Shift Bullet
Price $89.95
As with its Vertex cousin, the Shift Bullet glove uses genuine cowhide-leather construction throughout, with "premium leather" in the palm and grip area of the fingers. An injection-molded polycarbonate knuckle protector shields that area from impact and floats in an articulating design to allow ease of movement with comfort. Finger protection is provided by articulating padded reinforcement panels, with the middle two fingers' upper protectors each sporting a single vent for airflow. Reflective trim adds nighttime visibility.
The Bullet scored high ratings for fit in nearly all testers' evaluation sheets, with decent tailoring in the fingers and palm area providing a snug feel. Comfort marks also were also mostly high in every size, although some small sizes noted an annoying seam in the thumb. The relatively thin leather helps comfort and gives excellent control feel, but it made a few testers wish for a bit more protection as well. Overall quality is a step down from the Vertex (for instance, there is a flap of leather on the palm that serves no real purpose), an expected drop considering the Price difference.
Sidi Power
Price $190.00
Long known for its superb boots and footware, Sidi is now branching out into the glove market. The Power glove employs soft goatskin leather and Kevlar stitching in its overall construction, with thermoplastic protection panels on the knuckles, fingers, side of the little finger, wrist and back of the hand. Numerous reinforcement panels are present in the palm and side of the hand for additional abrasion resistance. External seam stitching in the fingers and a breathable lining provide long-ride comfort. The gauntlet has protective padding in critical areas for extra protection, and reflective trim is used on the gauntlet and knuckles for nighttime visibility.
The Power received mostly high marks for overall fit, although small sizes noted a slightly loose feel in the fingers. Comfort was likewise rated very good, with nice, precurved fingers and a supple feel. Despite the external stitching in the fingers, some testers stated that they could feel some seams-but they also said they weren't obtrusive as in some of the cheaper gloves. Protection was rated highly with plenty of armor and extra leather in all the right places, and quality received top marks as well.
Sidi X-Street
Price $125
Using premium cowhide leather in its construction, the Sidi X-Street glove features padded and ridged knuckle/finger guards, with the palm reinforcement layer also sporting a nonslip material for better grip. Leather stretch panels on the wrist and fingers permit flexibility and dexterity, while perforated panels provide cooling airflow. The gauntlet has additional padding for increased protection, with a hook-and-loop-adjustable wrist strap and gauntlet cuff.
Overall fit with the X-Street wasn't as good as the Power, with nearly all testers remarking that the finger tailoring was too long. Comfort was rated good, although many testers wished for a little more protection; the knuckle shields' impact capability was suspect in some testers' eyes. Quality is a step down from the Power, but still above most other gloves in this Price range-attention to detail in the glove's construction is evident; it's just that some of the materials are obviously lower-grade to keep Price down.
Missed The Deadline...
Spidi Penta
Price $229.95
Unfortunately Italian apparel manufacturer Spidi missed the deadline for entries into this buyer's guide, but we've already tested a couple of their models, so we'll include those here.
The Penta is constructed from premium Italian leather with SuperFabric (backed by Keramide fabric to protect against abrasion heat) in critical areas such as the heel of the palm, side of the hand and little finger. Dual-density polyurethane plastic guards with Suprotect padding protect the knuckles, back of the hand and wrist from impact, with the index and middle finger guards doubling as airflow vents (portions of the glove are perforated for venting as well). The ring and little finger are tied together with a removable hinge to prevent roll-over injury in a manner similar to the Alpinestars GP Tech/Pro gloves.
Several SR staffers have spent some time in the Pentas and report comfort as excellent with very good fit overall. One staffer with size small hands feels that the finger tailoring is just a tad too long, but other than that, fit with the rest of the glove is excellent. Control feel is excellent as well, with good flexibility considering the amount of armor. As you'd expect with Italian Spidi apparel, quality is top-notch, with superb attention to detail and finish.
Spidi Race Vent
Price $199.95
Constructed using perforated premium Italian top-grain leather, the Spidi Race Vent combines full ventilation with sturdy racing-glove construction. Molded titanium-fiber panels backed by foam and felt inserts cover the knuckles, little finger, bony parts of the wrist and side of the hand; several plastic protectors double as vents on the middle and ring fingers. The shell protecting the back of the hand also doubles as a vent, with two openings helping to scoop airflow into the glove. Additional leather layers on the palm lined with Keramide fabric and foam padding guard against impact and abrasion on the heel and side of the hand.
We've found the Spidi Race Vent to be just as comfortable as the company's other premium gloves, with a nice, lightweight feel that also provides superb tactility with the controls. Fit and tailoring are likewise excellent, with no excess length in the fingers and an overall snug feel. Despite less extensive armor than the top-of-the-line Penta glove, the Race Vent still has abundant protection and is one of the few gloves we can think of that can truly combine race-level protection with venting that actually works. Overall quality is top-notch as well, with superb stitching and attention to detail.