It's going to be a cool wet day on the road, the temperature is going
to hover above freezing, and you have base miles to get in. The
standard long finger glove you've been wearing all fall isn't going to
make the grade today. You need something waterproof and insulated, but
not so thick you lose a good grip on the hoods. Castelli's Diluvio
gloves are the solution; the neoprene construction keeps the water out
and the heat in.
When
first donning the gloves it's a strange sensation, the neoprene does
not conform to the hand but compresses gently. It's not incredibly
flexible or particularly bulky, but it doesn't impede dexterity on the
levers. They won't be any good for typing on the iPhone at the
coffee-shop, but you'll be able to flick the controls all day while it
sleets.
The palms have an incredible texture, and for the
first rides the palms would actually stick to each other. The grip feels
secure on the bar, and I didn't feel my hands slip, but is a little
vague because of the thickness and cushion of neoprene. Unlike most
gloves there's no extra pads in the palm, but I had no trouble with them
for 4 hours at a time. After the initial odd feelings the gloves felt
almost like a second skin and were incredibly comfortable and the level
of padding was delightful.
The biggest drawback is that the gloves are too effective; they don't let anything in or out. My hands would become particularly clammy after only a few minutes and well pruned at the end of my rides. The sensation is not particularly bothersome, but for some it is a deal breaker.
On the whole the Diluvios are a pleasant experience and completely different from any other winter glove. The thin insulation is wonderful by comparison to the ski-glove like options from the other companies, and if it's going to open-up with some sleet or rain, they're the best option. There are more tactile gloves and warmer gloves, but the former trades off warmth and the later lacks waterproof finish. Castelli has made a truly unique product, there's room for improvement, but this version is a pleasant new entry into winter gloves.
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| The extra grippy texture of the palm |
The biggest drawback is that the gloves are too effective; they don't let anything in or out. My hands would become particularly clammy after only a few minutes and well pruned at the end of my rides. The sensation is not particularly bothersome, but for some it is a deal breaker.
On the whole the Diluvios are a pleasant experience and completely different from any other winter glove. The thin insulation is wonderful by comparison to the ski-glove like options from the other companies, and if it's going to open-up with some sleet or rain, they're the best option. There are more tactile gloves and warmer gloves, but the former trades off warmth and the later lacks waterproof finish. Castelli has made a truly unique product, there's room for improvement, but this version is a pleasant new entry into winter gloves.
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