ABOUT THE TROY LEE DESIGNS SWELTER PRO GLOVES
The Troy Lee Designs Swelter Pro gloves are water and wind repellent thanks to the stretch ripstop fabric that’s given a DWR coating. This softshell fabric has a healthy level of stretch to ensure mobility, which is bolstered by an articulated fit. The cuff is a slip-on design, relying on stretch to seal around the arm, and extends up the wrist to give good coverage.
The synthetic palm is standard thickness to ensure good bar feel is retained, and is given a micro silicone print for increased grip on the bars. Further boosting functionality are the conductive threads on the index finger and thumb, allowing for use of touch screen devices.
The Troy Lee Designs Swelter Pro gloves are available in sizes S-2XL, with a retail price of $59.99 / £59.99 / €59.99.
THE DIRT
Troy Lee Designs’ UK distributor Saddleback kindly sent me a set of Swelter Pro gloves to put to the test over the winter. With my typical glove size being a size large across brands, but typically very tight due to my fat palms, I was surprised to find the Swelter Pro ran quite loose. Compared with the original Swelter glove and the new Swelter Plus, the Pro runs considerably larger. Thankfully they remained comfortable and avoided any bunching issues, but it’s still worth considering sizing down for most riders. The slip-on design and high cuff immediately made my hands feel cozy and comfortable, with enough stretch present to give an effective seal against wind infiltration.
On the bike, the mid-thickness synthetic palm provided solid bar feel, with the silicon micro print adding a little grip. The back of the glove is stretchy and not particularly thick, so the Troy Lee Designs Swelter Pro gloves are not going to be the ultimate choice for near-freezing conditions, but from the 5C to 12C (41F to 54F) range they took the sting off of the chill effectively. The wind proofing meant that even at the lower end of this range my hands remained comfortable, but they were never stifling until it got particularly warm. The freedom of movement offered by the stretchy backing material combined with the looser fit to give completely unhindered control, which was much appreciated for cool enduro rides.
The water resistance offered by the DWR treatment was tested numerous times throughout the Scottish winter. It began to lose its effectiveness by the end of testing, and they would benefit from reproofing, but until this point they’d been doing a stellar job at shrugging off light showers and puddle splashes. Once the rain really starts pouring, your hands will get wet inside, but the Swelter Pro gloves managed to avoid causing too much chill or feeling heavy and uncomfortable even once saturated.
Over an extensive testing period in the temperamental Scottish Winter and Spring, the TLD Swelter Pro gloves have been subjected to their fair share of abuse. The silicone micro print on the palm has slowly disappeared over time, but the palm material offers stellar grip, nevertheless. Aside from reduced DWR effectiveness, they continue to perform every bit as good as day 1 and feel like they’re going to stand up to the test of time without issue.
The Wolf’s Last Word
My new favorite shoulder season glove, the Troy Lee Designs Swelter Pro is a solid offering for the changeable weather days. Thanks to its effective weatherproofing that is delivered without detriment to bar feel and control, the Swelter Pro is a glove that is perfect for riders looking to attack the trails on cooler days. 
Price: $59.99 / £59.99 / €59.99
Website: Troyleedesigns.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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