Waterproofing
The component of the Impreza glove that has had me the most excited is the Gore Tex membrane. There are dozens of lightweight spring gloves available to consumers, but few of the super light gloves use a Gore Tex membrane. This concept seems a bit weird to me: why wouldn’t I want my gloves to be 100% waterproof during the time of the year when I’m constantly picking up skis dripping with water, and in contact with very wet, slushy snow?
So I’m glad to report that I’ve been very happy this spring as the Impreza’s Gore Tex membrane has worked flawlessly, keeping my hands 100% dry.
The weak point I have noticed in this department, however, is in regard to the DWR treatment on the shell. While the glove has never wet through to my skin, the nylon/poly shell does saturate if it comes in contact with lots of water. This makes the glove gain significant weight, while also reducing the glove’s ability to breathe.
This saturation problem is not a deal breaker, but I will definitely be giving the glove a fresh DWR treatment as soon as possible to see if there is a marked improvement.
Breathability
One reason companies stray from using Gore Tex in the super lightweight spring gloves is to keep the glove cooler and more breathable. Considering I’ve used the Impreza at temperatures up to the lower 50s F / 10 C without my hand feeling like it’s going to boil off or soak the inside of the glove, it makes it hard for me to believe that argument. Then again, I don’t typically sweat much, so maybe I just don’t push this glove to its limits as others might.
The Impreza uses a thin 150g Tricot liner, which does a satisfactory job of pulling moisture away from the skin and up to the Gore Tex laminate to evaporate out. Even on the hottest days, the liner remained dry enough to easily move my hand in and out of the glove without feeling like it was fighting against me in every way.
Durability
With only 18 days of use, it’s hard to weigh in too heavily in this category. All I can say is that, overall, the glove is looking good; there is no evidence of impending seam failures or fraying, the Velcro is working as well as the first day, and the liner is staying in place.
The thin silicon web covering the palm and underside of the finger is starting to wear off slightly, but only at the fingertips and the end of the thumb.
If a new DWR coating works better than the original (which I will update), I would also recommend doing that treatment early to keep the fabric clean and looking new. My white gloves definitely are not as white as they used to be.
Given that this glove is intended for warm weather, I honestly don’t see myself using it more than 30-35 days a year, max. And given how it’s holding up so far, I’d feel comfortable estimating that it should easily last me a few years.
Bottom Line
If you tend to have warm or sweaty hands, the Gore Tex membrane might make the Dakine Impreza glove feel warmer than they are. But if your hands are frequently getting wet in the spring, I think it’s a great tradeoff.
It’s also worth trying on a pair beforehand, especially if, like me, you’re between sizes, or want a little more dexterity without sacrificing too much room.
But overall, if you are looking for a lightweight, waterproof, spring ski / snowboard glove, the Dakine Impreza should be on your radar.