IXS Season-Heat-ST - Touring heated glove in test

The price of the IXS Season-Heat-ST for women and men in the online store may seem high at first glance: just under 300 euros for a pair of gloves is a significant investment. However, you are getting a high-quality, waterproof glove that provides all the necessary safety features at this price point. In reality, you are not just getting one pair of gloves, but two. With the option to remove the heating elements, the Season-Heat-ST can be comfortably used in colder temperatures, where regular padding would not suffice. When you consider that you are essentially getting two gloves for the price, around 150 euros per glove is a reasonable offer for the level of performance provided. Ultimately, the IXS Season-Heat-ST serves as a versatile option, replacing the need for separate winter gloves, transitional gloves for fall or spring, and even a summer glove for morning rides, mountain excursions, or rainy days.

Despite the 1950 mAh capacity of the lithium-ion batteries, which is quite impressive (for reference, the current iPhone SE offers a similar capacity of 2038 mAh), their performance under full load (14 watts) is depleted after a few hours, although operating at full load is a rare occurrence. This is where clim8 technology comes into play. Sensors and an integrated processor adjust the heat output in real time to meet the specific requirements, ensuring the optimal temperature is always maintained. Naturally, the ideal temperature varies for each rider. By connecting the IXS Season-Heat-ST to your smartphone through the app, you are guided through the personalized adjustment of the gloves step by step. The individual comfort temperature for the hands can be set between 20 and 35 degrees and will be automatically maintained by the system. The Bluetooth connection is only needed for initial glove setup and to check the charging status, heating/temperature control period statistics, etc. Otherwise, the gloves will operate based on the last settings used, even without a smartphone connection.

The Harley-Davidson heated glove is a must-have accessory for riding in cold weather. These gloves automatically turn on when you put them on, heating up the interior to your desired temperature in seconds. The heating elements, located between the outer shell and the lining, provide warmth exactly where you need it - the back of your hand.

Riders of the R 1300 GS know the struggle: their palms are warm while the outside is cold. That's why the combination of handguards, heated grips, and gloves is the perfect solution, ensuring that heat reaches the hands from all angles. When the gloves are paired with heated grips, like on our R 1300 GS test bike, the temperature control of the gloves is enhanced. The sensors detect the heat from the grips and adjust the heating output of the gloves accordingly.

When the gloves are taken off, the sensor detects this and the electronics deactivate the heating elements immediately, indicated by the LEDs on the back of the hand turning off, which normally show the battery status. The glove also features a standby mode that can be activated, pausing the heating function after 5 minutes of inactivity.

The Season-Heat-ST gloves from IXS were extensively tested during late fall and our spring rides in Barcelona. In the chilly mornings of Spain, with temperatures in the single digits, the heated gloves were a lifesaver. As the day warmed up to around 15 degrees, I could switch to using the gloves without the batteries as regular gloves. The IXS Season-Heat-ST performs admirably in keeping the rider's hands warm and dry, even in wet conditions. The adjustable cuffs with water barrier effectively prevent any moisture from seeping in, even after extended rides in the rain.

By noon, the Spanish sun is already intense, with the temperature quickly rising above 20 degrees. This marks the upper limit of comfort for the IXS Season-Heat-ST gloves. Despite the Solto-Tex membrane offering some ventilation and waterproofing, it can still feel warmer than ideal once the temperature hits 25 degrees. The black color of these high-end gloves also contributes to the heat. The IXS Season-Heat-ST is not designed for extreme summer conditions.

In a similar vein, the gloves fall short of expectations in this particular aspect as well: the advertised touch feature on the thumb and index finger does not function as smoothly as one would anticipate for a product in this price range. While using the touchscreen on the Honda Africa Twin, which is designed for glove use, is effortless, accurately navigating a smartphone proves to be impossible. Even a simple swipe to unlock the screen or access the camera proves to be a challenge, which is quite disappointing.

The Season-Heat-ST is a bit small in terms of fit. IXS provides assistance with the size chart, which also suggests a glove that is too small based on our experience. Pro tip: Order one size up! However, there are no complaints in this regard: the protectors are in the right place, nothing slips or pinches, the Velcro fasteners appear to be sturdy, the material is high quality, and the overall comfort is excellent. Compared to other winter models, the glove is pleasantly thin and allows for precise operation of the indicators, 4-way joystick, rotary knob, etc. The large cuff, which houses the battery, may feel tight when wearing thick winter jackets. In this situation, you may feel the energy source on your arm, which is normally discreetly hidden in the glove. The additional weight is manageable, with one battery weighing 83 grams.

The IXS Season-Heat-ST gloves are designed in such a way that they cannot be used during the charging process, as the battery is charged through the same connection as the wiring in the glove. The batteries can be fully charged in just a few hours using the provided charger. In practical terms, you simply plug in the batteries after your ride or at the end of the day, and the next day you'll be ready to go with a full battery. For long rides and in cold weather, it's a good idea to bring the charger along and recharge the batteries during a lunch break. Typically, you can easily ride for more than 10 hours using this method.

In general, it is difficult to give a precise estimate of how long the battery charge will last on the BMW R1250GS Adventure. It depends on various factors, similar to how mileage varies for tires. During our testing, we found that after a 90-minute ride in winter conditions with a constant temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, the battery still had 55% power remaining. However, in slightly warmer conditions of around 5 degrees Celsius with grip heating activated, the battery had nearly 80% power left after the same duration. This translates to a range of approximately 3.5 to 8 hours of battery life. In warmer temperatures, the battery may last even longer, while a higher desired temperature setting will reduce battery life. To prolong the battery's lifespan and reduce self-discharge, it is recommended by IXS to remove the batteries from the gloves when not in use for an extended period.

If you ride a BMW S1000RR, all you need are a pair of lightweight, perforated summer gloves. The high-end glove from IXS covers all other applications satisfactorily, which also justifies the high price. The craftsmanship and materials used are of high quality and durability, and the glove also performs exceptionally well in wet conditions. The extensive built-in technology works reliably, and the features of the IXS Season-Heat-ST can be adjusted and used through the app. Those who prefer not to operate a smartphone with gloves will surely appreciate the IXS Season-Heat-ST. When ordering, be sure to order the glove one size larger than usual, as it has a very narrow fit!

• Palm of the hand with goatskin
• Impacton® (viscoelastic foam) soft knuckle protection covered with textile
• Padding on index, middle, and ring fingers
• Stretch insert on the fingers and back of the hand
• Thumb and index finger tip with touchscreen-compatible material
• Rubber lip on the left index finger for wiping the helmet visor
• Wrist strap with Velcro fastener
• Width-adjustable cuff with Velcro fastener
• Water barrier at the end of the cuff
• Batteries and charger included in the set
• Safety: complies with the EN13594:2015 test standard

Materials

• Upper material textile 1: 92% polyester, 8% elastane
• Outer material textile 2: 60% polyamide, 40% polyurethane
• Stretch upper: 50% polyamide, 50% polychloroprene
• Palm: goatskin
• Lining: 100% polyester lining
• Gauntlets: 100% polyamide
• Knuckle protector: 100% polyurethane solto-TEX® membrane 100% polyurethane