WATERPROOF GEAR GETS THE SEAL OF APPROVAL – By Ian Kerr
THERE IS no doubt that the recent bad weather tested the fortitude of riders up-and-down the country.
A few months back I profiled some Under Armour gear to help keep your body temperature up and I have now found some extra items that should ensure you stay warm and dry in cold and wet climatic conditions.
A warm, dry rider is a safe rider and with this gear, you should end up being able to concentrate on the road without shivering all the time!
SealSkinz was formed in 1996 and, from its Norfolk base, specialises in waterproof, windproof and breathable garments for a whole range of applications. As well as the leisure markets they also supply gear to many professional users, like police and military personnel, whose jobs require them to remain warm and dry – hence the heavy duty range.
They came to my attention during a recent show. I was attracted to their exhibition by the offer of putting a sock on my hand and plunging it into a tank of water. I’ll do anything for a laugh but, low and behold, my hand remained dry whilst I moved it up and down in the basin. I found it hard to argue against such a demonstration, so I ordered a range of their products to test them out to the max – which as it turned out was a shrewd move on my part, given the extreme weather that hit after they were delivered.
MID-LIGHT SOCK
Being a cynic, I repeated the test in case the show item was something “special”! I was pleasantly surprised to get the same result so, armed with the knowledge that I wasn’t going to get soaked through, I headed out in the rain and after a day’s motorcycling, I came home with warm, dry feet. Since then, these socks have become my only choice for any day that threatens rain.
The merino wool sock is close fitting and comes up well above the traditional calf length boot top, so is an additional layer of warmth to the lower leg. Although they have the ability to withstand micro-organisms – and the fact I change into ordinary socks for the rest of the day – I find a quick rinse in lukewarm water at the end of every day keeps them fresh, and they dry quickly so are ready for the next day’s use. This makes them ideal for touring when space is at a premium.
I can say that these have become an essential part of my all-weather kit as after a couple of months they are still as good as new, and working as well as they did on day one! I have got to give these a five-star rating!
ULTRA TOUGH GLOVE
These Tactel, full-length gloves fit nicely under the jacket cuff and can be pulled tight around the forearm to prevent drafts. It has to be said that these would not give the same level of protection in the event of a spill as an all-leather glove, but they do keep your hands warm and dry, which means you do not lose concentration.
They are warm, not too bulky and clip together when not in use, which is a useful feature as you are less likely to lose two! I have to say that, like a lot of modern materials, while they do not look much, they are superb, allowing ease of control – which is of paramount importance. The outer dries quite quickly, even after several hours in the rain. This is very useful as this means they are ready for use the next day.
WINDPROOF SKULL CUP
This is designed to be worn under a helmet and acts as a sanitizer for the lining, as well as preventing heat loss. The stretch garment has a micro-fleece lining and has holes around the ears to aid hearing. I was a little self-conscious when I started wearing it,
but this disappeared when I realised how effective it was in preventing heat loss from my balding dome. One note of caution though! I am fortunate enough to own several helmets and one is a particularly snug fit, meaning I was unable to wear this item with it. However, on the slightly looser fit, it was not a problem.
Easily washable, this is an effective winter riding aid. «
*** Inserted from Private Hire and Courier Mag – www.phcmag.co.uk – Issue 177 – April 2010 – Page 52 ***
