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@Archie's_Grobags
As it's now approaching THAT time of year again i think it's time to give you an update on the progress of the heated gloves i mentioned in this thread.
I've been amazed at just how much Blazewear actually listened to the ideas i put forward on how to make their heated 'sport/rider' gloves more cycling friendly.
They really have been a great company to deal with.
They sent me a picture of the first prototype a few months ago to see what i thought and it looked so much better than the original glove.
The production version is now finalised and they are expected to arrive with them on september 3Oth.
Here is what the original glove looked like which i used all last winter...
And here is the new version...
They included pretty much everything i mentioned from both my own ideas and those people mentioned on here.
The most important for me was the inclusion of removable and washable liners.
Next was a generous snot/glasses wipe. They now have a full terry backed thumb.
Another big thing for me was the velcro strap. On the original glove the strap didn't pull against a loop so it tried to spin the glove around as you pulled on it. The new version now pulls against a loop, which makes it easier to pull with one hand/gloved hand.
The elasticated jersey style inner cuff is now gone too and has been replaced with an extended gaitor style cuff with a drawstring end. This means you don't need to try and fit the battery box under your jacket sleeve which means access to the switch is also easier without faffing around with your jacket sleeve, which can now be tucked inside the glove. They also included a small clear panel to allow you to see if the battery light is on.
The battery is now also mounted inside the extended cuff in a proper zip closure pocket instead of the more exposed velcro flap pocket on the original.
Reflective piping has also been added to the back of the hand for visibilty.
They also included a fold back finger tip to allow use of phones without removing the whole glove.
As for the heating side of things, they now have elements in the thumbs too. That means thumb/fingers and back of hands are now heated.
This cuts heating time a bit, but with the lithium rechargable battery pack which i strongly recommend you still get between 3 and 5 hours heating time...usually enough for long rides. To be honest, you rarely need the heat on for the whole ride anyway.
The price for the new glove is £49.95 and they come in 4 sizes. The sizing is made easier to get right with the lengths mentioned on the website.
I've yet to try them out so i don't know if the longer thumb has been included too, but from what i've seen i'm really looking forward to getting a pair, as the original ones i used last year made the difference between being able to ride 4O mile rides at 6am in freezing winter temps and standing at the side of the road with my hands in agony like most years.
I know there are plenty of people who don't see the need for heated gloves, and plenty who will say they're too bulky, or too this and that, but for people like me who have terrible circulation and really suffer with agonising cold hands in winter these really are a godsend.
Blazewear