By Jeff Pamer
Rev’it Stratos GTX Gloves
No one would describe where I live as cold, but to be fair, Phoenix does get a bit cold in the winter, especially the mornings. Listen, I know. Michigan for example, my Dad was from there, it’s seriously cold there and you don’t even have the luxury of troubleshooting riding in January. Some mornings here are 32 degrees, and that is right on the edge of weather you don’t want to ride it. I said on the edge, and if you’re on the edge, you need to try and ride. You need to do it for all the riders out there that live places they can’t. You owe it to them.
So, in order to ride for all the people in the world that can’t on January mornings, I needed some winter riding gloves, the ones I chose; Rev’it’s Stratos GTX Gloves.
How Much and Where?
I picked these up Revzilla for $179.99. They were the highest rated gloves at a price point that worked for me. I also knew that I would only really need them for a small window of time, so that factored into my budget as well. They can also be had at Fort9 for my Canadian brothers and sisters.
The Specs
Going from the outside of the gloves in, the outer shell is a drum dyed weather resistant goat leather. The advantage of goat skin being that it has much better dexterity than cow leather, which is a very good thing, considering the number of layers we still have to go through. The layers under that goat skin are; a 3M Thinsulate fleece offering the warmth, with a Gore-Tex membrane contributing the waterproofing. Protection comes from a combo hard/soft knuckle protector, and abrasion zones on the tops of your middle two fingers, plus on the lower palm. All the places you will want it if you happen to go down. For all on that, under the $200 price point is a lot of glove for the price.
How do they fit?
I usually like to buy my gloves a bit tight, and let the leather stretch out and I get a good fit. I sized up with these. Winter gloves with all the layers won’t stretch to your hand, if they’re too small, you’ll notice after a few minutes of riding and it will be anywhere between distracting to very uncomfortable. Sounds like I know from experience, because I do.
Dexterity is decent, but it does take some getting used to when coming from a summer glove. They are going to feel a bit numb and bulky compared with your thin summer gloves, which is a bit challenging to operate a motorbike with. I suggest you do some some practicing with them before you hit the highways.
Rev’it’s closing system
I find this to be one of the most surprisingly simple, yet genius part of these gloves. With winter riding gloves, trying to do anything that requires even a pit of dexterity, feels like being 8 and trying to zip up your hand me down winter coat after you have already put on your ski gloves.
Rev’it uses a closing system where you pull away on the big Velcro strap at the base of the glove to tighten around the wrist, then go the opposite direction and slap the Velcro together to seal the base of the gauntlet around your jacket. Super slick. To open, pull off the Velcro strap and beneath there is a tab covered in sticky rubber to release the cuff with ease.
How warm are they
The million-dollar question, because there is no point to any of this if they don’t keep your hands warm and tactile while riding in brisk weather. So, how did I test this you may ask? Well, I scientifically rode quite fast, when it was quite cold for 30 minutes. More specifically I went out before the sun came up, it was 36 degrees out. I hit the highway for my morning commute, riding at an average speed that may or may not rhyme with weighty.
- After 12 minutes on the highway, I could start to feel a little cold just on the tips of my fingers. Not uncomfortable or debilitating in any way.
- At 24 minutes, my fingers were starting to get cold, tips started to feel a bit numb. I wouldn’t call it uncomfortable, but my fingers have felt better. There was not loss of mobility in the hands at all
- At 30 minutes and as I arrived at my destination, there was no real change from the 24-minute report. As I dismounted, pulled my gloves off and went to undo my helmet, I have zero issues getting the straps undone.
Do you want them?
This is not a hugely tough decision. If you’re in a climate that allows you to ride in the winter, and you have a sub $200 budget for gloves, I think they’re the best on the market. If you’re serious about motorbikes, and you have a chance, you should ride. Pick up a pair, get suited up, and get out on the road.
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