Both the SQ Gloves One10 gloves and the SQ Pants One10 trousers are actually designed for mountain biking. That's why it was a BIKE editor who tested both - not only on the trail, but also on the daily commute across the city. And because we like products that (can) be used for more than one purpose, we don't want to withhold the gloves and trousers from you, dear MYBIKE readers.
SQ-Gloves One10: reliable gloves for the winter
Major innovations in the glove sector quickly become absurd. Either they fit - or they don't. Either they keep you warm - or they don't. Whether you need integrated heating, a display or an auto-keycard is up to you, but SQlab has limited itself to the most important features. And that's a good thing. The SQ-Gloves One10 in theory have a waterproof, thin and flexible palm, which should provide reliable protection against the cold.
For particularly cold days or in the rain, a rain cover is hidden in the cuff on the wrist, which can be pulled over the four fingers for additional protection. The index finger has a separate compartment so that the 5-finger gloves become Lobsters. The "hood" provides reliable protection from the rain and also keeps you warm.
For an optimum fit, the size selection is based on the SQlab sizing concept: there is not only a choice of sizes XS to XL, but also a choice between Slim and Wide - narrow and wide. SQlab offers help on the website or under the respective product to determine the individual size.
SQ-Gloves ONE10 in practice
Basically, the division of sizes into slim and wide is an advantage for gloves, because hands are very different. The SQ-Gloves One10 fit very well (here M wide), provided you have chosen the correct size. There is no excess fabric in the palm area that causes creases and pinching. At the same time, the gloves are not too tight, so your hands stay warm. Gloves that are too tight restrict blood circulation and at the same time provide little warming air cushion. The manufacturer has considered many details in the glove design that offer more comfort. For example, the fabric of the palm is pulled slightly over the fingertips, so the seams do not interfere with the fingernails. At the same time, the fingertips are kept warmer. The seams of the SQlab winter gloves are also impeccably finished; there are no air holes or cold bridges.
As it rains a lot in autumn and wet cycle paths, roads and trails are also the order of the day in winter, the water resistance of the autumn and winter gloves is particularly interesting. How good that there was a lot of rain during the test period. In light rain and without the "hood" pulled over the fingers, the water did not roll off the back of the hand, but the hands always remained dry and warm. When it really pours, the "overcoats" keep the water out, but not on the thumb. So it can get damp and cooler here - but all within the normal autumn range and not uncomfortable. Weighing in at around 75 grams, the SQ Gloves from SQlab will get you through the cold months - real waterproof winter gloves can easily weigh 50 grams (Gore Infinium) to 100 grams more (Chiba).
The large reflective prints on the index finger and the back of the hand ensure good visibility - the company logo on the rain cover is even larger. The smartphone and handlebar-mounted GPS device can be operated without any problems. The neoprene cuff has a Velcro fastener, but even without it it is tight enough to prevent cold from penetrating and wide enough to allow the cycling glove to be put on and taken off easily.
Features SQ-Gloves One10:
- Sizes: XS to XL each in Slim and Wide
- Weight: 75 grammes
- Price: 69,95 Euro
- Material:
Palm: 100 % polyester
Back of hand: 85 % polyester, 15 % elastane
Raincover: 90 % polyester, 5 % elastane, 5 % PU
Here you can find more SQlab products and tips for autumn and winter:
SQ-Pants One10: The MTB trousers also look good as commuter trousers
The Upper Bavarian company SQlab praises the SQ-Pants One10 as the "one for all", so we thought they would also be perfect for the commute to work. The regular fit allows for everything from cosy café rides to challenging trails, including daily commutes to work. The trousers actually have a very relaxed fit and stay in place thanks to a circumferential silicone strip. They can be adjusted with Velcro fasteners on the waistband. There are also Velcro fasteners on the ankles of the trouser legs, so these can also be adjusted in width - but they remain relatively loose. It's a good thing that chain oil is not noticeable on black trousers...
SQ-Pants One10 in practice
According to SQlab, if you want to wear padded cycling shorts under your long trousers, you can use the SQ-short One10 or the One12R from the ergonomics expert. Any other bib will probably fit under the SQ-Pants. The fabric of the trousers does not stop or rub. They are very comfortable to wear, even for the hours before or after the ride, as long as you don't wear padding underneath. We saw our BIKE colleague, who tested the trousers, wearing them in the editorial office on one or two days. Not only do they look good on the bike, but their loose fit and casual design also make them suitable for the office - provided that the etiquette allows for such sporty clothing. Reflective details ensure visibility - the 14 x 5 centimetre SQlab logo on the left thigh in particular lights up conspicuously when a light source such as the headlight of an oncoming bike or car hits it.
The SQ-Pants One10 are definitely windproof. And they keep you warm enough at both ten and three degrees - provided you keep moving. The SQlab bike trousers are also said to be water-repellent, a feature that also benefits people who wear the trousers on everyday rides away from the trail. When new, spray and, above all, splash water are well repelled. Everything rolls off and leaves little dirt on the trousers. That's a good thing, so you don't leave any dirt marks on the office chair later. The trousers reach their limits in the buttocks area when water and mud splash up and you sit back down on the saddle. Then your backside gets clammy. Mudguards can help here >> How to retrofit mudguards <<. The SQ-Pants are therefore perfect for cool and dry days and for shorter everyday journeys - when it rains, you need waterproof rain trousers for longer distances. What you should look out for when buying rain trousers, reveals our rain trousers test.
Electrosmog shield in your pocket
The long cycling trousers from SQlab have two pockets, one of which is electrosmog-reducing for storing your smartphone and has a waterproof zip. Metal fibres are used to intercept mobile phone radiation. Is this a gimmick or really good?
At the very least, this seems to have a strong effect on mobile phone and WLAN reception, so that electrosmog does indeed remain "locked" in your pocket - but this limits accessibility as long as the phone is in your pocket.
Features of SQ-Pants One10
- Sizes: XS / S / M / L / 2XL / 3XL / 4XL
- Weight: 325 grammes
- Price: 199,95 Euro
- Material: 77 % nylon, 11 % polyester, 11 % elastane, 1 % metal fibres
Marc Strucken
Editor
