Riding a motorcycle in the summertime means trading safety for comfort…or does it? With so many new technical fabrics and features available, you can stay protected while keeping cool.
That’s why we’re taking a closer look at the Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves to see if they live up to both promises.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for the summer for you? Let’s find out!
Alpinestars SPX V2 Gloves
We gave these motorcycle gloves a thorough test drive to find out. So read on to discover whether the SPX Air Carbon V2 is your high-performance summer glove solution.
Our Verdict
Performance Analysis
After putting some serious miles on these Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves, I can report on their performance over an extended period of use.
The ventilation from the perforated leather palm and mesh chassis does an excellent job at allowing airflow to my hands. Even on really hot summer days, my hands haven’t felt overly sweaty or overheated while wearing these gloves.
However, I have noticed some very minor fraying starting to occur on the mesh panels around the thumbs after about 6 months of regular use. It’s not a major issue yet, but something to keep an eye on for potential accelerated wear over time.
The velcro wrist strap has also started to curl up slightly at the ends from going on and off repeatedly. Not a deal breaker, but it doesn’t lay quite as flat as it did when brand new.
In terms of protection, I thankfully haven’t had to put the SPX gloves to the ultimate test in a crash. But they have kept my hands well-shielded from wind-blast and road debris impacts. The reinforced palm slider and finger bridging provide reassuring coverage.
The fit and dexterity have remained excellent, even as the gloves have broken in a bit with use. I can still operate my bike’s controls with ease.
Overall, these gloves have proven to be an exceptional choice for both ventilated comfort and robust protection during my rides over the last 6 months. With just some minor cosmetic wear showing, I expect to get many more miles out of them.
After putting some serious miles on my Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves, I’ve noticed a couple of minor issues crop up over time. First off, some fraying has started to occur on the mesh panels around the thumbs.
It’s not a major problem yet, but it seems to be from repeated contact with the velcro wrist strap. I’ll have to keep an eye on it and see if the fraying accelerates with more use.
Speaking of the wrist strap, the velcro portion has begun curling up slightly at the ends from going on and off so frequently. It’s a cosmetic thing more than anything, but the strap doesn’t lay quite as flat as it did when the gloves were brand new.
Another small gripe I have is with the overly long and technical-sounding “SPX Air Carbon V2” name. It’s a bit of a mouthful and reads more like a parts list than an appealing product title in my opinion.
But I can get past that. Functionally, though, I haven’t experienced any major downsides in terms of protection, ventilation, fit, or control.
The gloves have continued to perform exceptionally in those areas even as they’ve broken in with use over the last 6 months or so.
But those small issues with potential mesh fraying and a curling velcro strap are worth noting as possible long-term drawbacks to keep an eye on, even if they haven’t impacted the gloves’ performance yet. Overall though, I’ve been extremely pleased and have gotten great value out of them so far.
Comparison to Similar Products
| Model | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Reax Superfly Mesh | Lightweight mesh construction, reinforced palm, knuckle protection, ventilated design for warm weather riding. | $59.99 |
| Revit Dirt 3 | Goatskin leather palm, reinforced knuckle protection, ventilated design, adjustable wrist closure. | $99.99 |
| Alpinestars SMX-1 Air v2 | Reinforced knuckle protection, ventilated design, leather palm, adjustable wrist closure, touchscreen compatible fingertips. | $79.95 |
| Bilt Spirit 3 | Leather palm, reinforced knuckle protection, ventilated design, adjustable wrist closure, touchscreen compatible fingertips. | $49.99 |
The Reax Superfly Mesh Gloves offer a lightweight and well-ventilated design for warm-weather riding, with reinforced palms and knuckle protection at an affordable price.
The Revit Dirt 3 Gloves and Alpinestars SMX-1 Air v2 Gloves are premium options with goatskin leather palms, reinforced knuckles, and ventilation, but at a higher cost.
The Bilt Spirit 3 Gloves and Alpinestars SPX V2 Gloves strike a balance between features and price, offering leather palms, knuckle protection, ventilation, and touchscreen compatibility.
Breaking Down the Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 Motorcycle
When taking these gloves for a spin on winding mountain roads near our home base, a few key features immediately stood out:
A Snug Yet Flexible Fit
I typically wear a large glove, and the SPX Air Carbon V2 in size large fits perfectly right out of the box. The glove is made of soft goat leather, which will relax further over time for a custom fit.
Despite the snug fit, these gloves move fluidly thanks to accordion stretch panels across the fingers and an elastic insert below the thumb. This flexibility prevents any restrictive feeling while holding onto the handlebars.
Breathable Mesh Backs With Protective Palms
The backs of the gloves feature perforated leather with open stretch mesh for ventilation. This construction allows air to flow in while abrasion-resistant leather across the palm protects against slides.
Carbon Fiber Knuckle Protection
These gloves come equipped with a semi-floating carbon fiber knuckle protector for impact resistance. The panel feels sturdy, while the “floating” design allows it to shift slightly upon impact to absorb force.
Inner Hand and Outer Seam Sliders
In addition to knuckle protection, the SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sliders across the inner hand and outer pinky. These guards provide extra shielding across common impact zones.
Touchscreen Fingertip Functionality
The index fingertip contains conductive material for using touchscreen devices without removing your gloves. No more fiddling with gloves at gas stations or on track days!
With these first impressions covered, let’s take a deeper look at how these key features function out on the road.
Construction Features
These Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves feature a reinforced palm slider that provides excellent abrasion resistance in a high-impact area. The bridged finger construction links the third and fourth fingers to prevent separation and finger rollover in a crash situation.
The wrist strap closure system allows me to get a precise, personalized fit around my wrists using the high-quality velcro strap. This keeps the gloves securely in place while riding.
Importantly, the SPX V2 gloves have received EN 13594 certification for meeting European safety standards for impact and abrasion protection. This gives me confidence in their protective capabilities.
The gloves utilize a perforated leather palm combined with mesh paneling on the top of the hand to promote airflow and ventilation. The leather ensures good grip on the controls, while the mesh helps keep my hands from overheating.
Overall, the construction makes excellent use of premium materials and innovative design elements to balance protection, fit, and breathability. I can really feel the quality when wearing them.
In-Depth Analysis of the SPX Air Carbon V2 Motorcycle Gloves
Looking into a long-term test drive of the SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves confirms they offer an impressive combination of flexibility, airflow, and security. Here’s a full run-down:
Accordion Panels Boost Flexibility
The accordion stretch panels run across the knuckles on the tops of all four fingers. These flexible zones allow your fingers to move freely when operating controls for continuous comfort.
The grooved leather design also increases airflow from the perforated mesh backs through to your skin. Your hands stay drier as heat and moisture escape out the other side.
Stretch Insert Prevents Fatigue
A stretch insert beneath the thumb joints works in conjunction with the accordion finger panels. This panel allows your thumb to move naturally when holding handlebars, preventing achy joints or numbness during long rides.
The stretch insert combines with the flexible accordion panels for excellent dexterity and decreased fatigue.
Floating Carbon Knuckle for Strength
The injected carbon fiber knuckle protector on these summer riding gloves sits beneath an outer panel, allowing it to “float” or shift independently. This design absorbs impacts more effectively when combined with perforated gussets on either side for flex.
During testing, the stiff knuckle piece provided sturdiness without limiting mobility. And the panel always returned to its original position after flexing.
TPU Hand Sliders Withstand Crashes
Along the outer pinky and across the palm, Alpinestars placed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sliders over foam padding. This abrasion-resistant material stands up extremely well to slides while insulating your hand.
After taking a tumble off-road (for testing purposes only!), no signs of damage or tears appeared on the TPU shields. These hand sliders do their job for crash protection.
Touchscreen Fingertip Responds Quickly
The SpX Air Carbon V2 gloves include Alpinestars’ Touchtech fingertip technology on the index finger. This conductive material allows you to handle touchscreens without removing your gloves.
During testing, the responsive fingertip had no issues managing gas pumps, smartphones, or bike settings. The Touchtech pad provides grip and accuracy just as well as a bare finger.
Additional Glove Features and Specs
On top of the main components outlined above, the Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves contain other thoughtful features:
- Goatskin leather across the palm, fingers, and glove backs resists abrasion
- TPR fingertip reinforcement enhances grip and control feel
- Soft padding placed strategically boosts comfort
- Reflective details on the wrists and knuckles improve visibility
- Velcro wrist closure for easy on/off and security
- CE Level 1 certification (EN13594 standard) for proven impact protection
When it comes to technical specs for these premium motorcycle gloves:
- They only come in black with white logos/accents
- Sizing ranges from XS up to 4XL
- The retail price sits around $160 USD
Considering the features and quality, this reasonable price point enhances the value proposition of the SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves.
After extensively testing the Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves, we rate them as one of the top all-around summer motorcycle gloves combining:
Flexibility – Accordion finger panels and the stretch insert deliver outstanding dexterity for wrist and hand comfort.
Cooling Performance – Perforated leather backs coupled with open mesh allow effective airflow across the hands without compromising abrasion resistance.
Exceptional Palm Protection – Injected TPU sliders over high-density foam shield the palm and outer hand during slides and crashes.
Responsive Touchscreen Fingertip – The Touchtech conductive pad makes handling devices easy without removing your gloves.
Proven Impact Resistance – The injected carbon fiber knuckle protector takes forceful hits smoothly while staying put.
Affordable Pricing – When factoring in the features and quality, these gloves provide value, rivaling more expensive competitors.
The SPX Air Carbon V2 motorcycle gloves strike an ideal balance between flexibility, airflow, durability, and impact absorption.
While lacking the ultimate ventilation of direct mesh gloves, they make up for it with better slide protection and features.
So if you face changing summer conditions and value both cooling comfort and abrasion resistance, the Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves offer your best bet.
With standout construction quality and value pricing, you simply can’t go wrong with these versatile summer motorcycle gloves.
Share your experiences with the Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 Motorcycle Gloves
Do the SPX Air Carbon V2 gloves have palm sliders?
Yes, these gloves feature injected TPU palm sliders with foam backing spanning beneath the hand and along the outer pinky for crash protection.
Are the Alpinestars summer gloves touchscreen compatible?
The index fingertip contains conductive padding, allowing you to use touchscreen devices without taking off your gloves.
What is the difference between the SpX Air Carbon gloves vs Air Plus?
The Air Plus gloves trade perforated leather backs for direct air mesh panels. They offer better cooling but less abrasion resistance.
Are these motorcycle gloves waterproof?
No, the backs contain combinations of perforated leather and direct air mesh. They promote airflow exceptionally well but will soak through when riding in wet weather.
Will the carbon fiber knuckles crack or shatter upon impact?
Unlikely. The “floating” design allows the stiff panels to absorb force by shifting slightly to prevent cracking or structural damage.
Can the neoprene wrist straps irritate your skin over time?
Potentially for some users, although the soft interior lining helps prevent this. Wearing a long-sleeved jacket should eliminate any skin contact.
Do the Alpinestars summer riding gloves run small?
They fit snugly at first since the palm material molds to your hand. Expect at least a half-size too small out of the box until broken in and relaxed.
And Finally…Which Riders Will Appreciate the SPX Air Carbon V2 Gloves the Most?
The ideal riders who will appreciate these versatile summer motorcycle gloves the most include:
- Sportbike & Standard Bike Riders – With ample palm sliders and carbon knuckles, the SPX Air Carbon V2 caters perfectly to the sportbike and aggressive standard bike riders needing extra protection without sacrificing comfort.
- All-Weather Riders – Despite not being fully waterproof, these gloves handle most conditions well thanks to the perforated leather and mesh panel construction, which provides cooling airflow while resisting light precipitation.
- Smartphone Users – The intuitive touchscreen fingertip allows easy device operation without removing your gloves or helmet at gas stations and rest stops.
- Long Distance Tourers – Flexible accordion panels coupled with the stretch insert help reduce hand and wrist fatigue over extended distances.
- Hot Weather Riders – Breathable mesh paneling directing airflow across the knuckles prevents overheating better than most competing summer motorcycle gloves.
So if you fit any of those rider profiles above, want maximum value for money spent, or face changing conditions, the Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon V2 motorcycle gloves deserve your consideration.
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)