The Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves are a lightweight knit glove with an agile, snug fit.
To get us a closer look, Showers Pass sent Man Makes Fire a review unit. After testing the gloves on the bike and while hiking in the rain, this is what we learned:
Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves Review
Showers Pass is a Portland, Oregon-based manufacturer of high-performance apparel for bikers, runners, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Showers Pass is most known for its waterproof gear, including riding jackets and waterproof socks, but the company also makes cycling shorts, shirts and accessories.
The Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves look like most any well-made knit gloves on the outside, but they are actually made with three bonded layers.
The exterior is a wear-resistant nylon-based knit with low-profile silicone nubs for extra grip, followed by a waterproof, breathable Artex membrane. The interior is a moisture-wicking, antimicrobial Merino wool blend that includes 2% Lycra and 2% Spandex.
The result is a low-profile fit that delivers surprisingly good dexterity.
Most knit gloves end up stretching and they get a bit sloppy, but the Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves fit well. Even after wearing the gloves for a couple of hours, the fit stays snug.
In fact, the fit is one of the best features of this glove. The well-woven knit ends up delivering a good tactile feedback while riding. With some gloves, any slop or folds in the fabric can get in the way of feel and dexterity. I was surprised at my finger dexterity and the feedback feel the knit gloves delivered while riding and hiking.
On the bike, I can shift and brake with most any gloves, but I found myself appreciating the fit and grip while riding.
While hiking, I could easily find and adjust hip belt buckles on my backpack, as well as find and adjust clasps, zippers and toggles.
Breathability
I had two big questions when I first tried out the Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves. First, would the gloves be breathable? Any relatively thin waterproof glove has to have great moisture management or the natural sweat and water vapor from your hands will just end up filling the glove with water — which defeats the entire purpose. This is why you can’t just slip on a pair of latex surgical gloves and then throw on a thick insulating glove over the the top. Moisture management is critical, even for your hands.
Second, would they really be waterproof? And if so, did that mean they’d also be wind-proof?
First, the breathability is excellent. The moisture-wicking wool liner does a great job of making sure that your hands feel dry all the time. To put this to the test, I wore the gloves on a three-hour hike with temperatures starting out in the low 30s before pushing 40 degrees as the sun rose higher. To be fair, this is a relatively chilly temperature range to expect good results out of a dexterous knit glove, but I figured I would be working hard on the hike and generating a lot of heat. So I wasn’t concerned (and I had a backup pair of true winter gloves in my pack anyway).
How was the breathability? Very good. Even though at times my hands were warm and sweating, they never felt clammy or even particularly wet. The inner wool layer seemed to wick moisture and the Artex membrane let moisture out.
As for being waterproof, they are. They can handle being fully submerged. You can eventually saturate the exterior nylon knit layer, but the inner layer remains waterproof.
Windproof?
When I hopped on the bike for a ride, I found that the Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves are not windproof. They definitely cut the wind and add warmth, but when I ramped up my speed, I could feel a bit of airflow. Your personal on-the-bike comfort level will depend your speed, outside temperatures, and how well your workout feeds warm blood flow to your hands.
If you want a truly windproof glove, Showers Pass offers its Crosspoint Wind Glove or the winter-ready Crosspoint Hardshell WP Glove, in both men’s and women’s versions.
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The Verdict: A Lightweight Winner
Overall — as with all of the Showers Pass gear we’ve tested so far — the fit and finish of the Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves is excellent. The stitching is very good, as is the breathability and waterproofing. Plus, we’re big fans of wool due to its natural antimicrobial abilities. Highly recommended.
Get the Gear:
Related Showers Pass Gear Reviews:
- Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Beanie Review
- Showers Pass Ultralight Wind Jacket Review
- Showers Pass Gravel Shorts Review
- Showers Pass Refuge Jacket Review
- Showers Pass Elements Jacket Review
