As the weather gets cooler, it’s essential to find options that provide both insulation and weather protection. In this post, I’ll be reviewing the Merlin Minworth Heritage Heated motorcycle Gloves to see if they deliver the right blend of features for cold and wet riding conditions.
These classically styled gloves incorporate battery-powered heating elements to provide an extra level of warmth.
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!
Merlin Minworth Heated Gloves
Key features include
- Decent battery life estimates
- Dissipates crash energy nicely
- Touchscreen fingertips included
The Merlin Minworth heated gloves offer solid value for the money, delivering a compelling blend of quality, performance, and features at their price point.
They’re not the cheapest heated motorcycle gloves on the market. However, I believe the cost is justified when you consider everything you get.
The cowhide leather construction feels premium and durable. D3O armor at the knuckles provides top-notch impact protection. The Hipora waterproof membrane and Thinsulate insulation keep hands dry and warm even in nasty weather.
Battery life is respectable, with up to 8 hours of heat on the low setting—enough for a full day of riding.
The three heat levels let you dial in just the right amount of warmth for the conditions. Touchscreen-compatible fingertips are a handy bonus, letting you use your devices without exposing your hands to the cold.
Compared to budget-oriented heated gloves, the Merlin Minworth justifies its higher cost through its superior materials, construction, and features. It’s built to last multiple seasons, where cheaper gloves may need replacing after one winter.
Stacked up against premium heated gloves from brands like Klim and Gerbing, the Minworth holds its own in terms of performance and quality while coming in at a lower price. It may lack some of the bells and whistles of top-end models, but nails the essentials.
For most riders, the Merlin Minworth hits the sweet spot, providing high-end features and performance at a reasonable mid-range price. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better value in a heated motorcycle glove.
Potential Drawbacks
While I’m a big fan of the Merlin Minworth, there are a couple of potential drawbacks to consider:
- They are fairly bulky due to the insulation, armor, and heating elements. This can somewhat limit dexterity for tasks like adjusting zippers or interacting with small buttons and switches.
- At circa $300, they’re a significant investment. Riders on a tight budget may need to look at more affordable heated glove options.
Prices on the Merlin Minworth do fluctuate as special offers become available from Revzilla.com, so it’s worth checking their site for the latest deals before buying elsewhere.
Revzilla won’t be beaten on price thanks to their price match guarantee.If you found this review helpful, please consider liking and sharing the article. It helps Google know you enjoyed the content. Thanks for reading!
Breaking Down the Merlin Minworth
Before we analyze the heated components, let’s discuss the overall construction and materials of the Merlin Minworth Heritage.
Offered in both men’s and women’s versions, these rider’s gloves (1) have a longer gauntlet cuff designed to fit over your jacket sleeves.
The outer layer utilizes cowhide leather for abrasion protection, along with an accordion stretch panel across the knuckles to facilitate flexibility.
Merlin incorporated its own HYPOA waterproof membrane for weatherproofing. The insulated liner features a combination of fleece and Thinsulate—200g on the back of the hand and 100g on the palm.
Durability and Long-Term Use
Based on my usage, the Merlin Minworth seem to hold up well over extended use. I haven’t come across any premature signs of wear or deterioration, even after I have put some mileage on them.
The cowhide leather construction likely contributes to their durability. Leather is known for its toughness and ability to withstand the elements over time when cared for properly.
The stitching also appears to be of good quality overall, though one reviewer did mention the stitching on the Velcro panel of the left glove seemed a bit sketchy.
D3O knuckle armor provides impact protection without compromising flexibility[5], and should maintain its protective properties over the life of the gloves.
The Hipora waterproof membrane and Thinsulate insulation are laminated between the leather outer and microfleece lining, shielding them from abrasion that could degrade their performance with repeated use.
While more long-term reviews are needed to fully assess durability, the Merlin Minworth give the impression of being well-constructed from quality materials that will endure.
Taking care to clean and condition the leather periodically and storing it properly between rides will help extend its lifespan. Overall, I expect you’ll get multiple seasons of comfortable, warm riding out of these gloves.
How Does the Heating System Work?
The Minworth motorcycle gloves include a removable 22000mAh battery pack that slides into a pouch underneath the wrist. The pouch has a velcro closure and waterproof liner to protect the electronics.
Inside each glove, heating filaments run across the back of the hand and down the fingers. You turn on the batteries with a power switch at the base of the glove cuff. There are three temperature settings to choose from.
Battery Life and Charging
The Merlin Minworth provides decent battery life, letting you enjoy toasty hands for hours of riding before needing to recharge.
Battery Life at Different Heat Settings
They offer three heat settings, each impacting how long the 7.4V 2200mAh lithium-ion batteries will last on a charge:
- Low setting: Approximately 8 hours of heat
- Medium setting: Around 5 hours of heat
- High setting: About 2.5 hours of heat
I find the low setting is perfect for cool weather riding, while the high setting is a godsend on frigid days. Having multiple heat levels lets you balance warmth and runtime to suit the conditions.
Battery Life Compared To Other Gloves
The Merlin Minworth offer three heat settings, with the battery lasting approximately:
- 8 hours on low heat setting
- 4 hours on mid-level heat setting
In comparison, the Highway 21 Radiant provide:
- 4 hours on low heat
- 3 hours on medium heat
- 2.5 hours on high heat
The Gerbing 7V S7 have a battery life of:
- 8 hours on low heat
- 5 hours on medium heat
- 2.5 hours on high heat
So in summary:
- The Merlin Minworth and Gerbing 7V S7 both last up to 8 hours on the low setting, longer than the 4 hours of the Highway 21 Radiant.
- On medium, the Minworth lasts 4 hours, the Gerbing 5 hours, and the Highway 21 only 3 hours.
- Highway 21 and Gerbing have the same 2.5-hour runtime on high, but the high setting duration isn’t specified for the Minworth.
Overall, the Merlin Minworth seems to have comparable or better battery life than the Highway 21 Radiant and similar battery life to the Gerbing 7V S7, especially on the low and medium heat settings. The Minworth provides solid battery performance to keep hands warm on long, cold rides.
Charging Time
When the batteries are drained, expect the gloves to take around 4 hours to recharge fully. I recommend topping them off after each use so they’re ready to go for your next ride.
They come with a dual USB charging cable, so you can juice up both simultaneously. LED indicators on the gloves let you monitor the charging status. Plug them in until the LED turns green, and you’re all set.
8 hours of heat on low is enough for a full day of riding, while the 4 hour charging time fits conveniently into a workday or overnight.
With some planning, you’ll never be left in the cold with dead batteries. They deliver the warmth and runtime needed to keep your hands comfortable on all-day adventures.
Touchscreen Compatibility
The Merlin Minworth features touchscreen-compatible fingertips on the thumb and index finger, allowing you to use devices like smartphones and GPS without exposing your hands to the cold[4][5][6].
I tested them with my iPhone and found the touchscreen functionality works quite well. I could unlock the phone, open apps, and type without issue. Pinch-to-zoom gestures were a bit trickier due to the bulk of the gloves, but still doable with a little practice.
Dexterity Impact
The touchscreen-enabled fingertips didn’t seem to impact dexterity compared to the rest of the glove. The conductive material is integrated seamlessly into the leather at the tips.
I had no problems operating my motorcycle’s controls while wearing them. Braking, clutching, and manipulating switches was easy thanks to the supple cowhide construction.
While touchscreen gloves will never provide the same precision as bare fingers, the Merlin Minworth do an admirable job of providing this convenient feature without sacrificing feel or control.
Being able to access navigation, music, or communication functions on the go is a major plus, especially in harsh weather when you don’t want to risk frostbite for your electronics.
Comparison to Other Heated Gloves
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
| Klim Inversion GTX | Gore-Tex waterproofing, touchscreen compatible, 7V rechargeable battery |
| Gerbing 7V S7 | Microwire heating elements, three heat settings, 8-hour battery life |
| Highway 21 Radiant | Leather construction, three heat settings, touchscreen compatible fingertips |
| Rev’it Liberty | Fiberfill insulation, visor wipe, connect to Rev’it heated jacket |
The Klim Inversion GTX and Gerbing 7V S7 both feature rechargeable battery-powered heating, while the Rev’it Liberty connects to a compatible heated jacket. The Highway 21 Radiant relies on insulation alone for warmth.
In terms of weatherproofing, the Klim gloves have a Gore-Tex membrane for superior water resistance. The Gerbing and Highway 21 options use proprietary waterproof treatments that may not perform quite as well in heavy rain.
For battery life, the Gerbing 7V S7 leads the pack with up to 8 hours of heat on low. The Klim Inversion GTX doesn’t specify runtime but likely falls a bit short of the Gerbings.
Regarding touchscreen compatibility, the Klim and Highway 21 feature conductive fingertips for using devices. The Gerbing and Rev’it gloves lack this functionality.
Price-wise, the Gerbing 7V S7 and Klim Inversion GTX sit at the premium end, while the Highway 21 Radiant comes in as the most affordable of the bunch. The Rev’it Liberty falls in the middle of the range.
Testing Them Out
During my testing, I found that they provide a comfortable level of warmth without overheating my hands. The temperature feels just right for maintaining circulation and dexterity while riding.
However, at high speeds above 40 mph, the heating effect becomes more subtle—acting as a buffer against the cold wind rather than actively warming your hands. So I typically turn on the batteries before I start riding to keep a consistent temperature throughout my trip.
Are they Fully Waterproof?
Throughout my testing in wet conditions, the HYPOA membrane prevented any moisture from seeping into the interior.
My hands stayed warm and dry on multiple outings. So, I can confirm the waterproofing does seem reliable, aided by the velcro-sealed battery pouch.
What About the Fit and Comfort?
I tried both the large and extra large sizes as a size 9. They definitely run at least a half-size small, in my experience. I’d recommend ordering a size up from your usual measurement—especially if layering over jacket sleeves.
The longer gauntlet cuff accommodates this and leaves room for the battery pack as well without restricting mobility. Overall, they strike a nice balance between flexibility and insulation for cold-weather rides.
Key Specs and Features
- Battery Life: Approximately 3.5 hours (medium setting)
- Insulation: Fleece lining & 200g/100g Thinsulate
- Outer Shell: Cowhide leather & accordion knuckle panel
- Waterproofing: Merlin HYPOA membrane
- CE Approved
- Price: £199.98
Pros and Cons of the Merlin Minworth
Pros
- Effective heat distribution across the back of the hand
- Touchscreen compatible fingertip
- Waterproof and well-insulated shell
- Subtle heritage styling
- Reasonably priced for heated winter gloves
Cons
- Non-removable/rechargeable batteries
- Easy to lose small battery cap
- Run at least a half-size small
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature settings do they have?
The Merlin Minworth provide three heat settings—low, medium, and high—which you control using the power switch located underneath the wrist of each glove.
How long does it take for them to heat up?
It takes a few minutes for the heating elements to warm up after you switch them on. I generally turn them on as soon as I start riding to maintain consistent hand temperature.
Can you machine wash them?
No, Merlin does not recommend machine washing them. However, you can gently clean the leather exteriors by hand using cold water and mild soap if heavily soiled.
Do the batteries recharge quickly?
With the included USB charger, the 22000mAh batteries take around three hours to recharge from empty to full power.
What warranty do they have?
Merlin provides a one-year manufacturer’s warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
And Finally…Stay Warm This Winter!
I hope this review helped assess whether the Merlin Minworth could be a good option to keep your hands toasty during cold weather rides. Their subtle styling hides the technical heating components nicely for a clean heritage look.
With flexible insulation and complete waterproofing, they deliver great winter glove performance even without the batteries running. The added heat gives them versatility across a wide range of temperatures.
Have you tried these gloves, or are you considering them for your own motorcycle outings? Share your thoughts on the heating features and overall quality in the comments below! Getting insights from other riders always helps narrow down the best gear for tackling the elements.
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)