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When it comes to hand protection, the available pickings can be mind-boggling. But are they really? When we weed out the strictly fashionable, our choices narrow considerably.
The fact is that the vast majority of glove designs weren’t created with true rider safety in mind. And it’s a wise motorcyclist who considers exactly what may happen in the event of a tumble.
In the instance of a crash, better gloves will not only protect your hands and wrists from a nasty skinning, but also provide enough strength to shield from broken bones, sprains… or worse.
Of course there are fit and climate issues to consider. Is it possible to have a pair of gloves that are comfortable that also hold up in rain, snow or extreme desert heat? The rule seems to be that you can have some of these aspects covered… but not all with the same product. And the more features packed into a design, the less likely you are to have a pair of gloves that are truly wearable.
Perhaps no single glove design is ideal for all purposes, but as adventure riders we must equip ourselves for the long haul, and that means quality first. Generally you aren’t going to find anything that’s strictly crash-worthy for under $150US. And when you crest the $200US mark, you’re definitely entering the high safety zone. A quality pair of gloves is, in the end, cheap insurance and a smart investment.
Enter KLIM’s latest, their Element Long Gloves. While it’s still true that one design can’t fulfill all possible needs, KLIM has done an amazing job of getting us at least three-quarters of the way there. Heck, they even come equipped with Titanium knuckles and a built-in squeegee for whisking away rain, mud or snow from your goggles or faceguard!
What makes the Element Long gloves new is the extended wrist protection. KLIM also produces a Short version without the wrist extension. However, the only reason I’d opt for the Short v. Long is if the Long won’t fit into the cuffs of a riding jacket. Even then, consider getting a different jacket because the wrist area is delicate and so easily mangled. We’ve talked to many an experienced world traveler who can attest to that.
The gloves are very comfortable, but are also bulky and therefore best-suited for warm to cool weather. I’d also wear them in extreme riding conditions, no matter what the weather, especially where dropping the bike is expected.
KLIM’s Element Long gloves feature:
• GORE-TEX® Technology (GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY®)
• Extended full gauntlet length
• Highly mobility armor pivot system
• High-impact, aggressive Titanium knuckle protection with Poron® XRD™ impact protection
• Ultra-abrasion resistant Pittards® Armor-Tan® ceramic reinforced leather palm construction
• Aramid® reinforced abrasion and slide zones including forearm zone
• Silicone print traction grip
• Boxed finger construction with external seams
• Impact protected palm pad featuring Poron XRD extreme impact protection
• Pisiform bone protection pad featuring Poron XRD extreme impact protection
• Finger knuckle padding featuring Poron XRD extreme impact protection
• Outside pinky finger padding featuring Poron XRD extreme impact protection
• Back hand flex panel
• Pre-curved shaping and construction
• 3M Scotchlite™ Reflective accents on back of fingers and hand gauntlet
• Adjustable double Velcro wrist/gauntlet closure system
• Goggle/lens/shield squeegee
The Element Long are lifetime gloves—once you have a pair, you’re done. It’s rare to see this much armor fitting so comfortably, but its innovative products like this that we’ve come to expect from the folks at KLIM. MSRP: $229.99 (also available in Short for $169.99) KLIM.com
PROS |
CONS |
| ▲ Feature-packed extreme weather design | ▼ Expensive |
| ▲ Comfortable pre-curved grip | ▼ Not suitable for hot climates |
| ▲ Serious armor | |
| ▲ Built-in squeegee |
