I’m always on the lookout for high-quality riding gear that combines protection, comfort, and style. But with so many options out there, it can be tricky to determine if a product actually delivers on its promises.
That’s why I was eager to check out Icon’s newest glove offering to see if it lives up to the hype. The Axis hits a sub-$100 price point, making it relatively affordable compared to premium alternatives.
After taking it out on the road during a few warm weather rides, does this glove provide a good bang for your buck?
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for hot weather for you? Read on for my full review and recommendations.
ICON 1000 Axys Gloves
Key Takeaways
- Good value summer glove option
- Lightweight with decent protection
- Lacks touchscreen finger functionality
A Lightweight and Breathable 3 Season Glove
First up, the Icon Axis is designed specifically as a three-season glove for warmer riding conditions. It’s not heavily perforated, but the materials used make it lightweight and promote airflow.
Goatskin leather makes up the majority of the construction, with a comfortable diamond pattern cowhide palm reinforcement for grip and abrasion resistance.
The backs of the fingers feature neoprene panels that allow the glove to breathe better. I wore a size large, which fit well with a snug but comfortable feel.
Icon gloves cater more towards American hand shapes, similar to what I’ve found with Speed and Strength and Firstgear sizes.
For reference, I have to size up to an XL for most Alpinestars gloves to get the right fit. So far, so good in terms of delivering a warm-weather glove for casual street riding.
Visually Striking Style with Motorcycle-Specific Protection
Next up, you expect Icon to bring style and attention to detail in the looks department – and the Axis doesn’t disappoint.
The black-on-black colorway looks stealthy and clean, with great branding integration. You’ve got reflective printed logos on the fingers, a debossed Icon 1000 logo on the back of the hand, and an eye-catching printed graphic on the wrist cuff.
The knuckle is overlaid with a TPU shield, providing impact absorption right where you need it most. The knuckle protector extends into D3O foam padding on the back, giving additional defense for the hands.
Icon also added proper motorcycle-specific palm sliders, using diamond patterns and reinforced material for abrasion resistance in a slide.
The marriage of style and protection hits the mark for the intended use case as a rider-focused lightweight glove.
Where Could the Axis Improve?
Before giving my final verdict, I have two small complaints that keep the Axis from being a perfect glove, given its pricing and positioning.
First, I really expected a touchscreen-compatible index finger for controlling a motorcycle GPS or smartphone. This seems like an easy addition that’s near-mandatory these days, especially on a street riding glove.
Second, there’s no additional reinforcement on the outseam to prevent ripping in a crash. The elastic panel might help, but it could easily burst open. Some light outside protection would make me feel more confident.
Recommended as an Affordable, Rider-Focused Summer Glove
To wrap things up, I think Icon’s new Axis glove hits the value sweet spot, coming in under $100 but offering features and quality that rival more expensive options.
Yes, it skips a touchscreen finger and outseam protection. But the durable leather construction, flexible comfort panels, and motorcycle-minded palm sliders, and knuckle protection make this a great lightweight glove for warm-weather street riding.
As a bonus, the Axis looks fantastic, with Icon’s usual moto styling and fine attention to design details. If you want a premium full-featured glove, check out options like the Alpinestars GP Pro.
But for casual summer rides under $100, the Icon Axis gets my recommendation for offering the ideal balance of protection, function, and standout aesthetics.
I’m curious what other riders think about Icon’s latest glove after checking it out. Have you worn the Axis already? Let me know your experience in the comments! I’ll do my best to answer any questions you have as well.
FAQ
What protection standards does the Icon Axis glove meet?
The Icon Axis glove is not specifically certified to any particular protection standard. However, it does incorporate abrasion-resistant leather construction and strategically placed impact foam and sliders to provide better protection in a motorcycle crash scenario compared to a standard fashion glove.
While not tested to a specific standard, it offers better impact and slide protection than you’d expect, given the affordable price point and lightweight feel.
How does the Axis glove compare to other Icon offerings?
The Icon Axis fills the role of a lightweight, flexible, and affordable summer riding glove in Icon’s lineup. It sits below premium all-season gloves like the Icon Overlord and the Icon Patrol Waterproof gloves.
The Axis has less protection than Icon’s high-end track and racing offerings like the Superduty 5 and Airflite Battlescar 2.
However, with its combination of flexibility, ventilation, and protection, it compares most directly to the similar Icon Anthem mesh glove, which also aims for lightweight, warm weather-riding usability. Both the Axis and Anthem provide good bang for your buck.
What is the Axis glove made of?
The primary outer construction of the Icon Axis glove is diamond goatskin leather, with flexible neoprene paneling on the backhand knuckles and finger backs.
The palm features diamond cowhide reinforcement for extra abrasion resistance, and the glove also incorporates D3O impact foam in the knuckle protector for dissipating crash energy.
Finally, an elastic wrist panel, microhook wrist closure, and other textile panels round out the glove. The materials provide an ideal balance of flexibility, ventilation, and protection for street use.
And Finally…
The Icon Axis brings together affordable pricing, versatility, and rider-focused protection to offer a compelling summer glove option for street riders.
While not loaded with premium features, it excels at nailing the core needs for warmer weather biking. Add in Icon’s usual standout styling chops, and you’ve got easy justification to pick up a pair to keep your paws safe this riding season!
Let me know what other gloves you’re considering for spring and summer riding. I’m always on the lookout for new products to review and share my perspective on what works (and what misses the mark!).
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Sources: Motorcycle Gloves Market: (1)