Glove comments - particularly RST and Alpinestars

[Dailaughing]

I've been kitting myself out on the cheap after a return to proper transportation but when it came to gloves I got stuck. Most I don't feel right in and the rest cost a fortune compared to what I have spent on any other part of the kit (i have been lucky). So before I double my expense so far (almost) would anyone care to comment on these...

Lanner Kawasaki had a pair of RST tractech evo gloves which felt great and seemed completely tricked out with gimmicks apart from perhaps the lack of any real armour on the outside of the hand. £70 from memory. Weirdly the large felt a bit tight but should be right after a while but the XL were very uncomfortable on the knuckle shields. I have seen a comment about these gloves not lasting for very long which I'd like confirmation for if possible.

Damerells had Alpinestars for £90 I think but I forget the exact model. Looking online I suspect one of the SP range but I have looked at so many gloves recently it's all gone blurred. The SP2? They felt worth the extra.

I am hoping to go on a real trek tomorrow (Falmouth - Meva, Snozzell, Padstow, Newquay and Perran so (if my body holds up) that would be a good chance to have another look at some gloves. Any of them will be ten times better than what i used to wear twenty years ago but I'd rather not make a mistake so any comments welcomed.

Obviously if you have another suggestion (shop or glove) I'd love to hear it as well. Summer gloves with the snugness of leather. Even today it's too hot for me so vents an added bonus even if I then need to get another pair for the winter.

[Ruffian]

I have had 2 pairs of rst gloves and 1 pair of alpinestars.
the rst's were ok, one pair had the liner. Which usually arent sown in so always come out when hands are a little bit sweaty, the other pair was ok but never felt the ends of the fingers were finished to great,
It stitching and overlap of the leather used to dig in,

I now have alpinestar sp-1 or something like that which I bought from hien gerik wheb they closed down and are like slippers, I proberbly will go and get another pair when I wear these out, ( but had then 2 years now and still look nearly new)

[nick:L]

I've only had Alipnestars, I got a second hand pair of GP-Pro's a couple of years ago, and have been absolutely super. For a sport / track glove I have been out in long rain rides and they didn't let water through for a good long while.

They look like they've made some changes to them recently, and the price is now higher too I think.

Sadly I one day foolishly left the key in the seat lock of my vespa. The next day the key was gone, once i'd picked the lock found that my beloved gloves were a gonner too, although the vespa remained. They might have had trouble starting it I guess.

[Dailaughing]

That's exactly how I felt on trying them Ian. Somehow seemed really protective and yet comfortable like slippers.

I'd love a pair of the GP Pros but like you say even more expensive now and for the use they'll get I can't justify that much.

[Jimbo04zx10r]

I had a pair of RST gloves for many years and they were great, unfortunately they were damaged when I low sided at pembrey. Now I have a pair of Alpinestars and I wish I never went away from RST as they were more expensive and have started to fall apart after 6 months.

The are currently being repaired as the stitching has failed on the fingers

[menzies3032]

Hi I have these RST evo gloves. I think that they are the same ones as you have been looking at, but this web site is cheaper. The gloves have good protection and do what they say on the tin however I have found I get some chaffing on finger joints following long rides.

Hope this helps

Sportsbike shop RST Glovrs

[MellowYellow]

I have 5 prs of gloves, none more than £40.
2 summer vented (Weise and Rayven), 2 w/p warm (both RST) and an inter pair of spring/autumn showerproof (Richa).
All perform as expected and with no problems
I really need the w/p to be large enough to accept a liner glove. Either satin, silk, light cotton etc.
These can be washed regularly and leave the main gloves in good condition. Also an extra cold layer.

[Dailaughing]

Pretty much 50/50 then! Thanks all I am edging towards the RST purely on price atm.

Robert, those are the gloves I liked. I think that is the best price I have seen them but after trying two pairs and finding the large really comfortable but the XL very uncomfortable and tight around the knuckles I am thinking it is a bad idea to buy without trying them! Might get lucky might not.

[dchurch1604]

Hi,

I have had different gloves over the years as when I had my last bike it was my only transport, the most comfortable have to be the Alpinestars that I still have. I haven't had a bike for a few years so they are probably about 5 years old now but I have got all my gear out ready for my new bike (which fingers crossed I'll be getting sometime in the next 10 days) and they still look and feel great.

I forget the spec/model of them but they were around £50 when I got them I seem to remember.

Darren

[Red5]

Just to add to the mix, my Arlen ness gloves are still going strong after 6 or 7 years. They've seen numerous track days, trips to the Nurburgring and general riding here there and everywhere. Including a low side slide on Honda curve at Pembrey...
Can't tell you the exact model but they cost me £75 the WSBK round at Brands, to date it, it was the year we lost Craig Jones in the Super sport class. RIP.

The gloves are cow hide, not kangaroo as a lot of Arlenn ness stuff seems to boast about. Still reckon they've a few years left in them yet.
Hope this helps your quest.

[TLS-Moose]

I have two pairs of RST gloves, both the same (SP-K) model. I've had both pairs a few years now, and after a little tightness of one pair (both the same size) find they fit like a ...... Glove!!

If I remember right they cost around £45 a pair, and will happily replace with similar if necessary at some point in the future

[gray]

I've got Knox handroids , great gloves had em 4 years no problems

[Dailaughing]

Again, thanks all. Have gone for a cheap pair (Ducchini) to keep me going until I can decide. Having done that I wish I hadn't as they are waaaay too hot for this time of year.