Discussion: Top Shelf Race Gloves

[OreoGaborio]

In the market for some high end race gloves. Taking my wrist injury into consideration, I'm only looking at the BEST of what's on the market.

The palms of my A*'s GP Pro gloves have worn out (again) so I'm looking into getting the Techs or some other brand. I'd like to hear some other options.

Models I've already been considering:
A* GP Tech
Held Phantom
Spidi Penta

Please add your favorite to the list or comment on what's on my list. Discussion about which one has the best wrist protection would be nice. I also like the fact that the Penta & GP Tech both have 4th & 5th finger bridges to help prevent finger roll.

[butcher bergs]

Not sure what you're looking for in wrist protection, but I just got a pair of Kobe Pro Racing gloves and they are very well constructed.

Kevlar stitching, memory foam, layers of leather in the right places, CF on the fingers, knuckles and forearm area

Don't know how they rate when compared to the "best", but they seem very adequate for their application.

Very comfortable glove right out of the packaging. I have been trying to loosen the leather up since I got them (last week) and they seem to be softening up and taking shape just fine.

You want pics? The web pics don't really do them justice, IMO.

[Paul_E_D]

Gloves don't protect the wrist IMO. Wrist injuries are usually due to hyperextension. Unless a glove can stop your wrist from bending, it's vulnerable.

I think it's a bit of a waste of money to get fancy gloves in hopes of protecting a wrist.

[MotoFreak]

I would buy a wrist brace...then buy gloves that have a fair amount of room/adjustment in the wrist to accomodate the brace...

[BMFR6]

i agree with what Paul said, although I would add you atleast get some impact protection if the gauntlet is some form of plastic.

with that being said, i love my GP tech's. you are more than welcome to try them on pete. they are a few years old, been down a few times and still in excellent shape.

[CMG241]

Gloves don't protect the wrist IMO. Wrist injuries are usually due to hyperextension. Unless a glove can stop your wrist from bending, it's vulnerable.

I think it's a bit of a waste of money to get fancy gloves in hopes of protecting a wrist.

agreed, I have a dead bone in one wrist from teen aged mcycle accident and from experience you'll get best results taping your wrist up.

[akira700]

Yeah, you know I have had a hard time telling the difference
between $100 gloves and the top shelf $250 gloves.

I have been only down once where I needed my gloves
and my cheapo Fieldsheer held up fine. Some of their
stuff is actually pretty decent I think. So I wonder if
getting $250 Helds makes much difference... do they?

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Yeah, you know I have had a hard time telling the difference between $100 gloves and the top shelf $250 gloves.

So I wonder if
getting $250 Helds makes much difference... do they?

feel - hopefully made better too, but you never know

[wookie]

IMO - I like the rivets on the palm of the Held gloves to prevent your palm from grabbing the paventment if you put your hands out to break your fall (the rivets won't grip the pavement and slip instead). I think some other gloves have a similar feature?

[akira700]

Well speaking of cheaper alternatives:
Racer Supply RSC2 Gloves - webBikeWorld

I might get me a pair just to check em out.

[Tricky Mike]

Last summer I started to slide the front in 3. I was convinced I was gonna ride it out (I was wrong). As a result, I still had my hands on the grips for the duration and pinned my hand between the bars and the track. Ground a bunch off of the glove's knuckles (Held Akira), but I was extremely happy with how well they held up. I didn't really even notice the damage to them until I got to the pits. Would another (cheaper) glove had held up as well, I dunno... I wouldn't want to find out. Keep an eye on NewEnough. I got a rad pair of Spidi's for $100 last year... ended up not really fitting that well, though... sold em to hessoreffingrollerderby and bought another set of Helds.

[akira700]

Last summer I started to slide the front in 3. I was convinced I was gonna ride it out (I was wrong). As a result, I still had my hands on the grips for the duration and pinned my hand between the bars and the track. Ground a bunch off of the glove's knuckles (Held Akira), but I was extremely happy with how well they held up. I didn't really even notice the damage to them until I got to the pits. Would another (cheaper) glove had held up as well, I dunno... I wouldn't want to find out.

I get those for free !

[zx1012r]

I can't believe nobody has suggested exercise to eliminate your limp wrist. Geez, this IS NESR after all!

I have a set of Joe Rockets that have held up for 4 years and many get-offs. They are at the end now though. I like the reputation the Helds have for durability.

[rg500]

I have had several set of helds. I have crashed in them and never had a hand injury. I have owned several pairs and I have only destroyed one. They are very durable, and protect the hands very well. I also tried a set of Helimot's new gloves. I liked them, but they didn't have as much hard armor as the helds.

I would definitely highly reccomend the helds. They fit me well, break in quickly, and give great protection.

[OreoGaborio]

Gloves don't protect the wrist IMO. Wrist injuries are usually due to hyperextension. Unless a glove can stop your wrist from bending, it's vulnerable.

I think it's a bit of a waste of money to get fancy gloves in hopes of protecting a wrist.

sorry for the misunderstanding Paul, I meant I'd like something padded or hard armored to help protect my wrist itself from impact & shock, not bending. That's what the ace/tape is for.

btw, the way I broke it was compression.... punching the ground... I couldn't really have avoided that, either. I'm just lucky I didn't break all the bones in my hand.

[patricia929]

+1 for the Helds. I've had a pair of Profi's (not their top of the line gloves) for 6 or 7 years now. Crashed in them twice and they held up pretty well. I bought a pair of Phantoms last year to replace them and I love them. In my opinion the kangaroo gives the best feel on the throttle - much better than leather.

[TTD]

I just picked up the Held Phantom's for this season.

They seem bulletproof and are very comfy. And there is a serious wrist guard built in.

They are pricey, but my plan is to use my old gloves for rain riding, so the Phantoms should last several years with no crashes.

If I crash and they save me once, then I'm more than happy to buy another pair.

[Paul_E_D]

Yeah, the padding can definitely help with certain types of impacts and abrasions. More is more.

I just don't think the wrist often takes the kind of impact that padding can protect. I never worried about it when buying gloves. knuckles, fingers, palms, yes. If I had the cash, I'd buy expensive gloves, but I wouldn't expect them to protect my wrists any better. I broke my scafoid, and Lisa broke her wrist, so I know a little about these injuries.

[OreoGaborio]

I hear ya paul... I know wrists don't usually get injured by a direct impact. I suppose it's more piece of mind than anything else. I'm just looking for something that'll kinda cushion the blow should I encounter a direct impact.

I just looked at some more pics of the GP Techs & found a pair for sale on the WERA board. We'll see if the guy takes my offer. I like the idea of hard armor protection all the way around the cuff. And I obviously like the fact that my GP Pro's no doubt saved my hand from being shattered last year.

I still wanna pick up a pair of the Phantoms... Always hear great things about em & as an added bonus I love the red/white/gray color scheme.

[catch2otwo]

i got the gp techs. couldnt tell you about crashing or racing, but these are pimpin!

[OreoGaborio]

well that settles it, then!

[Manny]

For those that have the phantoms where did you get em? Any deals around you can share?

[Crash Dummy Denno]

if i had the money id try the spidi pentas

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Most High end Gloves are just fine for your standard crashes, Its the wierd ones that really cant be protected against, I was using Held Phantoms when I had my brakedancing incident in T6, I broke all the metacarpels (sp? i aint no doctor) it was the way i landed the hard armour actully is what broke the bones. My Palm got bent backwards, I still wear the pahamtoms onthe street and the Held Galaxy on the Track.

[Degsy]

I have the Phantoms. Best glove I have ever owned. Never crash tested though.