THE RAIN is inevitable — If you ride, be prepared for the unexpected downpour.  Whether the forecast gets it right, or not — To stay comfortable and dry, the right motorcycle gear makes a big difference. Here’s how to make a solid choice. WEAR WATERPROOF GEAR Say goodbye to cold, clammy, leaky and bulky. Good waterproof gear should be none of those things. When high quality materials are used and the gear is made correctly, you’ll stay dry. 1.  A Word About Waterproof Gear Comfortable, rainproof outerwear will have Gore-Tex® or some other waterproof, BREATHABLE material as part of the construction to...

This year’s  Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) wrapped up earlier this week.  With over 1,200 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors, it’s a huge showcase for the leather industry, where you see everything  from classic leather selections to emerging trends on display.  The show is a great place to exchange ideas and information with colleagues in the industry. This year the need to source alternatives due to rising hide prices was a particular topic of discussion. And of course, we all want to see what’s new.  Bright colors, distressed textures, alternatives that offer price advantages —  you can see it all here, under one roof. The...

We all know and love the motorcycle routes on the popular “Top 10” lists that pop up each spring.   Beautiful as these rides are, their popularity also brings big crowds, dimming some of the charm. What about the road less traveled?  Is there a route in your own backyard that you return to again and again? Here’s an idea: why not share your favorite local route — and about other rider’s favorites — Today, Marilyn Elmore Bragg kicks things off … with a great ride throught the back roads of Tennessee to a wonderful spot in North Carolina.  ***** “The Inaugural Spring Ride” Each spring, there’s...

The past few weeks have seen some dramatic trends for importers and sourcing professionals. The Chinese currency (RMB) has fallen steadily over the past year, reaching a 12-month low against the dollar in March. On the other hand, leather prices — a main material in many of our products — have been rising steadily. In fact at the APLF this week, that’s all anyone talked about. In the face of cost volatility, what can we do to manage margins and profitability?  How should it impact our planning? Let’s take a closer look at what these changes mean for our customers. Managing Higher...

Touch Screen devices — and touch screen gloves —  are great for their convenience. But as riders, we know that our electronics are not always going to be useful.  The Coast Guard has a motto:  ALWAYS READY … and the Scouts say “BE PREPARED” … Always be ready for that moment when your touch screen is not going to be there for you. moreThink about these possible situations before starting your engine.  Don’t assume you’ll be able to call for help in an emergency or use your GPS. To make sure you don’t find yourself in a bad predicament on...

When you manufacture private label gloves, it’s like being a point guard, in a way …     You create scoring opportunities for your teammates.   When they score, you take satisfaction in knowing you’ve done well. You don’t take credit for what you do. That’s just part of the job, and part of being on a team.  So today’s post is to share a bit of good news for a client of ours — who shall remain nameless.  more Our Client Deserves a Round of Applause.  Our manufacturing client was recognized for an onthesnow.com 2014 Editors’ Choice awards in the Gloves and Mittens category. High...

 If you manage a product line, it’s a good idea to periodically conduct a line review.  Do you have a process to do this annually or biannnually? Today we’ll pull back the curtain on our own product planning process. By sharing our process for analyzing customer needs, trends, and innovation … we hope you find some ideas that are useful. So what does the turtle shell pictured above have to do with powersports gloves?  Read on. Powersports Glove Planning Process: Olympia Sports Set aside time to review your line, style by style, with an eye towards how to keep product...

Spring is FINALLY HERE!  Thank the powers that be for the change in seasons … it’s been a long harsh winter.  Even Florida riders had a few weeks of “intolerable” riding temperatures! Now, days are getting longer and warmer, the flower bulbs have pushed their heads up beyond the subterranean depths.  Soon, April showers will wash away the sand and salt and we will all be getting some 2 wheel therapy. But first … March is the month to get the bike ready. Read and follow all advice given in your owners manual for spring maintenance and a multi-point inspection before you even think about...

This is the third in a 3-Part Series: Part 1:  tips on choice of motorcycle related to riding style.   Part 2:  tips on improving long distance riding comfort. Today … contributor Marilyn Elmore Bragg wraps things up with tips on route, refueling and more.  Check out Marilyn‘s advice as you plan your next long distance motorcycle trip. more Planning A Smart Route Creating a route isn’t rocket science. But it’s advisable to start by considering the reasons for your ride and time constraints as you begin planning your journey. Devise a wise game plan: Which is more important to you … winding through the...

There is no disputing the importance of brand when it comes to consumer apparel. Think about 3 iconic brands, and how they make the wearer feel: … the lifestyle conveyed by a Nike swoosh,   … the exclusivity of an LV logo,   … the “this is my tribe” feeling of a Yankees baseball cap. Each of these brands makes the wearer feel good, admired, confident. And in each case, there are many variations when it comes to physical execution. What are our branding options when it comes to gloves?more Emotional Branding vs. Physical Branding Always start by thinking about your customer,...

Motorcycle engines and handlebars produce powerful vibrations when driving down the highway. This ‘buzzing’ can often become intensified during long distance rides, when hand, wrist and forearm muscles experience tiredness from long periods on the throttle. Gel motorcycle gloves are one of the primary defenses in the fight against hand fatigue, and aid in preventing injury. They are designed to reduce vibration, decrease numbness and tingling, as well as prevent several conditions that plague riders, including Carpal Tunnel and Guyon’s Canal syndromes. more Studies of Hand/Arm Problems Among Motorcyclists Over the years, many studies demonstrate the extent of the problem, and the need for relief:...

Comfort reigns supreme in the long distance ride. In Part 1 of our long distance motorcycle riding series, we focused on “The Motorcycle” and “Riding Style”. In this installment, we talk about ways to improve comfort. In our experience, when it comes to comfort on a long ride, nothing is more important than having the right seat and foot position. If legs are cramped or our butts are sore…the ride is not going to be the fun, memorable ride you envisioned.  In this next installment, Marilyn Elmore Bragg tells us how to enhance both. Long Distance Riding:  Motorcycle Seat I’m sure...