Waterproof Biker Gloves: Beyond Tar and Pitch
Making gloves waterproof, in fact, making anything waterproof, has come a long way since earlier days of making boats and ships waterproof by applying tar or pitch.
When you’re riding in the pouring rain, it sure can seem like you are a boat in the water, but I still wouldn’t want my gloves covered in tar to keep my hands dry.
Nowadays, WATERPROOF MOTORCYCLE GLOVES
Your Waterproof Motorcycle Gloves Should Let Water Vapor OUT (Breathe)
As with any waterproof gear that is worn by humans who are alive and breathing and therefore shedding their own moisture (perspiration), waterproof gloves need to “breathe” themselves. In other words your gloves need to keep rain from getting in, but also need to let your own water vapor out, so that you don’t get sweaty.
The good news is that the water particles that needs to get out of your gloves (perspiration) are smaller than the water droplets trying to get through your gloves (rain).
The bad news is that in order for waterproof gloves to maintain their resistance to water, they need to be treated again and again (usually by applying more waterproofing spray).
Other Motorcycle Glove Features
In addition to the obvious “waterproof” feature, your motorcycle gloves should include gauntlets that will protect your wrists from injury while keeping rain and drafts out.
Motorbike gloves should have reinforced palms to protect the inside of your hands in the event of a fall.
Another important consideration is how much insulating material a pair of gloves have. If you’re riding in the rain, it’s going to be cooler and you will need warmer gloves than usual.
However, if you are also a hardy rider that is out in the elements when the temperatures are already quite cool, then you will want your waterproof gloves to have plenty of insulation.
And if you REALLY want warm, dry hands when you are in the rain, you can get some waterproof, electrically heated motorcycle gloves.
Another little feature that you can get on some motorcycle gloves is titanium or carbon knuckle reinforcement for additional protection.
More expensive gloves may include precurved fingers, which optimize the tactile fit between your hands and the motorcycle grips.
