Glove sourcing isn’t one size fits all. In fact, it’s more like visiting a buffet. Some companies completely outsource all aspects of glove manufacturing, others simply need a specific service to supplement current capabilities. You may need help with design … or sourcing and manufacturing … or have things pretty well in hand (no pun intended) and just need occasional consulting. How do you decide? Here’s a Q & A with a twist … use it to learn which kind of glove manufacturing services can help take your business to the next level. Question # 1: I’m just starting a glove line....

Two key leather fairs take place over the next two weeks.  Lineapelle will take place in Bologna this coming week.   APLF (Asia Pacific Leather Fair) will be the first few days of April. It seems that everyone involved in sourcing and producing leather products will be attending the leather fairs with more keen interest. Why? more Look at the chart below …  it shows the price trend for the cost of a HIDE of heavy Texas Steer. The price continues its upward trend thru Jan/Feb 2014 … with no signs of abating. Regardless of the different hides used for shoes/ bags/...

What touchscreen devices or apps are essential while on the road? How many times have you been riding, and pulled over to consult your GPS?  Or perhaps there’s a weather or traffic app on your iphone that you needed to check. More and more, we rely on our touchscreen devices, and touchscreen gloves are a great option for tapping, swiping and scrolling. They keep hands comfortable and protected, and make these devices easier to use on the road. Next Generation Touch Screen Gloves for Motorcycle Riders While touchscreen motorcycle gloves have been around for a while, the latest generation of...

Now that spring is almost here, it seems like a good time to revisit the topic of long distance riding.  If you’re planning your next motorcycle trip, here are distance riding tips from expert rider and blog contributor Marilyn Elmore Bragg to help you get ready. Note: This is Part 1, of a 3-Part Series on long distance motorcycle riding. Long Distance Motorcycle Riding Tips:  Part 1 (Planning) Take a good look at Marilyn’s sportster above … all packed and ready to hit the road … Let’s start with an overview of 5 key factors to consider when planning your trip....

Your glove brand should deliver on the key performance characteristics that matter most to your end user, and enhance his or her product experience. As glove manufacturers and designers, our goal is to help you do this, by raising the bar on glove performance, within your budget. With careful materials selection and design, you can incorporate added performance features and maintain margins, too. Today, we offer advice on improving grip and durability.   Get a Grip: How to Design Gloves with Better Grip and Durability Two of the most critical characteristics that we have to achieve with our choice of...

So, what does “windproof” vs. “waterproof” really mean when it comes to motorcycle gloves?  We’re glad you asked!  Here’s an explanation of the technology behind those terms, and the options that are available for motorcycle riders. What’s a “Windproof” Motorcycle glove? The basic technology for windproof motorcycle gloves is this: the outer shell or inner lining material is laminated with a waterproof and breathable film.  Adding this laminated layer is an effective barrier against wind. Even though the film is technically waterproof, we don’t call gloves waterproof unless the seams are also sealed.  To find gloves in this category, look for...

Options To Protect Hands From Wind Since hands are one of the most exposed body parts for a motorcycle rider, we make many styles of windproof gloves. But there are several non-glove options to block wind, such as hand covers and wind muffs, that are also worth considering. While they DO NOT provide the warming layering effect of air trapped within textiles on your hands, these additions to your bike DO block wind and rain: Wind Deflectors/Wind Guards: usually heavy duty plastic, mount on the bars to shield from wind Hand Muffs: sewn covers that go over grips, with or without a...

Some riders put the bike in storage the minute the mercury dips. But if you’re a winter rider, cold blustery weather doesn’t phase you. You already know that the secret to staying comfortable for year round riding really isn’t a secret — invest in good, warm gear. Fortunately, gear and glove manufacturers continue to improve the gear that’s available. Our goal is to block the wind, seal out wet, keep hands warm, and lessen your exposure to the weather. While we have always made insulated gloves, the materials we use are improving every year.  Here’s what you’ll find in the...

When people hear that we make motorcycle gloves (for almost 75 years!) we get asked 1 question a lot … Which leather is best for gloves?  Apologies in advance to Bambi and friends … but when it comes to protecting our paws at 65+ mph motorcyclists have been wearing leather since the beginning … for good reason.more Leather Motorcycle Gloves First we’ll tell you what you already know:  leather is a great material for motorcycle gloves. It protects hands from the elements, as well as from the road and its hazards. Nothing feels like it, or protects like it. We...

If you are on the product planning side of things, you undoubtedly know about “standard” lead times for product coming from Asia. But in the real world, we often don’t have the luxury of lots of extra time. Forecasts aren’t perfect. What if sales exceed expectations, or your size breakdown comes in differently than forecast? How can your supplier help you expedite product?more Speed to Market: Options for Faster Delivery It would likely come as no surprise for you to hear “90+ days” from order to ex-factory date: 35 days for raw materials manufacturing, 10 days for shipping from raw...

There may be snow outside, but the idea of spring is looming large. We’re starting to think about spring riding, and that means getting last year’s gear out. Time to examine it, ready it for wear. Today, with thoughts of warmer days ahead, contributor Marilyn Elmore Bragg explains why there may be a new pair of deerskin gloves in her future.more Is Your Spring Gear Road Worthy? When the calendar says spring is days away (March 20, 2014), it’s cabin fever time. Are you dreaming of the day you’ll pull your hibernating motorcycle out from under the dust cover, disconnect the battery tender, lovingly...

Last week I happened to be talking to someone at 3M about hunting gloves, and the topic turned to counterfeit components. Turns out, this supplier had caught a particular manufacturer using counterfeit Thinsulate while producing branded gloves. It seemed like an important story to share. Here’s an unpleasant truth: there are disreputable factories promising brand name textiles, but what you see isn’t always what you get. Here’s how to make sure that you get the glove — and the components — that you and your customers have paid for. more   Your Reputation Is On the Line It goes without saying that your reputation is on...