fbpx

Apparel Pro: Must-Have Glove Features

Before I went to my local dealer to be their favorite customer this month, I made a list of my “must-haves” to help me make an informed buying decision.

The holidays may be over, but I’m always making a list and checking it twice. Doing a little bit of shopping for my spring riding apparel collection, I realized that my gloves are in dire need of replacement. Before I went to my local dealer to be their favorite customer this month, I made a list of my “must-haves” to help me make an informed buying decision.

Protection

Gloves are basically hand helmets. I feel much more confident riding with armor than I do without it. There are a lot of options for armor in gloves, and for the most part, they are lightweight yet extremely durable. From molded knuckles, EVA foam padding and thermo-plastic urethane to carbon fiber and titanium inserts, there are several options to protect your hands.

The most obvious level of protection comes from the material. Leathers offer the most protection, closely followed by textiles and blended materials. A very popular leather being used in gloves is goatskin, and high-end options offer leathers of stingray an kangaroo for supreme abrasion resistance. But, who can go wrong with a classic cowhide?

Durability

I put my gloves through the ringer each season, so they need to be able to stand up to anything that I throw at them. When purchasing new gloves, I always look for a design that is double stitched in critical areas and supported by a blend of different materials like leather, mesh and textiles.

One indicator that I look for is whether or not my gloves are touch screen compatible. If not, I will be removing my gloves more frequently, pulling at the materials, which reduces the longevity of my ride if I have to keep messing with my gloves to change the riding mode on my touch screen dash interface. Plus, if I’m constantly taking off my gloves, it wears at the seams and basically reduces the protection that the gloves can offer if they are not properly fitted.

Comfort

Gloves should fit comfortably, otherwise, they will become a distraction. Most gloves are ergonomically designed and formed around the curvature of our fingers in the riding position. Contoured padding or a leather material on the palms helps reduce vibration and fatigue, stretch panels help with finger mobility and high density padding in the knuckles leads to a beautiful motorcycle glove.

Gloves should fit like a good pair of jeans; snug at the wrists, flexible in the fingers without leaving gaps at the fingertips and comfortable for hours of riding.

Mesh panels are a welcome feature to prevent sweat and increase breathability, without decreasing the amount of protection that the gloves can offer.

What are some of the features of gloves that make them an instant favorite for you? What are some styles of gloves that are flying off the shelves of your dealership? We’d love to hear them, so add your comments below.

You May Also Like

SPIDI Unveils Race One

With Race One, heritage racing becomes aesthetic exploration.

Race One gloves

SPIDI has released Race One, the 100%-Italian-made gloves produced in the Safety Lab, the in-house laboratory where the first-ever inclined motorcycle glove was created in 1977, designed according to the anatomy of the hand.

With Race One, heritage racing becomes aesthetic exploration. These gloves, in fact, reinterpret the racing DNA of the brand, which has been partnering with two-wheel champions since the '70s, and combine it with the stylistic research that distinguishes SPIDI in the world of motorsports. Technologies have changed in 45 years, but the inspiration from which Race One was born is always the same. From the SPIDI headquarters located in Sarego, Italy, you can indeed enjoy an ambitious perspective on the Alps, which invite you to face ever greater challenges through increasingly ambitious projects.

2024 KTM PowerWear Collection

Get ready to race with intent.

2024 KTM PowerWear
AGV’s Limited Edition Mono Ghiaccio

A 100% carbon fiber racing helmet used in MotoGP™ with GHIACCIO livery.

ADV Limited Edition Mono Ghiaccio helmet
Leatt Announces Its New Range of Adventure Gear

Explore your limits with the new Leatt adventure range.

Leatt 2024 adventure clothing range
EVS Legacy Youth Goggles

Specifically engineered to securely fit most helmets without affecting their overall fit.

EVS Legacy Youth goggles

Other Posts

EVS T5 MX Helmet

This helmet is a game-changer, with advanced features for safety, comfort and fit.

man wearing EVS T5 MX Helmet
Catering to Kids: Youth Off-Road Vehicles

Off-roading has become a hot family activity in recent years.

A child riding a youth ATV in a field.
How Motorcycle Windshields and Fairings Impact Riding Performance

Windshields and fairings aren’t just there to make the bike look good.

windshield, fairing, motorcycle
Reviewing 509’s @One Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Built for comfort, style and speed with a combination of genuine leather and breathable, perforated leather.