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5 New MTB Gloves from Specialized, TLD & Leatt - Pond Beaver 2021

Apr 14, 2021
by Sarah Moore  
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Leatt MTB 1.0 Glove

Leatt's new women's gloves have a pre-curved seamless palm and the upper hand uses a vented four-way stretch ultra-light construction. There's a suede-like 'MicronGrip' fabric on the palm for a close handlebar feel with a silicone print on the fabric for extra grip. There's a lens/sweat wipe on the thumb and a stretch fit comfort cuff.

Colours: Copper, Jade. Sizes: XS to Large. MSRP: $29.99 USD. More info: leatt.com

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Specialized Trail Gloves

Specialized revamped their glove line up for 2021 with several new models. The new Trail Gloves are designed to be your everyday trail glove. They feature silicone-printed fingers to help with grip, a thin AX Suede palm for that barely-there feeling, and a brushed tricot thumb wipe for wiping the sweat off your brow when things get hot. The velcro cuff and light-compression stretch nylon at the back of the hand provide a snug and secure fit. The fingers are compatible with conductive touchscreen devices.

Colours: Black, Dove Grey, Redwood, Smoke. Sizes Small to XXL. MSRP: $28 USD. More info: specialized.com

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Specialized Trail Air Gloves

Specialized's new Trail Air Gloves has been designed with maximum ventilation in mind. There's a micro-vented, perforated palm, a lightweight breathable fabric on the back of the hand, and a power knit mesh between your fingers. The neoprene cuff features small perforations for even greater airflow and of course, they're compatible with conductive touchscreen devices.

Colours: Black, Cast Battleship, Redwood. Sizes Small to XXL. MSRP: $25 USD. More info: specialized.com

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Specialized Trail D3O Gloves

The Specialized Trail D3O gloves have D3O knuckle protection, silicone-printed fingers for grip and brake lever control, an AX Suede palm, and added ventilation including a laser-perforated palm for hot spots. There's also a brushed tricot thumb wipe for sweaty brows and an adjustable neoprene cuff closure for a snug fit around your wrist. This one is also compatible with your favourite touchscreen device for on-trail selfies and trail dog videos.

Colours: Black, Dove Grey, Redwood. Sizes Small to XXL. MSRP: $40 USD. More info: specialized.com

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Troy Lee Designs Luxe Gloves

Troy Lee Designs' Luxe gloves use a hyper stretch fabric on the top of the hand and have a fine mesh between the fingers for temperature management. There's a compression molded cuff that provides a secure fit. The fabric on the palm of the hand if light weight for that barely-there feel with strategically mapped laser hole perforation for extra ventilation. There's a moisture wipe on the thumb and conductive index and thumb fingertips for touch screen compatibility.

MSRP: $38 USD. More info: troyleedesigns.com

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POC Resistance Enduro Glove

The POC Resistance Enduro glove was designed for enduro riders. The back of the hand features a moisture wicking fabric and the palm is ventilated with hundreds of tiny perforations. There's a silicon print on the brake fingers for extra grip and feel as well as on the cuff to grab when you're putting the gloves on. The thumb is touch screen compatible for those times when you need to navigate using Trailforks and there's a terrycloth nose wipe on the thumb.

Colours: Moonstone Grey, Uranium Black, Light Azurite Blue, Prismane Red, Basalt Blue. Sizes XS to XL. MSRP: $60 USD. More info: pocsports.com

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Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Pond Beaver 2021 Apparel LEATT Specialized Troy Lee Designs


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113 Comments
  • 348 1
 I’m not sure if the persons really small hands but the fit on all of these looks terrible
  • 13 0
 They look like insulated ski gloves
  • 200 29
 Maybe its Trump new gig to be a tiny hand model.
  • 12 1
 @ybsurf: Looks like XL gloves on a XS hand.
  • 22 6
 Who cares if the gloves fit if they just disintegrate because reasons... Honestly all my gloves I bought this year are dead after a few ride's. One of them even was ripped after a fucking commute. 4 different brands but 4 times the same shit, Not one glove survived a month..
  • 17 8
 @Serpentras: Go to Home Depot, pick up some work gloves from Mechanix or Milwaukee.
  • 3 0
 @Serpentras: I used to kinda force my hans into XL gloves, but they wore out pretty quickly. I found 1 kind of XLgloves that do fit, but still poke out the fingers within 2 months.
For me, what works best is to buy XXL's and was h them and dry them on medium/hot. After that they fit like
a........glove.
  • 1 0
 @ybsurf:

George likes the bananas!
  • 3 1
 @nickfranko: the basic mechanix work glove is honestly the only thing I've found to last a semi reasonable amount of time
  • 2 2
 @ybsurf: haha! Classic.
  • 3 0
 @Serpentras: I used to have the same experience until I bought some POC enduro gloves 4 years ago. I’m sick of looking at them but there isn’t one hole or blown seam in them anywhere, so I’m still riding with them.
  • 2 0
 @nickfranko: just picked up some Mechanix gloves from Costco, I think a two pack was $16 or so.
  • 7 0
 @nickfranko: ever noticed the user's flag icon, or considered that Home Depot may not be a global phenomenon?
  • 1 0
 @Johnoble: Mechanix makes gloves for Kitsbow. those gloves are f*cking rad. I have a pair that just passed a year old and still going strong. Now, I will not defend the pricing on them...lol
  • 1 0
 looks like they let Ezekiel do the modeling for the Trojan Magnums.....
  • 2 1
 @Serpentras: Thats because MTB brand pretty much anything is over priced garbage.
  • 1 0
 @haen: They look like carpenter's gloves
  • 1 0
 @neimbc: I'll give you that one
  • 2 0
 @Serpentras: You're not lying. 3 pairs of Handups all separated on at the seam on the thumb within a month or so of use, all covered under warranty but damn it's annoying having to contact them over and over. Moved on to some FOX gloves, they all last a few months if I'm lucky. Gone through a few pairs and have since stopped riding with gloves for the time being. They're all so cheaply made IMO or just piss poor QC.
  • 2 0
 @chadbrochills: try TASCO. I’ve had great luck with their gloves.
  • 2 0
 Seriously. I thought it was just me. I’m no hand model but gloves have never looked so sad on my hands.
  • 1 0
 @extratalldirtrider: I was going to, but honestly they look similar to Handup's. I'll either continue riding without gloves, which I don't mind all that much actually, or grab some moto gloves as those usually hold up a bit longer than the cheap quality, over-priced MTB gloves.
  • 1 0
 @Serpentras: Have you tried a higher end glove possibly? I recommend the 4.0 or the 2.0 X-flow gloves, these both have the Nanogrip palm and are notorious for being very durable. I've had a pair for 3 years and I crash a lot more than i'd like to admit... and they are still going strong...
  • 70 0
 Should find gloves that actually fit. The fit on almost all of these looks terrible. It's a bad look for the gloves. Only decent looking fit is the TLD. Rest of those look like blisters waiting to happen.
  • 2 0
 I wouldn’t want my gloves modeled like this. Oversized and tired.
  • 37 0
 I think that D3O knuckle protection needs to be further down the fingers. Pretty rare to see someone straight up punch a tree or the ground with just their first knuckles. Usually end up with a bruise on the first bone of your pinky and maybe ring fingers, that's where the protection should be.
  • 4 0
 Exactly. Surprised this doesn't come up more often with padded gloves. Especially with levers run more horizontal.
  • 33 0
 True, but when it's time to throw hands at a stabby hiker these will work real nice.
  • 6 0
 Leatt 4.0 glove is where it's at. Has protection all down the pinky and hella comfortable.

www.leatt.com/us/shop/mtb/riding-apparel/gloves/glove-mtb-4-0-lite-sku-6021080100-W?selected-color=5440
  • 2 0
 @CRAFTY-P: Where I ride, thankfully, there are more trees than hikers.
  • 1 0
 agreed. i've broken a finger from finger hitting brake lever during a crash. it's possible that decent D3O protection might have helped. after the crash i searched for gloves with finger protection. Almost nothing, a few with knuckle protection like the POC downhill gloves which I bought (but the actual finger protection is minimal).
  • 1 0
 At first I'd agree... but after looking at the scars on my knuckles from going OTB... this is where the scars are. Right where the D30 is. So, the impact padding seems to be in the right place for spectacular crashes. And not so much for tree branch swipes Smile
  • 2 0
 @unusual-bread: Didn't know about those, thanks! Look like a perfect glove for those tight-tree areas. I've NEVER hit my index or middle finger/knuckles, but always have a bruise on the pinky and sometimes ring.
  • 35 3
 I've always kind of wondered why nobody makes a glove with the seams on the outside like a lot of automotive racing gloves:

i.pinimg.com/originals/9f/12/fe/9f12fea08331a6e24b78fa8890d171de.jpg
www.windingroad.com/assets/autos_db/thumbnails/SabeltTG7Diam_03_jpg_677x1000_q100.jpg

It removes the awkward feeling internal seam at your fingertips.


edit: it seems like other sports feature this

radarskis.com/products/lyric-inside-out-glove
www.hosports.com/product/waterski-gloves-41-tail-inside-out
  • 3 0
 The existing inside ones seem to usually be of a bulkier material, so much that inside construction is almost necessitated. However, it would be pretty nice on a bike glove, especially if you like a really snug fit.
  • 5 0
 Thor invert gloves. They're really good.
  • 40 0
 Cuz this is mountain biking where if it doesn't look good, function doesn't matter
  • 1 0
 @haggqvist: I saw the Thor ones on sale at Royal Distributing for like 15 bucks or something, they were on the clearance rack. Must be like 50 pairs of em. I tried them on but they looked odd so I didn't buy them.
  • 2 0
 I had some AXO moto gloves I wore for years as my MTB gloves that had outside stitching. This was back in the 90s... I think AXO is long gone now, but those were some great gloves.
  • 1 0
 @Ryan2949: Yeah, I bought the ones I had for 10 euros or something. They lasted fairly long as well. Last years moto gloves are very much bang for buck.
  • 3 0
 If the seems we’re on the outside we would see how badly stitched they were before they fell apart in two rides.
  • 33 2
 $60 POC gloves? yikes that's embarrassing
  • 12 5
 mine have lasted 5 seasons, versus the usual 1-2 season of most other brands. i'll always go quality
  • 5 0
 Worse is that they look to be the same material and same design as some $9 Firm Grips from Home Depot.
  • 5 0
 Touch screen compatible? Maybe. My pair doesn't work with iPhone.
  • 4 0
 @wyric: My iPhone doesn't work with my fingers!
  • 2 0
 @sirbikealot: I have some paper thin Fox branded gloves that are 6+ seasons old. Finally put a couple holes in them last season from a couple similar "crashes"
  • 3 0
 @m1dg3t: That's lucky. My Fox Rangers fell apart at the seam after like a month and zero crashes.
  • 1 0
 i got in the range of 300 rides on mine before they started to rip. will be buying another pair.
  • 1 0
 hard pass unless I missed the Kevlar reinforced part
  • 16 0
 My favourite gloves are the fancy ball room dress gloves. They go to my elbows and protects not just my hands but also my forearms too. They are for girls which makes it hard to find the right size but they do come in lots of different colours which is a bonus.
  • 4 0
 and they come in "handy" during old timey strip teases.
  • 2 0
 @savagelake: you never know when you’ll have to drop it like it’s hawt on the trail
  • 17 0
 I would like to look like an astronaut when I ride please. thanks
  • 13 1
 1) It's great to see "real people" wearing biking gear instead of models in studios, but is it too much to ask for people who fit the products to be in the shots wearing the products? I promise you Leatt's gloves don't look gross and wrinkly if you're not putting an XL on a child's hand.

2) I used the BCBR's "bring 7-days worth of kit" recommendation, and training for the race, as an opportunity to try a bunch of different gloves from different manufacturers a couple years back. Leatt's MTB 1.0 were my absolute favorites, because of the cool mesh back, and the reasonable amount of padding in the right places on the front.

But, it looks like they've removed the padding on these? Or maybe only the women's specific version? Bummer if they've ruined my favorite glove.
  • 1 0
 The gloves you are referring to is the 1.0 glove, they still have the palm padding. the 1.0 GRIPR glove is the same glove, but without the palm padding.
  • 9 3
 I have and will only ever use Leatt gloves now. Tried a few others and they didn't fit me right. Leatt are bang on for gloves. Everything else they make is completely wrong sized for me though. Showing MTB gloves with flat hands is never going to be good, your hands are always curved round on the bars so the gloves need to be like they are in the pictures.
  • 4 0
 I've been riding the Leatt MTB 4.0 gloves for a few months now and I love them. They have padding that covers the first knuckles plus the ring and pinky fingers I like to punch trees with. I haven't had an opportunity to test the padding, but it has to be better than nothing. The fit and bar feel are both excellent, and I don't find the crash padding impedes on comfort.
  • 1 0
 @cmmtb @alexbg : Would you say they run true to size? I usually run an XL/XXL but Leatt's size chart has me at a Large. I find it odd that they only measure circumference of the hand, and not length.
  • 5 0
 At the risk of becoming a broken record (cuzz I post the same spiel every time gloves come up), I still maintain that unless your some style diva, you will get better protection, better lifespan, and better value from workgloves like IRONCLAD, MECHANIXWEAR, and even MILWAUKEE.
The models I've been using have gel palms (cuzz f'd up wrists), back of hand protection, and because they're made of a "synthetic leather", they are machine washable (**But, DO NOT put them in the DRYER!!)

I used the same Ironclad gloves for half of 2014, all of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and half of 2020, they're not totally pooched yet, but I was starting to notice the gel palms weren't doing as good of a job, so retired them and have been using a pair of Milwaukee's since. .......too early to report what the outcome will be with the Milwaukee's, but so far, so good.

IIRC. the Milwaukee's I bought on sale @ KMS Tools in 2019 for $39.99 CDN
www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Work-Gear/Gloves/Impact-Demolition-Gloves

This is the closest match I can find to the IronClad gloves I used for eons, the one noticeable difference being the ones in link below don't have the rubber finger protection on the backside, but they're a bunch cheaper! www.ironclad.com/glove/vibration-impact
**Ironclad's "Tactical" line might be the ticket for some. Also worth a look: the COMMAND Impact & EXO Impact.

www.mechanix.com/us-en/shop/gloves
  • 2 0
 I second the gel padded palm. I think it was specialized who used to have a gel pad on the outer palm and it reduced numbness issues in my hands tremendously.
  • 2 0
 @pourquois-pas: Well, many would find the gel palms unnecessary, but I gave up being a tradesman, and riding motorcycles, so the gel palm gives me enough relief that I can at least ride an MTB.

Thanks CARPAL TUNNEL!! Frown
  • 2 0
 @pourquois-pas: Specialised BG stuff used to be so good - gloves and saddles were amazing.
  • 6 0
 I quit buying bicycling gloves when I found motocross gloves. A whole different beast. And that means way better all around including price.
  • 1 0
 u might be onto something…
  • 2 0
 Yeah the FOX D30 moto gloves are 5$ less than the same MTB D30 version. I bought the moto versions and they're great. Often the tech starts on the moto side too, and filters down to MTB/BMX. I think it's smart to have some moto products in your bag-- but just don't go full moto. A little skate, a little hike, a little moto, and ski.... that makes up full MTB these days. No probs with that.
  • 2 0
 Yep, MX gloves are awesome and cheap! Thor, Fox, Fly and my fave EVS - all holding up after years of riding, just colors faded on some. They are somewhat in between MTB and Mechanix gloves - pretty light yet durable.
  • 2 0
 Good point. My fox motox gloves were the best glove I've owned and cheap.
  • 4 1
 None of these gloves have any sort of protection on the back side. We've had plenty of prior discussions about expensive MTB-speciifc gloves vs. gloves like Mechanix Impact and similar, which have robust protection on the back of the hand. When riding, that's the part of my hands that make contact with branches, fences, etc., so I'm sticking with my impact protection work gloves.
  • 4 0
 Tried on the Specialized Trail Air in the shop today cause they looked awesome. Fit and feel were great! I'd have bought them but I have like 5 pairs of gloves already...
  • 6 0
 I prefer the same gloves as Sam Blenkinsop.
  • 6 1
 "There's also a brushed tricot thumb wipe for sweaty brows", pretty sure it's for snotty noses...
  • 3 0
 Find the size that just barely fit you, but probably too small.. Put hands in water for a minute. Let them dry on your hands as you wear them for the next few hours and they stretch out. Bingo, right size glove, no blisters.
  • 6 1
 No TLD snakeskin I'm out.
  • 3 0
 I'd love to see some actual quantitative fit information. With big flipper hands, I really care most that they'll actually fit.
  • 2 0
 It seems like the author should have taken photos of the gloves on hands while holding a bar. If gloves looked like they fit perfectly with fingers extended, they would feel super tight while gripping a bar IMO
  • 1 0
 What happened to the Dakine Sentinel gloves that were previewed last fall? I've been eagerly anticipating their launch, which was supposed to happen in March, with no luck. Is the glove industry feeling the same effects as the bike industry in terms of supply chain issues?
  • 1 0
 They’re on the site. Patience young one, Dakine is always around this time for new bike gear.
  • 1 0
 I’m still looking for a glove that will last more than three or four months without beginning to fall apart on me. Durability is the key feature for me.

First generation Giro DNDs were the best I’d had for a while, but later years and other Giro models don’t seem to hold up as well. Had a good run Recently. with some of Chromags offerings, but they split around the sides of the fingers after a while. Currently seeing if Fox is up to the task.

I hesitate to spend more than 30-35 on gloves as I haven’t seen much tangible benefit when it comes to durability. Tried to go for non-MTb options like Mechanix, but my hands/fingers are short... so I tend to end up with a cm or so of loose material at the finger tips.

The search continues!
  • 2 0
 If you’re after durability don’t go fox. I’ve gone through quite a few pairs and they wear out quickly. My new TLD pair is lasting better...fingers crossed
  • 1 0
 Hands down some of my favorite gloves for cycling are these from Mechanix:

www.mechanix.com/us-en/shop/industries/automotive/MPT.html?dwvar_MPT_color=grey&cgid=automotive

automotive gloves have a great snug fit, and good hand protection...all for under $25
  • 3 1
 Ya WhAt AboUt hArDwArE sToRe GlOvEs?!!?

Seriously though, those POCs seem to be the only ones that fit my hands well (thick palm, not very long fingers).
  • 6 2
 Gotta hand it to Pinkbike, I glove these reviews.
  • 4 0
 Who picked the extra small handed hand model for this lol
  • 1 0
 I fondled the Specialized D30 admiringly and then bought Fox Dirtpaws, again. They're almost as affordable as the work gloves I would have bought if they didn't all have so much palm padding.
  • 1 0
 I'm surprised no one has mentioned hand up, easily the best gloves I have owned. Super simple, decent price and pretty strong (I haven't torn a pair yet after a year or two of riding with them).
  • 3 0
 That glove looks like The Deep from "The Boys"
  • 2 1
 I can't be like the cool kids and go gloveless because I'm a sweaty animal, but gee whiz, the fit on all of these look so terrible I'd consider not buying any of them...
  • 3 4
 I had Leatt gloves with those furled knuckle pad like the Spec gloves once. I learned two things, first Leatt gloves are not for me, second the knuckle pads do very little. I wish more glove makers would focus on protecting the pinky finger, I feel like it's so under protected and always getting smashed, and gloves ripped.
  • 3 0
 It’s kind of silly that they’re all pictured in the wrong size
  • 2 0
 The irony of all these gloves still not matching the quality of work gloves from the hardware store.
  • 1 0
 Sizing/modeling aside, I'm surprised in a good way to see every glove here designed to cover (at least some of) the wrist without being cold-weather specific.
  • 2 0
 I got some Wolf Tooth gloves recently and they fit like one.
  • 1 0
 Anyone miss the old Specialized Grail glove where the pad didn't roll up in the palm?
  • 1 0
 100% gloves for me all day! Leatt's lack of gripper on the brake finger does not cut it. Thumbs are also on the short side.
  • 2 0
 Double as gardening gloves.
  • 2 0
 Giro all day, everyday
  • 1 1
 I love mine. Think I have 4-5 pairs right now.
  • 1 0
 looking the look of the S air gloves. I am a fan of no velcro!
  • 1 0
 Almost broke my pinky recently. Who makes the best gloves with pinky padz?
  • 1 0
 **Milwaukee's for your pinky finger, and TROJANS for your purple helmet Smile

www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Work-Gear/Gloves/Impact-Demolition-Gloves

www.milwaukeetool.com/-/media/Products/48-22-8752/48-22-8752_3.png
  • 1 0
 @GT-CORRADO: the palm pads kill those for me but I like where your heads at!
  • 1 0
 Watson The Breakdown has lots of rubber on all the knuckles, without any extra palm padding. It's warm though. Works for me from about 0-15° C.

I bet there's a motoX glove that would suit you
  • 1 0
 Any gloves with leather palm these days?
  • 1 0
 Home Depot wide selection of gloves, ranging from $10 to $20
  • 1 0
 Need Brian Park to print some human sized hands for these gloves...
  • 1 1
 Good luck getting anything from Leatt.
  • 1 0
 made for banana hands
  • 1 1
 Nope, I'll stick to my Fox Rangers.
  • 5 5
 All gloves suck
  • 6 1
 Yeah bro only hardcore OGs ride without gloves. You tell em’.
  • 1 1
 @extratalldirtrider: I ride with gloves I’m just saying most aren’t that durable, BRO
  • 1 2
 Nothing beats my gardening gloves. They're my go to when I hit the trail.







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