Showers Pass Crosspoint Hardshell Bike Glove Review
Showers Pass Crosspoint Hardshell Bike Glove
May in Colorado can be as brutally cold as January at times. Throw in a driving rain or hail storm, and you have quite the battle on your hands. In fact with 20 days of rain in May, our normal ability to wait for a sunny day to train became quite difficult. The waiting got the best of me, so I geared up to endure a wet and cold day.
Initial Thoughts On The Showers Pass Crosspoint Hardshell Bike Glove
Protecting our extremities can make or break a ride, or really any activity. Our bodies, once cold, want to send as much blood as possible to our vital organs leaving our hands without much protection and vulnerable. That’s where the Showers Pass Crosspoint hardshell Bike Gloves come into play to help fight off any discomfort you may experience with your hands.
Technical Specifications
- OutDRy Waterproof Breathable Technology (fully waterproof)
- Lined with Merino Wool, can be paired with the Crosspoint Liner glove for additional warmth.
- Perforated anti-slip palm and fingers for enhanced breathability without reducing waterproof function
- Reflective Logo and trim for high visibility when signaling
A comfort fit on the handlebars and notice the soft “nose wipe” piece of cloth. Always handy!
With temperatures hovering below 40 degrees mixed with rain and sleet, I headed out for a 3 hour ride in all my best gear and had a chance to try a pair of Shower Pass Hardshell Hardcore gloves. I had cross-country skied in these a couple weeks earlier and found these gloves to be quite versatile. I wasn’t sure how they would feel on a bike, especially for me as I try to ride without gloves if at all possible.
They are a nice combination of protection without being heavy and bulky, and allowed me to feel my shifters and operate my bike safely. They are agile but durable in feel, and by the end of my ride my hands remained dry and functional. It was this protection that allowed me to continue. The Merino Wool is truly the gem in these gloves as my hands were always really warm. Not sweaty, but comfortable.
Showers Pass OutDry Technology Video
As the name implies, they’re built from a durable hardshell material bonded to an OutDry waterproof breathable membrane. They are waterproof and windproof, but also allow sweat vapor to escape. I found my hands didn’t get clammy and cold through hard exertions. At the liner, Showers Pass incorporated Merino wool. This material is non-abrasive and what’s called a “hydrophilic” fiber. This means that it has the natural ability to positively interact with water. In fact, Merino is able to absorb as much as 30 percent of its weight before exuding the sensation of wetness. Additionally, it’s naturally antimicrobial, so you’ll experience next to no stink from the gloves. This property is furthered by Merino’s natural ability to disperse electrostatic charges. So, the gloves will pick up less dirt, grime, and lint in the first place.
A strap for easy cinching, and a higher cuff to slide over your jacket
I did try them downhill skiing and found if the temperature was below 20 degrees they might not be warm enough unless there is some exertion causing body heat to help. In other words, when I blazed down blue runs they weren’t warm enough, but on some black diamond runs they were perfect!
Final Thoughts on the Showers Pass Crosspoint Hardshell
I would highly recommend these gloves for cycling but for any cold or wet weather activity. The technical qualities are top notch, and the Merino Wool and OutDry Waterproof breathable membrane work as an effective tandem to combat whatever nature may decide to throw at you.
MSRP: $95
For more information on these gloves or any of their other quality cycling products please visit: www.showerspass.com
