For many clothing manufacturers, mountain bike accessories such as gloves and the like are mere also-rans. The main focus is often on bike jackets, trousers or jerseys. At GripGrab, things are different: they have dedicated themselves entirely to the little trivialities. The aim is to create the perfect accessories for bikers with great attention to detail. At least that's what the Danes claim on their website. We got our hands on the brand new Raptor winter glove and took it for a spin on the cold and damp November trails.
GripGrab Raptor: technical data
- Weight: 60 grams (size L)
- Sizes: S/M/L/XL/XXL
- Silicone palm & Inside Grip
- Touchscreen thumb
- Sweat catcher on the thumb
- Reflex attachments
- Temperature range: approx. 5 to 15°C
- Price: 54,95 Euro
GripGrab Raptor - lightweight wind and weather protection
The Raptor is certainly not a glove for an Arctic expedition. The upper side is made of lightweight softshell material and only minimally lined on the inside. You might be able to withstand a stiff North Sea breeze, but not a polar storm. The synthetic leather palm is completely covered with silicone prints. A large wiping thumb keeps sweat away from the eyes and the nose clean. Thanks to a small attachment on the thumb, the touchscreen of the smartphone can still be operated. The Raptor does not require a Velcro fastener on the extended cuff.
Strong grip, weak lining
The Danes have done a really good job with the fit. The thin Raptor fits like a second skin. The flexible upper material literally hugs the back of the hand when you grip the handlebars. Thanks to the flexible cuff, you can easily slip into the glove even with sweaty fingers. Your fingers won't find any irritating seams. If you turn the glove inside out, you won't notice any excess material or protruding threads. But there is one clever detail: the inside is also lined with silicone. GripGrab calls this feature Inside Grip, where the thumb, shift and brake fingers as well as the palm are also covered with silicone on the inside. The glove should therefore offer sufficient grip in every situation. The Raptor does not have any cushioning gel inserts, but this should not bother most riders.
Perfect comfort on the trail
In the cold and wet November weather, it quickly becomes clear that the Raptor is not a glove for leisurely rides. If you don't pedal much, your fingers will quickly get cold. But if you pedal hard, the wind-repellent softshell material can withstand temperatures of around 5°C. But it shouldn't get any colder than that. The outer material also copes well with splashes of water and light drizzle. Anyone who dares to wear the Raptor in the cold will be rewarded with a good amount of grip. During fast sprints, your hands always remain securely on the handlebars. And the silicone prints on the inside are also noticeable when braking and shifting gears. Inside Grip actually feels like it offers more grip on the handlebars, as well as on the shift and brake levers. The extended cuff reaches under the winter jacket or over the arm warmers, preventing cold air from blowing under the sleeves. The soft towelling trim on the thumb gently wipes away perspiration from the skin or dries snotty noses.
Test summary of the GripGrab Raptor
The Raptor is the perfect glove for racers and crossers who dare to venture out into the German muddy winter. As long as the temperatures are in the plus range and the biker is not strolling in the aerobic zone, the wind-repellent softshell keeps the fingers warm. The fit is outstanding and the grip is unrivalled.
Pro
- Perfect fit
- offers a lot of grip
- Very clean finish
- Sensibly and extensively equipped
Contra
- Not suitable for sub-zero temperatures
- not quite cheap
Stefan Frey
Editor
