Flylow Ridge Glove Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Tough, windproof, durable
Cons: Bulky stitching, not very warm, not waterproof
Manufacturer: Flylow
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
Our Analysis and Test Results
FlyLow has earned its popularity among the ski and snowboard community with a long line of high-quality and innovative products. Unfortunately, our testers feel that the Ridge Glove is the odd product out with some need for improvement for utility on the ski hill. The SnoSeal treatment works well on the pigskin leather for waterproofing but the construction lacks key aspects for every discipline of skiing beyond cruising down groomers. If it's style you're going for, there are many better options for leather gloves that are just as trendy as the Ridge.
Performance Comparison
Warmth
The Ridge Glove was warm enough in temperatures around 25F-35F but our fingers were cold below that and too hot in temperatures above. The glove sweats out easily when touring in warmer conditions, which will ultimately make your hands colder when it's time to transition into downhill mode. Lift rides proved to be a major setback for these gloves as constant finger movement was necessary.
Water Resistance
The Ridge failed the ice bath/submersion test, allowing water into the interior insulation via the seams and stitching, leading to wet and cold fingers rather quickly. Do keep in mind that this test is extreme, though, and meant to objectively show the level of waterproofing across all products we test. Most skiers will not experience this level of moisture, for sure! The cuff material is not waterproof, either, and will absorb water readily. Protect this area by sliding it under your ski jacket. It can hold up to most precipitation you'll get out on the ski hill, though. We witnessed water beading up on the leather surface (which has a SnoSeal treatment that increases its ability to repel water) in mixed-precip conditions. The Ridge Glove has its place if you are a fair-weather resort skier looking for a less-expensive glove. These are best suited for those who ski groomers where all-day waterproofing is not a concern.
Dexterity
The Ridge Glove could not put up a fight in dexterity testing compared to other contenders that have a similar design. Tasks that should be somewhat straightforward like picking up a pole off the snow, buckling boots, adjusting zippers, using a screwdriver, etc. were difficult. The bulky stitching prevents your fingers from performing properly and it feels like there is a half-inch, floppy extension of each finger. The cumbersome stitching sits directly on top of the fingertip instead of just below or above and prevents normal finger function. These gloves are pretty stiff out of the box but do gain a little dexterity as they break in, which took longer than similar ski gloves in our test group.
Durability
The Ridge Glove gains back some points in durability because the pigskin leather used by FlyLow is tough. They are tough to break in but once they do they remain reliable on the palms and back of hands. One area of concern with these gloves has to do with the stitching. The stitching is in the way of the fingertips with the potential of catching on objects that can snag and compromise it causing it to rip easier. Also, the elastic cuff will, over time, lose its elasticity, too.
Value
The Ridge Glove is priced adequately for a leather glove but better functionality could be found in a similarly priced product.
Conclusion
FlyLow makes plenty of great gear but in initial testing, the Ridge Glove was not one. They will work for occasional fair-weather skiing or short backcountry tours, but don't expect exceptional performance.
— Travis Poulin