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Review on Optimized for SEO: Planet Bike Borealis Cycling Gloves by Dave Brummet

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Promising gloves; too narrow for finger length

I think these gloves deserve a 3.5 rating. I'm guessing these are factory seconds, but at $15 each, the price is right. I've only driven it 26 miles so these are just my first impressions. I'll update my comments later this winter when I get a chance to use them in much colder weather conditions. Disadvantages: - Factory second. A few cosmetic issues (right index finger is longer than left etc) but I don't see these issues as affecting the gloves' usefulness or durability. The width of the palm is too small for the length of the finger. The chart (online on Planet Bike) says I'm a medium. The length of the finger is ideal (ie just a hair), but the width of the palm is too narrow - it should be a little loose, but too tight. A tight glove blocks blood flow and seals insulation, reducing the glove's effectiveness in cold weather. I'll try increasing the size but I suspect the fingers would then be too long and affect dexterity. In my opinion, the cuff on the wrist is too short for a winter glove. I am concerned about excessive air entering the bike at high speed in very cold weather. The time will show. The glove system has no special padding on the outside of the handlebars and relies on the natural cushioning of the liners. This reduces flexibility. Working with fingerless cycling gloves instead of inner shoes works and is an option. Pros: - $15 for a winter glove? Perfect! Time will tell if they live up to their winter pedigree. I hope they perform as well or even better than my winter ski gloves. - Excellent cycling agility. No shifting or V-brake problems. Connecting the two smallest fingers is no problem. The dexterity is better than with my heavy ski gloves. Grip is secure and predictable. Even with a sweaty gloved hand, I had no grip problems. Gloves promise to be warm enough for winter. Without a balaclava at 38 degrees and before sunrise, the gloves were too warm for me. There is no feeling of unwanted air movement through the gloves or bad seams. I assume they are good down to temperatures below 20F. I like that the insulating layer is a removable glove liner. This is the best option for winter gloves. You can wash the liners and replace them with thicker or thinner liners depending on the weather conditions. A great feature that I don't often see on cheaper gloves. The lined glove dries very quickly. They came out of the washing machine almost dry. They seem quite warm for their thickness. Today the weather is too warm to test them.

Pros
  • Consistent test results
Cons
  • Could have chosen a newer model