Monday 26 November 2012

Held Product Focus: Held Monsun Waterproof 1 piece

It's been a little damp of late. So damp in fact that good quality waterproofs are an essential bit of kit.


Held Monsun Waterproof 1 piece motorcycle clothing
Held Monsun. RiDE tested it. No-one got wet.

May we introduce the Held Monsun- scorer of 20/20 for Waterproofness in a RiDE Magazine Test.

Product info:


• Highly recommended by RIDE magazine 
• Storm cuff protection 
• Zip and Velcro ankle overflaps 
• Quick change labyrinth zip 
• 3M Scotchlite reflectors 
• Fluorescent option

• Elasicated waist
• Available in large tummy sizes too
• Waist Belt
• Arm adjustment

For more information on Held products in the UK please visit www.held-uk.co.uk



Thursday 22 November 2012

Cowhide, Kangaroo, Stingray- Explained!

"Made from cowhide! Made from Pittards leather! Made from Kangaroo Leather! Made from Stingray skin!"

Ever wondered what the difference is, and why? we take a look at the different products used in Held gear..


Leather

The traditional ‘go-to’ material for motorcyclists. While often not as practical or adaptable as textiles, leather still leads the way in abrasion resistance and, with the right care, is extremely durable. Leather garments should be fitted as tight as possible in order to firmly hold protectors in place. With wear, leather garments ‘break in’ and mould to the body. Held Rider Equipment uses the finest cowhide as standard, as well as kangaroo, goat, hairsheep and stingray leather in certain applications.


Held Leather motorcycle clothing- the Street II leather jacket
Held Street II Jacket- premium cowhide


TFL COOL™ leather

Revolutionary treatment for black leather which helps it reflect solar radiation in the same way that white leather would, keeping the surface up to 20°C cooler and the wearer up to 12°C cooler, without the impracticality of wearing light colours. 


TFL Cool Leather with Held Motorcycle clothing
TFL Cool leather on the left, not on the right!


Pittards leather

The hairsheep is a cross between a sheep and a goat only found in the mountains of some African countries. Its hide is soft and comfortable, like goatskin, but it has a more dense – and therefore hard wearing – structure which is ideal for glove making. Pittards are the leading producer of high-grade hairsheep leather. Moisture will cause normal leather to go hard, crack and shrink. We soaked two gloves in chemical sweat for 24 hours. The Pittards WR100 hairsheep hide glove was still very soft when compared to the cowhide glove of the same thickness. Plus it is also up to 30% more resistant to tearing and abrasion.


Held 'Calibur' motorcycle glove with Pittard leather back
Held 'Calibur' glove with Pittard leather back


Kangaroo hide

Of the 48 species of kangaroo, many are protected. However the unchecked reproduction of largest breed has resulted in massive over-population and culls are therefore carried out under the supervision of the Australian government. Fortunately for motorcyclists, the hides make excellent rider equipment. 


Held Slade leather motorcycle suit- with mix of Kangaroo and cowhide, with Titanium inserts!
Held Slade leather suit- with mix of Kangaroo and cowhide, with Titanium inserts!

Kangaroo hide is far more abrasion resistant than cowhide of the same thickness. This is because, unlike cows, kangaroos only sweat through their tail and therefore there are no pores in the hide. Kangaroo garments can therefore be lighter and provide more ‘feel’. Special tanning and drying methods mean kangaroo hide is resistant to moisture and so is less likely to loose its shape or degrade over time. 

Stingray skin

The most abrasion resistant material that is pliant enough to be used in the manufacture of gloves. Selected styles of Held gloves feature Stingray protection on the ball of thumb, knuckles and wrist, backed with shock absorbing gel pads in order to allow fallen riders to slide more easily with less chance of fractured limbs cause by rolling.When exposed to a 10 Newton load on an H22 friction wheel at Pirmasens testing Institute in accordance with DIN 53754, Kangaroo leather wore though after 4,000 revolutions, while stingray skin withstood a 20,000 revolutions.


Held Titan motorcycle gloves- Stingray leather covered Carbon shell side & finger protection
Held Titan gloves- Stingray leather covered Carbon shell side & finger protection
For more information on Held in the UK, or to find your nearest dealer please visit www.held-uk.co.uk



Monday 19 November 2012

Held Gear Focus: The Sixty Six Wax Jacket

Sixty Six- That's how many years Held have been producing quality motorcycle gear. We've named this super wax-cotton retro jacket 'Sixty Six' to celebrate- the jacket itself is worthy of celebration- please read on!

Held Sixty Six Wax Cotton Motorcycle Jacket
Also available in Khaki or Black.- RRP Just £164.99 

• Waterproof, wax-cotton motorcycle jacket
• Waterproof, windproof & breathable
• EN1621-1 CE soft protectors at shoulders & elbows
• Back foam padding, upgradable to EN1621-2 protector
• Connector zip for trousers

Wax-cotton retro motorcycle jacket. What's good about it? The fit, the look, the carefree vintage feel. Ride up the Coast and celebrate Held Motorcycle Clothing's 66 year anniversary! Colour Black Beige; Also available in Army Green, which is spot on!

Here's the black one:


Held Wax Cotton Motorcycle Jacket



More technical information:


Waxed cotton outer shell
100% polyester inner lining
Waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane (100% polyester with 100% polyurethane coating)
EN 1621-1 CE-certified soft protectors at shoulders & elbows
special foam padding at back
Optional EN 1621-2 back protector
Hip adjustment
Soft collar
4 external pockets
3 inner pockets
Connecting zip

Just the job for that retro look! For more information on Held products and to locate UK dealers please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Held Gear Focus: GORE-TEX Performance Shell System

The GORE-TEX Performance Shell Ltd System is designed with serious miles and changeable condition in mind. It is the ideal system for hardcore Enduro Riding and round the world adventures, yet is equally at home on the daily commute.

Gore-Tex Performance Shell System in Held Motorcycle Gear
How it works
  1. Moisture vapour escapes
  2. Rain and wind stay out
  3. Outer material
  4. GORE-TEX membrane
  5. Lining

    The Ltd System differs from other GORE-TEX Applications in that the climate membrane is not permanently fixed in to the garment. Instead it is provided as a separate GORE-TEX inner jacket and/or pants which can be attached to the garment in order to protect against the elements, and then removed (and stowed in the our jacket pocket) for times when light weight and maximum ventilation is the rider's priority. Versatile, yet still 100% windproof, waterproof and breathable.


    Why the GORE-TEX system could be the ideal solution for you: 

Held Carese GORE-TEX Motorcycle Jacket
Held Carese GORE-TEX Jacket

  • Complete weatherproofing
  • Excellent protection
  • Outstanding ventilation
  • Supreme adaptability
  • Highly practical
  • Low weight and small pack size of the liner
  • Distinctive, Innovative style
  • GORE-TEX membrane lifetime warranty
For more information on the Held product range and a list of dealers please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

Monday 12 November 2012

Held Gear Focus: Held Arctic Gloves

The Held Arctic Winter Gloves are a terrific seller and heaving with features to keep your hands warm, dry and safe- for under £100!

Held Arctic Winter Gore-tex Gloves

Here's a few words that will help sum up the quality of the gloves- they include: Goatskin, Scotchlite, Gore-tex, Thinsulate, Superfabric- all coming together like this:

• Gore-Tex winter gloves to beat wind-chill & rain
• Waterproof guarantee for the life of the gloves
• Highly breathable for warmer hands
• Extra Thinsulate layers to protect from wind-chill
• Superfabric palm panels & leather covered knuckle armour
• In-built rain wiper





For years HELD have produced the last word in winter gloves and won comparative test after comparative test. The HELD Arctic gloves are designed to stay on top of Mr. Frost: You get superior 180gms Thinsulate on the back of the hand to fight wind-chill, and remarkably the gloves retain the dexterity of far less warm gloves due to their construction. Safety is not at the margins either with Superfabric highly abrasion resistant palm panels and leather covered knuckle armour. If you get cold hands, these are simply: superb!

Winter Rating:
Warmth: 60 mins+ at 0C degrees/50mph
Protection: 5 out of 5 stars
Durability: 5 out of 5 stars


For more information on our products and to find your nearest dealer please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

Friday 2 November 2012

Product Focus: Held Warm n Dry Gloves

There's a definite nip in the air now which means we're starting to sell more Held Warm n Dry Gloves, RRP £119.99.

New Gore-Tex technology make these gloves awesome- mega warm yet thinner, to get amazing 'feel' from a winter glove. Here's the details:

Held Warm n Dry winter motorcycle gloves
Held Warm n Dry motorcycle gloves
• Fight wind-chill: Protected with Gore Thermoplush
• Gore guarantee for life-long waterproof performance
• X-Trafit construction: No risk of the lining pulling out!
• Highly breathable: Warmer hands!
• Leather covered knuckle armour, Scotchlite reflective piping
• Superfabric reinforced palm pads
• Integral visor wiper on left hand


Held warm n dry winter gloves
Held Warm n Dry gloves- palm



The Held Warm 'n' Dry Gore-Tex motorcycle gloves do exactly what it says on the cuff! Designed to deal with wind chill, the back of the hand is protected with Gore Thermoplush, a clever fleece lining that combats wind-chill and on contact with the skin delivers a great warmth. It also does not tend to stick to the skin when hands are wet! The X-Trafit version of Gore-Tex means there is one layer less on the palm area: Better grip and better "feel" for the road are the result. What does it mean to you? Your hands stay warm without sacrificing the sensitive feel for which this Gore-Tex X-Trafit glove is renowned.

Stay Warm, Stay dry. In fact, guaranteed to keep you dry. 

For more information on Held in the UK and a list of stockists please visit www.held-uk.co.uk