Dakine Exodus Mountain Bike Glove Review
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It has taken me years, but I’ve learned that even on cool days the intensity of the sun in Colorado can heat you up quickly, so lightweight materials are key to keeping cool and comfortable on summertime mountain bike rides. The Dakine Exodus Mountain Bike Glove is lightweight while still providing ample protection out on the rails as temperatures were on the rise.
Dakine Exodus Mountain Bike Glove Materials
The material that the Dakine Exodus mountain bike gloves have on the back of the hand is a very lightweight, stretch nylon. While not quite a full mesh, the material has similar breathability and moisture wicking properties to a mesh material. The Exodus glove allowed superior airflow through the back of the hand even with the slightest breeze on hot sunny days in Moab. I tested the white gloves which contributed to the cooler feel since they didn’t absorb the heat of the sun. I expected the white to get dirty easily and not return to its original bright white, but the material washed well and didn’t become dingy.
Dakine advertises the palm material of the Exodus as a Clarino® synthetic suede with silicone grip fingertips, however, the pair I tested weren’t suede like at all, but rather a rubberized mesh-like material. The mesh material used in the Exodus was quite durable for how thin and flexible it was. Having worn these for early season rides in Moab my hands found the dirt and rocks a little more often than I’d like to admit, but the palms of these gloves didn’t show any wear. The rubber-like material kept my hands in place and prevented my finger tips from slipping off brake levers like a silicone fingertip would. There are three very thin padded sections on the palm of the Exodus gloves, but they are only about 2mm and, while I believe they are foam, they could have easily just been an extra layer of material. The padding was so thin that, in my opinion, there wasn’t much point to even having it included. I didn’t feel it on the bars nor did I feel like it added any additional protection when I took a tumble.
Another nice feature of the material was that it was compatible with touchscreens. Now, I’m not out making phone calls or checking email while I’m on the trail, so I won’t speak too much to the dexterity aspect or consistency of how well they worked when typing, but it was perfect for pulling out my iPhone to snap some scenic photos while riding. I found that while the material was highly ventilated, the rubbery aspect of it made my hands feel a little clammy when I was gripping the bars. I never felt slippery, but just didn’t feel like they were drawing the moisture away from my skin.
Dakine Exodus includes something I think should be in every pair of gloves regardless of sport – a microfleece thumb panel. The material was super soft allowing me to wipe sweat, dirt, mud, and debris off both my face and my sunglasses without scratching either.
Fit
The Exodus Glove has a snug fit through the hand, but I would say that the fingers ran a tad long, but not terribly long. The cut of the glove was basic, but the thin materials allowed them to hug my hands and move really well as I adjusted my fingers to shift and brake. They also have an adjustable velcro closure to give the best fit around the wrists while allowing for easy on and off.
Overall, these gloves have performed really well for me in hot desert sun and Colorado’s Front Range on days up to 90 degrees with no shade. They’re light enough that they provide protection, but I barely notice them.
Dakine’s Exodus Mountain Bike Gloves come in a full size run for both men and women and several color options for each.
For more info, visit www.backcountry,com.dakine.
MSRP: $22.00
