By: Séan Hendley
Pics: Deon van der Linde
To be honest, when I first laid eyes on these things, I had mixed feelings. They’re puffy, like really puffy. But at the same time, they looked seriously well made. The black styling is clean and modern, and right off the bat, they looked like they meant business, exactly what you want when winter hits as hard as it has this year in Gauteng.
I’ve got big paws, so I went with the 2XL. At first, they felt tight. Not uncomfortable, but snug enough to make me wonder if I should’ve gone one size up. And they did feel a bit bulky on the grips, I struggled to close my hands properly or hit the switches on the clusters and even tapping in the code at the office gate was a bit of a mission. But once I got moving, I noticed one thing straight away…. warmth, this Gauteng winter has been a particularly cold one and most of my gloves have not really been up to the challenge. These WFX Prime Evo GTX gloves really seemed to work, no icy fingertips, no wind sneaking in. That Gore-Tex membrane and Primaloft Gold thermal insulation work a treat. The cuff fits over my jacket sleeve like a glove (pun intended), and the whole setup feels like quality gear.
When it comes to tech, FIVE really didn’t mess around here. These gloves are fully loaded, Gore-Tex weatherproofing, Primaloft Gold thermal insulation, ErgoProtech shell protection, and Touch Screen compatibility (yes, you can actually use your phone with them, it’s fiddly, but doable). The goatskin leather construction is proper premium stuff, and the palm sliders add a layer of confidence for those just-in-case moments.
After a few long rides, the gloves started loosening up nicely. They went from “too tight” to “just right”, now they’re my go-to for any cold ride. They’re warm, tough, and really well made. The bulkiness never fully goes away, but you get used to it and with what these gloves offer in protection and warmth, it’s a fair trade-off.
Final verdict? Yeah, they’re a bit pricey. But now that I’ve clocked some real miles with them, I really do see the value. These will last me at least ten winters, if not more. They’re warm, rugged, and feel safe as houses. If you ride through winter, the WFX PRIME EVO GTX gloves are absolutely worth the investment. I’m glad I got myself a pair.
