Alpinestars Stella SMX 1 Air v2 Gloves Review: Best for 2024 Riding Season?

With endless options for motorcycle gloves on the market today, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which ones check all the boxes for your needs and budget. That’s where the updated Alpinestars Stella SMX-1 Air V2 gloves aim to simplify your buying decision.

In this detailed Alpinestars Stella SMX 1 Air v2 review, we’ll analyze the key features of these popular women’s gloves to help you determine if they offer the ultimate blend of protection, comfort, and value for your street and track rides.

But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for women? Let’s find out!

Alpinestars Stella SMX-1 Air V2 Gloves – The Verdict

The Alpinestars Stella SMX-1 Air V2 gloves live up to their reputation as immensely versatile warm-weather riding gloves packed full of features.

Impressive airflow and ventilation pair with ample foam padding to achieve comfort and protection in equal measure.

The gloves’ pre-curved design accommodates natural hand positioning over long distances. Meanwhile, premium leather and suede elements provide exceptional abrasion resistance without limiting sensitivity. Add the CE certification testing for reassurance against minor spills.

For riding Sumo or racing MotoGP above the Tree Line, the new Stella series continues pushing boundaries in women’s motorcycle gloves. Given the quality, protection standards, and breathability, they offer fantastic value at just $70.

So, if you’re seeking durable summer gloves with confidence-inspiring safety, optimized female-specific fit, and excellent comfort, the Alpinestars Stella SMX-1 Air V2 ticks all the boxes. With so much versatility at this price point, they make it hard to pass up these impeccably-designed gloves.

Alpinestars Stella SMX-1 Air V2 Motorcycle Gloves Overview

The Alpinestars Stella series was specially developed to provide an optimal fit for female riders. As part of this women’s lineup, the SMX-1 Air V2 gloves blend perforated leather and air mesh for enhanced airflow during summer rides.

Strategic foam reinforcements offer impact protection without compromising feel and flexibility. Premium suede and leather palms supply superb grip and abrasion resistance, while stretch inserts across the fingers and knuckles promote dexterity and ease of movement.

With a velcro wrist closure and touchscreen-compatible index fingertip, the Stella SMX-1 Air V2 tick all the boxes for feature-packed warm-weather gloves. Best of all, they retail for just $$70, making them a budget-friendly option compared to competing products.

Key Features of the Alpinestars Stella SMX-1 Air V2 Gloves

Optimized Fit and Construction

Alpinestars designed the SMX-1 Air V2 gloves specifically for the contours of female hands. The advanced chassis combines perforated leather panels with 3D air mesh inserts for enhanced airflow and cooling performance.

Strategically placed stretch fabric between the fingers, knuckles, and outer palms allows for flexibility to reduce hand fatigue. Foam reinforcements add protective padding across high-impact zones.

Premium Palm Construction

The palm utilizes digital goatskin leather for abrasion resistance, with injected suede panels reinforcing the outer seams. This combination stands up to the rigors of everyday riding while providing excellent grip and feel.

The glove’s ergonomic insert between the palm and thumb promotes comfort for extended wear. Alpinestars also added integrated padding on the fingers for vibration dampening.

Carbon Composite Knuckle Protection

This glove features a molded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) hard knuckle protector for deflecting impacts to the hands in a crash. The unit has a carbon fiber composite overlay, adding style points.

Foam backing cushions the knuckles for a smooth feel against your bike’s controls. However, test knocks confirm the shield’s protective rigidity remains uncompromised.

Touchscreen Compatible Index Finger

On the left index finger, Alpinestars integrated conductive material to enable the use of touchscreen devices without removing your glove. This is handy for navigating GPS systems or smartphones on the fly.

Unfortunately, the design lacks touch functionality in the thumb. Having both fingers touch-capable allows for more convenient phone operation. Still, the index finger inclusion provides basic onboard tech control.

Other Features

• Neoprene wrist closure: Flexible and adjustable velcro wrist strap.
• CE certification (Level 1): Independently tested and rated for protective performance.
• Warranty: 1 year against manufacturing defects.
• Fit: True to size based on your hand measurements.
• Colors: Black, white, and black/pink.

How Do the Alpinestars Women’s SMX-1 Air V2 Gloves Perform?

Comfort and Breathability

With riding temps heating up, keeping your hands cool is a top priority for comfort. The laser-cut goat skin leather and 3D mesh panels allow constant airflow circulation inside the SMX-1 Air V2 gloves.

Despite the ventilation, strategically placed foam and suede reinforcement prevent the gloves from feeling flimsy. This technology combination provides impressive cooling without compromising protection.

The pre-curved design and stretch fabric between the fingers/knuckles promote natural hand movement. Rubberized padding around the thumb and outer hand rests easily against standard handlebar shapes for fatigue-free comfort.

Dexterity and Sensitivity

Thanks to stretch poly fabric on the fingers and outer knuckles, these gloves move with your hands without restriction. Alpinestars’ ergonomic insert connecting the thumb and palm ensures you maintain excellent tactile feedback for precise bike control.

The supple, premium goat skin leather construction offers unhindered grip and dexterity compared with many competing motorcycle gloves. You’ll love the balance between flexibility and security across all your hand movements.

Protection and Safety

With rugged carbon knuckle armor and foam reinforcements, the Stella SMX-1 Air V2 gloves provide peace of mind if the worst should happen. They carry a CE Level 1 certification after undergoing stringent independent testing.

The outer suede overlays boost slide resistance during any potential spills. That extra abrasion protection inspires confident handling, knowing your hands have trusted defense from road hazards.

Considering their budget-conscious cost, the protective qualities punch far above expectations for light summer motorcycle gloves.

Ride safely, and we’ll see you on the road!

Share this Review!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do the gloves have palm sliders?

A: No, there are no exterior palm sliders included. However, the leather and suede palm materials provide ample abrasion resistance to hold up in most low-speed slides.

Q: How long is the wrist strap?

A: The neoprene velcro wrist closure measures roughly 8 inches fully extended. This accommodates a wide range of wrist sizes.

Q: What are the gloves made from?

A: The main construction uses perforated goatskin leather, air mesh, poly-blend fabrics, foam reinforcements, and abrasion-resistant suede panels.

Q: Do these gloves run small or large?

A: The sizing runs true-to-size. Order your normal glove size, and you’ll get an ideal tailored fit.

Q: Is the palm material durable?

A: Yes, the premium digital goatskin leather palm stands up extremely well to abrasions while providing excellent grip and sensitivity. Alpinestars integrated further suede reinforcements over high-wear zones.

Q: Can you wash the gloves?

A: We recommend gentle hand washing only and allow them to fully air dry. Machine washing risks damage to leather, armor, and fabrics.

Q: What is the break-in period?

A: Expect minimal break-in thanks to the flexible, pre-curved anatomical design. The glove materials and construction offer great comfort with zero ride time.

Q: Do the fingers work with thick glove liners?

A: The slim, race-inspired build of the SMX-1 Air V2 gloves leaves little room for bulky liner gloves underneath. They excel as warm-weather riding gloves instead.

And Finally…

I hope this helps explain whether the versatile new Alpinestars Stella SMX-1 Air V2 gloves deserve a place in your riding kit.

Their optimized female-specific fit, exceptional airflow, abrasion protection, and CE certification punch well above their $70 price bracket.

Add the touchscreen index fingertip and soft, flexible feel, and you’ve got tremendous summer gloves packed with functionality.

Have you tried the updated SMX-1 Air V2 model yet? Share your experiences with fellow riders below. Ride fast, ride free, and enjoy the journey!

Previous Article: Alpinestars SPX V2 Gloves Review

Next Article: Highway 21 Radiant Glove Review

Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)