The Dainese Veleta gloves do not disappoint. I have used them as my all around bad weather gloves. The X-Trafit technology makes for a much less bulky glove because the Gore-Tex membrane is glued directly to the outside of the internal glove liner.

I had just returned from a particularly wet ride over the top of Stevens Pass in Washington when I decided I needed a proper set of wet weather gloves. I was not as concerned with price as I was with the durability and reliability of a pair of gloves.

I found these gloves early on in my search and am happy to say that they have never let me down. I have been hard on them, both wearing them daily commuting and on several extended trips. Not to mention using them for snowboarding last season too!

After two seasons of riding they do show a bit of wear to the silicon strips on the inner ends of the left hand fingers, and the elastic wrist band is fraying slightly. Yet they are still as waterproof as the day I got them.

Now might be a good time to point out the advantages of  “waterproof” over “water resistant”. Those water resistant gloves might get you through the spring season or the occasional summer shower but you are going to be cursing yourself for not spending the extra money on  the waterproof gloves the first time you are a few hundred miles or more from home and all you can see are black rain clouds.

Gore-Tex products are “guaranteed to keep you dry” and I have never found this to be untrue. Back to the gloves: They are loaded with protective features including Techno inserts, metal mesh on the knuckles/fingers, and Distortion Control on the little finger.

Even with all of the protection I don’t think they are too cumbersome or hard to get on or off. I would say after a week of heavy riding they were perfectly broken in. With my set of Smart Wool liners I have rode for hours in sub freezing temps and still been comfortable.

They are conveniently able to be worn over or under the cuff of your jacket and fit true to size. I think they are the perfect compromise between short gloves and gauntlets. I have found that these gloves do not breathe well enough for me on warmer days but as cold and wet weather gloves they are great.

The Dainese Veleta X-Trafit gloves make for excellent wet weather equipment. They have worn well and kept my hands dry even in torential rainfall. These gloves have taken a ton of abuse and performed flawlessly. Just be sure to pack a pair of breathable gloves for long trips or warm weather riding.  Sizes: XS-2XL, MSRP: $159.95 Dainese.com

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