Open air, open road, open sky — it’s the best of all worlds. But after a long day on the road, you want as many creature comforts as you can get your hands on; the challenge is being comfortable without packing everything and the kitchen sink. Here are 7 motorcycle gadgets for your next camping adventure, that pack light and add comfort, to get you started. P.S. We’d like to dedicate this post to our Hoka Hey long distance rider friends, who head out from Key West, Florida to Homer, Alaska in a few days. We’re sure they are packing light and...

Most gloves are imported, for the reasons we explored last week. But there is growing interest in buying American made gloves, just as there is more interest in buying everything manufactured domestically. It explains why Wal-Mart had an open call for “Made in USA” products recently, and over 500 new vendors showed up. Still, the  challenges related to domestic manufacturing of technical sports gloves  and reshoring in general, are considerable. What are the options, and the labeling requirements, for imported vs. domestic apparel? What are the options for sourcing American made gloves?   Here’s what brands and retailers should know. more”Made in USA” Apparel:...

We saw this saying recently, and it made us laugh. <= “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur”. It’s funny … but also true! In our industry, stories of contract factories that promise low cost and deliver little in the way of real value are legend. Instead of promising pennies, a true manufacturing partner should help you make better decisions, get better product in less time — and that in turn will enable more sales. On the other hand, a “penny wise, pound foolish” supplier may causing “hidden costs” to add up. Do...

Are your summer motorcycle gloves looking a little frayed around the edges? You may be looking for a new pair that will keep hands protected, well-ventilated, and comfortable on long rides. But with so many glove choices, how do you know what to look for? Here are 5 unexpected “must-have” features.more 5 Unexpected Ways to Protect Your Paws This Summer Whether you’re spending the days ahead on city cement or country backroads, consider these 5 unexpected yet important features when shopping for your next pair of summer gloves: Padded Palms:The conventional wisdom is that you need full leather gloves with hard knuckles,...

The time is ripe for forward thinking companies in our industry — apparel brands, manufacturers, and retailers —  to take a fresh look at domestic manufacturing. But for goods that are currently made in China and elsewhere, “reshoring” isn’t a slam dunk. On the one hand, the American consumer wants more “Made in USA” options.  In fact, “made in USA” is a desireable label for many Asian consumers as well. On the other hand, consumers remain price sensitive.   How can this reshoring come about?  And what does it mean for a US glove company like ours, that makes labor intensive...

Rising prices are one of the greatest business challenges for retail buying organizations. The challenge is to manage costs in a way that doesn’t affect the consumer appeal of your product. As we showed last week, value engineering your product is one cost management strategy we can use to do this. By being creative with glove design, and using technical knowledge of the range of glove materials and available substitutes, we can often reduce costs in a way that doesn’t affect product performance. But many other costs are going up as well, so materials selection and value engineering your glove design is...

Deerskin has long been prized by riders, and deerskin gloves can make a great addition to your motorcycle gear collection. When designed and constructed well, no motorcycle glove will feel softer, or fit better. Here are 5 surprising facts about deerskin … and 5 tips on how to choose and care for the deerskin motorcycle glove that is right for you. Trust us … you’ll never look at Bambi the same way again. 1. Flexible, Stretchable, Comfortable Custom Fit Soft deerskin gloves are known for their ability to stretch to fit your hand. The leather will stretch width wise, but not in...

We simply asked: “Tell us about your dad”. Here’s what you said. We get the most incredible stories by asking simple questions on our Facebook page. And this past weekend, on Father’s Day, we were not disappointed. You told us everyday stories of ordinary dads. Working, raising families, and passing along their love of riding to the next generation. Ordinary dads, who were extraordinary men.  Some dads served country and community.  Others were simply a steadfast presence in their childrens’ lives. Remembered and appreciated by grown children, more than they could ever know. We couldn’t let those remembrances go unnoticed.  So here’s a...

We love the cool breezes and lazy days of summer, but sometime riding on 90 degree days can feel like  you’re being blasted by a hair dryer! Here’s a round-up of rider suggestions for keeping cool when riding in extreme heat. Why Motorcycle Gear in the Summer? When riding this summer, don’t be tempted to go without protective gear. it sounds counter-intuitive, but in the summer, riders really need to cover up. Why? Besides exposure to road rash, riders who ride uncovered dehydrate MORE quickly as sweat evaporates.  That can cause heat exhaustion — and it’s totally unnecessary. Keep Cool:...

Labor costs, leather and other raw material costs, freight, costs associated with consumer safety testing … If the prospect of higher costs and lower margins keeps you up at night you are not alone. In a recent USFIA survey of fashion executives, 81% ranked rising sourcing costs as their greatest business challenge. Here’s an approach that just might lead to a better nights sleep.more When Costs Rise, Value Engineer Your Product Sometimes, it feels like costs go up like a rocket, and down like a feather. But in the face of rising costs there ARE things you can do. Value engineering is a...

We’re always interested in the newest and coolest motorcycle gadgets.  It’a funny how something as simple a new handle grips or a cupholder can make a huge difference in your comfort on the road.  Some gadgets aren’t worth the money, but several are well worth their price for the comfort, safety or convenience they add.. Here are a few inexpensive gadgets that will help make your trip a little more enjoyable. 1. Tank Bags Tank bags are pretty much the perfect summer or year-round motorcycle gadget. They are sturdy, fit snugly over your tank, and keep small useful items (like...

Motorcycle riders sometimes experience hand numbness, forearm fatigue, and other hand/wrist/arm discomfort — especially early in the riding season. This occurrence is surprisingly prevalent among riders. Recently in the Motorcycle Enthusiasts group forum on Linkedin, there were over 100 comments regarding this problem — which shows how very common it is. Often, the best suggestions come from other riders. Here are 26 tips from riders who have dealt with hand discomfort. First: Why Hand Numbness? You may be wondering about a medical explanation. According to the Mayo Clinic, hand numbness is “usually caused by damage, irritation or compression of one of the nerves...