Gloves are the one thing we all end up having to buy and frequently go through. To hear of someone that gets more than one season out of a set of gloves is a rarity. Back in the day I used to ride DefCon exclusively, to this day I still use pairs of theirs that have well over 500 plus days on them. When I received the opportunity to test out the latest generation of the Transistor I jumped at the chance. Here’s what I had to say.
Product: DefCon Transistor Glove
Purpose: To protect your hands from the elements and those sharp edges when performing grabs. Or to be a fashion accessory while you grab your crotch, well only if you live in the 80’s and think you’re Bad.
Fit: I went with a large on these which fits between 21.5 and 24 cm’s. I would say my hand is on the small size and closer to the 21.5 cm’s. Due to this there is a little bit of room in the finger tips and palm.
Features: The big features that stick out are the silicone palms for added grip, Velcro wrist closure, and my personal favorite the softer finger on the thumb for wiping your nose. Don’t let them fool you into believing this is for clearing moisture off your goggle lenses this is for wiping snot and boogers.
Conditions: I used these in everything from bluebird brisk days to puking torrential snow storms. This is a heavier glove meant for colder temps.
Pros: Stayed dry, were warm, allowed me to flip people the bird, highly breathable, and no one else had them.
Cons: The silicone grip came off too quick, it was constantly flaking off. Near the middle of the season I blew the seams out between the fingers which shouldn’t have happened with that few of days.
Durability: Well the fact the seams went and the grip on the palms didn’t last sucked.
On the left the current generation and on the right the past.
Personal Thoughts: I actually have a pair of Transistors from about 7 years ago that I still use from time to time. DefCon was a company I used to back hard back in the day and it’s good to still see them around, although I think some of the quality is a bit suspect. I will say that the comfort, dryness, and breathability I was used to has remained.
2 Comments
Same issues I had with these gloves although on midwest tow rope parks, the silicone tore off in like, 3 laps. That’s not their fault, though. I blew out a few seams in only a few days. Otherwise comfy & dry glove, just not burly enough IMO.
Have a pair of defcon gloves and I love them. Best glove to keep my hands warm and dry. Wouldn’t the blown out seams be covered under the lifetime warranty or do they not offer that on all the gloves?