Dainese M25 Gloves

LONGTERMERS BIKEWEAR REVIEW


Words by Gordon Compton

Photos by Becci Russell


Dainese M25 D-Dry Gloves


Contact: www.dainese.com

RRP £119.99

Date Purchased: October 2008

Mileage so far: 3000.


Winter gloves can always be a pain in the backside, frankly. Most easily available types of winter glove usually feel too bulky, making the feel of the switchgear feel awkward and clumsy. Also the lack of any sort of armour, which is surprising, considering the dodgy sorts of weather and road conditions bikers have to endure during the winter months. To top this off, getting the gloves on and off can be a challenge, as the linings are never sewn into the outer fingertips, meaning the lining gets stuck to the fingers, and consequently pulls out when the gloves are removed, and then become a pigs ear to get back on again.


This is where these gloves come into play.


The M25 is still a relatively new product to the Dainese glove range, being launched at the end of last summer, and boasts all of the general basic prerequisites, a strong, well stitched good quality leather outer structure, long cuffs, and a reasonably well insulated lining.


However, it’s the detail that makes these gloves stand out. The M25’s have benefited from some real thought about their intended use, and have set about deviating from the normal winter/touring glove design.


Firstly, the outer has the benefit of their trademark Titanium knuckle protectors, and the DCP “Distortion Control Panel”, which effectively links the fourth and third finger together, which prevents finger dislocation in the event of a bad fall. Both of the above features are usually found on more expensive race gloves, but have been well integrated, and do not detract from the general comfort or feel of the glove when being worn. The only exception to this are for riders who have the preference of operating the brake or clutch levers three fingered, then the little finger has to follow the position of the third finger which may feel un-natural.



Detailed shot showing the trademark Dainese Titanium knuckle protectors, and the “Distortion Control Panel” linking the third and fourth fingers together.


In addition to the usual adjustable cuff strap, there is a small waterproof YKK zipper which, (when zipped up) effectively seals the glove to the jacket cuff, to prevent rainwater entering the glove itself. Also, just below the cuff section, a small adjustable wrist strap, which is there to minimise the eventuality of the glove ever coming away from the rider’s hand in an accident.

The rest of the gloves outer, features a well padded leather palm, with a hard armoured outer palm edge made from nylon, for extra protection if the hands lay out flat in a fall. There is Cordura paneling within the exposed flexible areas such as the upper fingers and thumb to allow better flexibility, and long term durability.


The M25 really is an easily adjustable glove, and thanks to this, will fit pretty much most if not any kind of jacket cuff, making it a very snug fit. The side of the thumbs have also been thoughtfully left as plain leather, so they can be used effectively as a handy squeegee for clearing the helmet visor in bad conditions.

I personally have Hobbit hands (small for a man), and find that only having the closest fit possible will do, mainly for sensitivity/feel. This however in turn, can create problems for winter gloves, mainly with the insulation becoming compressed in the ends of the fingers, leading to cold fingertips on longer rides.

To get around this, I opted for one size bigger than my normal sizing, (with trepidation), and found the lining took my shape after a couple of rides, and remained fairly well insulted, without a major difference in sensitivity - result! As for the lining, Dainese have used their exclusive D-Dry technology, which is, in use, a waterproof, breathable, and durable material, like Gore Tex, but has a slightly lower specification, which keeps the cost of the garment reasonable. This frankly is not noticeable in use, and my hands have never once got damp or wet, which is not always the case with winter gloves once they have been in wet weather over a period of time.


Something that is evident from the first look over the M25’s is the high level of finishing, even down to the smallest part.

It should be mentioned that the linings are NOT sewn in, like most other winter gloves, but due to their shape taking properties, seem fairly happy staying put when (carefully) taking the gloves off. The main reason for not sewing the lining into the fingertips, is to allow the outer glove to remain waterproof, and minimise the event of having water drive in through the sewn glove exterior.



The lining does also lend itself to be a pain, if the riders hands get wet before putting on the glove, so putting them on dry is essential, as with other winter gloves.

Well, that’s one winter nearly out of the way, when’s the next one? With a pair of these, the cold and the wet is really not such a problem anymore. As for the insulation, Dainese have used a material called Microloft, which is basically synthetic fibres of varying thickness to create trapped air pockets, which in turn trap the heat from the riders hands. All I can say is, this is one of the best pairs of insulated gloves I have ever worn.


CONCLUSION

At £120, they are not the cheapest gloves on the market, however, considering the technology and forethought applied to them as a product, these really do take some beating. The addition of armour, effective waterproofing and good quality insulation in a carefully thought out design, mean you have a comfortable, warm, dry, and good looking, un-bulky glove that will see use for a good few winters. (That is providing they are looked after during the winter months, and when they’re out of use during the summer months, as they are still essentially leather gloves.) The only minor downside as such, is they do lack some feel on the fingers and thumb, but really due to the sizing chosen and the insulation adding some thickness. However, that is something that will always be a bugbear with this type of glove, that is, unless you are happy having cold hands!