Hippo Hands Handguard Covers: Backcountry, Rogue, and Alcan Models Explained

History and Evolution of Hippo Hands

• 💡 Hippo Hands originated in the 1970s when Craig Veter sought a solution for cold hands during rides, initially using a sleeping bag taped to handlebars.
• 🚀 The brand was acquired in 2016 and is now under new management, focusing on developing these handguards into a highly functional product for riders in harsh weather.

Hippo Hands Model Comparison

• 📊 The three available models—Backcountry, Rogue, and Alcan—are ordered by price, size, and weather protection, with Backcountry as the base and Alcan as the premium option.
• 🎯 The Backcountry model is designed for dual-sport, dirt bike, and daily commuter riders, offering a minimal 9-inch depth for maximum movement.
• 🌟 The Rogue model is the bestseller, a 10.5-inch deep hybrid that balances protection and movement, featuring a more square cut for increased coverage.
• 🏆 The Alcan model is the largest at 12 inches deep, ideal for sport touring and adventure touring, with an added inner ring for a secure, weather-tight seal.

Construction and Materials

• 🛠️ The outer layer, called HippoSkin, is a waterproof and UV-resistant synthetic rubber similar to Hypalon, providing durability and element protection.
• 🧽 The inner insulation, HippoFat, is an 8mm closed-cell foam, similar to aerospace technology, offering excellent insulation, water resistance, and fire resistance.
• ✨ The interior is layered and quilted for impressive insulation, creating a warm, convection-oven-like effect for hands, even without gloves.
• 🔗 Neoprene straps are used for attaching the handguards to handlebars, offering flexibility and ease of use.

Features and Installation

• ⚠️ A reflective strip on the outer front of the handguards enhances visibility, crucial during winter months with limited daylight.
• 🔧 Installation is tool-free and quick, typically taking 2-3 minutes initially and seconds for subsequent uses.
• 🚧 Bar guards and brush guards are required for installation, as the handguards attach via a Velcro strap to these protective components.
• 🔒 Updated designs ensure a firm lock into place, preventing sliding, a noted improvement over older models.

Considerations and Benefits

• 🏍️ For riders with crowded handlebars or large windshields, the added depth may slightly sacrifice turning radius, a trade-off for hand warmth on long rides.
• ⛰️ The flexible design allows for comfortable standing on the bars during off-road riding, with minimal inhibition.
• ⚡ Combining Hippo Hands with heated grips or gloves can significantly extend riding comfort and seat time in adverse weather conditions.
• 🧐 A potential aesthetic trade-off exists, as the handguards may not be considered as stylish as riding without them.
• ⚠️ New riders or those unfamiliar with their bike's controls should be aware that the handguards can obscure handlebar controls, requiring familiarity with their placement.