Msr Windstopper Gloves
MSR WINDS TOPPER GLOVES
Giving wind chill the cold shoulder
CW EVALUATION
RIDING DIRTBIKES AMIDST THE BLISTERing, blustery cold of winter certainly requires some compromises, especially where your hands are concerned. Double and triple layers will keep your digits warm, but they reduce allimportant feel for the controls. How, then, could MSR's ultra-thin Windstopper gloves eliminate wind chill without impeding feel?
By incorporating advanced fabric technology, that's how. Between the polyester outer shell and polar fleece liner is a patented Windstopper mem brane produced by W.L. Gore, the manufacturers of Gore-Tex. This rev olutionary synthetic material keeps wind away from the skin, but allows excessive body heat to escape.
Conservatively styled, the slightly oversized gloves feature elasticized wrists, elongated gauntlets and silicone buttons on the Clarino-trimmed palms and fingertips for added grip. The Windstoppers are not, however, intend ed for wet-weather use. Although they will handle the occasional creek cross ing, the gloves aren't waterproof. Also, nor tection, so Bark Busters are recommended.
At sustained high speeds, when the incoming windblast is enough to press the gloves against the skin for a significant period of time, hands do get cold. But dur ing a typical trail ride, when small pockets of air are al lowed to circulate between fingers and the glove mater ial, hands stay cozy, right down to-and below-freez ing temperatures.
Available in M-XXL sizes, the Chinese-made Wind stoppers retail for $30 from Malcolm Smith Racing (252 Granite St., Corona, CA 91719; 909/340-3301). That said, there's no rea son not to have a pair in your fanny pack-just in case.
