Burton Toaster vs. Marmot Randonee - A Motorcyclist's Perspective
Written: Nov 14 '06 (Updated Dec 14 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Warm and Waterproof, Good Grip, Long Gauntlets
Cons: A little hard to adjust
The Bottom Line: This is a great glove for riding down even into the 20s.
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| zorrothepiking's Full Review: Burton Tactic Toaster Gloves - Men's |
As the weather cools, so do my morning motorcycle rides. Until recently I wore the Marmot Randonee Glove whenever the temperature dropped below about 55F. It takes nearly an hour to get to work, and I’ve ridden in both cold and dry conditions down to about 20F. Becoming dissatisfied with the Marmot glove, however, I recently decided to borrow the Burton from my brother. Here’s why.
Similarities -
Both gloves are Winter Gloves for Men, providing a full gauntlet, a pull-cord system for tightening the gauntlet and wrist, and some level of water protection.
Grip -
The Burton Glove palm is synthetic leather. It has a very nice feel to it and gives a feeling a confidence in the construction. It is very warm and never slips on the grip. The Marmot palm is a sort of mesh. Although it seems like it’d be prone to tearing, it has not worn at all, and seems to have a little better traction than the Burton. Personally, I prefer the leather look and feel, but they are both fully functional.
Insulation and Waterproofing -
The Burton insulation is Polyester and shell is Nylon. I've taken this down to about 30F in wet conditions at 70mph for about an hour and it did pretty well. I won't tell you my hands weren't cold, but it was definitely doable. There is a zipper pocket on the back that looks to be the perfect size for a handwarmer, too, so that's another option in case things turn really nasty. Although the wetness did spread a little into the glove, it stayed mostly dry. Not bad considering I had to scrape ice off my finger tips when I arrived.
The Marmot insulation is Gortex. Although Gortex known to be warmer, I've had trouble when things got wet. Even though the gloves are advertised as water-resistant with a waterproof liner, I found my hands getting wet pretty quick in a good rain. The worst day, I think, was when I didn't realize they were still wet from the night before. After a couple minutes my hands started to ache, but I couldn't turn around because I was headed to work. By the time I arrived, my hands were bright red and my finger tips were purple. Next time, I'll be leaving them over a vent to dry instead of hanging on my handlebars.
For both gloves, I bought a pair of cotton gloves to wear inside them. This just provides an extra layer of insulation (and explains why I didn't notice the wet Marmots). It seems to make a big difference. They were about $2, so you might want to consider doing the same.
Comfort and Adjustment -
The Burton is a little harder to adjust, but easier to get on. The cord to tighten the gauntlet and wrist is a little hard to grab with gloved fingers, but gauntlet is very large, making it easy to get the glove on and around your sleeve. This larger gauntlet also provides extra protection against the rain.
The Marmot is easy to get adjust once on, even while riding. The cord to pull the back is strong, and the cords are easy to grab. Unfortunately, a smaller gauntlet makes it more likely to let water in.
Dexterity -
The Burton has stiff finger tips, making it easy to work the controls. The palm material stretches around to provide extra grip and strength.
The Marmot has soft finger tips, making it a little difficult to manipulate some of the controls. In particular, the turn signal and fuel valve can be a bit of an issue. Having the liner helps, but it is still a concern, especially once your hands start to get cold. Still, it is manageable.
Price -
It depends a lot on where you shop and what kind of deals are going on, but the Burton is generally cheaper than the Marmot by a relatively significant amount.
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If you found this review helpful, consider checking out my reviews on my other gear.
Cortech GX Sport Jacket
Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0 Textile Pant
HJC CL-SP Full-Face Helmet
Joe Rocket Blaster 4.0 Leather Gloves
Marmot Randonee Glove
Under Armour Balaclava
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 60
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Epinions.com ID:
zorrothepiking
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Member: Josh
Location: Huntsville, AL, USA
Reviews written: 59
Trusted by: 12 members
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