Icon Timax Gloves
Icon TiMax Gloves
CW EVALUATION
Handware with mettle and metal
WHEN THE BARFIGHT BREAKS OUT, here's a handy survival tip: Either make sure you're wearing the gloves you see here or be very, very careful not to anger anyone who is. Icon's TiMax gloves might be intended for motorcycling, but when the going gets down and dirty, they'll make a set of brass knuckles seem about as threatening as a pair of snow mittens.
When designing these unique leather street gloves, Icon obviously was going for the medieval warrior look. While other gloves rely on foam, plastic, carbon-fiber or extra layers of leather for contact-point protection, the TiMaxes use metal-titanium, no less. Each glove has 13 separate pieces of the lightweight stuff riveted on the knuckles, the backs of the fingers and thumbs, even the gauntlets.Throw in the 60 Nomex-backed protective metal studs on the palm of each glove, and your hands are surrounded by enough steel and titanium to set off an airport metal
detector from the far end of the longterm parking lot.
Rather than being attached directly to the gloves themselves, the titanium pieces on the knuckles and fingers are riveted to separate panels of leather that aren’t sewn at their rear edges; this allows the Ti to “float” so it won’t inhibit flexibility. There also is a long, wide leather flap protruding rearward from beneath each knuckle panel, almost like a spoiler; when the glove is wrapped around a handgrip, the flap pokes out to the rear, making your hand look like the head of the acid-drooling creature in the Alien movies.
Getting into and out of these gloves is entertaining, as well, since they have more security devices than the testing labs at Victoria’s Secret. After slipping them on, you first have to close
a zipper on the outside of the expandable gauntlet, then cinch a small, velcrosecured drawstrap at the wrist. Next, fold the first of two big, hinged outer flaps across the gauntlet cuff. Once you have the first flap secured by its wide band of velcro, repeat the operation with the second flap. With all these flaps and straps, the gloves couldn’t be attached more securely if you pop-riveted them to your hands.
Jokes aside, though, these also happen to be very comfortable, beautifully made motorcycling gloves. The interior has a soft, plush feel that’s apparent the instant you slip them on. The precurved construction and flex panels on the knuckle and thumb allow the TiMaxes to bend as freely and easily as a favorite old pair of riding gloves, right out of the box. They’re warm when it’s cool, surprisingly cool when it’s warm, and by their very design, are bound to provide excellent protection in a crash.
So despite their outrageous appearance, the TiMax gloves are fully functional, practical motorcycling handwear. They’re even available in four colors-black, red, blue and white.
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DETAILS
Icon 2040 Gillespie Way El Cajon, CA 92020 800/741-1725 www.rideicon.com Price $150 A Make a strong statement A Comfy and protective A Useful during traffic arguments A Should make for spectacular night time crashes `~owns V Make a strong statement V Cops might consider them Probable Cause Not advisable to wear them while polishing your helmet
