I was wondering which gloves people wear and why? I ask this because I'm looking at the Biltwell Bantam gloves, these are around £40 !! (are these any good?) For the past 14years I've always ridden with British army NI gloves, these are inexpensive (£15) and last for years... Is it worth changing?
I have a pair of Racer winter gloves, which are Goretex so they're waterproof and which have an internal divider so you can put your hand one side when it's cold, or the other side and get double the insulation when it's freezing. Think they were about £129.99 but my hands have never been cold. Alpinestars vented summer gloves with short cuff for summer. £59.99
Halvarssons supreme gloves, comfiest gloves I have ever owned. (£59) Not claim to be waterproof but stayed dry over 1000 miles in Ireland. buy a pair of their silk liners for £12 and their good when the temprature drops.
Alpinestars 365 goretex. About £135 if I remember right. Great for all but the coldest days. Id say they are 3.5 season gloves. Love the fit. On the rare occasion I have to venture out when it's freezing, I have some frank Thomas things. Nanook of the north springs to mind! Can't feel a thing in them....prob more dangerous than no gloves at all! I take it you mean the NI gloves with the... Err... "Protection" on the knuckle area??? I wouldn't imagine they'd be much use when sliding down the road. I'd say change em for purpose built things. ATGATT, and all that mate. ATB Bob
For the summer I bought a pair of Held Air and Dry gloves. They have two compartments. One with a gortex lining for when it rains and the other which allows the air to reach your hands via perforations and vents to keep your hands cool in hot weather. I've worn these quite a bit recently and can report that they do keep your hands cool. If they heat up a bit I just face the palm of my hand into the wind and with the perforations they cool down very quickly. I also rode for 4 hours in heavy rain and am please to say they are also 100% waterproof. Quite pricey at £120 ( you need to shop around as the list price is about £150). But I think they are worth it.
For summer, Alpinestars, for winter, Held Gore Tex or Hein Gericke "Lobsters". Mind you, the heated grips on the new Bonnie are so good, I can probably keep the Alpinestars on well into early winter.
Sorry for the late reply: my quick opinion: I used and will use again Biltwell work gloves and though they are tight, they are quite brilliant. Cold, as soon as winter/spring goes, but perfect for summer. Biltwell defo knows what they are doing. Oh and, I crashed with them , and they hold quite well. Not a single bruise on my hands.
