Most riders need no introduction to the Icon brand. Over the past two decades, they’ve built a reputation for pushing boundaries and never compromising on quality.
The Hooligan gloves carry on that tradition, leveraging the latest in material technology to create a motorcycle glove (1) that can handle serious urban riding while retaining top-notch comfort and feel.
In this comprehensive first-hand Icon Hooligan Facelift Gloves review, I’ll be breaking down all the key features that make the Icon Hooligan gloves such a versatile choice:
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best urban motorcycle gloves for you? Explore how Hooligan offers the best gear for those who need maximum performance. Let’s find out.
Icon Hooligan Facelift Gloves
Key Takeaways
- Add liner to waterproof glove
- Flexible armor absorbs impacts
- Purpose-built for urban warfare
Our Verdict On The Icon Hooligan Facelift
For me personally, the lightweight backhand mesh allows superb ventilation to prevent overheating without compromising safety, a testament to why Hooligan offers the best blend for those who need maximum performance in a minimal chassis. I tend to run hot, so maximum airflow is a top priority – they check that box for sure.
One potential drawback I found was that they lack the heavyweight insulation or waterproofing required for true winter riding.
However, adding Icon’s optional Hipora insulating liner transforms them into a remarkably warm and dry winter glove able to handle even wet snow and freezing temps.
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Comparison with Competitors
| Product Name | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Alpinestars SMX-2 Air Carbon v2 | Carbon fiber knuckle protection, Jessica waterproof lining |
| Held Paxton | Kangaroo leather construction, viscoelastic foam padding, pre-curved fingers |
| Reax Tasker Leather | 100% drum-dyed goatskin leather, rubberized reinforcements, slippery coating |
The Icon Hooligan stand out for their lightweight and flexible construction using vented polyester mesh and Amara synthetic leather, catering to bikers who need performance in a minimal chassis.
They offer molded TPU protectors for serious impact absorption. The optional Hipora insulating liner also enables winter usability.
Key advantages over the Alpinestars option include better airflow from the mesh backhand along with a more affordable price point. The Icon construction appears more robust as well.
Compared to the Held Paxton, the Icon Hooligan has the benefit of a ventilated back panel for superior airflow during hot weather riding. The Held Kangaroo material likely offers better abrasion protection,
Finally, the Tasker model from Reax relies on all-leather construction rather than textile mesh panels. I think this may provide slightly better durability but compromises ventilation. The Icon Amara palm has proven itself highly durable nonetheless.
Material and Construction
The Hooligan features a lightweight material and construction vented polyester mesh backhand mated to an AX Laredo palm overlay. This optimized combination offers flexibility where you need it while retaining chafing protection.
The AX Laredo is Icon’s proprietary mix of synthetic and durable textiles engineered to provide excellent grip without compromising feel or flexibility. It’s been designed to hold up wash after wash while retaining shape.
Reinforcements made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) have been strategically positioned on the palm and outer fingers to provide extra abrasion and impact protection.
Additional TPU armor on the outer knuckles and backhand guard against trauma while remaining flexible enough never to restrict movement.
For colder riding conditions, a thin yet surprisingly warm 100g Hipora waterproof, windproof, and breathable insulating liner can be added as well, ensuring bikers are covered in all aspects.
Impact Protection and Armor
The Icon Hooligan provides serious impact and abrasion protection using armor for the inevitable get-offs common in real-world urban riding.
The knuckle armor uses a molded TPU protective and flexible construction. It absorbs and disperses energy on impact far better than cheaper padded protectors while enabling a comfortable range of motion. This means you get maximum protection without any restrictions or loss of feel while operating the controls.
An internal padded knuckle protector provides an additional layer of shock absorption for the knuckles. The external hard armor works in conjunction with the internal pad to provide excellent protection.
The thumb is reinforced with a molded rubber protector and an extra patch of durable textile on the outer edge to prevent chafing from the throttle and other bike components.
Padding built into the palm helps dampen vibration and impact when riding over less-than-perfect tarmac.
Fingertip reinforcements utilize durable Amara textile that stands up to abrasion far better than leather or any other textile. This ensures that an excellent feel and grip are retained even after months of hard riding.
Comfort and Fit
Finding the optimal balance between comfort, fit, and protection isn’t easy, but Icon seems to have nailed it with the Hooligan mitts.
They incorporate spandex gussets between the fingers, which allow effortless flexing without binding and are suitable for bikers looking for maximum performance in a minimal chassis. Pre-curved fingers reduce fatigue on longer rides as well.
The lightweight mesh back panel, ergonomically tapered wrist opening with stretch lycra, and flexible knuckle armor all combine to enable a fantastic feel on the bars without ever feeling bulky or restrictive.
I tested them over several weeks in real-world conditions, from stop-and-go urban commutes to long freeway hauls to weekend twisty sessions. They performed brilliantly across all scenarios.
They are secured via an adjustable wrist closure tab. A secondary heavy-duty wrist strap with a secure hook-and-loop fastener ensures a tight seal and helps keep the gauntlet overlay in place.
For cold-weather commuting, the optional insulating Hipora liner provides outstanding warmth without compromising their flexibility or feel, making it an ideal addition.
They are pre-curved to reduce hand fatigue, so comfort isn’t compromised even during multi-hour rides.
Icon Men’s Sizing Chart
| SIZE | HAND CIRCUMFERENCE (IN) |
|---|---|
| SM | 6.5-7 |
| MD | 7.5-8 |
| LG | 8.5-9 |
| XL | 9.5-10 |
| 2XL | 10.5-11 |
| 3XL | 11.5-12 |
| 4XL | 12.5-13 |
Ventilation and Breathability
Proper ventilation is crucial, especially on warmer rides. To that end, the entire backhand panel utilizes an open-weave ventilated polyester mesh construction that allows ample airflow.
This keeps the hand cool while wicking away sweat and moisture buildup. Combined with the thinner synthetic Amara palm overlay, the Hooligan breathes far better than most heavier winter mitts, offering the best performance for motorcycles that need maximum flexibility.
The Hipora insulating liner mentioned earlier does an excellent job regulating temperature as well. It uses a proprietary hollow fiberfill insulation that traps warm air while allowing moisture vapor to pass through. This prevents the soggy, wet feeling common with lower-quality insulating liners.
On the Road Performance
Now that we’ve covered Hooligan’s features and construction let’s dive into how they actually perform on the road.
Grip and Control
With its wiped surface finish, the Amara synthetic palm provides outstanding grip and control in wet and dry conditions.
The Hooligan’s textured finish positively affects the grip without feeling sticky or affecting long-term durability, as some grip patterns can, making it ideal for motorcycles that need maximum performance.
The pre-curved fingers make operating the clutch and brake levers completely effortless, while the padding reduces road vibration transmitted through the bars. This enables excellent bike control and reduced fatigue.
Reinforced thumb panels positioned for both left and right-handed styles protect against chafing damage from throttle bodies and brake cables while retaining flexibility.
Overall, the Hooligan provides a very intuitive and responsive experience regardless of the bike or conditions. The Amara material is top-notch.
Durability and Longevity
All components of the Icon Hooligan have been engineered for hard-use commuting for durability and longevity. As long as they are cared for properly, I expect them to last through several seasons of regular use.
The Amara synthetic leather stands up very well to erosion while retaining flexibility. TPU knuckle armor helps disperse impact force without cracking.
Reinforcements across the outer fingers are made from durable textiles designed for motorcycle mitts.
The adjustable wrist closure and heavy-duty wrist strap show no signs of deterioration or wear even after repeated twisting and friction from jacket sleeves.
One area susceptible to faster breakdown is the hook-and-loop fastener. Keeping this interface clean and using proper laundering practices helps prolong its useful life.
Following Icon’s care instructions, I believe they will last for years of hard urban commuting. Their robust construction leaves little doubt they will go the distance.
Weter Resistance
On their own, the Icon Hooligan provides decent water resistance thanks to the durable Amara material, which repels light moisture.
However, adding the Hipora insulating liner for hardcore wet weather commuting transforms them into fully waterproof winter mitts.
The Hipora membrane blocks moisture on the exterior layer while allowing internal water vapor to escape. This keeps hands warm and dry without that awful soggy, wet feeling inherent to cheaper insulating liners.
While not designed specifically for hardcore winter commuting, adding the Hipora liner enables using the Hooligan comfortably even in wet, snowy conditions down to about freezing temperatures.
Below that, or for epic cold weather adventures, I would recommend Icon’s Patrol Waterproof Winter mitts with 200g insulation, which is purpose-built for thermal protection in extreme environments.
Pro & Con’s
Here are some pros and cons so you can see what’s good and what could be improved.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and flexible | Sizing runs small |
| Amara’s palm has an excellent grip | Hook-and-loop collects debris |
| The mesh backhand breathes very well, supporting bikers who need maximum coolness. | Insulating liner sold separately |
| Pre-curved fingers are comfortable right away | It is not ideal for extremely cold weather |
| Moldable TPU armor provides great impact absorption | |
| Hipora liner enables winter usability, providing coverage for motorcyclists against cold conditions. | |
| Robust construction built to last | |
| Stylish on and off the bike | |
| Very affordable, given premium quality |
FAQ
What should customers look for?
Customers should look for features such as the polyester mesh backhand for improved airflow, Laredo engineered synthetic, synthetic palm and overlays, and urban sports design.
How can customers determine the right size?
Customers can refer to the sizing chart provided by the manufacturer to select the appropriate size for their hands.
Do customers like the design and functionality?
Yes, customers appreciate the urban sports design, lightweight construction, and protective features.
How do they relate to other products in the category?
These mitts stand out for their unique design, quality construction, and suitability for urban sport compared to other mitts in the market.
Our Recommendations
Our recommendation after comprehensively testing the key features across thousands of miles in varying conditions, I can confidently recommend the Icon Hooligans for motorcycle riders needing versatile, high-quality protection.
Their purposefully designed construction offers the ideal compromise of flexibility, abrasion resistance, impact absorption, ventilation, and all-day comfort. Plus, they look fantastic off the bike as well, which always helps.
Considering their very reasonable retail price of around $95 at the time of this article and the fact that Icon Quality typically fetches over 50% higher prices than most other major brands, the value proposition is extremely high here.
New riders and grizzled veterans alike are sure to find Icon’s signature outlaw style and willingness to push boundaries appealing.
The lightweight backhand mesh allows superb ventilation to prevent overheating without compromising safety.
Amara material grants incredible wet weather grip without deteriorating over time. Flexible molded TPU armor offers serious impact protection that works when you need it.
For those looking for true four-season usability, adding Icon’s optional Hipora insulating liner transforms the Hooligan into a remarkably warm and dry winter mitts able to handle even wet snow and freezing temperatures.
So whether you’re an urban warrior needing serious protection from the hazards of the concrete jungle or a backroad burner looking to carve canyons with confidence, the Icon Hooligan stands out as a very compelling option worth considering.
Their optimal balance of the best flexibility, durability, ventilation, and impact protection helps explain Icon’s cult following in the community.
Hopefully, this in-depth review provided some valuable insights to aid your purchasing decision. Please let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
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Sources: Motorcycle Glove (1)
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