Insulated Elkskin Gauntlet Gloves

RiderWearhouse

Men’s full and half sizes 8.5-11 in natural or black, $117
www.aerostich.com
800.222.1994

Oil and bug-stained, they no longer lie flat, but that’s OK because over the years they’ve become like a second skin. You might loan your jacket or give the shirt off your back, but your gloves are contoured to your hands alone. My cherished pair of 10-year-old Aerostich Elkskin Ropers is nothing more than tough ranch gloves of elk hide sewn together with the addition of a simple metal snap at the wrist. Not so good for cold-weather riding, though.

Now, imagine a pair of ranch gloves designed for cold-weather motorcycling touring. Line the gloves with knitted 100-percent pure merino wool and add a windproof fabric sandwiched between the wool and deerskin back of the glove. And then add an oversized gauntlet to prevent frigid air from rushing up your jacket sleeve and a wrist strap. Just in case, cover the knuckles with a strip of TF3 foam armor and partially reinforce the elk hide palms with a second layer. Since these are motorcycle gloves it only makes sense to place a thin squeegee on the left thumb for clearing goggles or a face shield. No, it’s not your imagination: Insulated Elkskin Gauntlet Gloves do exist.

Anyone crazy enough to motorcycle across Siberia in the dead of winter is hardcore in my opinion. Aerostich founder Andy Goldfine is not an armchair designer. Every enhancement to the basic Elkskin Ropers has been carefully and judiciously crafted for both function and comfort. It took two years and a dozen prototypes to achieve this degree of perfection. Made in the U.S.A. by the company that produced the original Roper gloves (and to the same tough, ranch standards), the Insulated Elkskin Gauntlet Gloves are a RiderWearhouse exclusive—you can’t purchase them anywhere else.

Considering that these are top-of-the-line gloves, the price is surprisingly low. As with my original Ropers, I’ll expect to be wearing the Insulated Elkskin Gauntlet Gloves for years to come.

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