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review
Gloves - full finger
Proviz Winter Cycling GlovesProviz Winter Cycling Gloves

Proviz Winter Cycling Gloves

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Dec 31, 2011

0
£26.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Bargain winter road gloves with some good touches that put some more expensive gloves to shame
Weight: 
99g
Contact: 
www.todayscyclist.co.uk
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These Proviz Winter Cycling Gloves are an absolute steal and perfect for most types of road riding thanks to a combination of clever design, keen pricing and good quality materials. Like others at this end of the market, there's some trade-off in terms of water-repellency but they're genuinely wind-proof and remain toasty-even fully saturated or submerged.

Better still, slimline profiles negate their need for removal, whether stopping for a photo opp of the scenery or the less glamorous roadside mechanical. Perpetually runny noses weren't as problematic as I imagined despite the absence of a terry thumb-wipe since the laminated polyester backs are very absorbent and tolerant of machine-washing to boot.

Nylon/polyester mixes aren't going to set hearts a flutter but are what we've come to expect for around 25 quid and to be fair, it all works very nicely. The palms are made from a suede effect micro-fibre with extensive gel/foam padding to protect the hands and Ulnar nerve region from vibration and discomfort, while the proliferation of silicone dots are designed to give a tenacious grip in all conditions. Sensibly proportioned Scotchlite reflectives adorn the neoprene/Lycra cuffs, backs and smallest digit, accentuating nocturnal presence when signalling or negotiating roundabouts and junctions.

Their trademark safety yellow livery should tickle retinas to around 400 yards on the open road, dropping to 300 against the backdrop of taxi firms, bars, clubs and fast-food outlets so beloved of our town centres. By definition, contact points are deeply personal but the discretely pronounced padding has eliminated any signs of telltale tingling in 400 mixed terrain miles.

Rain or shine, grip and control seems faultless come split second gear changes or emergency stops owing to the silicone detailing, which is equally reassuring used in conjunction with glossy handlebar coverings-almost making notoriously slippery Benotto tape viable in the wet. Driving rain eventually leaches through after thirty to forty minutes, yet the fabrics retain a surprisingly comfortable inner climate and laminated construction means you won't have the dubious pleasure of dragging out soggy liners at the end of a very wet ride.

Verdict

Bargain winter road gloves with some good touches that put some more expensive gloves to shame

road.cc test report

Make and model: Proviz Winter Cycling Gloves

Size tested: Hi-viz, reflective, Large

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?

"Our Proviz high visibility cycling gloves are the perfect glove for your ride. The fluorescent yellow material along with the reflective trim helps to keep you visible whilst the tri-laminated fleece-lined protection helps to keep you warm yet allow heat and moisture to escape. The gloves differ from standard fleece-lined gloves in that the fleece is not touching the skin, it is instead the middle layer. This helps to prevent sweating yet keeps your hands warm and allows for maximum breathability". I've been suitably impressed.

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

Polyester/nylon shell, Tri-laminated fleece lined material retains warmth, while allowing moisture to escape, micro-matrix palms with low density gel padding, Lycra cuffs, Scotchlite detailing.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Palms and gel padding exceeded my expectations.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

In many respects these are the perfect winter/commuter glove. Inexpensive and easy to care for, they offer excellent defence against rain and chill, while the modest bulk and clever palms proved dependable and grippy even on the notoriously slippery gloss wraps.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Pretty much everything given the design brief.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing but on balance, a terry nose-wipe pad would've earned them an extra point overall.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Definitely.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Proviz Winter Cycling Gloves
Proviz
hi viz
Commuter clothing
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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