Hot gloves
Constructed of premium top grade cowhide, the gloves were
noticeably supple and soft to the touch right out of the package. Their long
list of features include: double-stitching throughout, breathable and water-resistant
liners, a face shield squeegee sewn on the left index finger to wipe away rain,
and special form-fitting construction to allow for full heat coverage. They
also boast molded carbon fiber in the knuckle and wrist bone areas for added
protection. Finally, the gauntlet-length gloves are held securely in place on
the hands via both wrist and cuff straps.
Getting Connected
Powerlet is best known for their power ports for small
vehicles, i.e. motorcycles and ATVs. These outlets provide riders with the
ability to utilize small appliances such as cell phones and GPS units while
riding without requiring that the rider dismantle the bike to access the
battery every time they wish to plug or unplug the appliance. Unfortunately
(especially in light of the gloves' $169 price tag), they do not come with one
of the company's power outlets—that unit must be purchased separately. There
are three outlets to choose from. The first consists of a harness ($8) that
connects to the battery via two O-ring connectors. A Y cable ($15) connects the
harness to the gloves. The system provides heat to the gloves but does not
allow the user to increase or decrease the heat; effectively running the system
on high all the time.
The second system, the one being reviewed, attaches to
battery and runs into the Powerlet Performance Controller ($70). This allows
users to control how much heat is being applied to the gloves and limits the
draw of electricity on the bike. The third system is the same as above except
the Powerlet Performance Controller plugs into BMW-specific outlets and retails
for $80. Plugging directly into BMW-styled sockets, there is no need to attach
the harness to the battery.
The Powerlet Performance Controller has a knob to control
the flow of power and determine the heat output to the gloves. An L.E.D. blinks
slowly when the unit is on and more rapidly when it is placed on
"High". According to the Powerlet, each glove consumes 13 watts of
power during operation.
Installing the unit requires accessing the battery, which
will vary from bike to bike. On my 2001 Suzuki SV650, the whole process took 30
minutes, but most of that was spent fishing the cord through tight places as it
traveled from the front to the back of the bike. And because of suspension
modifications I had previously implemented, the battery was relocated towards
the rear of the bike and the Performance Controller's cable would not reach all
the way up to the triple tree where I had originally intended to mount the
unit. As a result, I used a hook and loop (provided) to secure the unit to a
forward part of the frame, and added a zip tie (not provided) for piece of
mind. Conversely, the wires going from the gloves to the temperature control
unit were too long, which required that the excess be tucked into the tankbag.
Naturally, out of sight meant out of mind, so the predictable result was that I
left the unit on more than once. Luckily, this situation never led to a dead
battery but it certainly illustrates the importance of mounting the unit near
the ignition switch or in another easily visible location.
Installation out of the way, we come to the question: do the
ProForm gloves work? Answer? You bet. The gloves apply heat to the top of the
fingers, which indirectly heat the palms. Small adjustments to the controller
translated into noticeable differences in warmth as my hands acclimated to
warmer temperatures. While riding in 20-degree weather, I was covered in
multiple layers of thermals, sweaters, and scarves, all of which worked to
varying degrees. However, my hands stayed warm thanks to Powerlet’s ProForm
gloves.
Powerlet calls the gloves “water resistance.” During a
60-minute ride through a Seattle downpour, the gloves began to take on water
and the Porelle liner became soaked. I had the unit on high, both to maintain
hand movement as well as in a futile attempt to bake off the water. Although
the gloves eventually became drenched, so did my best raingear. After a ride
over a mountain pass that included snow tracers whizzing past my helmet, I arrived
east of Seattle with a frozen body—but merely damp hands. This makes it hard to
fault the gloves—especially since they are only advertised as being water resistant. Considering how small the gloves pack up (both
take up less space than a single winter glove), waterproof covers might be a
good idea for those who ride a lot in the wet.
In the end, are the Powerlet ProForm gloves worth their
hefty price tag? I say, "Yes." I used to feel that being
uncomfortable while riding in inclement weather was an important part of the
overall motorcycling experience. But as I ride more and more, the simple
conveniences of warm hands or proper raingear allow me to ride safer as I focus
my attention on the road instead of the cold or wet. Knowing that at least your
hands will be warm might make the difference between whether or not you go for
that needed ride on a sub-40 degree day. Simply put, the Powerlet ProForm
gloves were a godsend in 20-degree weather and they would make a great gift for
the year-round rider or for someone who has a motorcycle and somewhere to be on
Christmas.
Gloves range in sizes from Small to XXLarge and can be
purchased from Powerlet’s website at www.powerletproducts.com/
Gloves $169
Battery and Y harnesses $23
Powerlet Performance Controller $70
BMW Powerlet Performance Controller $80
Comments