Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves | Gear Review
With Arctic blasts of frigid air gifting us single-digit ambient temperatures here in New Jersey, most motorcycles are parked for the winter season. However, there remains a small but dedicated band of polar bears who insist on riding in spite of the cold, and for them proper gear is critical. Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves (HTD stands for “heated”) are specifically intended for this type of application.
(Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves are part of Klim’s snowmobile apparel line. The Hardanger HTD Long Gloves are designed for motorcycle use and offer more crash-protective features.)
The Resistors feature subdued, but contemporary styling. The black polyester exterior shell is punctuated by additional padding and a swatch of 3M Scotchlite reflective material across the knuckles, with tightly seamed stitching throughout. The palm and fingers are a grippy black leather treated with 3M Scotchgard. A large strap keeps the gloves tightly secured at the wrist, while a bright yellow shock cord at the gauntlet clamps down against the jacket’s cuff. The gauntlet itself opens to a generous 5 inches and can be stretched further if necessary, which is more than enough space for most riders. Each glove has a 1.5-inch-long rubber face shield wiper on the index finger, which was moderately useful in rain and light snow conditions. A large pull loop on the bottom of each gauntlet allows excellent leverage to cinch the gloves on tight.
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Inside, a Gore-Tex windproof/waterproof membrane is sandwiched between the outer shell and the soft moisture-wicking “comfort fleece” inner lining, supplemented with generous 3M Thinsulate insulation (200g on the backhand, and 100g on the palm.) Overall construction of these Vietnamese-made gloves is excellent, with no loose threads, blemishes, or defects detected.
Power for each glove comes courtesy of a 7.4VDC Atewa Li-Po battery, rated for 2Ah. The 2.1- x 0.5- x 1.8-inch cell slips neatly into a Velcro-sealed pouch within the gauntlet. A small backlit button on the gauntlet allows the rider to turn the glove on, off, and toggle between 3 different heat levels. Holding the button down for 3 seconds turns the power on to the High heat setting as default. (If left there, the setting will automatically step down to Medium heat setting after 10 minutes, to conserve battery life.) Tapping the button allows the rider to select between High (red,) Medium (blue,) and Low (green) settings as necessary, and holding the button down for 3 seconds will turn the gloves off.
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Run time on battery varies according to ambient temperature, but in the low teens (the bulk of my testing regimen,) I was consistently able to get nearly 8 hours on low, nearly 3 hours on medium, and about 1.5 hours on high. (This was all after cycling the batteries a few times.) One can expect more time in warmer ambient temps, and less in colder. An AC-DC charger which handles two cells simultaneously is included.
Out on the road, these gloves were supremely comfortable thanks to their plush, well insulated interiors. Indeed, even unheated, they were warm enough to ride in the high 30s without the heating function activated. In colder conditions with the heating turned on, they reached peak temperatures in about 5 minutes, and were more than a match for sustained rides in the single digits. Likewise, the waterproof claim was verified by submerging them in a bucket full of water for 20 minutes, without a drop leaking inside. Overall, these Klim gloves represent a superlatively functional choice for my fellow polar bears who brave any temperature a sane motorcyclist would dare venture into.
Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves retail for $249.99 and are available in sizes XS-3XL.
For more information: See your dealer or visit klim.com
The post Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
