N2 Kangaroo Perforated
Price $89.95
As evidenced by its name, the N2 Kangaroo Perforated glove uses that leather in the palm and grip areas of the fingers, with conventional cowskin leather in the outer sections. Schoeller Keprotec fabric is placed underneath the extra kangaroo-leather layer on the heel of the palm, with molded carbon-fiber knuckle and finger hard armor for impact protection. All of the conventional leather sections of the glove (including the finger panels) are heavily perforated for airflow. Hook-and-loop-fastened wrist and gauntlet cuff keep the glove secure.
Although the N2 glove feels supple and soft initially, the majority of our testers noted that fit and comfort were insufficient. Inconsistent tailoring seemed to be an issue; some fingers were fine, while others were too long. Lack of precurved fingers resulted in bunching at the palm when grasping the bars, and many testers felt the internal finger seams were very noticeable and bothersome. Although this glove is obviously at a lower Price point, build quality still appears a bit rough and unfinished. Some testers also wished for more protection on the thumb, which only has an additional layer of kangaroo leather on the grip area.
N2 Victory Race
Price $99.95
Constructed from cowhide leather, the N2 Victory Race glove features molded carbon-fiber protection on the knuckles, fingers and top of the hand. A single vent is provided on both the forefinger and middle finger, and an extra layer of leather (lined with Schoeller Keprotec fabric for additional abrasion resistance and padding for comfort) extends from the heel of the palm along the side of the hand. A soft nylon liner aids comfort, while a hook-and-loop wrist strap and double-closure gauntlet cuff ensure retention on the rider's hand.
The Victory Race glove's substantial armor and stout build provide a sense of abundant protection, but it comes at a cost to comfort. The glove feels bulky and somewhat stiff, and there's significant bunching in the palm and fingers when grasping the bars. The fingers' internal seams can be a bit bothersome, and the thickness of the palm's leather robs control feel. We also found that the wrist strap was overly long, almost running out of adjustment before it could cinch down enough to prevent the glove from coming off. Build quality and finish are pretty good considering its budget intentions.
Kushitani GPR 5
Price $235.00
Yet another proponent of kangaroo leather in motorcycle gloves, the Kushitani GPR 5 sports the soft but strong material in the palm and grip areas of the fingers, while the rest of the glove is made from the company's own incredibly supple leather. Knuckle and finger protection is provided by Kushitani's proprietary K-Foam padding, with a redesigned Action Pleat System over the knuckles that (plus a Kevlar knit liner) provides flexible yet significant impact protection without hard armor. Zylon fiber panels (Zylon is the company's self-developed fiber, claimed to be seven times stronger than Kevlar) on the ring and little fingers provide additional abrasion protection, along with an extralong gauntlet over the wrist.
The GPR 5 garnered high ratings in all categories with virtually all our testers. Fit and comfort were rated superb in all sizes, with excellent control feel and flexibility. Despite the lack of hard armor, all testers felt the sophisticated padding provided more than ample impact protection; the double-cuff gauntlet made the glove a bit labor-intensive to put on, however. Overall quality and finish also received high marks.
Olympia Vented Kevlar Protector
Price $74.95
Made using "super premium deluxe leather" and Kevlar-reinforced thread, the Olympia Vented Kevlar Protector glove features the usual molded carbon-fiber knuckle protector with floating design to allow freedom of movement and prevent discomfort. Extra leather layers and padding protect the fingers and palm, with high-density padding used in the heel of the palm, thumb and side of the hand. A single vent in the back of the hand provides airflow, with the padded gauntlet and wrist strap featuring the usual hook-and-loop adjustment.
While overall fit seemed OK for a budget glove, all testers in every size noted that the Olympia felt stiff, as if the lack of precurved fingers prevented them from curling around the grip. The internal seams in the fingers are somewhat bothersome, and there's not a lot of feel through the relatively thick leather. The absence of precurved tailoring also results in the leather bunching up in the fingers and palm when gripping the bars. Considering its budget pricing, quality is OK.
Rev'it! GT Corse
Price $149.99
The Rev'It! GT Corse glove uses a cowhide-leather construction with goatskin leather in the palm and Pittards Digital grip pads at the tip of the fingers. Goatskin reinforcement panels are attached to the heel of the palm, the grip area of the palm and the tips of the index and middle fingers, with SuperFabric(r) in the high-impact areas of the outer palm, little finger and outer thumb. Carbon-fiber hard-shell protection is placed in the knuckles, fingers, back of the hand and wrist. A tri-fleece lining eases entry and exit, while a Kevlar reinforcement lining in the back of the hand provides additional protection.
Comfort was rated highly in nearly all sizes with the GT Corse, with the precurved fingers and supple leather appealing to a number of testers. Fit, however, wasn't quite as unanimous, with some smaller hands falling in between sizes and one of the larger sizes complaining of the fingers being too tight. Control feel was a bit numb for some testers, and the dual gauntlet-closure setup was a bit labor-intensive to put on. Overall quality garnered top marks across the board.