Please Help Me Become a Glove Ho

[Blrfl]

For the last eight years I've owned four gloves: two Olympia 4350s and two lightweight, perforated Olys that I've never really liked and wear only when the 4350s are drying out after a stint in the rain. The 4350s have given me truly excellent service, but they're not really designed for the wet weather and don't do very well when the temperatures drop below 40F. Mine are also getting a little crispy from all of the times they've been rained on, and I think it's time to retire them. (Although a number of people have complimented the "character" of my gloves. They've been around the block and they look it.)

Anyway, the Farkle Fairy has deposited a few extra dollars in my wallet, and I think some of them are going to spent on gloves. I'm thinking I could be happy with three pairs:

General-Purpose - I'm really tempted to pull a trigger on a set of Held Steves. The only thing holding me back is the length of the gauntlet. My jacket (Firstgear Scout III) has very effective vents on the forearms that are like little scoops, and with the 4350s on, the glove ends just before the scoop begins. Could someone with Steves measure the distance from the wrist elastic to the end of the gauntlet?

Rain - I don't need watertight, but something that doesn't wilt in the wet would be nice. New Enough has Hein Gericke Sprints on closeout for $30, and at that price I figure they're worth trying out.

Cold Weather - I'll probably stick with a heavier set of Olys, maybe the 4100 or 4650.

What say the assembled members of the Association of Gear Hos And Sport Tourers (AGHAST)? Any suggestions for other things I should look at? I can't say I care much for the sportier brands (AStars, Spidi, JR, etc.).

--Mark

[tdeboeser]

I went through a few gloves. Tour masters for winter, joe rocket phonix gloves. Held Steve gloves. For most of my riding I don't use anything but my helds. With the ST I don't get cold for about 1 hour ( heated hand grips required ), in 30 deg weather ( +- 5 degs). The Tour Masters were supposed to be water tight, but they fill up from the sleave end. I could tuck the glove under my jacket arm - but its a tight fit, too tight for me. So with the helds I let my hands get wet.
In the summer they aren't bad, but in 95 deg you will know you have 'em on.
Now 45-60 deg, wet... too cold, I use the Tour masters, but thats far and few between. I guess in the end I could say I use both the Tour masters and the Helds, but for 99% of my riding its the Helds.

If I had only one glove it would be the Helds.

Looking at the Helds now - I'm guessing 3 1/2 inches from bottom of strap.

HTH,

Tom de


Oh yeah, the winter/wet gloves felt like I had two gloves on at the same time. Or like there was a piece of lose leather on my hand grip.

[Ken]

Another vote for Held Steves here!

[NCSam]

Try these ... they are great. The most comfortable gloves I've ever worn.
Check them out here: http://www.leeparksdesign.com/ .......

and, here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/lee-parks/

I've tried two pairs of HELD gloves and had to return them both ... I wear Large. Too small. Tried a pair of XL ... too hard to get my hand through the gauntlet area. Construction and quality looked good but, again, .... "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" ... and, as I've already said .. the Lee Parks gloves have made me happy!!

Sam

[number9]

Very happy Held Profi wearer here :D

[GRN]

Steve's, heated grips, and Stitch triple digit covers get it done for me :cool:

[Bigfish]

I'm with NCSam, I have alot of trouble getting my hands in most gloves, and the ones I can, usually feel like I am wearing flags. I own a pair of Olypia stubbies w/h gel palms as backups, River Road 3mm insulated leathers,which are fair in cold rainy weather for about 40 miles. This summer I have been using some Icon Tarmacs, (short) all mesh with some protective padding. I love these gloves for summer. I did have to cut the very tip off th index finger to work the volume on the ipod though. BUT I am still shopping!
Will be watching this string!
Is this a great site or what!
Bigfish

[ToroGuy]

Held Fresh (leather/mesh/light armor) for short rides and real hot weather.

Held Profi (great leather/perfect ST armor) for everything else.

I agree with SCSam...the Helds are sized small, may not be the best choice if you have really large palms. If you order on the 'net, get one or two sizes larger than you think you need.

[Blrfl]

I've had my Steves for a week or two now, and so far they're top notch. My only complaint is that the elastic makes them difficult to get on and off, but that'll go away over time...

You also have to remember not to use your left index finger to scratch your nose...

--Mark

[racer1735]

I've worn Held Steve's for just over a year now. Winter, spring, summer and fall. When the weather gets below 50 degrees, I wear latex liners inside them. Along the thoughts about them being hard to put on and take off due to the tight elastic, that same elastic is partly responsible for them not coming off when you're sliding along the pavement. Same reason that your helmet should be a pretty snug fit going on and off.

[GRN]

Mark, whatcha doin for the wet stuff?

[Rob (from Hoosierville)]

I use Held "Steves" for mild weather and Held "Hawks" for cold and wet weather. I also have a set of Cortech "GX Air" mesh gloves for hot weather. I still need a set for hot + wet and am thinking about Held "Storms". I am sneaking up on "Glove Ho" status.

[Blrfl]

Mark, whatcha doin for the wet stuff?

I'm still looking. Maybe if I find the Sprints at a bargain price again (Curse you, New Enough, for selling your last pair!), I'll try those. The Steves continue to be great, and I may splurge on a pair of their waterproof gloves.

Meanwhile, the old faithful Olys have been relegated to rain duty.

--Mark