Last Updated on September 29, 2019 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
Recently I was sent a killer pair of Saucony running gloves. I haven’t seen “real” winter weather in about 10 years, so my current status as a “totally unprepared winter running newbie” left me excited to do this review. And, did I mention, the gloves were pink?
Note: Trail dirt on gloves not included. Must be purchased separately for the cost of one hard fall during run. |
So here’s what you need to know about the Saucony Protection Glove:
What I like:
- ViZiPRO pink. Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is an entire winter (spring, summer, and fall) running wardrobe in this shade. Heck, if they even made the Snuggie I’ve requested under the tree in ViZiPRO pink, I’ll take that too. OK seriously, if you haven’t checked out Saucony’s ViZiPRO line (men, if pink isn’t your thing, it also comes in Orange) I would highly recommend it, especially if you run before the sun comes up or after it goes down. ViZiPRO isn’t always the brightest at first glance during broad daylight, but at dawn, dusk or if you shine a light towards it (think, car headlights) it almost glows. According to Saucony: “Independent testing by color experts showed ViZiPRO® Orange and ViZiPRO® Pink to have the highest reflectance factor of any color in the industry, including neon yellow and green.”
- Plush Cloth “wipes” on thumb exterior. Alright Saucony, I’m not sure what you are getting at with the “wipes” part. But I’m going to go ahead and assume…that’s for my nose. Because, let’s face it, gross or not, if it’s cold enough to run with gloves, chances are your nose is running too. And you’d all be lying if you said you have never used your gloves to wipe your nose on a run, even if you are stellar at the “snot rocket” (or, if you are in the upper mid west, I hear it’s referred to as a “farmer blow”. Tomatoes/tomahtoes.)
- Comfort. The gloves are extra light weight and WARM. The only slight problem I experienced was that the size Medium womens gloves are way too large for my baby hands, and thus my hands got sweaty, since the wicking fabric wasn’t really getting a close fit on my hands. However, as this cold weather chicken will tell you, I’d take sweaty-jacuzzi hands over frozen finger-cicles ANY day! If you
- the LED light is BRIGHT. I found it a little more “bouncy” to run with compared to a headlamp, so I’m not sure i would use that ALONE if I were somewhere that I needed a large beam of light (such as a trail). But for a well lit road or a road that I was very familiar with, the LED light would be perfect form a safety point of view, to alert cars and other pedestrians of my presence. (If you run with steady arms, this may not be such a problem for you)
Discussion time: What features do YOU look for in a pair of running gloves?
Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion. She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade. Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.
Julia Gabriel
Love the looks of those gloves, pink and all! I get such bad eczema on my hands in the winter which keeps me from venturing out for the most part. I’ll have to check the Running Room for these. Thanks for the great review!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers
I love the fact that they are reflective. Well… the fact that they’re pink doesn’t hurt either. 😉
Penny
I look for glove that have some reflective on them because I do run in the early mornings. I want them to keep my hand warm and dry from sweating. I also love a lot of color. So those pink ones are calling my name. I was just at a fitness store and I was looking at the Saucony gear. I totally loved the pink and white beanie. I think I might have to go back and get it. THanks for the great review.
Katie
I love the light! That’s awesome. I might wear them when I walk to my car after working late. 🙂
Lorinda
Pink, lit, and magnetic! Sold!!
Kate
I like the nose/thumb bit. Very smart.
Running, Loving, Living
I love the color!! I also hate cold hands and fingers so anything that will keep my hands warm I am for! Thanks for the great review!!
Rach @ Girl on the Run
These look great! I only have a pair of thin gloves…but I’m a total wuss when it comes to cold weather. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up in Miami!
Emily faliLV
Those look awesome! I love the color and that they have the LED with them! The nose thumb part is super cool! I will be checking these out.
bill.hurley
Very cool Heather. I may have to check those out, but the orange one. Pink is not my color.
Andrea
These gloves look awesome! I love the light feature 🙂
Beki
I was JUST thinking I need a pair of gloves for the upcoming cold (well, northern California cold – haha) weather! I would love to have a pair of those gloves! Great review!
And I LOVE the color!
Lisa
i think those are great, the color and the light and the movement of your hands should really help keep you visible as well as warm!
Jenn of PersonalFitCoach.com
I have never tried running gloves. These sound great. My hands get cold very easily. These would probably be good for cycling too.
kia
I look for gloves that fit and actually protect against the cold. I live in Colorado and run year round. I need gloves of varying warmth.
josephine
love the color & that they are reflective 😉
josephine8 [at] me [dot] com
Fit Chick in the City
I have strangely small hands and have a really hard time finding ones that fit, so fit is the most important feature for me. These look great!