Kombi Olsson Glove

When Kombi asked me what product I wanted to test first, I told them to send me any glove from their line suited to the sunny spring conditions Bear experiences 95% of the season.  The Olsson gloves are exactly what I've come to expect from a spring glove, plus a little extra.

Kombi designed these under-the-cuff fingered gloves with the freestyle rider in mind.  Subtle use of color (the glove is available in Blue, Green or Black) and embossing make the Olsson perfect for those who want a stylish glove without all of the neon flash. Rock this glove if you don't need to glow like a beacon through the park because your riding does all the talking.

As far as warmth and waterproofing, the Olsson is stuffed with 100g Thinsulate insulation in addition to Kombi's in-house technology, Waterguard, a polyurethane insert that lets moisture from sweat escape while keeping snow, rain and wind outside where it belongs.  I've been putting these gloves through the ringer for a week and they are still sealed shut; in fact, they have been so warm they tend to get soaked in sweat by the end of the day.

A goatskin leather palm reinforces the waterproofing of the glove while adding a degree of durability you won't fine in a lot of competing models.  One week of fidgeting with straps, grabbing, and occasionally falling have beaten the glossy newness from them, but otherwise as stated before the glove has held up its dryness throughout.

The gloves' integrated liners--coated with Microban--stay put when it's time to take them off, and after a week of sweat and abuse they remain soft, comfortable, easy to put on and perhaps most important do not smell like week old baby diapers.

Overall, the Olsson glove from Kombi is a formidable opponent in the world of springs gloves; its warmer and tougher than other spring models I've used, and at US$60 they are definitely worth considering if you are in the market for a new pair.

Head over to http://www.kombisports.com to find a dealer near you or to check out more of their gloves.  If you see anything you like, please do drop me a line (DesertsDontSnow@gmail.com) and I'll see if I can test it out for you.

Kombi - Gloves for Everything

I've heard of Kombi gloves simply from being around over the years. They've been making gloves since 1961, so it's likely that at some shop somewhere you've seen them too... It's also likely that thanks to a barrage of snowboard magazine advertisements, and possibly because Kombi has traditionally held to ski clientele, you ignored them.

Cold weather is the hardest part of snowboarding, and when it comes to glove companies I always keep an open mind; if it keeps my hands warm and dry then I'm down with it. An e-mail from one of Kombi's reps prompted me to take a look at their 2010 line, and I was pleasantly surprised at what I found.


Yes, Kombi has your steezy pipe/spring gloves, toasty winter gloves, fingered gloves, and mitts for men, women and children... but what's really got me interested are the variety of field focused products. From work-influenced lifty gloves to flip mitts for the guys and gals working the lenses, Kombi seems to have a little something for everyone (including a selection of baselayers and headwear).


With a product line that covers every condition--even glove protectors for those of us who use rope tows more often than not--it seems that Kombi is listening to what the industry needs. Especially when further research shows Kombi products priced to a snowboard bum's lifestyle. Most all of their gloves are priced under $100, including Gore-tex models, with the only exception being their iRip glove that features an integrated wireless control for your iPod.


I'll be testing out some products from Kombi in the near future to let you know what's up, and don't think I've forgotten about you readers; it's rad to have your support, so I'm stoked that they are also hooking me up with a few goodies to give out to you guys.

Stay sharp for upcoming giveaways (hint: your best bet would be to follow me on Twitter)...Also check out Kombi's product line at http://www.kombisports.com/kombi_us/products.php and please shoot me an e-mail (DesertsDontSnow@gmail.com) if there are any products you would like me to test out.

Swany X-Change II Glove

A representitive over at Swany America offered me the opportunity to review a pair of their gloves. The gloves they sent out were the X-Change II model, and they came just in time for some of the coldest days of riding in my life in January-February in Colorado.

Warmth

These are the kind of glove you don't really need to wear liners with. The first time I put my hand in them I was surprised at how cushy and soft they were. I'm not very used to a glove that has actual insulation in it, and the Swany X-Change II is stocked with a patent Tri-plex insulation system.

One key day I remember these guys really shining through was during my level 2 pre-course clinic in February. Those three days were definitely the coldest of the season in my book, and while my friends were freezing their fingers off even with glove liners I was just barely noticing the bitter cold through my nice Swany gloves.

Waterproofing

These aren't no Grenade gloves. Granted that Grenade gloves aren't usually meant for the type of winter riding I experienced in CO.

I'd have to say that every other pair of gloves I have ever owned has either frozen on me or gotten soaked to the bone by the end of the day... this isn't the case with the Swany X-Change II, though you may want to beware of hand-sweat since these guys are just that toasty.

A tasteful combination of leather and rubber seals these gloves up tight against snow and water.

Durability

One of the biggest problems I have with most gloves out there is they are clearly made to last maybe one season and no longer. I've had countless pairs of gloves rip, tear and wear away right on my fingers. Whether it's simply due to shoddy workmanship or a clever business tactic to keep people buying I'm just not into it.

My first glance at the Swany X-Change II and I knew they were different. The index fingers are abrasion resistant leather since you'll be using them most, and that same leather is placed strategically throughout the glove.

The palm has an extra layer of rubber material double stitched on top so no more rips from grabbing the board.

Features

The X-Change II features a cushy, comfy Dyna-therm liner. Like I said before the first time I put my hand in the glove I was very surprised to find that instead of the usual awkward abrasiveness found in many of my previous gloves these guys were very soft and inviting.

They offer several ways to cinch the glove and keep fresh powder from coming in, though admittedly it was difficult at times to get the glove cuffs and my jacket to agree together.

Both the right and left glove have a stash pocket on the top of the glove which is terrific for adding a heat packet on those ultra-frigid days (and even hide certain substance paraphenelia). The pocket is sealed with a tight, seemless waterproof zipper.

Overall Impressions

If I didn't have these gloves going into January up in Colorado I would have been a much less than happy camper. These gloves pulled me through all of the coldest days I experienced while I was up there and may be the reason I made it through my level 2 pre-course up at Keystone in February.

I can't say that the gloves are necessarily the most stylish gloves in existence, but they aren't your grandfather's gaper gloves either. They have decent aesthetic to them, nothing to flashy, but it really doesn't matter since they keep you WARM and DRY.

I would be lying if I told you that the rep had asked me to postpone this review until the end of March. I admittedly got tied up in training and other problems, originally intending to review the gloves after a week of use.

The mistake has given me a chance to really test the lifespan of these gloves, and they have held up to some beatings over the last few months with not much sign of wear beyond stinkiness (Sadly, I also procrasinate on washing things).

Swany has the X-Change II retailing at $80.00 which is right around the cost of most Grenade, Dakine, Burton and other snowboarding gloves promising similar performance... except the X-Change II might actually do its job for you.

Where to Buy

Head over to Swany and check out the X-Change II and other gloves in their collection.