What a nice surprise ! – Johan Conradie
I have been a cyclist for about 20 years. I have done a couple of IronMan events. When an endurance event appears on the calendar and it is within my ability, I do it.
I would like to believe that I have been around the block a few times.
I love gadgets and gimmicks, but because of my experience I can very easily see what will work, what does not stand a chance to be successful on the bike and what has potential.
I saw the product show cased at the Comrades 2010.
When I see innovations like water proof socks I am sceptical. My first thoughts were over heated and sweaty feet! My first thought: “Cannot work, at all.”
I came home with business card. I did some research and reading.
I ordered a pair for the Trans-Baviaans Mountain Bike Marathon of 230km.
Since I could still remember how cold and wet my feet were last year. I started testing them out. What a nice surprise.
Grahamstown in the winter gets a little chilly and often wet on my training routes with water crossings.
For the first time I got home at night after training with warm feet! Great!
My advice: Go and buy a pair (or two).
Johan Conradie
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 ***
Ladies All Weather Riding Gloves – Pink – Eszter Erdelyi
| My new Shocking pink Sealskinz gloves |
| by Eszter Erdelyi |
|
I have my new shocking pink Sealskinz gloves… and it is amazing. I really don’t know how people know I like pink… hmmm…. Hmmm…. But I do! So this is my new cycling gadget.
I know I know….you think it will be too hot now to wear… but you are NOT right…
SealSkinz® have a unique seamless three-layer construction – an outer, a waterproof, highly breathable membrane and an inner lining.
1. Inside layer
So it is perfect for the rainy KZN summer and warm for the chilly winter mornings…
Oh and have I mentioned how comfortable the gloves and the socks? They are incredible…
And it looks cool…. Shocking Pink! |
*** inserted from http://www.multigirl.co.za/index.php?sectionID=7&pst=145 ***
Bike Radar – Sealskinz MTB Winter Gloves Review
SealSkinz MTB Glove
BikeRadar verdict
3,5 out of 5 stars
“A good waterproof glove for winter weather”
SealSkinz have made their name out?tting riders’ extremities for the worst wet conditions, and this glove didn’t disappoint in that respect.
The waterproo?ng membrane is combined with Primaloft insulation, but if that sounds somewhat ski-glove-like, it’s not – the ?t is actually comfortably close with a more lightweight feel that you would imagine for all that protection.
The cuff is long, ensuring that there’s a secure seal with jacket sleeves at the wrist. The adjustment is also easy to use, and being underneath with its gusset in the side seam, it sits ?at even if you pull it tight.
With a big snot wipe and silicone braking ?nger patches, we liked this glove a lot for its ability to grip. The palm padding is placed in three very distinct patches, however; that’s something you’ll either like or ?nd very irritating, so we’d recommend checking that they hit the right places on your hand ?rst.
*** inserted from BikeRadar.com ***
Inter-Bike Review
SealSkinz Review |
 |
At a recent show I was attracted to the SealSkinz stand by the offer of putting a sock on my hand and plunging it into a tank of water. Well anything for a laugh and low and behold a dry hand while moving it up and down the tank.
Apparently Sealskinz is an independent company specialising in waterproof, windproof and breathable garments for a whole range of applications and has been in existence since 1996 based in Norfolk. As well as the leisure markets they also supply many professional users who need to remain warm and dry whatever the conditions like the police and military, hence the heavy duty range.
Hard to argue against such a demonstration so I ordered a pair of their lightweight socks, as most of my boots are a nice tight comfortable fit and the race boots would not stand the thicker, longer boot sock. While I was at it I ordered a pair of their Heavy Duty Cold Weather gloves and an Underwear Cap to combat the cold weather, which as it turned out was shrewd move on my part, given the extreme weather that hit after they all arrived.
Lightweight Sock
Being a cynic, I just had to repeat the test just in case the show item was something special and was pleasantly surprised to get the same result, a totally dry foot. So armed with the certain knowledge that I was going to have dry feet I chose a none Gore-Tex lined pair of boots and headed out into the rain and after a days motorcycling I came home with warm, dry feet.
Since then they have been the only choice on any day that looks like it will rain, because they are very comfortable inside boots as well as giving that insurance policy in case of ageing Gore-Tex lining gives up in the odd area.
The merino wool sock is close fitting and come 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 luke-warm water at the end of every day keeps them fresh and they dry quickly so are ready for the next day’s use which 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 day one! They come in black only with a blue top band, but I have got to give these a five start rating!
Heavy Duty Cold Weather Glove
These Tactel full length gloves it nicely under the jacket cuff and can be pulled tight around the forearm by a drawstring to prevent drafts.
They have leather palm and Primaloft insulation inside as well as a waterproof membrane. 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, so are less like to need protection!
They are warm and not to bulky and clip together when not is use which is useful feature as you are less likely to loose two!
I have to say that like a lot of modern materials that while they do not look much in use they are superb, allowing ease of control which is of paramount importance.
The outer dries quite quickly even after several hours in the rain which is useful and once again means they are ready for use the next day or to go home again. The usual sizing of S,M,L and XL applies for these top quality items.
Under Headwear Cap
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 with has a micro-fleece lining and has holes around the ears to aid hearing.
I have to say that despite being a little self-conscious when I started wearing it, this soon disappeared when I realised how effective it was in preventing heat loss from my balding dome.
One note of caution! I am fortunate enough to several helmets and one is particularly a snug fit and I was unable to wear this item with it, although on the slightly loser fit it was not a problem. Once again easily washable and an effective winter riding aid in four sizes.
All of these are available from SealSkinz
Review by Ian Kerr
*** inserted from http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/reviews-motorcycling/motorcycle-product-reviews/2583-sealskinz-review.html ***
BikeRadar.com – Versatility Glove Review
SealSkinz Versatility Glove
BikeRadar verdict
4 out of 5 stars
“Ticks all our foul weather riding boxes”
Protecting your extremities is one of the toughest tasks of winter riding. Stretched out on the bars, your hands are exposed to everything the weather throws at them.
This means we’re always on the lookout for effective winter gloves – to the point of trying gloves designed for other outdoor pursuits because they often have features that make them better suited to foul weather than bike-specific mitts.
Cue the Versatility glove from waterproof sock supremos SealSkinz. It’s designed as a multipurpose bad weather glove and is waterproof, windproof and breathable so ticks all our boxes.
The absence of grip padding isn’t an issue thanks to the soft leather palm, and the resulting lack of compression kept blood flowing freely and hands reasonably warm. We’re still looking for a solution to water running down base layer sleeves and into our gloves after six hours of solid rain, though
***inserted from http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/gloves/product/versatility-glove-10-37498 ***
Sealskinz – dry hands and feet – Dan Hugo
Inserted from www.dghugo.com – the home of Dan Hugo - Pro XTerra Triathlete
(Flatmate Michal doing some in-house testing; was my drinking water…)
Sealskinz sent me some unique product ten days ago, during my bed-ridden-Scar-Tissue-reading days, so Michal and I started dunking hand and feet into water – just to be sure – of the totally waterproof Sealskinz claim. True true. But finally today I could do some real product testing in what I hope is of the last winter spells in the Cape.
The “All Weather Cycling Glove” gripped the mtb this evening with much promise but perhaps not perfect for the conditions. Twas nippy but not freezing, and although the gloves are somewhat breathable, they are more successful at keeping water and wind away from nerve endings than controlling temperature. That said, if it was one of the sideways rain days they’d have been brilliant for pleasantary survival. I personally hate freezing, and reckon these are niche items of apparel, but essential in the winter arsenal.
I have the large All Weater’s, and they’re spacious – such that I might be better suited to a medium pair as there’s 1cm extra in finger length. The padding is fair and pretty comfi for cycling specific needs, with silicon type grip under the palm padding and the two breaking finger tips.
Overall its a very different feel to my usual super fitted full finger gloves, and would take me a while to get used to. Bearing in mind this is my day job, and I probably dont see the worst of the winter like many of the dedicated enthusiasts who ride before work. So, depending on his could your needs, these could be a radical life changer. I’ll keep them near for the snowy Truckee rides…
The socks tested are “Ultra Light Ankle Sock” – again totally waterproof, breathable and windproof. It’s the versatile Sealskinz sock: for biking, running, hiking, golf, etc. Unfortunately I like to wear my Puma’s really snug and run in an EU43 as opposed to my usual EU44 sizing. I could not get comforatble running with them, but had better success biking in my regular EU44 sized S-Works Mtb shoes. For warmth, dont think you could better them. And again, if it rained, my twinkle toes would have been snug as bug. Which is pretty revolutionary from where I sit.
Sealskinz could keep slimming them down (I hope) and design them more shapely, going the L and R route. But in the mean time, these will more than suffice for the icy days.
Thats the feel for day 1. Will keep you posted…
Sealskinz for rainy weather – Eszter Erdelyi
| Inserted from www.multigirl.co.za – the home of Eszter Erdelyi – PRO MTB Athlete
Sealskinz for rainy weather…. |
| 2009-09-08 05:23:36 by Eszter Erdelyi |
I got an awesome product to try… and I cannot wait for the rain to come!
A pair of sealskinz socks… waterproofs socks… so awesome… you must watch the youtube video
And I have tried it… I mean I actually put my feet into my bath with full of water and when I took the socks off, my feet were DRY!! I couldn’t believe it…
Just a couple weeks ago I had a ladies clinic up at Hilton… and we had a terrible rainy weather… the ladies were awesome in the mud, I must say… but my feet were so cold and wet… I thought I would catch the worst cold in my life. I wasn’t expecting to find a product to keep my feet dry like that.
I cannot wait for the rain to come again!!!!
