Naming your top-class motorcycle gloves for the winter season after one of the coldest places in the world – and the largest bear and most (in)famous inhabitant of that part of Alaska – is making a statement. And although the three-metre high, 700 kg heavy behemoths mostly sleep during the winter, that’s quite the opposite of the purpose of these motorcycle gloves.
The Kodiak 2 GTX has been specifically designed for all-season riders who fear nothing. Waterproof and properly lined, wintery and equipped with everything at hand except for an integrated heating system, this should help you get through everything. In other words, this is the top range of the wintery motorcycle glove.
‘GTX’ stands for GORE-TEX, what else? A fixed membrane, integrated and right below the wear-resistant leather top layer, is a guaranty for waterproofness. That top layer is made of a multitude of materials, from goatskin and sheep hide to suede and stretch. The red lining being the leather. Lots and lots of leather. Completely leather, almost. Laminated reflection, conductive fingertips, Flock PU as visor wiper … REV’IT! opened up an entire arsenal and took out everything remotely useful for this exercise. With a few ideas and discoveries from other motorcycle glove segments on top.
With the latter, you can count the protective material. ‘Sporty racing’ and ‘riding safely through winter’ seem to be able to share something. Alright, there’s a difference because this Kodiak 2 GTX requires just as much heat, comfort as it does safety but still … The hard shell knuckle protector, with PU injected finger protection and (also hard) TPU palm slider and thumb protection are old friends and underneath everything that may come into contact with a hard surface, there’s Temperfoam®.
A Kodiak bear has a magnificently large paw print. These Kodiak 2s seem to do more with less. Although, a fur lining and a variety of Primaloft® Gold types (200 grams, ECO and 80 grams on the palm) cannot really be called ‘less’.
A premium motorcycle glove for bears.
