Gear Review: Flylow Tough Guy Gloves
Gloves that are rugged and cheap.
[bargain]
Rugged. Cheap. These are the top two reasons why seemingly every lifty and slope bum in the Rockies is wearing a pair of Tough Guy Gloves. Flylow bakes Sno-Seal beeswax into the pigskin leather (which is more durable than cowhide), so the leather won’t wet out despite the leak-likely price. The Thinsulate lining kept our digits warm while hitting Vail’s back bowls and backcountry runs in Rocky Mountain National Park.
“The poly back isn’t waterproof, but provided breathability while skinning, and the knit wrist cuff sealed out spindrift,” says a tester. “They don’t insulate well in temps below 20°F or in wet weather, though,” he warns. “It’s a great daytrip glove at a no-brainer price, particularly for the Rockies, Sierra, or any area with little chance of rain or heavy, wet snow.” Nitpick: Some testers didn’t like the Home Depot meets Ringling Bros. style. Want all-leather? Go for Flylow’s new Ridge Gloves ($40). $25; 6.9 oz.; (unisex XS-XL); flylowgear.com