste, I'd take a close look at the Pivot. If you don't have a bike and drive a Shelby Cobra I'd stick with the Ambients.

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