The Rev’it Oceanus GTX gloves are new for the fall and winter of 2013 and 2014.
The “GTX” label signifies the Gore-Tex guaranteed waterproof and breathable membrane liner, and the Oceanus GTX gloves definitively passed the webBikeWorld “Bucket Test”.
The glove exterior is entirely made from goat leather, which is said to be lighter and more abrasion resistant than cowhide.
The NorthFinder brand “DexFill” liner, combined with “Fiberfill” generic insulation keeps the gloves nice and toasty inside.
A suede insert along the forefinger works for clearing the visor and it’s more comfortable than cold leather for scratching that itchy nose.
A large gauntlet with a secondary wrist strap provide excellent safety by keeping the gloves in place.
Temperfoam padding (a NASA spinoff technology now used in mattresses) over the knuckles and heel of the hand is comfortable and probably adds to the warmth.
A new large grip patch is sewn to the palm, replacing the fused silicone bumps found on other winter gloves.
Here’s a secret: the new Rev’it Oceanus GTX gloves provide the same warmth as the much more expensive Rev’it Alaska GTX gloves and Rev’it Bastion GTX gloves (review) with a simpler, cleaner and less fussy appearance and at a lower price.
REV’IT! Oceanus GTX Gloves Introduction
The Rev’it Oceanus GTX gloves continue the nautically-inspired Greek/Mediterranean mythological naming conventions that the company has adopted for 2013.
Oceanus is a good name for these gloves, which are a natural match for the excellent and also-new Rev’it Poseidon GTX jacket and pants (review) outfit.
The “GTX” designation, along with the striped reflective patch, is the company’s subtle way of telling you that the ingredients list includes Gore-Tex.
But just to make sure, they also included some “Gore-Tex” script on the reflectors, along with a sewn-in label on the inside of the glove that has “Gore-Tex” stitched on both sides. And don’t forget the “REV’IT!” branding on the forefinger.
That may be a bit too much advertising for some owners, but it would be easy enough to take an X-Acto knife to the label. Just be careful…
The Oceanus GTX gloves are very comfortable and ultra-flexible, due to the use of goat leather, apparently for the entire body of the glove (topside and palm).
The Oceanus GTX gloves run about mid-pack in the winter gloves inventory of the Rev’it Fall/Winter 2013 lineup.
Starting from the top, that includes the Rev’it Bastion GTX gloves (review) at $199.99 and the Rev’it Alaska GTX gloves (review) at $189.99; the Fusion GTX gloves at $174.99; the men’s and women’s Kelvin H2O gloves for $159.99 and then comes the Oceanus GTX at $149.99.
After that, the also-new Centaur GTX gloves are #6 at $129.99, but they have a poly shell rather than the full goat leather of the Oceanus GTX.
Waterproof
The Gore-Tex membrane in the Oceanus GTX gloves provides breathability with the Gore-Tex “Guaranteed to Keep You Dry” waterproof barrier but, as the Gore-Tex membranes usually do, it adds some thickness and takes away some of the feel.
As we always do when a glove is claimed to be “waterproof”, the Oceanus GTX gloves got the old webBikeWorld “Bucket Test” and passed with flying colors.
Not a drop of the ice-cold water entered the gloves, so if they can withstand 4 minutes completely immersed, they should do just fine on the road.
Insulation and Ventilation
There’s a lot of insulation in the Oceanus GTX gloves, but the “feel” isn’t unusual for a non-heated winter motorcycle glove.
The insulation is a combination of the NorthFinder brand “DexFill” liner, commonly found in winter gloves used for sports like skiing and snowmobiling, and generic fiberfill.
This is usually formed by taking recycled polyester fibers, which are fluffed and puffed to add air spaces for insulation.
It’s uncertain as to how much DexFill is used in conjunction with the generic fiberfill, but the gloves keep my hands pretty warm — about as warm as any other non-heated winter motorcycle gloves I have tried.
There are no hard knuckle protectors or sliders on the gloves, but extra padded rows over the main and secondary knuckles and at the base or “heel” of the hand include Temperfoam padding (originally called Temper Foam).
This is the stuff you see advertised for those “memory foam” beds. It’s a NASA technology spinoff from 1981, believe it or not.
The insulation feels equal on all sides of the gloves, but the Temperfoam on the back of the hands adds some extra insulation to help block the cold wind.
There’s nothing special in the palms that would help to transfer warmth from heated grips and, in fact, the insulation probably blocks some of the heat anyway.
Like just about every other winter glove we’ve reviewed, the Oceanus GTX gloves do not have any ventilation features.
The Gore-Tex membrane does seem to breathe quite adequately and the “organic” goat skin exterior apparently helps transfer moisture.
Liner and Comfort
The inside lining of the Oceanus GTX gloves is very soft and comfortable and it stays in place when you pull out your damp hands.
It feels similar to a micro-fleece but I think it has a more slippery finish, which is good actually because it makes it easier to slide the gloves on or off, especially if the hands a slightly damp.
The polyester lining covers the entire inside of the gloves and I don’t feel any stitching or other rough areas inside.
Fit and Sizing
Based on these gloves, which are a size XL, I’d have to say the Oceanus GTX fits about a half-size smaller than expected. In the past, a Rev’it size XL glove was really more like a size L, but they seem to have normalized the fit and sizing somewhat.
But a true size XL glove should be too big for me, with fingers too long.
These aren’t; they feel roomy enough but not like a true size XL. Actually, this is a good thing, because it gives me enough room to wrap my hands comfortably around the grips, considering the extra thickness included with the insulating liner.
Next time I’m in the store, I’ll try a size L in the Oceanus GTX, because that is my normal size, just to see the difference.
The fingers have the typical winter motorcycle glove construction, using the “ceiling, floor and two walls” construction, which provides plenty of finger room along with the space needed for the insulation and waterproof membrane.
I think the construction method also helps to ensure that no stitches will pass through the membrane, which would instantly ruin its waterproof capability.
Other Features
Rev’it has added a new wear patch on the palm, replacing the fused-on silicone sometimes used in the past. This is a large section of what feels like either some type of synthetic rubber or it might be leather. It’s sewn on with double rows of red stitches and it also runs up the inside of the thumb.
Note that some of the early photos of the Oceanus GTX gloves show similar-looking wear patches sewn on to the underside of the tips of the first and second fingers, but apparently this feature was dropped when production started.
Gauntlet and Closure
The gauntlets on the Oceanus GTX gloves are nice and big, so no problem fitting them over a heavy winter motorcycle jacket. A large hook-and-loop strap secures the aft end of the gauntlet.
The gloves also have the all-important secondary wrist strap, located under the wrist. It’s discrete and out of the way, yet when it’s secured, it keeps the gloves securely on the hands, which is a must for safety.
Protection
The Oceanus GTX gloves have no hard protectors, only the Temperfoam underneath the padding over the main knuckles, the secondary knuckles (including the thumb) and in an area at the heel of the hand.
Actually, I don’t mind the absence of hard protectors at all, because with winter motorcycle gloves, the bulk added by the insulation means that you’ll need more flexibility anyway.
And the Oceanus GTX gloves provide plenty of flexibility, which makes them more comfortable for cold-weather riding, when you will probably favor comfort over other features.
Nevertheless, I think there’s adequate protection on these gloves, when you consider the mass of goat leather plus the Temperfoam, along with the extra wear patch on the palms.
Conclusion
The new Rev’it Oceanus GTX gloves may only occupy the #5 spot in the Rev’it lineup, but I think they’re the “sleeper” glove for the 2013/2014 winter season.
The list price for these gloves is very reasonable at $149.99, especially considering the full Gore-Tex guarantee and the fact that they are truly waterproof.
The insulation also works very nicely to keep my hands warm and I’m rather enamored with the addition of the Temperfoam, which I think does three things: added protection, warmth and additional flexibility and comfort (that’s 4).
The addition of the secondary wrist strap underneath is a must-have with any motorcycle glove, so that box is checked off also.
The overall simplicity of the Oceanus GTX gloves is what makes them work.
They hit that Goldilocks zone: just right. Not too many features, no gauntlet zipper (I hate those) and no hard parts that usually just decrease flexibility just when you need it most, in a winter glove.
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