It has been just over 9000 km of use in literally all weather conditions (Extreme Sun, Rain, Humid Weather, Freezing Cold) and in all traffic situations
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9000 Km Update on my Viaterra Tundra WP Gloves
Just over a year ago, I picked up the Viaterra Tundra, the initial impressions of which you can read below if interested
It has been just over 9000 km of use in literally all weather conditions (Extreme Sun, Rain, Humid Weather, Freezing Cold) and in all traffic situations (Peak BLR Traffic, Moderate Traffic on my Everyday Commute, and Highway Use). I’ll do my best to give a comprehensive review of these if anyone is planning to pick up this type (Non-Breathable WP/Winter) of gloves for the first time.
Wear and Tear
The only signs of age are the Viaterra Logo on the knuckle protector peeling off and the glove looking a little faded overall as compared to when it was new, both completely acceptable. I could also feel a small hole in the inner fabric at the tip of one finger. However, this IMO is perfectly acceptable. I think that my use of these gloves is not how a glove of this nature should be used (varying weather conditions), and in that regard, this thing is built like a tank. No threads have come loose, no permanent stains or scuff marks, no tears on the exterior despite it taking impact on a couple of tip-overs, and no issues with the velcro or reflective as well, which, in fact, is just like new. The Goatskin Leather and Superfabric on the Palm are extremely durable and still feel supple.
Comfort
The Gloves will take some getting used to because of the slightly thicker fleece inside. They aren’t as tactile as regular gloves. However, you do get accustomed to them pretty quickly, and I didn’t find comfort to be an issue at all. The lever actions take less effort due to the thickness of the gloves, and this also dampens vibrations from the handlebar, if any.
Riding in Hot/Humid Conditions
This is one area where the glove shouldn’t be used. If your palms sweat and get the inner lining moist, it takes a long long time to dry out and can get stinky too. I wouldn’t recommend having this as your primary (All Weather) glove.
Riding in the Cold
The Coldest I’ve ridden through was at an air temperature of around 12 Degrees (but with wind-chill, it would be much lower, as I was cruising at 100kmph). They did a decent job of keeping me warm, the fleece lining helped a lot, but it didn’t keep me completely warm. If you are planning on going to super cold areas, a thin underglove would help (Decathlon has these).
Riding in the Rain
These gloves excel on this front, as they should No water seeps through at least for a couple of hours of heavy rain. After this however, you can feel the inside getting a little moist. This is only the case when you constantly have to change gears (Clutch and Brake Action) and is the case with even more expensive gloves, too, as was demonstrated in the video below. Hence in my view, at the price point, this is excellent waterproofing.
Additional Considerations
The Visor wiper is a handy feature to have in the city where the wind doesn’t clear the water off the visor. The touch-sensitive fingertips also work well. The little buckle on the gloves makes it easy to clip onto a belt for storage.
Wash and Care
I reached out to Ajinkya from Viaterra to enquire about the same, and these were the instructions I received:
The gloves should not be washed frequently. However, if cleaning becomes necessary, follow these directions carefully.
1) Excess Dirt Removal: Start by using a damp rag to remove excess dirt.
2) Spot Cleaning: Spot clean using water & soft cloth only. If this does not suffice, then proceed with the following.
3) Gentle Soap Solution: Prepare a mixture of water and very mild soap. Do not use bleach or fabric softener. Spot clean with the rag.
4) You can also use a mild spray deodorizer or air freshener inside to help with odour
5) Air Drying: Air dries them slowly. Avoid using any heat source for drying.
Overall Impressions
I’m pretty happy with the gloves, and I will continue to use them as a secondary glove, only during rains and cold weather (The primary being the Viaterra Grid, a review of which I’ll drop after using them for a significant time). I’d wholeheartedly recommend the Tundra to anyone having a similar requirement. Cheers
Keyword: Viaterra Tundra WP Gloves: First-hand user experience after 9,000 km