Original Article: https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/roeckl-sports-winter-glove-review

Winter has come – at least, in some parts of the world! Bitter chills and snow quickly replaced hot summer days in many places. I work a lot with my hands, especially where my dog and horse are concerned, and the years of abuse to my hands result in my tendons hurting a lot the moment it starts to get cold. Wearing gloves has become a necessity for me, but unfortunately, most gloves aren’t designed for work around animals.

That’s where Roeckl comes in and takes the gold prize – long beloved in the equestrian world, Roeckl’s winter collection is specially designed and built for all of us animal people! From durable materials to clever features, there is a reason that name strikes a note with so many. I had the chance to test out both the Nagoya and Nordheim gloves and see how well these two offerings stand up to the Roeckl promise of quality.

At a Glance: What We Reviewed

About Roeckl

Roeckl began its journey in 1839 in Munich, Germany, specializing exclusively in gloves. Named after its founder Jakob Roeckl, Jacob was a master glovemaker and leather worker. To this day, Roeckl remains family-owned and manufactured at its roots.

Although the glove market isn’t one that many think of as having a lot of innovation, it indeed is – Roeckl did lead in designing and manufacturing products to keep hands warm and safe during hard work. Roeckl’s philosophy reads as “Being innovative by tradition. Preserving what is tried and tested. Improving what is good!” which stands the test of time, as the company still follows this motto today.

Roeckl focuses predominantly on outdoor sports and creating gloves that fit these needs, with the professional equestrian world at the forefront. “Follow the champions and feel the difference” says Roeckl. Horses and dogs tend to go together, and the same products that excel around the barn also work very well for our four-legged tail-waggers. Many of the glove descriptions even state that their warm products are usable for dog walking and training. The goal is longevity, with each product built to last many years of changing seasons.

Key Features

Roeckl gloves are a household name in equine and dog training, and for a good reason: their features put them at the top.

Quality and Durability

The mittens and gloves resist wear and tear, and the construction materials are free of harmful per- and polyfluorinated substances. Both products are water-proof, snow-proof, dirt, and sand-proof. They are also designed to not wear from consistent use of leashes, ropes, and the “burn” that comes with their use that tends to rip gloves apart over time.

Variety

Some consider Roeckl to be lacking in variety within each product—the Nagoya mittens only come in two colors (black and green), and the Nordheim only comes in black. However, the brand itself has a wide variety of different types of gloves that would work very well for everyday activities with your dog.

Size

Both the Nagoya mittens and Nordheim gloves come in the hand sizes 6.0 – 11.0.

Warmth

The most important aspect of these winter gloves is warmth. Both the Nagoya mittens and Nordheim gloves are masters at keeping hands toasty. Both gloves have thick fleece insulation inside to generate heat and keep it in. The velcro fastener on the Nordheim especially helps keep that heat in, as you can tighten it to prevent warmth from escaping.

Touch Screen Compatability

The Nordheim glove is entirely touch-screen capable, so you won’t need to remove it to use your smartphone or tablet.

Quick Finger Release

The difficulty with mittens and work is that your fingers are covered. The Nagoya mitten resolves this problem with a slip-out design that allows you to “slip” your thumb and other fingers out when needed.

Strong Grips

Both the Nagoya and Nordheim are built for work, so their design tries to make the work easier for you. On the Nagoya mittens, the palm is made from Roeckl’s patented Eco-Sense, which makes it very grippy and tactile. The Nordheim has a layer of Eco-Sense on the palm, with additional silicone and reinforcements on the thumb and index finger to help grip leashes, ropes, and more!

Eco-Conscious

Both products are made of recycled materials, and eco-consciousness is a part of their clever design. The polyester used in the bulk of both products’ designs is 60% recycled polyester, which breathes new life into it. The gloves are made up of 85% recycled polyester, and the inside fleece is also recycled. Because of the reused material, both are part of Roeckl’s Eco-Series.

Reviews of Roeckl Products

1. NAGOYA Mitten

The Nagoya is a mitten by Roeckl, which means that your fingers are totally covered – best used in the snow! Often described as very snuggly, the Nagoya does improve upon traditional mitten design by offering a finger slip so you can pull fingers out as needed rather than traditionally needing to remove the entire mitt. Made of durable and eco-friendly materials, the Nagoya is meant to last years of winter seasons. The entire palm lining is also quite grippy, so lead ropes and objects won’t slip out of your hands just because you are wearing mittens.

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2. NORDHEIM Glove

The Nordheim gloves look a lot like Roeckl’s other gorgeous equestrian gloves, which bring an air of professionalism and sophistication to the design. Built for substantial winter work, the Nordheim gloves feature wear-resistant material that won’t chafe or start to rip with rope burn or leash burn. Reinforced at a glove’s weakest points, you can throw your worst at this glove, and it’ll be fine! The silicone padding on the palm helps grip dog leashes, ropes or horse reigns with ease, and the adjustable velcro strap helps keep the glove secure on the hand.

FAQ

How Do I Know What Glove Size I Am?

To find your glove size, measure the circumference of your hand in centimeters. Start around your knuckles, but do not include your thumb. Glove sizes are measured in “old inches” called pouces. One pouce is approx. 2.7 centimeters.

How Do I Clean My Nagoya or Nordheim?

Because neither glove contains leather, both are machine-washable. Be sure to wash in water that is ideally 86° F (30° C). Both products should be washed regularly, especially to remove dirt, sweat, oils, and other contaminants.

Before putting in the machine, make sure to fasten and close all hooks and loops. Place the glove in a laundry bag. Do not turn the glove inside out nor use a fabric softener! Use a gentle cycle and a sports laundry detergent. Hang to dry or leave flat to dry, do not use a dryer.

Is There a Warranty?

Please review the warranty terms from the dealer from which you choose to purchase the gloves or mittens. However, Roeckl is happy to help with any problems, so feel welcome to reach out to them at Roeckl.de.

Our Experience With Roeckl

As I mentioned in my introduction, I have trouble with my hands when it gets cold. Gloves have become an essential part of my everyday routine in the winter, so I have tried many different types. Before I even get into my review, I can tell you that the Roeckl gloves and mittens are a game-changer.

Both arrived in open plastic bags (for air) and neatly packaged in Roeckl branding. There was no odd smell to them; they looked perfect! Aesthetically, I found them both stunning – the design was clean but very professional in appearance. I remember watching pro-riders wearing Roeckl gloves, granted, not the winter ones, but the design carries through both types.

One of the first things I noticed was how lightweight the gloves and mittens were. It may seem weird to mention, but a lot of my winter handwear is heavy after many hours of wear… you feel it in your hands. The Nagoya and the Nordheim don’t feel like they have any weight on them, so I can wear them for a long time without fuss.

The construction was also very impressive, with every stitch being of high quality. My mother taught me a lot about seamstressing and the importance of a durable stitch, and I can tell you for a fact that both the gloves and mitts are going to last you for a long time. They are something beautiful.

The Nagoya mittens felt like a cloud, you could feel how fluffy that lining was! The moment I put my hand inside, it was so comfortable – like your favorite pillow. The slit to slip your fingers out was very conveniently placed and easy to use, I could keep my hands warm when my fingers were not in use and then quickly pull them out! I enjoyed the matte black as well,it makes everything look very elegant. I could walk my pup with mittens, which I never thought I’d be able to say before! But it was easy to just slip out the fingers I needed to hold her leash and keep the rest tucked in the warmth.

The Nordheim was probably my favorite, mainly in the appearance on my hands and the many built-in features to make these gloves into workhorses. The silicone strips on the palm and thumb really made holding leashing or grabbing items so much easier, and I understand why equestrian riders love this – helps hold the reigns well! The little fabric patch on the index and thumb let me use my phone without taking the gloves off, and I liked being able to adjust the fit on my wrist with the velcro. My hands also tend to swell and contract (another problem from years of abusing them with work), and being able to adjust the velcro is a huge help. The Roeckl logo is also reflective, which is nice for walking my pup at night.

I am very impressed with both – and cannot wait to use them for years to come!

Conclusion

Roeckl’s Norheim and Nagoya have fully lived up to the Roeckl legacy, offering a great design with practical use while being stylish and comfortable. I feel like there are no compromises with either design, and that both the mittens and the gloves will last me a long time. Whether I am walking my dog or hanging out in the barn with my barrel horse, Roeckl is a dear friend in the colder months – and I would happily recommend them both to my loved ones.

Source: Dogster