Posts Tagged ‘winter’
Leather Motorcycle Gloves for Winter
Bikers have been projected to be hardy, tough and reckless. But they are just like anybody else who have been caught off guard during the cold season. Their hands freeze up too making it hard to operate their motorcycle’s controls. Hence, it is just essential to have a proper pair of leather motorcycle gloves for winter. For bikers out there, here are some suggestions in choosing the perfect pair hog-style.
Tip number one would be to get a nice pair that would help trap heat with thin and efficient lining. This one is usually referred to as made of Thinsulate. For this cool weather, use some gloves that would cover your whole hand. Pick those that keep your hands dry and warm. Another great pick would be those made with waterproof and breathable membrane like Gore-Tex. These keep sweat away making sure no convective heat is lost. The membrane is also combined with nylon and/or leather shells with synthetic insulation.
Tip number two is to look out for these qualities. You should also note that leather motorcycle gloves for winter should have enough flexibility. Try on a pair. If it’s too snug, get the next size. You should be able to freely move your fingers. Also, those with insulated palms would maximize throttle and lever feel. Look out for those designed to withstand impact and other conditions. Here’s the lowdown: either made up of leather or textile, whichever has its own pros and cons. Leather has the better feel and tenders superb protection against extreme impacts. But it usually cannot endure too much exposure to water. Textile on the other hand is much more flexible and could give a better sense of the controls. So in shopping for leathers, select the ones made from premium hides. Usually those with 1mm thickness are the best. For textiles, since they are of man-made material composition, spend some cash and avoid the cheap flyweight ones. Those made of synthetics tightly woven perform better. Then again, it all boils down to your personal preference.
Here are some more qualities you need to check on. You could tell that the pair of leather motorcycle gloves is the best when it has added protection in the crotch area between the thumb and forefinger. The layers in the palm area should be able to diffuse vibration. Inspect if its fastening system or gauntlet would offer safety. And lastly for the multiple-layered ones with liners or inserts, they should be intact. Otherwise, during severe usage they would easily pull out endangering your wild ride.
Ask around for the winter gloves that offer comfort yet still fit your personal style. If you already picked one, wear it as often so you could test its durability. Take 30-minute stints at 60 mph all through a rough terrain with cold temperatures. See how the pair fares. If you are not satisfied, try on different brands. There are myriads of those made with hybrid construction like Belstaff Stratus and Held Narvik Gore-Tex. These are usually composed of Thinsulate lining and solid leather palm. The popular leather types are Firstgear Winter Tek, Joe Rocket Radiant 2.0 and of course, the ever-famous Harley-Davidson Cold Weather Gauntlet. The prices for both types range from $54 to $100.
To learn more about motorcycle gloves, click here: Leather Motorcycle Gloves