When I received this pair of Freeride gloves, I asked myself: what is needed on a pair of snowmobile gloves? They need to be waterproof, well made, comfortable and fairly priced.
Waterproof
My first reaction when I received these gloves was to try to get them wet…easier than it sounds. I put them in the water in my kitchen sink. To my amazement, they stayed dry throughout the entire swim. So from a waterproofing point of view, they are perfect. No leaks from the outside get into these.
Design
As far as their manufacturing is concerned, I notice that all the parts in contact with the snowmobile are made of leather. This makes me happy, because I find it important to have a resistant material on the portions where there is the most friction. The palms and thumbs are lined with a layer of textured suede for added grip and durability. The back of the glove is covered with textiles of different textures, these do the job well in terms of style: the glove looks great in my opinion.
Because the gloves are 100% waterproof, I’ll concede that the non-leather surfaces do the job and save a bit on production cost. A neoprene cap finishes the set and this one has a velcro attachment and a system that fits the glove on the wrist. This system makes a better seal with your coat to keep the snow out. However, these gloves are difficult to put on, they usually take me longer than my others.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, the first thing you notice is the softness of the inner lining. This one is very soft and offers a good feeling in the hand. Note that it is fixed and can not be removed for drying. Overall, we are well with these gloves. Only one point irritates me at the area of the palm: I have the impression that the material is rolled up inside the hand when you close your fingers. Otherwise, it is a successful experience. In terms of insulation, we are talking about a moderate level, with a slightly insulated palm (40g) and the back of the hand with a little more insulation (70g). This is the glove I wear for cold days when I’m on the playing field.
It can also be worn when it is warmer than -20 degrees for your ride up the mountain. As for moisture, it will be generated by the rider and the snow if you take off your gloves. For my normal days, two pairs of gloves were enough. On the way in and out, I use a gauntlet. In the playground, I wear the Freeride. Precision-wise, these gloves are still pretty thick, so they don’t offer much fine motor skills.
Quality price
Are they fairly priced? These gloves sell for about a hundred dollars and I have to say they are worth it. The leather seems to me of good quality, as well as the suede on the palms. The textiles are waterproof and linings are soft to the touch. Overall, the product is a success. If you are looking for a versatile pair of gloves: you found it. No, these aren’t the hottest gloves on earth, but that’s not the effect you want for all-purpose gloves. They’re durable, waterproof and affordable. As they say: they get the job done. They gave me a comfortable winter, so I give them the thumbs up. With that, I thank 509 for this test. On that note, I wish you a great season!
