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100% Hydromatic Brisker Gloves

6
£34.99

VERDICT:

6
10
Decent performance and very good durability at a reasonable price
Weight: 
104g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The 100% Hydromatic Brisker gloves are low bulk and comfortable and they will keep your hands reasonably dry in most conditions.

  • Pros: Low bulk, close-fitting cuff, good visibility
  • Cons: Cuff isn't waterproof

Let me start with the wet conditions thing. With my review pair of gloves, one was waterproof and the other wasn't. I know this for sure not just because I could feel water getting into the left glove in use, but also because I dunked the fingers (not the tops) into a sink filled with water and there was moisture inside that one pretty quickly. That's a warranty issue; you'd just return the gloves and ask for a replacement pair.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Once that was sorted, things naturally got a whole lot better. I found that the Hydromatic Brisker gloves would keep out water in most conditions, but my hands did get wet during prolonged heavy rain. Although stretchy and close fitting, the cuffs aren't waterproof so during a storm you need to make sure they're tucked inside a sleeve.

100% Hydromatic Brisker Gloves - cuff.jpg

The back section – including the back of the fingers – is made from a softshell fabric with a little low-bulk insulation. A big reflective graphic improves visibility – especially handy when you're signalling at night.

The palm and the underside of the fingers are textured polyurethane, providing good grip on the handlebar even when wet, and silicone print on the index and middle fingers means there's even less chance of slippage when using the levers.

100% Hydromatic Brisker Gloves - palm.jpg

It's simple to operate a GPS or smartphone touchscreen with these on, although there's no palm padding. I'm perfectly happy to do without but you could always wear a pair of mitts underneath if you like. Getting the gloves on and off is easy, even with sweaty hands.

I've been using these gloves on days when it's cold, but not that cold, if you know what I mean. For me, they've been good for temperatures around 5-10°C, a fleecy inner face helping with comfort. The lack of deep insulation meant my fingers got cold at temperatures lower than that. A pair of liner gloves underneath would extend their useful range lower.

> Buyer's Guide: 21 of the best winter cycling gloves

Durability is high. The palm and forefinger are usually the first areas to show signs of wear in my experience, but they look as good as new after several weeks of regular use. The reflective print on the back of each hand is still fully intact after several washes with no signs of peeling or flaking. These are definitely going to last well.

100% Hydromatic Brisker Gloves - back.jpg

Most of the full finger gloves that we've tested on road.cc recently have been priced higher than these. The Hydromatic Briskers don't excel in terms of performance but I think the price is good for what you get.

Overall, these are decent gloves. They keep your hands comfortable in middling off-season temperatures, they keep water out in most conditions, and they're durable.

Verdict

Decent performance and very good durability at a reasonable price

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road.cc test report

Make and model: 100% Hydromatic Brisker Gloves

Size tested: XXL

Tell us what the product is for

100% says, "Mother Nature has met her match with this low profile glove engineered to keep you going fast in cold, wet weather. Laminated insulated shell with waterproof breathable insert blocks out the water and keeps them dry while maintaining exceptional dexterity and control of your bike."

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

100% lists these features:

- Single-layer PU palm for weather protection

- Lightly insulated soft-shell top hand ensures protection against colder temps

- Waterproof-breathable insert secured to outer layer for optimal gripping

- Silicone printed palm graphic increases grip in wet conditions

- Reflective graphic on top of hand offer a clean look with improved visibility

- Embossed graphics for some added texture

- Extended waterproof neoprene pull-on cuff for more coverage

- Conductive index finger & thumb keeps you connected with your digital device

- 61% polyester, 23% nylon, 12% polyurethane, 4% elastane

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
6/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
6/10

I found the little finger to be disproportionately long. Apart from that, it's what you'd expect.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
5/10

I used a size XXL whereas I'd usually take an L or XL. 100% does have a gloves size chart.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

They offer decent value for the job that they do, compared with others we've reviewed lately on road.cc.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

They're absolutely fine several washes in.

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

They keep your hands warm in middling temperatures, and keep your hands dry in all but prolonged heavy rain.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good visibility, snug cuff.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The cuffs aren't waterproof.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? I think there are better options out there.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly, but as above.

Use this box to explain your overall score

They don't put in a mind-blowing performance but they're a decent pair of gloves at a decent price.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 190cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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