After hearing rave reviews about their insulation and weatherproofing, I set out on a mission to test the Alpinestars Café Divine gloves.
Do these stylish gloves live up to their promises and justify their $130 price tag? My hands-on testing reveals some surprising truths…
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for winter for you? Let’s find out!
Alpinestars Oscar Cafe Divine Drystar Gloves
Key Takeaways
- Retro winter riding gloves
- Waterproof and protective
- Surprisingly good insulation
Putting the Alpinestars Café Divine Gloves to the Test
On my first outing with the Café Divine gloves, temperatures hovered right around freezing. I was headed to meet up with some friends at a coffee shop downtown, so this was a perfect test of urban winter riding capabilities.
Venturing Into the City Cold
As soon as I slid my hands into these surprisingly soft leather gloves, I could feel the insulation getting to work.
My fingers stayed nice and toasty for the 20 minutes it took me to get across town. The pre-curved shape made these more comfortable than most gloves right off the bat, too.
Once I parked my bike and pulled out my phone to text my group, I was pleased to find the touchscreen fingertips worked perfectly. No need to remove my hand protection to use my device – a major plus!
Highway Speed Wind Tests
On the way home from coffee, my friends and I decided to take the long way on some rural highways. As the speeds increased to 75 mph, my hands stayed warm thanks to the tall gauntlet cuff blocking the wind. The waterproof liner also prevented any wind chill during this high-speed run.
I did notice the padding on the palm is a bit lighter than some winter gloves. My hands weren’t uncomfortable, but I could feel more vibration coming through than with my heavier duty cold weather gloves.
For commuting and around-town riding, they absorbed shock fine, but I’d probably wear something beefier for long stints at highway speeds.
The Verdict: Ideal Urban Winter Gloves with Limitations
After getting a feel for the Café Divine’s capabilities over a few weeks of testing, I can confidently say they make an outstanding midweight winter commuting glove.
They check the key boxes of insulation, weather resistance, comfort, and protection. I also grew to appreciate the standout style, even if it didn’t quite match the rest of my gear.
However, the lighter padding does sacrifice some vibration damping during extended sessions of high-speed riding.
I would bring my heavier-duty winter gloves for highway touring or long-distance trips in colder temps. But 95% of my winter riding happens hopping around the city, so for me, the Alpinestars Café Divines are now my go-to for daily use.
Comparison To Other Winter Motorcycle Gloves
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Highway 21 Radiant Glove Review | The Highway 21 Radiant gloves are designed for cooler weather riding with 200g PrimaLoft insulation, a windproof liner, and a water-resistant outer shell. They offer lightweight warmth compared to the Alpinestars but less weather protection. |
| RevIt Cassini H2O Gloves Review | The RevIt Cassini H2O gloves have a waterproof and breathable Hydratex membrane along with 160g Primaloft insulation for wet weather riding. They seem more geared toward summer use than the Alpinestars winter gloves. |
| Klim Adventure GTX Short Glove Review | The Highway 21 Radiant gloves are designed for cooler weather riding with 200g PrimaLoft insulation, a windproof liner, and water-resistant outer shell. They offer lightweight warmth compared to the Alpinestars but less weather protection. |
The Alpinestars Café Divine gloves stand out for their combination of solid 80g insulation, waterproof, breathable Drystar liner, and stylish vintage leather design.
The other gloves compare on some metrics, but none quite match the Café Divine’s blend of technical performance and unique retro styling.
A Quick Overview of the Alpinestars Café Divine Gloves
When I first pulled these gloves out of the box, I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical of the retro-inspired design with its black, brown, and high-vis yellow colors.
Most of my other gear is solid black, so I wondered if these would really match my style. However, I was willing to keep an open mind to see if the function made up for the funky form.
Here’s a high-level glimpse at what these gloves offer:
- Full leather construction with distressed accents
- 80g Thinsulate insulation for warmth
- Waterproof and breathable Drystar liner
- Knuckle and finger impact protection
- Pre-curved design for comfort
- Touchscreen-compatible fingertip
- Long gauntlet sleeve
They certainly check all the technical boxes I look for in cold-weather gloves. Now it was time to see how they held up during real-world testing.
Key Takeaways
Warm: 80g of Thinsulate and a tall gauntlet keep hands toasty.
Waterproof: Drystar liner keeps moisture out.
Protective: Foam knuckle armor and leather construction, with CE level 1 rating.
Stylish: Eye-catching vintage design.
So if you ride through city streets more than open highways when it’s cold out and want gloves that combine modern technology with old-school looks, the Café Divine gloves deliver. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Frequently Asked Questions
What sizes are available?
The Café Divine gloves range from Small all the way up to 3XL in European sizes. I’m typically a Large in US gloves, but the Euro fit had my size up to an XL.
How much do they cost?
These retail for around $130, landing in the mid-range for motorcycle gloves with technical features.
Do the fingertips work with touchscreens?
Yes, the index finger and thumb have conductive material, so they function perfectly with touchscreen phones and devices without needing to remove the gloves. This is a huge perk for me!
Are these fully waterproof?
With the Drystar liner, these gloves provide waterproofing along with breathability. I rode for over an hour in light rain with stayed warm and dry hands. But they aren’t submersible – I wouldn’t go dunking my hands into a bucket of water with them on.
How is the sizing?
These are designed with a European fit, so order a size up if you typically wear US gloves. I usually wear a men’s large, but the Alpinestars XL gave me nice, comfortable hand movement without being loose or sloppy.
And Finally…Who Are These Gloves For?
While the Café Divine gloves work well for general urban winter riding, they really shine for commuters or cafe racers who want maximum comfort getting around town mixed with standout retro style.
The insulation locks in warmth so your hands don’t freeze when temperatures plummet, while the armor and leather offer abrasion protection if you take a spill.
And the handy touchscreen fingertips make this ideal for riders who rely heavily on their phones and devices.
So if you find yourself braving city streets more than open highways through cold winter months, need tech you can use without sacrificing safety, and want to look stylish doing it, the Alpinestars Café Divine gloves check all the boxes.
Let me know what other gear tests you may want to see down in the comments! I’m always on the lookout for quality motorcycle products to put through their paces.
Until next time, keep the rubber side down and enjoy whichever journey lies ahead. Ride safe out there!
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)