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Showers Pass Crosspoint Lightweight gloves & socks deliver light waterproof protection

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The new Crosspoint Lightweight gloves & socks from Showers Pass promise the feel of a standard pair of knit gloves, while packing a fully waterproof, breathable membrane in between the inner and outer layers. Really the only way to make it through the wet autumn and winter weather on the bike is to make sure that fingers and toes are protected from the elements, while keeping enough freedom of movement to maintain proper circulation.

While many multi-layer waterproof gloves suffer from either excessive bulk or movement between the layers, the Crosspoint Lightweights claim to overcome both issues.  They do that with a three layer construction, permanently bonded together.

From the inside the Crosspoint Lightweights use a Coolmax FX liner that wicks moisture away from hands & feet. Next a seamless Artex waterproof/breathable membrane is bonded on. Then on the outside the Crosspoint Lightweights bond on another layer – a lighter synthetic knit (9% lighter than their previous Crosspoint) that retains wear resistance but feels more like a normal knit glove/sock.

Crosspoint Lightweight waterproof breathable knit gloves

Then on top of that, the gloves get a dense silicone gripper array on the palms and fingers to provide grip while holding onto wet objects (like wet bartape or grips) for extended periods. Both new gloves & socks balance fully waterproof/breathable performance, with a fit & flexibility that hasn’t really existed in this type of product before.

The Crosspoint Lightweight gloves sell for $45 and come in three sizes – S/M, M/L & L/XL. They are available in standard black or two more hi-vis color options – Neon Green & Safety Orange.

Crosspoint Lightweight waterproof breathable knit socks

The Crosspoint Lightweight socks get reinforced toes & heel sections for added durability and add a fourth size for better fit options – S/M, M/L, L/XL & XXL.

They retail for $34 in standard solid colors – black, gray, neon yellow & pink – or for $36 in camouflage colors – forest & gray camo.

ShowersPass.com

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16 Comments
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Stefan Jost
Stefan Jost
6 years ago

The same like Seal Skins !?

EGON E
EGON E
6 years ago

I’ve had a chance to try a demo pair on and unlike sealskins that have quality control issues with short thumbs or long middle fingers, these felt pretty comfy. I live and bike in southeast Alaska getting 3 times the rain Seattle does and I’m excited to try a pair.

JG
JG
6 years ago

These should make for good fall commuter kit here in Seattle!

TomM
TomM
6 years ago

I’m in Seattle too. Can anyone who has ridden with waterproof socks comment on breathability? They seem like they’d just be all wet with sweat after a short time riding in rain and near-100% humid conditions.

DolanHalbrook
DolanHalbrook
6 years ago
Reply to  TomM

I have the previous generation of waterproof socks (in Portland). They work surprisingly well, but they’re bulky. Looking forward to trying a pair of these.

Mercianrider
Mercianrider
6 years ago

There is no such thing as a waterproof, breathable fabric. If it allows moisture out, it’ll let moisture in.

Robert Pickels
6 years ago
Reply to  Mercianrider

It’s all about the forces driving in one direction vs another. Considering that water vapor pressure is influenced more by temperature than humidity, the warmer next to skin environment will tend to increase water vapor pressure above that of the outside environment immediately adjacent to the fabric. Therefore the net pressure pushes moisture out the sock. (It’s rare that outside ambient temperature / water vapor pressure is higher than skin temperature if you aren’t in a tropical rain forest).

Now, with that said, Yes you can still get wet. However, typically this occurs because the amount of moisture inside the garment overwhelms the ability of the membrane to move it. Additionally, I would assume that this is a hydrophillic monolithic membrane which means moisture cannot pass in vapor form (evaporated sweat), it would need to by diffused across as a droplet.

Regardless, the performance of any waterproof breathable membrane worth it’s salt will surpass a waterproof only membrane or no membrane at all.

The question is really, would you like to eventually get wet from the inside (activity intensity dependent) or immediately get wet from the outside?

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Robert Pickels

^This. WP/B coatings/fabrics work best when the temperature gradient across the fabric is steep.

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Mercianrider

Care to provide any data/scientific principles to back that up?

Alex
Alex
6 years ago
Reply to  Robin

“Waterproof” fabrics are rated by how much water passes through them. That’s what the first number in something like 10k/10k means – how much pressure is required to pass water through it when measured using a 1″x1″ column full, that 10k is measured in millimeters of height of the column. The 2nd is the breath ability number, how much water vapor can move through the a square meter of the fabric in a 24 hr period. Both tests are showing that technically, water does pass through, hence the statement Mercianrider made – they are not waterproof. Only plastic or rubber is, that’s what fishermen wear.
At some point if you are out long enough, water will work it’s way through. The first line of defense for any “waterproof” fabric is the DWR finish on the outside – that does the heavy lifting of shedding water before it can get through the face fabric and into the membrane hiding in the middle.
At some point what we’re really talking about are highly water resistant garments, it’s all about how long you are going to subject the garment to bad weather. Not even touching on what happens when you introduce high output aerobic activity…

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Yes, technically they aren’t waterproof. That doesn’t mean however that they can’t be effectively waterproof while using/exercising in them while store affording some breathability.

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Robin

*still, not store

Flatbiller
Flatbiller
6 years ago

That photo of the guy standing in water, with the word WATERPROOF clearly written on the socks, totally proves that these are indeed waterproof.

As they say, “Photos, or it didn’t happen!”

VeloTime
VeloTime
6 years ago

Are the socks stretchy? The photos could be hiding how baggy they are. The DexShell socks and Rocky Goretex socks are more like booties than socks because they don’t stretch any appreciable amount. To fit over your foot, they have to be super loose in the ankle… which is rather lame.

mwagner
mwagner
6 years ago

Oh man, I have got to get a pair of those gloves. Look like the wool gloves I have but waterproof.

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