Protective Road mitt

There’s no doubt these Protective road mitts live up to their name. Gel inserts and copious padding is everywhere these days but Protective's meticulous attention to detail distinguishes them from the competition.

Amara is a very practical and increasingly popular leather substitute and for good reason: it requires no feeding or proofing and can be popped in with the normal wash without shrinking or cracking. It provides a confident grip on even the wet, slippery bike ribbon like that presently adorns my Rough Stuff Tourer. Vented Lycra backs combine comfort and unrestricted airflow and while strictly speaking a road mitt, offer decent protection from foliage should you enjoy a ride on the wild side every now and then.

A generous acreage of terry material takes care of runny noses while the black livery with red and white detailing will complement almost anyone’s wardrobe. It all seems very run of the mill until you look closer at the extensive gel cushioning. Not only is there pronounced protection of the Ulnar nerve but also the carpal and meta-carpel areas. Rather than a single pad, gel pockets are strategically positioned to relieve pressure across the hand.

The Protective mitts offered excellent grip in all weathers and insulated my hands from road and trail buzz for several continuous hours. Cut is generous and longer fingers give greater protection to the knuckles without overly compromising dexterity when performing roadside adjustments, rummaging through a pannier or taking photographs. Caught in a shower, the prevalence of Lycra and cloth material means they absorb moisture quite readily but dry faster than the classic leather/crochet type. These aren't the cheapest mitts you'll find but they’ll quickly repay their investment if you’re prone to discomfort.

Verdict

Sharp detailing coupled with more strategic pressure relief gives these a slight edge over outwardly similar mitts.