Gear Review: Gerbing Heated Jacket Liner and Vanguard Gloves

[MotoNews]

Published in: Gear

Nothing burns like the cold. Riders nowadays no longer have to be martyrs in chilly weather. We can simply employ the use of heated clothing to maintain comfort. During the last four years, I’ve been on the road testing Gerbing’s jacket liner and Vanguard gloves over a 55,000-mile assessment from Patagonia to Alaska.

Jacket Liner

Installation was simple. But you must ensure that the output from your stator can cope with an additional 77 watts of draw.

The jacket’s seam construction and wind-resistant Ripstop nylon shell are strong, and the elastic cuffs achieve a close and comfortable fit around the wrist when worn under the riding jacket. There are seven microwire-powered heat zones, which warm up in a heartbeat. When activated, the well-distributed heat leaves you toasty around the high-profile collar, two portions of the chest, two areas on the sleeves and two regions in the back. The heated elements are guaranteed for life.

There are multiple options with which the heat can be managed. And not just the heat from the liner, but the gloves as well, via pre-wired connections at the end of the sleeves. The liner serves as the “home base” for the pant and sock connections, too.

A Dual Wireless Remote enables selection to the preferred heat intensity for all of the integrated components. Another option available pairs the liner with the Dual Bluetooth controller, which boasts a “set it and forget it” feature: it measures the internal temperatures and adjusts the heat accordingly based on your temperature selection. Whichever controller better suits you, each is sold separately.

The high-profile collar liner feels sublime around the neck. I also appreciate the drop tail back for better coverage while in the saddle. Held in equally high regard are the YKK zippers, all of which are easy to open and placed between anti-snag fabric, making them quick to open and close. I’ve also come to rely on the low profile elasticated cuffs, preventing rushes of air from charging up the sleeves. Finally, the Taffeta lining adds further comfort whether the heat is turned on or not.

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Men’s Vanguard Gloves

You can plug the gloves straight into the jacket liner or the temperature controller with the Y harness (sold separately). The gloves generate their maximum heat at 13 watts each. They’re designed for over-cuff use with a full-length gauntlet and constructed from premium Aniline cowhide leather. Superfabric reinforces the palm and edges, and “floating” TPU leather-covered knuckle protection provides ease of movement with the handlebar grips—a reassuring level of safety meets comfort, as the gloves are insulated with 150 grams of Thinsulate.

AQUATEX keeps the gloves water resistant and breathable in a broad range of temperatures. Having worn them in a deluge of rain in North Vancouver’s rain shadow, and all day in Juneau’s rain forest drizzle, incredibly, I experienced no ingress of water.

Both the jacket liner and the gloves are built for the long haul. As interconnected heating systems go, the Gerbing ensemble represents a sound investment, has become my preferred choice and doubtless will be for many years to come. MSRP: Jacket Liner—$249.99 | Vanguard Gloves—$159.99 Gerbing.com

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PROS	CONS
▲ Adjustable heat to the major organs of the upper body, plus every digit and the hand - palm and back	▼ XS size is unavailable in the gloves
▲ Rapid transfer of heat
▲ Comfortable American fit
▲ Lifetime warranty on the heating elements
▲ Rugged materials and construction throughout
▲ Good articulation on the motorcycle

 

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