Comparative test of sports gloves

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Comparative test of sports gloves
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Comparative test of sports gloves

Comparison test: sports gloves
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Large glove manufacturers can pay dearly for their top models with up to 259 euros. But is this price justified? PS tested eight high-end sports gloves for fit, comfort, safety and workmanship.

07/17/2009

If you save on safety clothing, you save at the wrong end. But is it worth spending 200 euros and more to protect your hands? PS took a closer look at the top models from eight manufacturers. First attention: the price. The cheapest model, the M-Tech Extreme, is available for 159 euros; for the upper-class model from Dainese, the biker has to spend a whopping 259 euros on the table. The top league can be paid dearly. After all, almost all manufacturers offer another sports glove at a lower price. The previous top model from Held, the Phantom, which has been available for 175 euros since the market launch of the Titan and shines with a great price-performance ratio, is particularly recommended here.

Comparative test of sports gloves

Helmets


Comparison test sports helmets

Sporty helmets up to 400 euros

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Fit


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Hand injuries occur again and again in racing, the most common being the scaphoid bone.

But back to the first division. Fit, comfort and grip are three of the most important criteria when buying gloves – they determine the mobility and comfort of the motorcyclist’s hand. These three points were used for evaluation under the umbrella term “Fit” summarized. How important the perfect fit of a racing glove is and what it is all about is explained by leather expert Stefan Rottger from Skill Skin (www.skill-skin.com).

In general, if the glove is new to the fingers, but still leaves about 5 millimeters of air at the tips, it will fit perfectly when worn. The leather on the fingers stretches over time, causing the fingers of the glove to slide down a little. In addition, the fingers should be cut longer at the top than at the bottom, otherwise the leather may be uncomfortable on the joints when gripping the handlebar rubbers. Pre-curved fingers are therefore ideal. The common method of simulating this hand position with the ball of a fist, however, distorts the impression. It is better to grip a broomstick, door handle or something similar.

In a practical test, motorcyclists with different hand sizes rated the fit and comfort of the premium gloves. The first noticeable feature: the fingers are pre-curved on all models. The Alpinestars GP Tech in particular adapt well to the riding posture thanks to the strong curvature of the fingers. However, the wrist area of ​​the GP Tech is quite tight even with the latch open, which makes it a bit difficult to put on.

The finger lengths also differ: the little finger in particular did not fit perfectly on some models and left pressure marks. The fit of the IXS Kando was most convincing. “Excellent grip and mobility”, the testers attest to him.

The most expensive glove did the worst in terms of fit. The fit and mobility of the very fine-looking Dainese Full Metal Racer convinced the testers, but the plastic trim on the palm of the hand worsens the grip, which costs the Italian valuable points.

security


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Loris Capirossi’s special construction is very reminiscent of a boxing glove.

Plastic shells, ankle guards, Kevlar reinforcement. The ingenuity of glove manufacturers when it comes to safety is almost limitless. But are all these extras really useful, or are they just for marketing? To find out, PS dropped the test bench hammer. The company Sas-Tec (www.sas-tec.de) determined the residual force values ​​of the ankle shock absorbers. The result was convincing across the board. The values ​​of all models were well below the standardized limit and, overall, very close together. Right at the front here too: the IXS Kando with a residual force of 1.77 kN.

In addition to pure shock absorption, a few other points are jointly responsible for the safety of motorcycle gloves. These include the cover of the wrist latch, which prevents the flap from getting caught in the event of a fall, doubled leather in vulnerable areas such as the palm and heel of the hand, as well as a connection between the ring finger and the little finger, which kinks particularly easily in the event of a fall. A long glove cuff, which overlaps the combination sleeves even in extreme situations, is advantageous and beneficial to safety.

If you are afraid of injuring yourself with the sometimes quite massive knuckle protection attachments when you snap your hand, you can calm down; the risk of this is negligible. The expert Rottger sees no danger in the ankle protectors, but at the same time warns against too high expectations of the safety function of a glove. Even the safest model cannot offer one hundred percent protection against injuries.

Regardless of the model, Rottger recommends replacing the glove after three years at the latest. The constant movement and sweat from the hand put a strain on the leather and reduce its tear resistance in the long term. The (hardly surprising) rule of thumb is: The thinner the leather and the older the glove, the more likely it is to tear.

processing


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Clever thing: rubber lip as a visor wiper on the hero glove.

For gloves in the price range of 200 euros and above, optimal processing should actually be a matter of course. In fact, almost all models shine with clean seams and high-quality materials – although the majority of the expensive test candidates are made in the Far East. To check the color fastness, the eight test models were immersed in warm water for several hours to simulate rain showers or a sweaty hand.

The M-Tech model was particularly noticeable here, as it rubbed off heavily after the bath. The problem also occurred with the Kushitani GPR-5, but much less severely. Overall, the sports gloves are very good quality for a lot of money. If you find cheaper models that fit better, you should go for them.

Test procedure, residual force values


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Determination of the residual force values ​​based on EN 1621.

PS tested the handicap qualities of the gloves on the test bench. Based on the EN 1621 standard for motorcycle protectors, the company Sas-Tec (www.sas-tec.de) determined the residual force values ​​of the eight test candidates.

With an impact energy of 5 joules (J), the average residual force value from five impact points per glove must not exceed 4 kilonewtons (kN). For comparison: The average residual force value of shoulder, elbow and knee protectors must not exceed 35 kN with an average impact energy of 50 J.

The five points of impact must have a distance of at least 5 millimeters from the edge of the protector and 20 millimeters from one another. In order not to falsify the values ​​with the leather on the palm, the gloves were cut open and only the back of the hand was placed on the anvil.

Shock absorption

Comparative test of sports gloves

Helmets


Comparison test sports helmets

Sporty helmets up to 400 euros

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Alpinestars GP-Tech


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Alpinestars GP Tech.

Alpinestars Italy, phone 0039 / (0) 423/5286, www.alpinestars.com
Price: 229.95 euros
Sizes: S to XXXL
Colors: blue, red, black, black / white
Upper material: cowhide
Pair weight: 411 g

Fit: 3 out of 5 stars
Security: 4 out of 5 stars
Processing: 4 out of 5 stars

Workmanship, shock absorption and other safety aspects of the Alpinestars GP Tech are good. The strongly pre-curved fingers make the glove very comfortable in the driving position. Unfortunately, the glove leaves pressure marks on the thumb seam and little finger after prolonged use. The GP Tech is quite tight on the wrist, which makes it a bit difficult to put on. The plastic shell on the cuff is very stable, but interferes with the operation of the Velcro fastener. The Alpinestar’s mobility and workmanship are very good, as is the grip.

BMW Pro Race


Comparative test of sports gloves


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BMW Pro Race.

BMW Motorrad, phone 0180/5001972, Internet: www.bmw-motorrad.de
Price: 175 euros
Sizes: 6 / 6.5 to 12 / 12.5
Colors: black
Upper: kangaroo leather
Pair weight: 303 g

Fit: 4 out of 5 stars
Security: 3 out of 5 stars
Processing: 4 out of 5 stars

The BMW Pro Race are quite simple for a racing glove. Instead of eye-catching applications, the Bavarians concentrate on good workmanship and wearing behavior. Grip feeling and mobility are excellent, apart from a slight pressure point on the little finger, the fit is very good. The fingers are pre-curved. When it comes to shock absorption, the BMW do very well; some other safety aspects such as a wrist latch cover and a slider on the palm are missing. The workmanship is very good.

Dainese full metal racer


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Dainese full metal racer.

Dainese, phone 089/35827270, Internet: www.dainese.com
Price: 259 euros
Sizes: XS to XXL
Colors: gray / white, red / white, black, white
Upper material: cowhide
Pair weight: 255 g

Fit: 2 out of 5 stars
Security: 3 out of 5 stars
Processing: 4 out of 5 stars

With a price of 259 euros, the Full Metal Racer are the most expensive gloves in the test. For the money, the customer gets a glove with very good workmanship that feels very light and fine. The gloves fit very well, but the plastic trimmings on the palms interfere with the grip. The Dainese delivered good values ​​on the test bench. The glove cuffs should be a bit longer, and the testers missed the cover of the wrist strap. Visually, the full metal racer is a dream.

Hero Titan


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Hero Titan.

Held Biker Fashion, phone 08321/66460, Internet: www.held.de
Price: 229 euros
Sizes: 7 to 12
Colors: blue / white, red / white, black, black / white
Upper: kangaroo leather and stingray skin
Pair weight: 369 g

Fit: 4 out of 5 stars
Security: 4 out of 5 stars
Processing: 5 out of 5 stars
PS test winner

The test winner comes from Held. The Titan can convince in almost all points. The fit is very good, as is the grip and mobility. The shock absorption values ​​are good, large double layers of leather, Kevlar reinforcement, ray skin, the long cuff and the wrist latch cover also increase safety. The visor wiper on the left index finger is practical. The thick kangaroo leather and the neat seams underline the positive impression of the Held Titan. No wonder that the newcomer is already very popular in racing circles.

Ixs Kando


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Ixs Kando.

Hostettler, phone 07631/18040, Internet: www.ixs.com
Price: 175 euros
Sizes: XS to XXXL
Colors: black
Upper material: goatskin
Pair weight: 282 g

Fit: 5 out of 5 stars
Security: 3 out of 5 stars
Processing: 4 out of 5 stars
PS price hit

With the Kando, IXS has a very good sports glove in its range at a moderate price, which PS has given a price tip. For 175 euros, the biker can get a goat leather racing glove that has no real weaknesses, but many strengths. Fit, grip and mobility are excellent. The Kando is also convincing in terms of security and delivers the best values ​​on the test bench, only the wrist latch could be better covered. The workmanship is good, but does not quite reach the level of the more expensive Held Titan.

KTM R-Gloves


Comparative test of sports gloves


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KTM R-Gloves.

KTM Sportmotorcycle, phone 09628/92110, Internet: www.ktm.de
Price: 256.84 euros
Sizes: S to XXL
Colors: black / orange
Upper material: cowhide
Pair weight: 228 g

Fit: 3 out of 5 stars
Security: 3 out of 5 stars
Processing: 4 out of 5 stars

The extremely light KTM R-Gloves are identical to the Dainese Full Metal Racer except for one other palm protection. The test impressions correspond accordingly: a very fine glove with very good workmanship, very good fit and an annoying plastic trim on the palm. In contrast to the Dainese model, the KTM model is branded and only available in black / orange. If you want to stay loyal to your brand when it comes to gloves, you can get high-quality gloves at a high price with the R-Gloves.

Kushitani GPR-5


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Kushitani GPR-5.

Motoport, phone 04451/915200, Internet: www.motoport.de
Price: 249 euros
Sizes: M to XL
Colors: black, black / blue, black / red
Upper: kangaroo and goat leather
Pair weight: 393 g

Fit: 3 out of 5 stars
Security: 3 out of 5 stars
Processing: 3 out of 5 stars

Despite decent test values, the Kushitani GPR-5 cannot really convince overall. At 393 grams per pair, the gloves are very heavy, only available in a few sizes and also put a heavy burden on the biker’s budget at 249 euros. On the other hand, the grip feeling of the GPR-5 is very good, and the fit and mobility are good. The residual force values ​​from the test stand are also good, areas at risk of falling are reinforced with Kevlar. However, the wrist latch should be better covered. In the wet test, the Kushitani stained minimally.

M-Tech Extreme


Comparative test of sports gloves


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M-Tech Extreme.

M. V. Trading, Telephone 08841/626585, Internet: www.mvtrading.com
Price: 159 euros
Sizes: S to XXL
Colors: blue, red, black
Upper material: cowhide and stingray leather
Pair weight: 263 g

Fit: 3 out of 5 stars
Security: 3 out of 5 stars
Processing: 2 out of 5 stars

The cheapest candidates on the test field wear the red lantern. The M-Tech Extreme are not bad gloves. The grip is very good, fit and mobility are good, but after a while, slight pressure points form on the roots of the fingers and the little finger. The red ankle guards deliver the worst values ​​on the test bench, but are still well within the norm. The processing is also okay. There are mainly prints for the extreme rub-off after the wet test. The manufacturer should make improvements here.

Tips from the experts


Comparative test of sports gloves


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Stefan Rottger from Skill Skin (www.skill-skin.com), leather expert and contact point for several professional racers for years, explains what is important.

The most important criterion is the fit; almost everyone buys their gloves too big. When new, the fingers should be very tight, but still have about 5 mm of space at the tips, as the leather gives way after a while and the fingers slide down as a result.

On the palm, the cut must fit when new; If you buy too big, creases get in the way when you grip the handlebars. – We therefore recommend gloves that are already statically slightly pre-curved. The seam between the palm and the cuff should run exactly at the transition from the ball of the hand to the forearm.

When it comes to safety, doubling of leather on the ball of the hand and palm as well as clean workmanship are particularly important. Due to the heavy use, a glove should be replaced after about three years.

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