A couple of months ago I received a cache of Giro gear in the mail for my reviewing pleasure. Among the goods were a pair of Xen gloves.

Photo by Sydnah Swails.

Specs

The Xen is a heavily ventilated glove that is designed to breathe well and ride comfortabl,y even in the hottest temperatures. Along with ample ventilation, the back of the hand features knuckle protection in key locations in case something goes awry. The “Super Fit” palm has minimal padding, and is made of “Clarino” that is “tailored to minimize excess material, so you get maximum control and comfort,” according to Giro.

The Test

I have used the Xen gloves in a variety of riding conditions from cross country to all mountain to downhill. In all cases, I can honestly say that I have been very satisfied with these gloves!

Giro’s description rings absolutely true. The palms have very minimal material, and despite the minimalistic approach, these may be one of the most comfortable pairs of gloves I’ve used this year. The comfort provided by the Zen vastly outdistances the most recent pair of full-fingered gloves I reviewed here on the blog.

The index and middle fingers have extra grip for the brake levers. Photo by Sydnah Swails.

As for comfort in high temps, I haven’t had the chance to test these during the extremely hot months but I have worn them into the 70′s and down into the 40′s with no problems. These gloves are definitely designed for the summer months, though, so going any lower than the upper to mid 40′s will probably be uncomfortable.

Ventilation and Knuckle Protection. Photo by Sydnah Swails.

It is important to note that while these are aggressive full-fingered gloves, they aren’t specifically designed with downhilling in mind. While there is a little bit of knuckle protection, if you are looking for a full-on DH glove you might want to try something with a little more padding. If you are an aggressive all-mountain rider, though, these gloves split the difference between XC and DH perfectly!

Cons

The only question I have when it comes to the Xen gloves is, “How durable are they?”

I’ve had a small issue with some stitching coming out on one of the fingers. I’m not sure if I snagged it on something and tore a stitch out, allowing it widen into this hole, or what exactly happened.

I also have a much smaller hole forming on the knuckle of the thumb of the same hand. It is highly unlikely that I caused this one to happen in any way:

Bottom Line

This is a great glove that offers incredible comfort and great ventilation, and while it can work great for almost any style of mountain biking, it seems to be intended for all-mountain riders. While the durability of these gloves may be questionable, at an MSRP of $39.99 they are worth a look.

Many thanks to Giro for sending out the Xen gloves for review.

The Glacier Glove company has been making neoprene gloves for various wet and cold activities for almost 30 years and their products have been used by the likes of the Navy Seals, the US Coast Guard, Mt Everest climbers, and on Antarctic Expeditions.

Next month, the company will be releasing a version created especially for cycling. I received a pre-release pair for testing, and so far I am really impressed!

When I first pulled these out of the package, that distinctive neoprene smell took me back to growing up on the coast of Maine around commercial fishing and other cold, wet, winter activities. There’s no lobster fishing going on here in Colorado, but it is frequently cold enough to warrant a good pair of gloves for winter riding.

The cycling-specific Glacier Gloves are just the right thickness and sport articulated fingers for a more natural fit while grasping the handlebars. The gloves extend well up the wrist for extended coverage with no gaps between the glove cuff and your arm warmers, jacket, or long sleeve jersey. Although the natural neoprene fit means they won’t really go anywhere, these gloves also include a velcro strap to cinch things down tight.

On the bike these feel great. Tactile feedback is adequate, the natural padding of the neoprene provides excellent vibration dampening, and the articulated fingers help with working the brakes and shifters. Most importantly, these gloves are WARM! The neoprene does a great job of keeping heat in, and wind and water out. You will feel like your hands are in the pockets of your favorite coat rather than leading the way through the icy wind at 20 miles per hour. In all seriousness, it needs to be colder than 35° or so or they will be too warm.

A couple of things about these gloves take a little getting used to. For example the first couple of times I shifted gears I got a “gear and a half” due to the extra thickness compared to my regular riding gloves. And though I’ve learned to work my smart phone and cycling computer while wearing my regular gloves, there is no way that will work with the Glacier Gloves; they will have to come off. Also, the velcro strap falls exactly where my heart rate monitor / wrist watch fits. I expected this to be a problem, but the glove strap is long enough to wrap around wrist and watch with length to spare, and the glove material is pliable enough that it caused me no discomfort whatsoever. If the gloves start to get a little stinky, like neoprene sometimes does, turn them inside out and wash them in warm water with some mild hand soap. Rinse them thoroughly, dry them out, and you’re back in business.

Bottom line: If you ride your bike in cold and/or wet weather, you need a pair of these gloves! They are scheduled to hit the streets in December, so maybe Santa will drop a pair under the tree for you…

Thanks to the folks at Glacier Glove for sending these gloves for testing.

Footnote: Because these are not publicly available yet, I had to settle for a pair of XXL gloves which are a bit too big for me. They seem to run pretty true to size, so when you order, use their sizing guide, or order the same size you wear in regular cycling gloves.

Since the XXL gloves are too big for me I’ll be buying my own pair, and if anyone can correctly identify the trail where the pic below was taken, I’ll send this pair to our resident Singletracks snow rider, Funrover, for his continuing winter excursions.

Photo by Funrover

Oakley is a name that nearly all people know, and when you think about Oakley you automatically think high-end eyewear. Well Oakley also has a bunch of soft goods available, from pants to bags to nearly everything in between. I recently tested out some Oakley riding gear: the Retro Vert jersey, Retro Vert short, and Hand Ratchet glove.

The Retro Vert jersey is not an old jersey brought back as the name might imply. The “retro” part is the late 80′s logo but everything else on this jersey is new tech. With modern fabrics (polyester) and strategically placed mesh under the arms and back, along with antibacterial treatment and UV protection, the Retro jersey is anything but.

Now this is a long sleeve version which I prefer to wear even in the summer due to the overgrowth in my area and the number of bugs that are in the trails during the spring and summer (Oakley offers a short sleeve version as well). The long sleeve Retro has shaped arms that are pre-bent at the elbow and stitched in a way that allows the jersey to flex easily rather than tug. The entire back is a mesh material which is great since most riders today are using hydration packs which tend to get hot and sweaty. With the mesh at least there is a greater chance for moisture and heat to dissipate around the pack. Oakley even added a small microfiber wipe area along the waist of the jersey to clean up your optics.

The Retro Vert short is a premium short for the trail rider with just the right weight fabrics (100% nylon) and strategically-placed stretch panels for comfort on epic rides. These shorts feature a CyTech E.I.T. multi-segmented chamois that is one of the most comfortable I’ve worn. When things get dirty or need cleaning, the chamois can be removed and washed on its own. The two cargo-type zip pockets offer plenty of room for keys and protein bars while silicon grippers at the waist and leg bottoms make this a no-slip fitting short. Add to that a smart two snap, two position waist with elastic adjustment and you’ve got a short that fits well all day long. And of course the Retro Vert features classic retro-style Oakley graphics for maximum effect.

Oakley’s top glove for the Trail rider is called the Hand Ratchet 2. Before this glove’s release, the design underwent the scrutiny of some of the top riders in mountain biking before being released to the public. The end result is a bunch of materials all working together to maximize comfort, control, and durability. The one-piece palm is made from sheepskin leather for durability while the separate synthetic Pittards leather thumb and fingertips add comfort. Up top you get a mesh upper with a two strap system to hold the glove comfortably in place and a stretch kevlar knuckle protector for those occasions when you happen to get too close to the trees.

On the trail

Wearing the Oakley gear for trail riding and at the slopes (when not donning full armor) I was happy with the performance of both the jersey and shorts. I really appreciated the mesh back on the jersey, especially on those days when I rode with a hydration pack. At the very least I didn’t feel as hot as I would have with other tops. The jersey cuffs didn’t ride up my arms on the bike and yet the elastic wasn’t so tight that it felt like it was pulling. There was even enough room in the arms for me to add elbow guards underneath, though not enough room to fit a full pressure suit.

The Retro Vert shorts felt very comfortable without a hint of riding up my leg. The silicon around the leg and waist really stayed put. Even when sitting and pedaling for hours I didn’t feel like I was overheating.

As for the gloves I was a bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong: they fit great and I like the reverse stitch on the palm which really does make a difference. However, during my testing the velcro strap on one of my gloves started to de-laminate. I was able to fix it on my own with contact cement and it didn’t come apart again. Fortunately that was the only issue with the glove. The palms and fingers are very grippy, even when wet. Falling a few times and using the gloves to stop myself showed no sign of abrasion on the palm. Speaking of the palm, newer riders may not like the fact that these have no cushion to them but for a seasoned rider who wants maximum feedback, these may be a good choice.

Check out Oakley for these and other cool products. At $50.00 for the Ratchet glove, $150.00 for the Retro V short, and $90.00 for the Retro V long sleeve jersey, you’re getting the best Oakley has to offer.

I would like to thank the folks at Oakley for sending down the gear for review.

Since February I have been playing around with a few items from Answer. Not the usual bars and stems that I have raved about in the past but more on the soft-goods side of things. Answer sent down a few pairs of gloves for trek7k and I try out this season and I’m finally ready to share my review.

The Fall Line XC glove is a perfect full finger, lightweight glove for the cross country – trail rider. For one thing the fall line glove has a pre-curved palm which makes it easy to break in and helps reduce the annoying bunching that may happen with flat-palmed gloves. Along with the shaped palm you also get strategically placed silicone grippers for positive grip even when it gets wet. The index finger and middle fingers get the silicone treatment for grabbing the chicken switches and the palm has more silicone for gripping the bars.

On top you have two-way stretch nylon, great for airflow even when it’s hot outside. With sizes ranging from small to double extra large and a nice elastic wrist you are ensured a good fit. Answer offers a bunch of colors (Grey, Red, Clay, Dirt, Green, Orange, Tusk) so there is a variety of options to match your kit.

The Strike glove is a three season mitt. The Strike shares a similar curved palm and silicone prints on the fingers but beyond that, this glove is drastically different from the Fall Line. Constructed of 5mm Neoprene and Clarino Amara on the palm, the choice of materials really sets the glove apart for cooler weather with higher insulating values. The longer cuff on the glove also adds to the warmth factor. There’s even terrycloth on the thumbs for those emergency runny nose sessions. If you’re planning on riding in cooler climates these gloves are good for temps down to 25 °F.

Wearing the Strike during winter and spring rides and the Fall Line on my trail and XC rides, I can say these have been both durable and comfortable. I am impressed with the fact that the silicone has lasted this long without signs of wear. The same can be said of the stitching on the gloves themselves.

Using the Fall Line XC on the trails I liked the firm fit and control that the gloves offer. Even after river crossings or muddy trail days the gloves don’t loose their grip or fit. The Strike gloves have even found their way into my car on very cold days, keeping my hands nice and warm while offering a firm grasp on the steering wheel.

You can get the Strike gloves for $40 MSRP and the Fall Lines for $30 which won’t break the bank, especially for such a quality glove.

I would like to thank the folks at Answer for sending these gloves for review.

iXS is a brand that has been around in Europe for a long time. How long? Since 1906 (!) when they started out as a bike and motorcycle repair shop. In 2001 the iXS Sport division came into being and along the way iXS picked up management for not one but four major European mountain bike series’. As organizers of major race events, iXS definitely gets all kinds of valuable feedback from hundreds of pro riders every year. Riders like Darren Berrecloth, Richie Schley, and Roger Rinderknecht all use iXS equipment. And extreme riders like Josh Bender and Hans Rey contribute their valuable insight and experience to the product development as well.

For 2011 there are tons of really cool items for both him and her. The new Downhill, Backcountry, and LaidBack outer wear is pretty cool and there are enough styles and colors for both sexes. Not only will you look cool on the outside but feel cool on the inside with the use of mesh inserts strategically placed to extract heat PLUS extra deep fabric construction to help absorb moisture. The jerseys even sport an integrated cleaning cloth.

Other highlights include Ventimesh backing material on jackets and some awesome looking, tough, and abrasion-resistant DH shorts that shouldn’t tear when you fall. The Backcountry and LaidBack shorts are also pretty hot – you definitely need to check these out in person if you can. Find the closest iXS retailer and try them on for yourself.

Now the really big thing with iXS is their protective equipment (something close to my heart). The company offers several levels of protection, with everything from Pro level DH / FR use, to soft protection that a technical trail rider could wear in case things get sticky. The Battle gear (which I’m hoping to test and review soon), is FR-style armor with a ton of features and adjustments to make it fit perfectly. I’m told the base layer is made from a very breathable fabric that improves cooling and air flow. All hard points are appropriately sized to ensure they cover the intended parts like the shoulders and spine without feeling uncomfortable or awkward.

Check out the iXS website for yourself for more information and great looking products for both men and women.

Having sampled Gore products before and being very familiar with their high level of fit and finish, I was interested to see how the Countdown shorts compared to the Freeride shorts I reviewed a while back. Since I love my Freeride shorts so much I decided to be sorta tough and nit-picky with my review of the Countdown shorts.

Countdown Shorts

The Gore Countdown shorts feature a padded insert that’s easily removable for cleaning. The insert is designed with the rider in mind and is engineered by a company called Cytech, one of the best padding manufacturers around. Strategically split in a few spots, the pad doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a wet diaper and offers tons of freedom and comfort down there on long rides.  The padding really takes the edge off saddle sores and also minimizes the chances of chafing.

The Countdown shell is a tailored multi-panel arrangement that’s cut to fit best in the riding position. The inseam is 11 inches which (for most people) places the hem of the short right above the kneecap when riding. Unlike the Freeride short, the Countdown features stitched pockets rather than higher-tech welded pockets. This cost-saving measure only marginally changes the overall appearance of the short. The upside is that the Countdown comes with five pockets (two up front, two on the sides, and one zip pocket right in the middle at back).

Speaking of the pockets, I found the front two a bit too tight for my hands to get to my keys. The side pockets, on the other hand, were fine and comfortably held a wallet and cell phone. Even when pedaling like mad, the contents of my pockets didn’t move around too much. The rear pocket is one of those things that you can only get to if you’re not using a hydration pack.

For those who like riding at night, the added 360° reflective material coverage is nicely hidden in the Gore logo, two small patches on the pockets up front, and in the piping in the rear of the shorts. The effective positioning of the reflective materials ensures that people will see you from far away. Lower leg placement also ensures that the reflective material remains free from obstructions such as your hydration pack or jersey.

Now, to be picky, I would love to see the short get the same double snap and zip that’s featured on the Freeride short (though obviously this will raise the cost). Other than that I found the short to be very comfortable and I even caught myself wearing them around the house (removing the liner of course). The short is a great MTB short as well as a short that you can use every day without having people stare at you. The same understated good looks of the rest of the Gore product line carries to the Countdown shorts, backed by a solid construction and good feel.

Countdown Gloves

Choosing gloves often comes down to a personal choice between full-fingered or fingerless gloves. I’m one of those who prefers full-fingered gloves and have worn them almost exclusively for years. With that in mind, I’m introducing the Countdown Summer, a mid-level short-finger glove from Gore’s lineup.

The multi-panel palm ensures that there is no bunching which can lead to chafing as well loss of grip. Near the finger base there are vent holes to help regulate heat. Gore decided to create levels of protection on the palm by regulating the padding in the forehand and base of the palm. The forehand gets foam padding while the heel of your hand gets foam as well as gel for maximum impact resistance.To finish everything off, Gore added a silicon pattern to help reduce slippage.

To improve on some of the shortcomings of fingerless gloves, Gore has added loops in between the fingers to make glove removal easier (one of the things I hate about short finger gloves). There are two loops on each glove which makes it a matter of just grabbing both loops at once and pulling the glove off. The top of the glove is a combination of airy fabric and mesh to help regulate heat and the velcro strap locks nicely without slipping.  Around the thumb you get a terry cloth insert to help wick away any sweat when your ridding.

On the trails I would say these gloves suit the XC – Trail rider best; they’re a bit to lightweight for the AM – DH crowd (stick with full-fingers). The big selling point for the Countdown glove is the level of comfort it offers the rider. The glove doesn’t pinch or bunch up and the grip it affords is top notch. Even after a few hours on hardpack I didn’t notice that numbing feeling that I sometimes get with thinner padded palms. After a few rides the gloves are still in tact with no splits at the seams. I did find it a bit difficult to get my hand back in mid-ride when the glove started to get wet.

The Countdown shorts are listed at $99.99 MSRP and the Countdown Summer gloves come in at $39.99.

I would like to thank the folks at Gore for providing the Countdown shorts and gloves for review. Check out Gore’s webpage for these and additional items, colors and specifications.

Cross-country and road riders are already familiar with Giro bike helmets – they’re typically high quality, lightweight, and comfortable. But did you know Giro also offers bombproof lids for those who love pointing their bikes down steep slopes? If you’re someone who steers toward massive drops and stunts while friends are on the phone speed dialing 911, a Giro full face bike helmet and goggle combo is for you.

This year Giro really turns up the heat with eye-popping graphics on helmets and gloves plus high quality optics on their newest goggs. I recently got a chance to test the new 2010 Giro Remedy CF ($270 MSRP) in white/gold/green which happens to match the singletracks DH jersey perfectly. I also got my mitts on the Root goggle (MSRP $129) in matte titanium with the Gold Boost 75 lens and the new DJ glove (MSRP $34) in white/green. These three items are a must if you’re planning on pushing your limits on the slopes or jump parks this season.

The Giro Remedy CF shell is made entirely of carbon composite and weighs a scant 910g (about 2 pounds) which makes it up to 30% lighter than similar helmets. The CF stands for “carbon fiber” and the overall shape of the Remedy CF is identical to the plain Remedy. The Remedy CF boasts 14 intelligently-placed vents to encourage proper air flow through the helmet as you’re bombing the trail. The internal EPS (expanded polystyrene) liner is molded to fit your head comfortably while channeling air from the exterior vents out the four rear vents.

The front chin bar is lined with EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) which is a great shock absorbing material for those times when you take a face-first approach to things. Just in case you’re wondering, the Remedy is only certified for pedal bikes and carries the CPSC and CE endorsements. Even though it looks and feels strong as a motorcycle helmet, it’s not actually DOT certified.

Overall, the Remedy fits on the loose side of things around the chin and cheek compared to other models I’ve tested. For those who prefer the feel of freedom inside, this is the helmet for you. Remember, it’s important to choose a helmet that doesn’t cause any “hot” spots (areas of higher pressure) on your head or face (this will depend on the unique shape of your melon).

One of the things I really like about the Remedy is the ability to remove the liner for cleaning. Just unsnap the material and rinse out your sweat – then snap things back together in a jiff. I also really dig Giro’s Super Fit system which makes pairing goggles with this helmet easy and comfortable.

Speaking of goggles, check out the Root. The Root it is a bit spendier than the popular Station MTB goggles but packs in way more cool stuff. Right off the bat you get to choose from 10 different lenses and 9 stock color ways.

The Root lenses are spherical in shape rather than cylindrical like conventional lenses. It turns out spherical lenses are shaped to match the contour of your eyes so that there is no perceivable distortion – super helpful for picking the right lines at high speed. The True Sight spherical lens is designed to rest at a constant distance from your eyes both horizontally and vertically (cylindrical lenses only keep distance constant horizontally). The lenses also offer 100% protection from harmful UVA, B, and C radiation. To top it all off, the lenses also feature an anti-fog finish and scratch resistant coatings.

The goggle surround is made of two-stage, soft foam which feels both comfortable and firm while ensuring no dust and debris may enter. The surround is also vented to allow body heat and moisture to exit which prevents fogging. The frame features extended band tabs to fit the helmet opening like a glove and keep the goggle firmly in place even on bumpy, jarring terrain. The band is 32mm wide and sturdy, though for some reason it doesn’t have anti-slip silicon strips to help prevent sliding. On a wet day it just may do exactly that.

Finally, if you want to look like a pro, your kit has to match and the Giro DJ glove offers a nice compliment to the Remedy and Root. The DJ is a durable, full-fingered glove meant to take whatever you can dish out. It’s basically a beefier version of the successful Xen glove with the major difference being the wrapped Clarino finger tips and extra padding across the knuckles. The palm features a Super Fit 3 panel and is enhanced with Clarino synthetic leather and a section of EVA padding. EVA is the perfect material for absorbing shocks and helps relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve and the abductor digiti minimi muscle (didn’t know you were getting an anatomy lesson today, didya?).

Performance on the bike

Put these three together and you have a full house. The Remedy and Root are a great match: I didn’t notice more than about 15° of peripheral vision loss which is pretty solid for a full face / goggle combo. Out at the slopes and indoors at Joyride 150, I never got overheated or noticed my lenses fogging up.

When riding outside I found the Root lens to be perfectly balanced. It really enhanced the contrast of everything, especially on overcast days when trail details tend to muddle together. I also found the tint was just right even in lower light areas, like in the shadows of trees, and I didn’t need to slow down to let my eyes adjust. At the end of the day the Root goggles are far and away better than any others I own which is saying a lot!

The DJ gloves fit a bit on the tight side for size large so I needed a few days to get them broken in. Inside, the gloves felt comfortable – no stitches digging in and the glove basically stayed glued to my hand without moving around. Overall grip was great on the bars and the added silicon on the index and middle finger helped reduce the amount of grip I needed to hang onto the “chicken switches.” At the end of the day my hands felt fairly fresh and blister-free.

Giro offers a full range of DH-ready gear to protect your assets without harshing the ride on the way down. Just remember, this stuff won’t make you invincible, even though it feels like it does!

Thanks to the folks at GIRO for the equipment we reviewed. Another big shout to the guys and gals at Joyride 150 for hosting our indoor tests.

The Xen helmet, Xen gloves, and Filter sunglasses from Giro go together almost as well as the #1 combo at McDonalds (stickers to the first commenter who can id the sandwich in that combo). Now I am 100% sure you’ve heard of Giro and the great helmets they make; heck, I’m sure many of you already have one. But did you know that Giro also makes sweet gloves and glasses? Giro may not be as well known for accessories beyond the lid but will change very soon!

To make things easier Giro uses the same names from the helmet line for gloves. The Xen glove (MSRP $38.00) and Xen Helmet (MSRP $130.00) sport similar graphics and color schemes and are both optimized for all-mountain riding. All mountain riders will ride near or through overgrown brush, tree strewn singletrack, and the not so occasional rocky path so it’s important to have a helmet and glove that can take the abuse.

The Xen Helmet is offered in several color choices for 2010 including matte gold, matte white digi camo, and matte olive fade. It took me just a few minutes to get my Xen comfortable using the straps and buckles. When adjusting your helmet you typically want to set the under chin strap just with enough space so you can open your mouth without interference. I also recommend adjusting the buckle on the sides so that they are about an inch below your ears.

The Xen cuts a lower profile that most helmets and sports an extended back side to cover the back of your head. The 17 massive air vents keep things cool even on hot summer rides and the cushioned brow pad does a good job managing dripping sweat. The included POV visor allows you to change the angle of the visor without rattling it out of position.

The Xen Gloves are super comfortable and allow great hand movement without any pinching. Unlike some gloves out there, the Xen features a clarino palm (a durable synthetic leather) and strategically placed technogel support padding. The padding allows you to ride longer with less pain from impact and vibrations associated with bombing rough trails.

Overall I would have to say that these gloves performed really well. The three silicon-patterned finger tip grips came in handy and allowed me to use just one finger to grip the brakes. I also didn’t have to worry that my finger would slip on the shifters, even when my hands got wet.

Having a great helmet and gloves is just part of the equation so I also decided to give the Filter suglasses from Giro a whirl at the same time. The Filter is designed to fit comfortably with Giro helmets, utilizing what they call Super Fit. Basically Super Fit glasses are designed to hold securely to your face without interfering with helmet straps, minimizing distractions during the ride.

Not only do the Filters fit well but the optics are pretty amazing as well. These sunglasses use Zeiss lenses which are very clear without any noticeable distortion. Filter lenses are also 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC filtering. My Filter sunglasses came with two sets of lenses – grey tint 18Z and the rose silver 18Z. For the trails I would have preferred an amber or brown lens as well – perhaps this is something Giro will add in the future.

The Filter sunglasses also feature Pop Top which allows you to flip an integrated lever to release the lens from the frame without having you grip the lens with your hand. This helps keeps lenses clean and scratch free even with frequent lens changes.

All and all I have to say that Giro has a great thing going with these three products and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend other Giro helmets, gloves, or sunglasses to anyone. You want fries with that?