The right motorcycle gloves can provide crucial protection in the event of an accident while also enhancing comfort and control.
But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to decide which gloves are right for your needs and budget.
That’s where the Alpinestars SP8 V3 gloves come in. In this detailed SP8 V3 review, we’ll examine whether these gloves live up to their promise of offering top-tier security paired with unrivaled comfort.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best-armored motorcycle gloves for you? Let’s find out!
By scrutinizing their construction and ergonomics across key metrics, you’ll discover whether the SP8 V3 is truly the ultimate glove for your street rides or track days.
Alpinestars GP Pro R3 Gloves
Key Takeaways
- Better protection, less money
- Ideal intermediate track glove
Redesigned stretch panels improve fit
Alpinestars SP8 V3 Review – The Verdict
Inspecting the SP8 V3 across core metrics and in the context of competing intermediate racing gloves, they emerge as a standout choice pairing smartly designed protection with intuition ergonomic design mostly unmatched at their price tier.
Key advantages like CE level 2 certification, premium leather construction with kangaroo palm, accordion stretch panels for flexibility, pre-curved grip alignment, and generously padded TPU armor justify cost increases over standard riding gloves without approaching extravagant pricing ceilings.
While no product fully optimizes every dimension, any limitations seem modest and understandable tradeoffs for cost containment rather than negligent oversights.
On balance, Alpinestars advanced the SP8 lineage admirably with the V3 – realizing refinements that place it firmly among the premier racing/performance gloves for riders unwilling to overspend but expecting hard-won design maturity that fully equips them for intense riding applications.
A Legacy of Legendary Motorcycle Gear
Founded in 1963, Alpinestars has over 50 years of experience crafting high-performance protective gear for professional motorcycle racers.
Their innovations trickle down into products designed for street riders. This pedigree gives Alpinestars unparalleled insights into the anatomical needs of riders at all levels.
The Alpinestars SP8 V3 represents the third generation in their series of premier riding gloves. While retaining the core DNA of previous versions, the “V3” designation indicates notable upgrades to comfort, protection, and value.
Now, let’s analyze how the SP8 V3 stacks up across critical metrics for motorcycle gloves.
Materials and Construction – The Foundations of Safety
The first responsibility of motorcycle gloves is keeping riders’ hands and wrists safe in the event of a crash. For this reason, construction quality and materials are paramount.
The SP8 V3 uses a strategic mix of cow leather and kangaroo leather with kangaroo leather across the palm.
Kangaroo leather offers unparalleled abrasion resistance – exceeding that of cowhide. Its suppleness and thin profile enhance feel and grip, too. Cowhide leather panels provide flexibility in non-critical zones.
The gloves also incorporate Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) plastic armor. Strategically injected TPU armor over the fingers and knuckles shield against abrasion and impacts while remaining flexible to avoid restricting movement.
The SP8 V3 employs Alpinestars’ outer seam palm construction. This places insulating stitching on the glove’s exterior instead of against the rider’s skin.
The approach enhances comfort while positioning durable thread where it’s most likely to contact the ground during a slide.
Reinforced land-and-sea cowhide along the edge of the palm and base of the thumb provides additional abrasion protection and sturdiness right where they’re most needed – the contact points during a crash.
The SP8 V3’s layered construction leaves no stone unturned in the quest for premium protection. Now, let’s examine whether the ergonomic design fulfills the comfort and control requirements for performance riding.
Ergonomics and Comfort – Performance Enabling Design
While safety remains the priority, motorcycle gloves must also be comfortable and dexterous for riders to perform at their best. Bulky, stiff materials may offer robust protection at the cost of feel, grip, and overall ride quality.
The SP8 V3 strikes an optimal balance using ergonomic stretch inserts placed strategically across stress zones for the optimal combination of flexibility and protection.
Accordion leather stretch panels along the fingers and back of the hand provide pliability without compromising abrasion resistance.
Generous Lycra gussets between the fingers enhance airflow circulation to keep hands cool even during intense riding sessions. Touch tip padding offers supplementary comfort and insulation across the fingers.
The pre-curved finger construction mirrors natural grip contours for reduced fatigue, while a silicone print along the inner fingers and palm facilitates slip resistance. A 3D anatomical relief structure reduces pressure points across the hand.
For adjustability, a dual wrist closure system with a TPR wrist catcher allows riders to tailor the snugness to their exact preferences. The long gauntlet cuff design integrates smoothly with most motorcycle jackets as well.
With a clear emphasis on ergonomic design to benefit performance, next, we’ll inspect how the SP8 V3 stacks up for racetrack and racing needs.
Track and Competition Readiness
Various motorsports federations mandate gear standards for competition. The SP8 V3 carries a CE Category 2 certification – meeting stringent European impact and abrasion resistance requirements. This makes them approved for track days or entry-level competition like novice racing leagues.
Their minimalist track glove profile helps reduce muscle fatigue from wind resistance at high speeds while still allowing ample freedom of movement.
Kangaroo leather, cowhide, and TPU plastic all have melting points sufficiently high to prevent them from deforming from the extreme heat of racing friction.
However, riders participating in events governed by higher tier certifications like FIM or FIA should opt for gloves with supplementary protection like sliders, carbon knuckles, and titanium plating like the Alpinestars Supertech R. But for most track day riders, the SP8 V3 offers ample security.
The next section dives deeper into subtle SP8 V3 details that make them uniquely optimal among intermediate racing gloves.
Standout Features and Details
Beyond the broader categories above, well-designed motorcycle gloves incorporate many thoughtful touches to enhance the riding experience. Let’s shine the spotlight on some of the SP8 V3’s standout attributes:
- Pre-Curved Fingers – Most gloves utilize straight-cut designs requiring a break-in period before matching the closed grip profile. Pre-contouring the SP8 V3 to grip positions provides immediate comfort.
- Touchscreen Padding – Conductive padding along the trigger finger allows operating touchscreen devices without removing gloves.
- Silicone Fingertip Grips – Silicon tread along inner fingers prevents handlebars and grips from slipping even when wet.
- Ventilated Knuckles – patch, plug, seal, stopper; barrier, blockage, obstacle, obstruction</div></div><div class=break></div></div><div class=mw-wikipedia-container><div class=glossary_mw_wikipedia><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perforation" target="_blank">Perforation</a> (Wikipedia)</div><p>A <b>perforation</b> is a small hole in a thin material or web. There is usually more than one perforation in an organized fashion, where all of the holes collectively are called a <i>perforation</i>. The process of creating perforations is called <b>perforating</b>, which involves removing bits of the workpiece with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool" title="Tool">tool</a>. Old-fashioned lick-and-stick postage stamps are perforated. When a tool makes small cuts in the material (without removing anything) it is called 'rouletting', because that tool often resembles a roulette wheel, with blades around the edge. Raffle tickets are a good example of rouletting. </p><div class=break></div></div><div class=mw-wiktionary-container><div class="glossary_mw_wiktionary"><a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/perforation" target="_blank">Perforation</a> (Wiktionary)</div><h2 id="English">English</h2> <h3 id="Pronunciation">Pronunciation</h3> <ul><li>Rhymes: <span>-eɪʃən</span></li></ul> <h3 id="Noun">Noun</h3> <p><span><strong class="Latn headword" lang="en">perforation</strong> (<i>countable and uncountable</i>, <i>plural</i> <b class="Latn form-of lang-en p-form-of" lang="en">perforations</b>)</span> </p> <ol><li>The act of perforating or the state of being perforated.</li> <li>Any opening in a solid object.</li> <li><span><span>(</span><span>medicine</span><span>)</span></span> An abnormal opening in an organ, such as a rupture.</li> <li>A series of holes punched through something in order to assist in separating parts.</li> <li><span><span>(</span><span>mathematics</span><span>)</span></span> That portion of a surface that remains after an open disk is removed from it.</li></ol> <h4 id="Derived_terms">Derived terms</h4> <h4 id="Translations">Translations</h4> <h2 id="French">French</h2> <h3 id="Etymology">Etymology</h3> <p>From <span>Latin</span> <i class="Latn mention" lang="la">perforātiōnem</i>.</p><div class="break"></div></div></div>" data-mobile-support="0" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]' tabindex="0" role="link">Perforation behind the knuckles promotes airflow circulation to keep hands cool.
- Elongated Wrist Cuff – Extends over jacket cuffs for seamless integration with riding gear.
- TPU Logo – Molded thermoplastic Alpinestars callouts avoid peeling or cracking issues of printed/heat transfer logos.
- Finger Bridges – Reduces seam strain during finger flexion and prevents material from separating between digits.
- Kevlar® Lining – Supplements abrasion resistance and dissipates heat buildup from friction.
These purposeful elements showcase the SP8 V3’s design maturity – clearly optimized over successive generations to provide riders with the ultimate intermediate racing glove.
While excelling across critical metrics, no product achieves absolute perfection. The next section notes areas where rivals may hold an edge over the SP8 V3.
Downsides and Compromises
Despite an exceptional overall package, the SP8 SP8 V3 does entail certain compromises buyers should acknowledge:
- Limited Colorways – With 5 options, riders looking for specific color matches may need to look elsewhere.
- No Visor Wipe – Lacks a soft patch to wipe helmet visors clear without scratching.
- Minimal Knuckle Vents – Improved from past versions but still less airflow than some competitors.
- No Palm Slider – Unprotected palm exposed in the event of slide with arms crossed.
However, these limitations mainly tie back to factors like pricing constraints and target consumer segments rather than outright oversights.
And none meaningfully undermine the SP8 V3’s core premise of offering superior value and versatility.
SP8 V3 Pricing and Value Proposition
Now for the moment of truth – inspecting whether the SP8 V3 justifies its price point compared to rival intermediate racing gloves.
At a retail cost of approximately $260, the SP8 V3 positions itself as a premium glove, but not exorbitantly so.
The glove’s robust safety features, including CE Level 2 certification, kangaroo leather, carbon knuckle protection, and ample armor, warrant the elevated outlay.
And they still cost around 20% less than prior SP8 versions, with Alpinestars passing manufacturing economies and efficiencies back to consumers.
When examining key functionalities like comfort, construction quality, aesthetic design, and protection, the SP8 V3 either matches or exceeds nearly all competitors in the $200 to $300 range.
As a package, they deliver a gratifying synthesis of essential racing glove performance categories for riders focused on value.
For those looking for outright premium features like touchscreen conductive fingertips, kevlar palm sliders, kangaroo leather across the entire glove, and carbon fiber knuckles, Alpinestars and other manufacturers offer higher-end models.
But for many riders, those elements may constitute overkill while carrying significantly higher price tags.
The SP8 V3 artfully balances, providing vital security and crafted ergonomics all while keeping costs reasonable for enthusiasts not requiring stratospheric price points – making them widely appealing for aggressive street and amateur track riding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Alpinestars glove offers the most protection?
The Supertech R race gloves represent Alpinestars’ maximum protection option using enhancements like full kangaroo leather construction, carbon fiber knuckles, Kevlar palm reinforcement, and titanium plating with a GP Pro-derived chassis.
How does kangaroo leather compare to cowhide in motorcycle gloves?
Kangaroo leather exceeds cowhide in abrasion resistance by around 25% owing to its tighter fiber composition. It’s also thinner, allowing better feel and dexterity. The compromise is a pricier material cost.
Do I need competing racing certifications for amateur track days and novice racing?
CE Level 2 certification, like on the SP8 V3, provides sufficient protection for non-professional events. Higher credentialling chiefly applies to elite tier national/global championship competitions.
What glove features help most for summers?
Prioritize airflow-promoting elements like perforated/mesh materials, knuckle/finger ventilation, and moisture-wicking linings to mitigate overheating and perspiration buildup issues intensified by hot weather.
Does Alpinestars make product-specific gloves for motorcycle brands?
No – Alpinestars targets gloves to riding segments rather than specific motorcycles. Riders concerned with colorway matching may browse options among various manufacturers that use white or black prominently.
And Finally…
Finding optimally balanced motorcycle gloves capable of managing the unique pressure points of performance riding doesn’t prove easy or economical until you discover thoughtfully engineered pieces like Alpinestars SP8 V3.
If you found this review useful, don’t forget to share it with fellow riding enthusiasts looking for insights on protecting their most valuable riding asset – their hands. Ride Safe!
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