Until about 40 years ago, hands were protected with shell materials like heavy weight deerskin or bison and lined with fur or hand knit wool. Now we have a wide variety of technologies that make the outdoors a better experience in all weather conditions. Great materials exist. The glove designer’s real challenge is to develop gloves with the right performance features for weather conditions WITHIN your budget. Here’s a 2-Part series on the materials and technologies we use to design gloves for cold weather.. The Science of Cold Weather Hand Protection Leading material suppliers like 3M, Gore, DuPont, Albany International, and Downtek have developed a wide range...

We all love leather cloves, but as any biker knows, leather heats up. Fatigue sets in, and all of a sudden that cool ride has become a sweat slick, and blisters can form. That’s why glove manufacturers make summer weight mesh gloves with vents and other features that keep your hands cool. Which glove features are best for wicking away sweat?  Which are best at keeping your hands comfortable yet safe when the sun is out to bake you? When the sun’s out to bake you, here’s how to keep hands protected, AND chill out this summer in style. Which...

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching! Besides taking the time to make your mom feel special this Sunday, reflect on the wisdom your mom passed on to you. In our Facebook contest this month, we asked riders to share the best piece of advice they got from mom.  The responses we’re getting are great … some make us laugh, some surprise us. Check out what they said. more Pearls of Wisdom From Moms of Motorcycle Riders: Be careful.   Be happy.   Slow down.     Keep trying.     Never give up. Follow your heart. Wear your hat and gloves! Never give up on...

Days are getting warmer … so this is a good time to check your summer gear and see if it’s road worthy. Summer motorcycle riding gloves can: Protect your hands from sunburn, pebbles, rocks and bugs, and the unlikely unplanned get off. Make your hands feel more comfortable while you ride. Give you better grip of your controls. Here’s how to choose summer motorcycle gloves that make hot weather rides safer and more comfortable.more Why Wear Summer Motorcycle Gloves? We get it, we truly do … it’s hot, you’re sweaty.    But today’s lightweight mesh gear means there’s no excuse for riding around in...

With more women riding motorcycles, your favorite rider can be your sister, aunt, grandmother or friend. Liven up Mother’s Day with ideas from this gift guide that would warm any motorcycle mama’s heart. Chocolate, flowers or cards are lovely, but choosing something specifically related to motorcycles –  from great new riding gear to cool biker jewelry – would be a fun and unique way to honor her on this special day. Gear Ideas for Women Motorcycle Riders: For the high-tech mom, a Bluetooth headset which connects to helmets, so you can communicate with your co-pilot. Specialized motorcycle luggage is always a winning idea. Panniers or saddlebags...

We wanted to share case study regarding a manufacturing problem we had to trouble shoot. For a powersports brand, consumer complaints were an unacceptable 1% of sales on a best-selling fingerless glove style. The challenge was to figure out why, and remedy the situation.  By making three simple manufacturing technique improvements, the return rate was reduced by almost 50% in the 2 years that followed. Since “quality is job one”, we thought it would be instructive to share not only what we did, but what we learned.  Troubleshooting the Problem The problem: this particular fingerless motorcycle glove was tearing on a seam where a piece of looped webbing...

On Facebook, a rider recently commented that after riding in the rain, the black leather from his gloves leeched its dye into his skin. This shouldn’t happen, but sometimes does … … so we thought we’d explain why it happens and how it can be prevented.more Why Black Leather Motorcycle Gloves Sometimes Turn Your Hands Black Sometimes, new leather gloves “bleed” when wet — especially premium leather gloves made from drum dyed leather.  Drum dyed leather is actually preferred for gloves, because it’s softer and more breathable than cheaper leathers where the coloring is simply sprayed onto the top surface of the leather. ...

So you are planning a long distance motorcycle camping trip. This is most definitely an experience every adventure rider wants to cross off of their bucket list. With nothing but the wind at your back as you explore a new stretch of road, it can be a truly unforgettable experience.  The scenery, the peacefulness of camping out under the stars, the sounds of nature … yet, to be successful, such a trip involves a fair amount of preparation and knowledge.   Starting with the most important thing, your bike.  Which Bike for a Comfortable Ride? It’s a personal decision, but cruiser type styles...

This time of year, NYC-area riders need no excuse to escape from the routine and head for the hills.  There’s nothing better after a brutal winter than getting out and stretching the legs on a long spring ride. And there is no better route than the rolling hills and scenic overlooks up and around Bear Mountain, NY. Located on the west side of the Hudson River in Rockland and Orange counties, the roads around Bear Mountain State Park become a mecca for cyclists once the weather warms. If you are planning a ride, check out long distance rider and New York...

s working with just one supplier is the best way to control glove cost?  How many suppliers should you have, and how should you choose? At first, this seems like a simple question. There’s no denying the appeal of lower cost. The growth of manufacturing in countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and others are all testament to that. However, we also read about a return to “Made in U.S.A.” in some cases.  While lower price is not part of this strategy, it offers other potential advantages. As with most supply chain questions, it is not as simple as it seems on the surface....

If you ride, sooner or later you’ll get caught in the rain. To avoid getting soaked, and feel more confident while riding in the rain — it’s a good idea to prepare for wet weather well ahead of time. There are two aspects to this:  how to ride safely on wet surfaces what motorcycle gear to have on hand when rain is in the forecast.  We wrote about rain gear last week … so today is all about wet weather riding preparedness, and riding skills. Here are steps you can take to ride safe and stay dry. 5 Safety Factors for Riding...

Is your glove line in need of a refresh?  What about new products … is there a need for improvements to a current line … or for a new line entirely?  Sales and customer feedback is the best barometer of where you are versus where you need to be.  And here’s a 5-step process you can use for planning ahead and closing any gaps. This is a 50,000 foot view but hopefully gives you some fresh ideas for your product planning process. more Your Existing Product Portfolio:  Identify the Gaps Take a look at your existing product portfolio and think...