How do you build a sport glove with great feel and keep it waterproof? Previous generations of Gore-Tex gloves got the waterproof construction right but, essentially, you had to wear two gloves: an outer leather shell and a fabric glove inside it that had the waterproof laminate.
This two-glove concept kept water out at the cost of tactile feel. Five years ago, Italian company OutDry released a new technology that expanded and bonded a waterproof liner directly to the inside of boots and gloves, but that is still seeing limited use in motorcycling. Gore responded with its X-Trafit technology, which uses a closely fitted, waterproof inner liner bonded at a number of locations to the outer shell. Among the companies using the X-Trafit liner is REV’IT! for its Phantom GTX glove.
The REV’IT! design lives up to its promise, with feel as good as a typical roadracing glove and waterproofness demonstrated during some hour-long rain showers on an unfaired motorcycle. In addition, REV’IT! added a number of protective features that are not typically found on touring gloves, including hard-shell-knuckle and pinky-finger protection and energy-absorbing foam for the thumb and pinky.
Also like roadracing gloves, the Phantoms have a Velcro-adjustable gauntlet and wrist strap, which need to be loosened and snugged down each wearing. While a slight annoyance, that feature almost guarantees the gloves will stay on your hands in a crash. In fact, our test gloves survived a 50-mph-plus crash on a gravel road with no more damage than some visible abrasion to the outer goatskin.
REV’IT! gloves have a reputation for running slightly small, and our Phantom GTXs were a relatively snug size Large, but they broke in wonderfully after several hours of use.
In the end, the Phantom GTXs are one of the best waterproof, warm-weather sport-touring gloves we’ve tried, with features and protection that approach those of some roadracing gloves. Highly recommended.
DETAILS
REV’IT! Sport USA
275 Conover St. #5P
Brooklyn, NY 11231
888/681-0180
www.revitusa.com
Price…$199.99
• Top marks for all-weather sport-riding
• Reflective strips on fingers and top of glove
• Really, truly waterproof
• Smallish sizing
• Available in black only
