RSP Waterproof Gloves have a lot to offer cost conscious riders and I've been particularly grateful for their warmth these past few weeks.
Nylon/polyester mixes with copious Terry towelling won't set pulses racing but is a hardwearing, machine washable and ultimately weather repelling mix nonetheless. Ours were the time-honoured safety yellow with bold Scotchlite logos on the index finger, ledge and cuff regions, accentuating signalling.
Thoughtfully, the palms and fingers are black so won't show the filth, while Ulnar padding is less 'afterthought' than many- essentially a polyester bed littered with silicone dashes surprisingly adept at muffling intrusive road and light trail buzz.
That detailing adds a gummy, tenacious dimension, inspiring confidence and reducing the tendency to 'death grip' leather/similarly slippery handlebar coverings- shame these weren't extended to the thumb and forefingers for greater purchase when braking/changing gear in wilder weather. Stitching seems uniform throughout, although raised doubts over their true weatherproof credentials.
Sizing is pretty much on par with everyone else's taking - our large was literally made for my long digits. Supple materials and a super tactile micro fleece lining means hands glide in and out without painful bunching, or taking the lining with them. Very much a middleweight design, dexterity is good enough for locking in the street, rummaging through panniers and won't deaden the sensations of sprightly groupsets-don't expect to take photos or break into energy bars mind.
With the extended cuff drawn closed, wind and chill have remained firmly outside, even spirited fifteen mile blasts in minus 2/3 degrees couldn't tax them. Raising the thermostat to 6/7 degrees encourages a slight clamminess but nowhere near that of the fort Knox TPU lined affairs, neither did sustained snow/sleet showers leach into the fibres.
Raleigh confidently assert these are waterproof but to me this very much depends on your definition - maybe we had a rogue sample but within twenty seconds' immersion in both salt and freshwater contexts, they were sodden - faster when plunged just below the pleated cuff-line. Given the asking price this came as little surprise and in fairness, drying times are around two hours at room temperature.
Verdict
Cheerful winter/training gloves but weather resistant as distinct from waterproof.
road.cc test report
Make and model: RSP Waterproof Glove
Size tested: Large, Hi-viz
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?
Fully Waterproof, Lightweight Silicone Palm, Reflective Logo, Velcro Fastner, 2 Colours, Large Sweat Pad, Strong Material.
Raleigh remain completely factual in their description but I'd say these were a wallet friendly, weather resistant winter training glove.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Nylon/polyester mix with Terry towelling.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
6/10
Rate the product for durability:
6/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
6/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall, the RSP waterproof are a nice, wallet friendly training glove offering excellent dexterity, warmth and protection from the elements.
In an everyday sense, they resist prolonged showers and heavier rainfall very capably. However, impenetrable models usually cost twice as much on account of TPU and similarly sophisticated linings, so I wasn't completely surprised to find these absorbing water within twenty seconds of being fully immersed.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
There's a lot to like here. I was really taken by their levels of comfort/dexterity and the Ulnar padding proved surprisingly effective too.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the asking price, they are not waterproof in the commonly accepted sense and once sodden, take a couple of hours to dry.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Possibly.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? So long as they didn't want waterproof in the belt n' braces sense.
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,
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