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review
Gloves - full finger
Gore Bike Wear Phantom II women's glovesGore Bike Wear Phantom II glove

Gore Bike Wear Phantom II women's gloves

9
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Dec 29, 2010

0
£34.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Well-designed, good value gloves with excellent levels of protection and warmth for their lack of bulk
Weight: 
90g
Contact: 
www.gorebikewear.com
How we test

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These are designed as a pair of go-to riding gloves for the whole autumn-spring period, and as they are made from a windproof and water repellent soft shell fabric, they're a versatile choice for all but the very coldest weather.

The Windstopper soft shell fabric is designed to be water repellent as well as windproof, and it does just what it’s supposed to, yet actually breathes enough to prevent hands becoming too sweaty. It’s a durable, soft and comfortable-to-wear fabric, and it looks smart too.

The fleecy lining helps in moisture transfer away from the skin and also in maintaining warmth in colder temperatures. The palm is synthetic leather with a grip pattern, and there are cushioned areas at the ball of the thumb and across the area below the fingers to aid comfort. There’s also a reinforced grippy strip on the index finger and thumb where your hand grips the bars, hoods or bar ends, and a soft nose wipe area.

The gloves were incredibly comfortable to wear, with no areas of discomfort in the shaping. Finger length was good, even with plenty of length in the thumb, which I often find to be a problem area. The availability of five sizes (XXS-L) means that everyone should be able to find a size that suits. The fit is nice and contoured, meaning little excess fabric to get in the way or reduce sensitivity, and these are easily used with STI shifters, unlike many winter gloves.

These are actually good for much colder temperatures than their lack of bulk would suggest, although those who suffer from chilly hands may still want more than these can offer in the depths of winter.

Verdict

Well-designed, good value gloves with excellent levels of protection and warmth for their lack of bulk

road.cc test report

Make and model: Gore Bike Wear Phantom II women's gloves

Size tested: M

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?

Aimed at "demanding racing cyclists" with a "Tight fit for maximum feeling in the fingers and an excellent grip."

Genuinely are comfortably and you get gouseable with drop bars and STI style shifters.

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

WINDSTOPPER Soft shell fabric- wind proof and water repellent.

Synthetic leather palm

Soft brushed fleecey lining.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very well made from high quality components

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Extremely capable for all types of riding in most conditions.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Good quality fabrics and well put together.

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

Low bulk and low weight.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Very comfortable in all but the coldest conditions.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Good value for money for such a versatile and useable glove.

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

Performed well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Fit, fabric, lack of bulk.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, definitely.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Excellent value for money for a comfortable, warm and effective three season glove.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

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Lara Dunn

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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