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SealSkinz Ultra Grip Gauntlets

9
£40.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Gloves with grip and warmth that are effective at keeping your hands dry, but do they need to be this long?
Weight: 
116g

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SealSkinz Ultra Grip Gauntlets have been designed to cope with cold and wet conditions, offering protection from water and wind as well as being breathable, all in a knit, stretch glove. This is quite an ask but despite their sinister appearance the Gauntlets deal with the elements competently, keeping your hands protected and dry. They can get a little warm on the inside but rather that than cold, wet hands.

The Gauntlets are longer than your average glove as they have an extended cuff that comes halfway along your forearm. the idea being they offer additional protection. They certainly do that but it's a moot point whether they need to be as long as they are, if the conditions are that bad you'd have a jacket sleeve covering the lower part of the arm.

The gloves are made from a mix of materials both on the inside and the outside. The inner is a mix of 84% merino wool, 14% nylon and 2% elastane, while the outer is composed of 96.5% nylon and the remaining 3.5% elastane. This is were SealSkinz get clever by using what they call Aqua Dynamic Design.

Using a hydrophilic membrane, the Gauntlets block water from getting through but allow the sweat to pass through as water vapour. They certainly keep the moisture out and the heat in, so your hands don't suffer the cold. In temperatures in single figures this is more than adequate but any higher and your hands suffer from being too hot.

The palm and finger tips have tacky dots that provide excellent grip in the very wettest of conditions. In any wet weather the Gauntlets have offered nothing but secure grip which is reassuring when it's hosing it down.

Overall, the SealSkinz Ultra Grip Gauntlets are great in the wet with oodles of grip. My only concern is they can make your hands too hot and I do wonder if the cuffs need to be this long.

Verdict

Gloves with grip and warmth that are effective at keeping your hands dry, but do they need to be this long?

road.cc test report

Make and model: Sealskinz Ultra Grip Gauntlet

Size tested: Large, black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Sealskinz products are renowned for their water proofing qualities. The Ultra Grip Gauntlets provide great grip thanks to the dotted palms and finger tips and the mix of materials on the outside allows the sweat to slip through but prevents the rain from coming in. The merino based liner keeps the heat in and stops your hands from feeling the cold. Overall this is a pretty good package for wet weather riding although you will feel a bit hot and sweaty if the temperature climbs to high.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

SealSkinz says:

The original, totally waterproof, windproof and breathable, close-fitting stretch knit gloves, incorporating our patented StretchDry technology. These gloves give excellent grip control and dexterity for a range of activities.

Totally waterproof, breathable and windproof

Dotted palm and fingers for excellent grip, even when wet

Merino wool lining for warmth and moisture control

NEW Gauntlet cuff offers additional waterproof protection for when the going gets just that little bit tougher

Material composition:

Outer Shell: 96.5% Nylon, 3.5% Elastane

Hydrophilic Membrane

Inner: 84% Merino Wool, 14% Nylon, 2% Elastane

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

The Gauntlets are very well made, retaining their shape and performance after being used many times and washes. There are no obvious seams on the outside and you don't feel any intrusions once you put them on. They still feel as snug as the first time they were used.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

The gloves provide plenty of protection against the rain whilst ensuring your hands are warm on the inside. The mix of materials used combine well to achieve this.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

As mentioned above the Gauntlets have retained their shape and performance after many uses. They are still a tight fit as if it is the first time they have been used but not overly so. There are no signs of any pull or excess bagginess in the gloves.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

At 116g they are not heavy and offering water proofing you would expect a glove that isn't flimsy.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

The gloves are comfortable most of the time the only exception is if it is wet and the temperature rises. The combination of the materials used in the liner make it warm so if you suffer from hot hands then the Gauntlets are probably best for wet, cold days.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Some might baulk at the price, £40 for a set of gloves may be too high for some but the old adage of you get what you pay for rings true with Sealskinz.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Dry on the inside despite whatever is happening on the outside. Also warm on the inside but pick your temperatures, too high and you'll have hot hands which will feel as if the rain has crept in.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit, feel and performance are what you would expect from a brand that specializes in wet weather protection gear. Not just the first wear either, time after time.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I'm still not convinced by the extended cuff. I understand the principle but if the weather is that inclement you'd wear a jacket so therefore negating the need to have such long cuffs. Do you need to keep your forearms warm and dry, would a jacket no provide the same protection?

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Warm and dry with oodles of grip only slightly let down by an unnecessarily long cuff but it's an individual matter.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 178cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Currently riding a Pinnacle Evaporite Three  My best bike is: As above

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, mtb, Not yet but looking to dip my toe in the world of TT

 

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14 comments

Avatar
Tin Pony | 10 years ago
0 likes

These look great , warm, wind proof, water proof and durable.reflectivity is a must for winter road riding. Seal skinz gloves and socks were great before they designed gear for cyclists. Now their reaching a perfect mix of form and function.

http://www.tinpony.co.uk/news/tin-pony-xmas-sale-30-off-everything-/22/1...

Avatar
tom_w | 10 years ago
0 likes

Also very handy when riding in non-cycling specific jackets where the arms tend to end up stopping half way down your forearm once you get down into riding position on the commuter/town bike

Avatar
Yorky-M | 10 years ago
0 likes

Marigolds

Avatar
CapriciousZephyr replied to Yorky-M | 10 years ago
0 likes
mylesrants wrote:

Marigolds

I wish.  3 Are these going to be available in a higher-viz yellow or orange?

I'd also like there to be large reflective elements on the back of the hand, but that would probably be hoping for too much...

Avatar
mikroos | 10 years ago
0 likes

Next step: a long-sleeved, waterproof skinsuit with integrated gloves!

Just kidding. Looks like a great product! I'd rather have my hands too warm and a bit sticky than cold and wet from water dripping down the sleeve.

Avatar
Leviathan replied to mikroos | 10 years ago
0 likes
mikroos wrote:

Next step: a long-sleeved, waterproof skinsuit with integrated gloves!

Where can I buy this? I'll need to activate Strava with my nose.

Avatar
Matt_S replied to mikroos | 10 years ago
0 likes
mikroos wrote:

Next step: a long-sleeved, waterproof skinsuit with integrated gloves!

Castelli San Remo Dry Suit.

Avatar
massspike | 10 years ago
0 likes

Yes they need to be that long for really cold weather riding. People overlook the importance of extra protection for your lower arms and legs (and throat/neck for that matter). These parts of the body have blood vessels very close to the surface and the heat loss will chill your extremities. This is going to be worse for avid cyclists who will have next to no body fat on their ankles and wrists.

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to massspike | 10 years ago
0 likes

.

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to massspike | 10 years ago
0 likes
massspike wrote:

Yes they need to be that long for really cold weather riding. People overlook the importance of extra protection for your lower arms and legs (and throat/neck for that matter). These parts of the body have blood vessels very close to the surface and the heat loss will chill your extremities. This is going to be worse for avid cyclists who will have next to no body fat on their ankles and wrists.

THIS.

Realised 2 1/2hrs into a ride today that I should have worn another base layer. Merino liners + Sealskinz Handlebar mitts and Northwave Fahrenheit GTX + 2 prs Merino sox were doing their job for the first 2hrs, but if the blood getting to the fingers/toes is already chilled...

Question: down to what temp would these be OK by themselves for a borderline-Raynaud's sufferer, and when do you need to pile on Thermonuclear kit like the Handlebar Mitts?

Avatar
rodsquad | 10 years ago
0 likes

I used to have a pair of the lower cuff versions. They had a problem where the rain would wick itself up the cuff and soak the inside of the glove. The top of the cuff wasn't waterproof so soon got through. The gloves took an age to dry out too! I have to say, this was only in the heaviest rain (I live in Aberdeen) but was an issue. These longer gloves look ideal to prevent the "wicking" effect. Great for deep winter commuting I think.

Avatar
Jones The Steam | 10 years ago
0 likes

Finally a glove for those of us with freakishly long arms who cannot get jackets with long enough sleeves!  36

Avatar
thegibdog replied to Jones The Steam | 10 years ago
0 likes
Jones The Steam wrote:

Finally a glove for those of us with freakishly long arms who cannot get jackets with long enough sleeves!  36

Or those with average length arms but small chests (why is it that clothing manufacturers think thin people must also be short?).

Avatar
Neil @ Bowman | 10 years ago
0 likes

These are easily our favourite winter glove. worn with a silk liner when its Baltic, and without up to high single figures.

Non-gauntlet versions are available for a fiver less too, in a range of colours.

http://www.sealskinz.com/UK/gloves/kj759-ultra-grip-hi-vis-gloves-orange...

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