Motorcycle Explorer February 2015 Issue 4 | Page 277

H
eld’s Freezer II is a full cowhide glove that has a real heavy duty feel to them! There is
no armour as such but there is a lot of padding around the knuckle area and in fact just about
everywhere there seems to be padding and leather stitching. Now all this heavy duty stitching,
padding, protection and insulation (as well Gore-Tex waterproofing) do come with a bit of price.
That price is in dexterity as with textile you get pretty much instant movement but will a full
leather glove you’re going to have to wear these bad boys in.
A very nice Velcro strap across the base of the writs adds to the almost boxing mitt feel of
protection while the gauntlet cuff again has a Velcro strap to get that snug fit to various sleeves.
Insulation wise – well I was out and about in Lancashire during this god awful February and after
the initial oddness of restriction in the wrist section I was surprised to notice that my hands
were still warm after 30 mins of blasting about the A6. While you don’t feel the cold you may
well be hard pressed to feel anything and that includes the controls on the bike. I’ve become
used to getting some kind of feeling through gloves for when you flick a thumb over the
indicator switch but I was not sure without a glance at first with the Freezer II.
Another thing I’d of liked would be a longer cuff section with the Freezer II, because of the ‘rigid’
upper wrist section you’re hard pressed to get a tight fit at the lower section of where cuff meet
sleeve.
Waterproof was not a problem as I rode around but the weather was cold not really wet (as in
lashing down) and I’d imagine if I was out riding all day through the rain (and that does happen)
that the gap at the back of the gloves will come into play. You need to be riding for a good hour
or so into lashing rain for it to start running down your sleeves, so all in all you are getting a lot
of protection and insulation for your hard earned cash! While they may look like something from
The Wild One they are made of some serious technology with two trademarked names floating
around. Primaloft for the insulation, Gore-Tex for waterproofing and you also get a wiper blade
on the index finger of the left hand.
A heavy duty full leather waterproofed and insulated winter glove. Dexterity and tactile ability
is the price you pay for this robust model.
A great bit of kit with all round
quality wining through.
6/10