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 Icon Hypersport GT gloves come in.
In this detailed review, we’ll dive into the standout qualities that make these gloves a top choice for riders looking for protection and performance.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for the track? Let’s find out!
Icon Hypersport GP Gloves
Key Takeaways
- Articulated for flexibility
Loaded with protective features
Supple kangaroo leather chassis
A Quick Intro to Motorcycle Gloves
Before diving into the specifics of the Icon Hypersport GT gloves, it’s helpful to understand the key features to look for when shopping for motorcycle gloves.
The main areas to focus on are:
- Protection: Armored knuckles, palms, wrists, and fingers provide impact and abrasion resistance in a crash. Materials like kangaroo leather or Kevlar also enhance protection.
- Comfort: The glove should fit snugly while allowing flexibility. Consider factors like breathability and ease of breaking in the glove.
- Control: Sensitive, tactile grips and articulated fingers enable precise throttle and brake control.
- Features: Touchscreen compatibility, visibility reflectors, and waterproof membranes all provide extra functionality.
Keeping these parameters in mind, let’s see how the Icon Hypersport GT gloves stack up.
Icon Hypersport GT Glove Overview
ICON is a well-known player in the motorcycle gear space. The Hypersport GT gloves represent their top-tier sport offering crammed with premium features. Here is an overview:
- Price: $195
- Construction: Kangaroo leather chassis; BattleHide goatskin palm overlays; D3O armor
- Protection: Knuckle, palm, wrist, finger, and thumb armor
- Comfort: Perforated panels; lightweight
- Control: Pre-curved fingers; minimized seams
So, without further ado, let’s get into the details.
Fit, Comfort, and Construction Quality
Finding the right fit is crucial with gloves to balance protection and comfort. In my experience, the Icon Hypersport GT gloves run slightly large.
I typically wear a size large, but the XL Hypersport GT gloves fit very well, while a size large was too snug.
The chassis utilizes thick, abrasion-resistant kangaroo leather along with flexible textile panels. Kangaroo leather is lighter than cowhide leather and offers better abrasion resistance. Strategically placed perforations enhance airflow to your hands.
The palms feature BattleHide goatskin overlays in the high-wear zones for added durability and grip. Notably, the glove incorporates D3O armor in the knuckle, palm, outer wrist, fingers, and thumb for serious impact protection without restricting flexibility.
The gloves feel comfortable right off the bat, with minimal break-in time required thanks to the pre-curved shape. The interior liner features moisture-wicking CoolMax fabric to keep your hands dry and comfy.
Verdict: Superb construction quality with a comfortable, lightweight fit. Runs slightly large.
Icon Men’s Gloves Sizing
| 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 |
The manufacturer provides sizing information and does not guarantee a perfect fit.
Protection and Safety
When it comes to motorcycle gloves, protection has to be a top priority. The Icon Hypersport GT glove certainly delivers in this regard.
Let’s start with the knuckles. The gloves incorporate D3O Viper Pro armor in the knuckles with a flexible floating plate design.
This lets the armor move with your hands to disperse and absorb impact while the plate captures and distributes sliding forces.
The leather is thick and coated in SuperFabric panels along the outer fingers, pinky, and edge of the hand for added abrasion resistance.
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) armor plates shield the outer wrist and outer hand. An extra wrist strap with a secure D-ring closure prevents the glove from sliding off.
For the palm, you get goatskin overlays covering high-abrasion zones plus injected D3O palm sliders. The sliders are fairly large but sit a tad low on my preference—I’d like to see them raised a bit to align with the actual palm contact points. Finger and thumb armor boost protection as well.
Verdict: Packed with premium protective features to save your hands.
Grip, Control, and Dexterity
You can have the most protective motorcycle gloves on the planet, but poor grip or dexterity defeats the purpose. Fortunately, Icon nails it here, too, with the Hypersport GT.
The gloves incorporate minimal external seams strategically positioned away from critical grip zones. Plus, the kangaroo leather and BattleHide goatskin palms offer exceptional grip in dry or wet conditions. Silicon grip panels on the inner fingers enhance control further.
Thanks to the accordion-style Kevlar stretch panels between each finger, dexterity is fantastic. The pre-curved shaping allows effortless finger articulation for precise throttle and brake control. These are probably the most flexible armored gloves I’ve tested.
Verdict: Superb grip and dexterity with minimal compromises for the protection level.
Design and Extra Features
Beyond the safety and performance factors, the Icon Hypersport GT gloves simply look awesome. The black colorway with black logos oozes stealthy style.
Icon includes subtle design elements like perforation lines resembling crash silhouettes and tire profile patterns on the knuckles.
The Hypersport GT gloves also incorporate some handy bonus features. The index fingers and thumbs have conductive mesh panels for touchscreen compatibility, so you can use your phone without removing the gloves. Reflective details on the wrists and knuckles boost visibility for night riding as well.
One gripe I have lies with the wrist closure system. The Velcro wrist strap features an odd extension, positioning the D-ring quite far down the arm.
This leads to some restrictions in that area when fully secured. It’s not a dealbreaker but an annoyance nonetheless.
Verdict: Slick aesthetics packed with functionality but finicky wrist straps.
Value and Cost
With an MSRP of $195, the Icon Hypersport GT gloves sit at the higher end of the spectrum. But when you consider the premium leather construction, ample armor, and race-level performance, they offer fantastic value. The closest competitors, like the Alpinestars GP Pro V3 gloves, cost over $50 more.
For riders looking for versatile sports gloves with uncompromising protection for street and track, the Hypersport GT remains a top contender, combining safety, control, and style. Considering the quality and features, these gloves deliver outstanding bang for your buck.
Verdict: Expensive but worth it for the performance and protection.
Hypersport GT Glove Review Conclusion
To wrap up this Icon Hypersport GT glove review, let’s summarize the key pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium kangaroo leather construction | Expensive $195 price tag |
| Lightweight and flexible | Run slightly large in sizing |
| Loads of D3O armor for impact protection | Restrictive wrist closure design |
| Excellent finger articulation and grip | Non-waterproof |
| Touchscreen compatible fingertips | |
| Slick style with personalization options | |
| Comparable to costlier brands |
So, are the Icon Hypersport GT gloves the best option for you? If maximum protection and dexterity top your list without blowing the budget, I can easily recommend these gloves. The minor drawbacks fade in light of the outstanding performance.
Whether hammering apexes at the track or carving canyons on the weekend, the Hypersport GT gloves offer form, function, and formidable protection to handle the riding. Your hands will thank you for the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do the Hypersport GT gloves fit compared to other brands?
A: In my testing, the Hypersport GT gloves run about a half size larger than typical gloves from brands like Alpinestars and Dainese. Going up a half size is advisable if you fall between sizes.
Q: Can you comfortably use touchscreens and controls while wearing the gloves?
A: Yes, thanks to the conductive index finger and thumb tips along with minimal seams, using phones and bike controls feels natural wearing the Hypersport GT gloves.
Q: How long does it take to break in the gloves?
A: The kangaroo leather chassis and articulated fingers mean minimal break-in time. Expect the gloves to feel comfortable within the first few rides.
Q: Are the gloves fully waterproof?
A: The Hypersport GT gloves are not specifically waterproof. In light rain, they repel moisture well, but for heavy rain, I recommend using waterproof over gloves.
Q: What is the difference between the street and track versions?
A: The track-focused Hypersport GT gloves use race-spec kangaroo leather compared to cowhide on the street model. But both offer similar features and protection.
And Finally…
I hope this comprehensive Icon Hypersport GT glove review gave you the insights needed to determine if they are the right fit for your riding needs and budget.
Make sure to take accurate sizing measurements and consider options like Alpinestars, Dainese, Held, and Racer as well before making your choice.
Feel free to share your experiences with the Hypersport GT or other gloves in the comments! Ride safe. Over to you – let me know in the comments if you have any experience with the Hypersport GT gloves!
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