Highway 21 Radiant Glove Review: Best Winter Riding Gloves Ever?

With so many motorcycle glove options on the market, it can be tough to decide which pair truly offers the best protection and value for your needs. That’s where the Alpinestars SP8 V3 motorcycle gloves come into play.

In this detailed Alpinestars SP8 V3 glove review, we’ll analyze the key features that make them a top choice for riders seeking hardcore protection for street riding and track days alike. You’ll discover whether or not the SP8 V3 is the ultimate high-performance glove solution to fulfill your motorcycling aspirations.

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

Our Highway 21 Radiant Final Verdict

Here is a comparison table for the Highway 21 Radiant Glove and 3 similar products:

Model	Features
Highway 21 Radiant	Lithium batteries, leather, waterproof liner, comfortable fit
Joe Rocket Windchill	Leather, armor, wrist closure, designed for cold weather
100% Brisker	Insulated soft-shell, single-layer palm for dexterity
REV’IT! Cassini H2O	Waterproof, adjustable, warm lining for cold and rainy conditions

The Highway 21 Radiant Glove offers the most advanced features with its heated lithium batteries but it is also the most expensive option. The Joe Rocket Windchill provides good cold weather protection at a mid-range price.

The 100% Brisker is the most affordable, focusing on insulation and dexterity. The REV’IT! Cassini H2O offers a good balance of waterproofing and warmth at a moderate price point.

A premium glove packed with protective prowess

Straight away, you can clearly see that the Alpinestars SP8 V3 gloves mean serious business. Their menacing exterior silhouette hints at the advanced protective potential within.

But this marvel of motorcycling handwear doesn’t just look the part – the SP8 V3 actually delivers hardcore high-speed protection, too.

• So, what makes these premium motorcycle gloves so proficient at fending off impact forces?
• And why should you choose them over rival models from other big brands?

Below, we’ll scrutinize the Alpinestars SP8 V3 gloves (1) inside and out. You’ll see first-hand what sets them apart from the competition when it comes to keeping your paws safe on the streets or circuit.

Anatomy of a safety masterpiece

Modern motorsport gloves need to balance flexibility, feel, and armoring. Premium protection must integrate seamlessly with an ergonomic design that allows intuitive bike control.

Alpinestars nails this synergy with the SP8 V3 motorcycle gloves thanks to features like:

• Strategically positioned carbon fiber knuckle protectors
• KEVLAR® finger reinforcements
• Pre-curved design with Lycra gussets
• Silicone texture grip zones

Combined, these elements enable a supple glove fit that doesn’t impede motion. Yet the SP8 V3 still manages to shield your hands from harm when accidents happen at speed.

Carbon fiber knuckles = light yet strong shielding

Glance at the SP8 V3 gloves, and your eyes instantly lock onto the carbon fiber knuckles protruding boldly outward. Exposed carbon housings like these dissipate and disperse impact forces safely. So, even though the knuckle armor looks slender, it outperforms bulkier alternatives.

Alpinestars wisely opted for carbon fiber over plastic or TPU shields here too. Why? In a nutshell:

• Carbon fiber sets the standard for strength-to-weight ratios
• It’s profoundly rigid yet featherlight
• A high stiffness-to-density ratio means GFRC carbon can withstand tremendous force

Bottom line? Your knuckles couldn’t ask for a tougher yet more flexible guardian.
Bike GlovesProtectors Overview

Protectors	Material	Protection Level	Weight	Flexibility
Carbon Fiber	Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)	Very High	Very Low	High
Plastic	Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)	Medium	Medium	Medium
Foam	Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)	Low	Low	High

KEVLAR® reinforces high abrasion zones

It’s all well and good, shielding your knuckles from trauma. But motorcycle accidents also scuff up other zones like fingertips, palms, and outer hands.

That’s why Alpinestars integrated KEVLAR® fiber reinforcements across the SP8 V3 glove’s entire chassis.

Most abrasion injuries occur on the palms, outer hands, and fingers. So, KEVLAR® inserts to bolster these contact points make perfect sense. The added abrasion resistance minimizes tissue damage during get-offs, saving skin graft nightmares down the line.

Pre-curved ergonomics prevent hand strain

Gloves feeling too tight or restrictive leads to hand strain during long rides. The SP8 V3’s pre-curved shaping ensures a natural grip right off the bat.

So rather than battling to bend overly stiff gloves to hold bars, you can simply hop aboard and ride for hours minus fatigue.

Matched with flexible Lycra inserts across the knuckles and fingers, the snug-yet-comfy SP8 V3 fit also enhances road feel and control authority.

Alpinestars SP8 V3 gloves weatherproofing

We all ride in less-than-ideal conditions sometimes. So besides flex and protection, weatherproofing was clearly crucial in the SP8 V3 glove blueprint.

The exterior leather construction inherently isolates from wind chill to a degree. But Alpinestars added a water-resistant liner beneath the hide, too. So light rain and splashes mostly bead away rather than soak through to your skin.

Ventilation perforations on the finger flanks allow moisture build-up to escape as well. However, the SP8 V3 definitely favors cooler and drier conditions over intense summer heat. If you ride year-round or live in hotter climes, a more heavily vented summer glove deserves consideration, too.

Extra SP8 V3 features and handy touches

Beyond the core protective and ergonomic features covered already, Alpinestars crammed a few other practical touches into the SP8 V3 gloves as well:

• Touchscreen compatible fingertip pads – easily access device screens without removing gloves
• Visor wipe surface on thumb – clear fog/dirt smudges off your visor when needed
• Suede palm reinforcement – improves grip security further
• Finger bridge pull loops – help tug tight gloves on
• Wrist cuff closure – ensures a personalized, secure fit
• Silicon printed logos – shave weight over embroidered badges

Sizing, comfort, and feel

With rough metrics out the way, how do the Alpinestars SP8 V3 actually feel out on the road?

In terms of comfort, sizing seems fairly generous, and the pre-curved shape keeps hand strain at bay even at full lean. Palm padding thickness hits a nice medium – not too thin that you sense hand-numbing vibration, but not overly bulky that feel and control are hampered either.

The carbon knuckle shells and KEVLAR® inserts integrate stealthily, too. Sominus has a little thumb/index finger overlap stiffness, but overall grip mobility stays nice and neutral. Vision and visor access aren’t obstructed whatsoever, and neither are they during general riding.

Here is a sizing chart for both men’s and women’s motorcycle gloves:

Men’s Sizes:

Size	Hand Circumference (cm)
XS	18
S	20
M	22
L	24
XL	24.5
XXL	25

Women’s Sizes:

Size	Hand Circumference (cm)
XS	16
S	18
M	20
L	22
XL	24

To determine your glove size:

1. Measure the circumference of your dominant hand just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb.
2. Choose the size that corresponds to your hand measurement in centimeters.

A few tips:

• If you are between sizes, opt for the larger size for a more comfortable fit.
• Some brands may have slight variations in their sizing. When in doubt, consult the specific size chart provided by the manufacturer.
• Keep in mind that gloves will break in and conform to your hand shape over time. A snug fit is preferable to a loose glove for optimal control and protection.

With the correct size, your new motorcycle gloves will provide the best combination of comfort, dexterity, and protection for your rides. Be sure to try on several sizes to find the perfect fit for you.

Compared to rival glove contenders

We’ve established that the SP8 V3 punches well above its class in terms of advanced protection and weatherproofing. But how do other core criteria stack up against popular rival sport riding gloves?

Here’s a bird’s-eye spec comparison covering the key digits you care about:
Motorbike GlovesComparison Table

Model	Protection	Weatherproofing	Comfort & Fit	Overall
Alpinestars SP8 V3	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Racer Mickey Classic	⭐⭐	⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Icon Hypersport	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐

Verdict: Luxury protection with the price tag to match

There’s no denying the SP8 V3 gloves sit at the higher end of the market regarding dollars. But you’re paying for uncompromised hand protection design geared towards performance riding goals.

If you simply pootle around town at low speeds, the price here doesn’t justify the investment. However, for riders who push higher limits or face higher risks, the SP8 V3 proposition seems an astute choice overall.

Alpinestars SP8 V3 gloves: Final thoughts

After scrutinizing these flagship gloves inside out here, let’s recap the crucial question we aimed to answer at the start of this review:

Are the Alpinestars SP8 V3 gloves the best-armored motorcycle gloves for you?

If maximum protection trumps budget for your needs: Undoubtedly YES

If you seek hardcore armoring yet still prize value, Worth considering

If style and branding matter besides safety: A resounding YES

So, in summary, for riders who demand uncompromised impact and abrasion resistance across varied riding conditions, the Alpinestars SP8 V3 gloves deliver on that promise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Alpinestars SP8 V3 gloves last?

With leather construction and heavy-duty armoring, expect at least 2-3 years of hard riding use from the SP8 V3 gloves with proper care and maintenance.

Do the SP8 V3 gloves run small or large in size?

In general, the sizing seems quite forgiving and true-to-size. Alpinestars provides a detailed size guide on their site to help choose the ideal fit too.

Can you repair damaged SP8 V3 gloves?

Small scuffs or abrasions can often be patched up decently at home. But for specialist repairs on seams/armor components, consulting a gear repair shop makes sense.

Share your own Alpinestars SP8 V3 review!

Have you owned or tested the Alpinestars SP8 V3 gloves personally? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let us know how you rate their fit, sizing, comfort, and protection factors in the real world.

And finally, Ride on safely!

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