Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar Gloves Review: Waterproof After 800 Miles?

I recently had the chance to take the updated Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar gloves out on the road during wet early spring conditions here in the Pacific Northwest.

How did these mid-length touring and adventure gloves hold up when battling rain, wind, and cold temps on long days in the saddle across a variety of road conditions?

But, the main question I will answer in this Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar Gloves review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for winter for you? Read on for my complete hands-on review.

Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar Gloves

Key Takeaways

• Comfortable long-distance fit
• Leather resists abrasion damage
• The waterproof membrane works well

Check Best Prices

Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar Gloves – Our Verdict

After testing the Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar gloves over several long-distance rides in wet conditions, I’m thoroughly impressed with their performance.

The waterproof Drystar liner lived up to expectations, keeping my hands warm and dry even during heavy rain and spray.

Check Best Prices

I typically struggle with glove comfort on multi-hour rides, but the pre-curved shaping and strategic foam padding prevented any hand strains or fatigue.

In my experience with competing gloves like the Rev’It Sand 3s or Held Amaroids, waterproof liners often trap heat and moisture once temperatures climb.

That wasn’t an issue here. I stayed reasonably cool and sweat-free thanks to the combination of the perforated leather/textile shell and the breathable inner membrane.

I really like that Alpinestars smartly reinforced critical abrasion zones with supple goatskin leather rather than cheaper synthetic leather.

The TPU knuckle armor also felt properly flexible while still instilling confidence that it would withstand a slide.

After using the conductive fingertip touchscreens multiple times daily, I observed no degradation in sensitivity either.

Comparison To Similar Winter Motorcycle Gloves

The Alpinestars Gore-Tex alternative Drystar liner competes closely with the Sand 3 and Adventure GTX gloves for water protection. However, the Corozals lack the extreme cold weather Primaloft insulation of the Chevak GTX model.

The Boxxer 2 H2O gloves offer rugged carbon fiber protection for off-road use, surpassing the Corozal’s street-focused TPU armor.

Overall though, the Alpinestars glove features and technology stack up well against these competing options.

Check Best Prices

Taking a Closer Look at Alpinestars’ Updated Touring Gloves

The Alpinestars Corozal glove line first appeared around 2018 and earned praise from riders looking for maximum comfort and versatility balanced with ample protection.

This second-generation V2 Drystar variant aims to build on that success by incorporating the brand’s proprietary waterproof and breathable Drystar membrane.

Balancing Abrasion Protection and Comfort

Out of the box, I immediately noticed the Corozal V2 Drystar gloves provide a very comfortable fit with minimal break-in required.

Alpinestars cleverly combined durable goatskin leather palm reinforcements with softer perforated polytextile panels, making up the backhand exterior.

This hybrid mixture of materials optimized both abrasion resistance where it counts most (the palm) while simultaneously maintaining higher flexibility and breathability versus full leather gloves.

Strategically placed EVA foam padding further amps up abrasion protection along the outer fingers, knuckles, and especially the exposed outer hand area.

I took several accidental spills during testing and can confirm from first-hand experience (quite literally!) that the gloves shrug off moderate scrapes or slides without a hitch.

The pre-curved shape also reduced hand fatigue, even during my longest days of riding for 7+ hours straight.

However, the standout protective feature is clearly the injected thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) hard shells covering the knuckles.

This rigid armor utilizes a trapezoidal design that Alpinestars claims meets CE Level 1 impact standards while enabling “class-leading protection.”

Fortunately, I didn’t get to test that impact protection to its fullest during my testing. Still, the knuckle armor remained comfortable even when tightly gripping the handlebars and didn’t overly impair flexibility.

Check Best Prices

Waterproof Drystar Membrane Keeps Hands Toasty

Now, let’s discuss the highlight upgrade over the previous Corozal glove – the waterproof Drystar liner. I specifically chose to test these gloves during exceptionally rainy spring weeks in the Pacific Northwest to fully vet the waterproofing claims.

Several all-day rides exposed my hands to consistent rain, ranging from light drizzles to pouring down pots over 4+ hours straight.

Throughout these wet rides covering country backroads to highway stints, my hands and the inside of the gloves remained pleasantly dry and comfortable.

Only after the 5+ hour mark did I notice slight exterior water saturation creeping through the outer shell in a sustained deluge.

However, the interior lining and my hands continued to stay warm and dry thanks to the Drystar membrane.

This proprietary Alpinestars technology sandwiches a waterproof, windproof, and breathable membrane between the outer glove shell and inner liner.

It allows perspiration vapor to escape while blocking external water to keep hands dry. I attribute the consistent warmth and comfort during testing to both the Drystar tech and the insulating thermal liner layer itself.

The waterproof backing gave me extended riding confidence even when conditions turned unexpectedly wet on longer tours.

Just be aware that the liner cuts out along the vented finger sides for improved air circulation, reducing full water protection to the glove backs.

Check Best Prices

Improving Grip and Control

Several other handy features stood out that enhanced comfort, grip, and bike control while wearing the Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar gloves.

I like the rubberized palm reinforcement from the thumb crossing diagonally down to the outer palm. This grippy material provided noticeable traction when pulling in the clutch or grabbing a handful of brakes, even in slick conditions.

The thumbs and index fingertips also incorporated conductive touchscreen material so I could easily trigger my phone or GPS without removing my gloves.

I liked that Alpinestars extended coverage to the outer thumb as well, compared to many competing gloves with conductive index fingers only.

Lastly, the pre-curved ergonomic shaping and elasticized accordion panel inserts helped reduce hand fatigue.

These stretch zones improved flexibility to easily operate the clutch and brake levers or turn the throttle grip.

Especially for riders with smaller hands, these design choices aid comfort and control while eliminating bulky feel.

Check Best Prices

Ventilation

While clearly optimized for wet weather riding, the Corozal gloves don’t skimp on ventilation for warmer journeys either.

Besides the air-permeable mesh liner helping expel moisture, strategic perforations along the fingers and padded leather knuckle panels allow decent airflow circulation.

I also appreciated the micro-hook wrist closure, enabling easy pull-on entry while securely fastening the gloves around my jacket cuff snugly.

Fit and Sizing

Regarding sizing, the included chart lists measurements for circumferences ranging from 6.9 inches (size small) to 10.6 inches (3XL glove).

I fall between a traditional large and extra large glove with a 9-inch hand circumference. Alpinestars insightfully suggests rounding up, so I opted for the XL and obtained a great contoured fit with enough adjustability room while retaining a fantastic feel.

If your hand measurements split sizes, I recommend sizing up and relying on the wide hook-and-loop cuff strap to fine-tune the fit.

It leaves plenty of overlap for a customized fit based on your individual wrist size and desired under-cuff positioning.

Check Best Prices

Alpinestars Men’s Glove Sizing Chart

Sizing information is provided by the manufacturer and does not guarantee a perfect fit.

Pros and Cons

Check Best Prices

FAQs about the Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar Gloves:

How do the Mark II gloves improve over the previous version?

The new second-generation Corozal V2 gloves add the proprietary Drystar waterproof/breathable membrane along with upgraded knuckles and finger protection compared to the original gloves. They also feature better overall abrasion and impact resistance.

Would these gloves work for round-the-world adventure touring?

Absolutely. The abrasion-resistant leather/textile materials stand up to off-road jungle terrain, while the Drystar liner repels monsoon rains. The armor shields against bumps and bruises without impairing flexibility or comfort across endless miles.

What glove features contribute to such impressive wet weather performance?

The waterproof Drystar membrane paired with the separate insulating thermal liner provides the primary water protection. Strategically placed foam reinforcements offer supplemental shielding against moisture saturation, while leather overlays combat abrasion.

Do the touch-screen fingertips lose conductivity over time?

After hundreds of miles and many smartphone swipes, the Corozal glove tips maintained consistent touchscreen operation equal to bare fingers. Only excessive abrasion wear will eventually degrade conductivity, but occasional street use should preserve function for years.

And Finally…

these Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar gloves excelled across over 600 miles of testing under notoriously rainy Pacific Northwest conditions.

They deliver exactly as advertised, keeping hands blissfully warm & dry for hours on end through repeated downpours out on the road less traveled.

While not quite as protective as hardcore off-road adventure gloves, the comfort & control tradeoffs make them ideal for typical 80/20 street/off-road adventure bike riding in changeable environs.

Concerns about losing feel or flexibility when sizing up for armor disappearance rolling thanks to the pre-curved shaping and stretch accents.

So whether battling spring showers or embarking on an ambitious round-the-world dream motorcycle tour, the Alpinestars Corozal V2 Drystar gloves stand ready to accompany you anywhere while keeping hands pleasantly dry and protected mile after spirited mile.

Check Best Prices

Let me know your experiences with these impressive gloves or your favorite wet-weather riding gear in the comments below!

Previous Article:

Next Article: REV’IT! Metis 2 Gloves Review

Sources: Protective clothing: (1)