That’s the question I’ve been asking myself as I ride through a Melbourne winter that still (jinx protector on) hasn’t chilled me to the bone. These Five gloves arrived just in time for the cooler months, and were clearly classified as mid-season wear due to the relatively light padding and the wrist-length rather than gauntlet-style cuffs. But so far they’ve been more than adequate.
We liked
The RFX4 Waterproof gloves provide enough warmth for those dark and chilly winter commutes, but thanks to the lighter padding, they don’t compromise feel and movement like some serious winter gloves.
I’ve copped a couple of good soakings and the WP Hipora membrane has kept me dry – as you’d hope from a glove that calls itself ‘waterproof’.
There’s a good balance of hard protection and supple comfort thanks to the injected resin knuckle shells and leather outer shell. The Velcro fasteners on the cuffs are easy to use and the gloves go on and off without the inner coming loose from the outer layer of the glove. Last but not least, they look great.
We didn’t like
Keeping in mind that these are mid-season gloves, I still got that stingy-finger sensation on colder mornings. And a visor wipe would be a nice addition.
Verdict
If you live in part of Australia where the temperatures are not too extreme, these gloves represent a seriously versatile piece of kit and a legitimate all-year-round option – especially for the rider on a budget. Last year I tried full winter gloves, and while they carried a lot more padding and bulk, they weren’t significantly warmer. This year I plan to leave my full winter mitts on the shelf and stick with the RFX4 Waterproof gloves right through to summer.
Pros
- Versatility
- Price
- Appearance
Cons
- Visor wipe would be handy
Colours: Black, Sizes: S-3XL
RRP $129.95
Moto National Accessories 1300 885 355 www.motonational.com.au
By MARK VENDER
