Bike Perfect Verdict
A light, comfortable, properly waterproof glove at a reasonable price. Fit can be tight and there's some loss of feel
Pros
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Light
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Well priced
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Properly waterproof
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Reasonably grippy
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Reasonably breathable
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Fast drying
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Extended cuff
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Anchored insert
Cons
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Twin skin loses some feel
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The liner adds bulk so check sizing
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100% covers most weather conditions with its cult classic Brisker softshell glove, and there’s a Brisker Hydromatic for wetter weather, too. This is our favorite glove in the range for properly soggy days though, but how does this new Hydromatic perform against mid-ride rainfall?
While both the Brisker gloves use a soft-shell backing fabric, this Hydromatic uses a lightweight ‘mock mesh’. That means you lose some insulation compared to the Brisker Hydromatic which uses the same waterproof, breathable inner liner. That makes it $5 cheaper though and as the outer dries much faster it doesn’t stay cold and clammy once it's stopped raining so they’re often warmer in showery conditions. The cuff is waterproof too and extends a good long way up under your sleeves for a good weather seal. They’re not too sweaty either so they’re comfortable on mixed days, not just stormy ones.
Unlike some deeply frustrating ‘lined’ gloves, the inner is properly anchored so they don’t turn inside out when you take them off. The leatherette PU palm is reasonably grippy when wet too, but the added bulk of the liner makes them feel slightly more remote than a single skin glove, but not so much you can’t ride hard. It also means they can feel tight across the knuckles so big-handed riders will be glad they go up to a size XXL. Once you’ve found the right fit, the reinforced thumb adds durability, and apart from a few pulled threads they’ve survived a winter of very frequent use. Conductive thumb and index fingertips mean you don’t have to pull them off to swipe, but again they are a bit clumsy for typing due to the thickness.
Verdict
Well-priced, lightweight, fast-drying wet weather or intermediate day protection that doesn’t compromise control too much. Check fit before buying if you can though.
Tech Specs: 100% Hydromatic gloves
- Price: $44.50 / £33.99
- Colors: Black and neon yellow
- Sizes: S-XXL
