Winter warmers
The RIDE team has been getting to grips with three sets of heated gloves
RST Paragon Thermotech £189.99
www.rst-moto.com Tested by Matt Wildee How are they powered? By a 7.4V, 2200mah battery inside each cuff. The batteries are removable for charging and join with a positive-fitting, high-quality connector.
How hot do they get? Up to a thermostatically dictated 60°C with a controlled temperature rather than searing heat. This is distributed over the wrist, back of the hand and back of the fingers evenly, but not on the palm. On maximum heat, they last a measured four hours, as claimed.
Are they waterproof? So far, yes. They use a Hipora membrane which so far has stood up to the claim, even when covered in snow. The drawstring seal has worked well, too, though I have only tested them on an adventure bike with flat arms.
How do they feel to use? Great. They have the tactility of a three-season glove, fit very well and deliver their heat in an even way. They also have enough armour to be reassuring. The large rubber button on the back of the glove means that it’s easy to turn off and on and toggle between the three heat settings.
What would you change? Not much. At sub-zero temperatures you’ll still need the aid of heated grips, but above that, they deliver everything that you could want. Excellent.
Racer Connectic 3 £199.99
www.jsaccessories.co.uk Tested by Martin Fitz-gibbons How are they powered? A small, slim, lithium-ion polymer battery (7.4V, 2200mah) in each cuff. You can double runtime by adding a second battery to each glove – £44.99 a pair. The gloves can’t be wired to the bike.
How hot do they get? A thermostat prevents overheating, so the end result is a gentle, uniform warmth throughout the glove, even on the ‘high’ power setting. When the outside temperature drops to 00C they start to feel cool, despite the best efforts of full-whack ‘boost’ mode.
Are they waterproof? Yes. An Outdry waterproof membrane is
bonded to the inner surface of the glove’s outer material, which stops rain soaking into the gloves.
How do they feel to use? A good fit with a soft liner, a single short Velcro wrist strap and a pull-cord cuff. The outer is a mix of leather and textile, with a leather palm. The single power button on each glove is easy to use, and the five LEDS display both heat setting and remaining battery charge. On high power they last just shy of 90 minutes before reaching 30% charge, so they’re good for around two hours in total.
What would you change? I’d like them to be slightly warmer on full power, and to feel hot on ‘boost’ mode — the two don’t feel much different. I’d prefer hard armour too, though that’s offered on the Heat 3 glove (£259.99).
Dane Fyre £299.99
www.danebikewear.nl Tested by Jim Blackstock How are they powered? There’s a chunky rechargeable battery (7.4V, 2600mah) in each cuff, which I found last around four hours/200 miles on the low setting. Alternatively, a £35 hard-wire kit does away with the batteries and opens up unlimited heating and ‘turbo’ heat mode.
How hot do they get? However hot you want. There’s no thermostat but three settings (four on hard-wire) give enough options. Elements run over the back and up and down each finger for a nice, even spread of heat. Minimum is enough to keep the chill out, highest feels pleasantly hot, even down to freezing. Are they waterproof? Yes, thanks to a Gore-tex membrane (a world first) so they keep water out but my hands didn’t get clammy or sweaty.
How do they feel to use? Once on, very nice. The liner is plush and the finger and thumb lengths seem to be in proportion. Feel for a winter glove is good and of course, they are dry. But as the cuffs must go over jacket cuffs (operating buttons are on the back of the cuffs), it can be tricky to get them far enough on for the wrist strap to sit in the right place, especially when using batteries. The hard-wire power option makes this easier.
What would you change? I’d put the batteries on the outside of — bigger — cuffs and I’d add some hard armour, certainly over the knuckles.