Like my Polaris neck warmer, my Altura Altitude MTB gloves have also had a trial by fire, being used for riding my motor bike, rather than a mountain bike.
This is because at the time of purchase I wasn't yet able to ride an MTB due to my tendon injury.
These gloves were actually priced at £34.99 in the shop I bought them from, Sydney Street Bikes in Brighton, but I got a £5 discount because I'd bought some
other bike riding accessories at the same time. This isn't as good a deal as I first thought - I saw them in Evans
Cycles for £29.99 a few days later anyway.
The gloves are very smart looking; I'm not sure what it is about grey/black combinations, but subconsciously, I've bought a riding top, padded cycling shorts,
a riding bag and now gloves, all in this colour scheme. They have a nobbled effect on top (which is made from nylon), and a synthetic leather palm.
The inside is very snug, and has a second layer inside which I believe is the "thinsulate" layer. This helps maintain warmth, but can make the gloves awkward
to get on and off, especially when wet. It doesn't help that I probably needed an "XL" size, but bought an "L".
I cannot fault these gloves in the slightest for the level of warmth they provide; they genuinely are really warm, and this includes riding my motorbike at
30-40 miles an hour at 6:30AM on cold November mornings, surely above and beyond the call of duty for an MTB glove? Currently, I'm using them to ride to work and back on my
Fire Mountain every day.
The problem with the inside layer stops these gloves getting top marks, but I'll gladly give a 9/10 for the level of warmth and comfort they provide. This is
subject to change after a few months, when I can get more of an idea how well made they are with continuous use.
Price: £34.99, have seen for £29.99
Update - 20.2.2007 - The problem with the layering system has now proven enough of an inconvenience for the mark to be knocked down - I'm now
awarding the gloves 8/10. Still a great product.
Overall Score: 8/10
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