Feeling the controls and operating my bike easily is a must, so bulky winter gloves usually don’t cut it. I came across the Climb Insulated Inversion motorcycle Gloves and was curious if these would check all my boxes for warmth, protection, and flexibility.
I decided to test them out myself and share my thoughts in this in-depth review. Will these innovative gloves solve my quest for the ultimate cold-weather riding glove?
But, the main question I will answer in this review is: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for cold weather for you? Let’s find out!
Klim Inversion Insulated Gloves
Key Takeaways
- Flexible fit comfortable
- Fleece’s thumb wipe clever
- Windproof insulation works
Klim Inversion Insulated Gloves – The Verdict
The Climb Insulated Inversion gloves (1) have secured a permanent spot in my riding lineup as my go-to cold weather glove for temps ranging from the mid-30s to mid-50s (°F). They provide a pleasing balance of warmth, weather protection, comfort, and flexibility.
While serious winter riders may need more insulation for extreme cold, these insulated gloves hit a nice sweet spot for cool and variable weather.
They tackle those tricky spring and fall temps when the mercurial weather can quickly switch from cold to hot and back again.
So for temperate cold weather riding on either an adventure bike, motocrosser, or dual sport machine, the Insulated Inversions deliver impressive performance and comfort at a budget-friendly price.
Definitely give them strong consideration if you want a glove that can span three seasons rather than strictly winter duty.
Ride on and stay warm, my friends! And if you have any recommendations for other winter gear, make sure to drop them in the comments below.
Comparison To Other Winter Motorcycle Gloves
| Product | Features |
|---|---|
| Highway 21 Radiant Glove | – Goatskin leather construction- Breathable Hipora waterproof liner – Primaloft insulation for warmth |
| Revit Cassini H2O Gloves | – Waterproof and breathable Hydratex membrane – Pittards goatskin leather palm – Lightweight with moderate insulation |
| Klim Adventure GTX Short Glove | – Gore-Tex waterproofing and insulation- Carbon fiber knuckle protection – Touchscreen-compatible fingertips |
The Klim Inversion glove likely has the most heavyweight insulation of this group, with 60g of insulation, making it suitable for colder weather riding.
The Highway 21 Radiant competes on warmth with Primaloft insulation. For maximum weather protection, the Klim Adventure GTX short glove features a Gore-Tex liner. The Revit Cassini strikes a balance of being lightweight, insulated, and waterproof.
A Beefed-Up Winter Version of a Popular Summer Glove
The Climb Insulated Inversion Glove takes their popular summer riding glove, the Inversion and adds 60g Thinsulate insulation to the back of the hand.
This should provide warmth while maintaining flexibility by keeping insulation out of the palm. A key question I wanted to answer was whether this hybrid approach delivers sufficient insulation for real winter use or if it’s more of a “shoulder season” glove.
Packed with Features, But Lacking Heavy Armor
In addition to insulation, these motorcycle gloves check a lot of boxes in terms of features and technology:
- Full Gore Windstopper shell – Windproof but not waterproof
- Silicone grip pattern on palm
- Touchscreen-compatible index fingertip
- Fleece thumb panel for wiping your face
- Pre-curved design
However, the Insulated Inversions do not have any hard knuckles or palm sliders. These are designed more for motocross and dual sport riding rather than hardcore adventure touring. Riders looking for rugged impact protection may want to consider the Climb Cross Pro gloves instead.
Sizing Runs Small, So Size Up
I normally wear a large glove, but the XL Insulated Inversions fit my hands perfectly. Like other Climb gloves, these have an American cut designed for a beefier hand shape compared to European brands. Definitely don’t rely solely on the size chart – I recommend sizing up from your usual glove size.
Klim Men’s Glove Sizing
| SIZE | HAND CIRCUMFERENCE (IN) | HAND LENGTH (IN) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 8-8.25 | 7.5 |
| SM | 8.25-8.6 | 7.75 |
| MD | 8.6-9 | 8 |
| LG | 9-9.5 | 8.25 |
| XL | 9.5-9.8 | 8.5 |
| 2XL | 9.8-10.25 | 8.75 |
| 3XL | 10.25-10.6 | 9 |
First Impressions – Surprisingly Warm and Comfy
My first ride with the Insulated Inversions was impressively toasty down to about 45°F. The Thinsulate insulation blocked the wind very effectively while allowing my hands to breathe.
The pre-curved shape and flexible chassis made the gloves comfy right out of the box, with no break-in required.
So far, so good! But how would they hold up to sustained highway speeds and colder temps?
Putting Them to the Test – Longer Rides and Colder Weather
I was able to log a couple of hundred miles wearing the Insulated Inversions across a variety of conditions. This included a range of temperatures from the mid-20s up to the mid-40s (°F).
Here are some of my key observations:
Warmth
- Down to around freezing (32°F), my hands stayed nice and warm, with wind protection being the standout feature.
- Approaching the mid-20s, my fingertips started to get pretty cold after 30-45 minutes at highway speeds.
- The fleece thumb wipe panel is genius for wiping your face or fogged visor without exposing any skin.
Comfort and Fit
- The pre-curved shape remains comfy even after several long rides.
- No pressure points or uncomfortable seams inside.
- Lightweight feel never becomes fatiguing, even after hours of riding.
Touchscreen Performance
- Conductive index fingertip works flawlessly with my GPS and smartphone.
- No need to remove gloves to interact with devices.
Water Resistance
- While not waterproof, the outer shell beads up light rain and road spray nicely.
- In a heavy downpour, water eventually penetrates, and the liner absorbs some moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Would these gloves be warm enough for snowmobiling?
For moderate trail riding, they should suffice to keep your hands warm. However, for extreme cold or high speeds, you may want an even more heavily insulated snowmobile-specific glove. The wind protection is excellent, but after 30-45 minutes below freezing, expect some chill in the fingertips.
How does the sizing compare to other winter gloves like Klim or Firstgear?
The Climb glove sizing runs smaller than most brands, so I would size up regardless. For example, I wear a large in Firstgear but needed XL for the perfect fit in the Insulated Inversion glove. The American cut is best suited to a wider hand shape.
Is the touchscreen fingertip conductive enough for smartphone use?
Yes, it worked perfectly with both my iPhone and Android devices. You can easily operate a touchscreen without removing the gloves. The thin, conductive fabric provides a clear fingertip feel while typing or scrolling.
Would the Insulated Inversion glove be good for adventure touring?
For temperate weather adventure touring, they offer excellent flexibility and weather protection. However, they lack the extensive armor found in hardcore adventure gloves. So, they provide a good feel and comfort but are more vulnerable in a high-speed crash situation.
In Summation
- Balmy Shoulder Season Riding Glove
- Thinsulate Insulation Provides Good Warmth Down to Freezing
- Packed with Features and Technology
- Upgrade From the Summer Inversion Glove
- Flexible Low Profile Chassis for Comfort
- Lacks Serious Armor for Extreme Protection
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)