I typically log thousands of miles annually, navigating congested highways and pothole-ridden city streets on my trusty Kawasaki Versys 650.
My hands take a beating from wind, rain, and vibration, so a solid pair of motorcycle gloves is crucial to shield my paws across endless miles of pavement.
In this Knox Orsa Leather MK2 Gloves review, I wanted to uncover whether Knox’s revised Oulton gloves can truly protect my hands from the hazards of daily street riding.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for protection for you? Let’s analyze the details.
Knox Orsa MK2 Gloves Review
Knox Oulton Mk2 Glove Overview
Knox labels the Oulton Mk2 as a “street sport” glove, denoting their optimal balance of protection and flexibility for daily street use rather than track days.
The gloves (1) feature single-handed Boa closures for easy tightening, flexible TPU hard armor over the knuckles and wrists, and a mixture of goat hide leather and textile materials.
Notably, the Mk2 iteration adds more flexible knuckle protection compared to the original Oultons.
With prominent armor and premium leather construction, do these ~$130 gloves provide sufficient real-world protection for the street? Let’s analyze the details.
Comparison to Similar Motorcycle Gloves
| Brand | Features |
|---|---|
| Reax Tasker Leather Gloves Review | Basic leather gloves with minimal protection |
| Joe Rocket Velocity 3.0 Gloves Review | Short street gloves with injection molded knuckles |
| Icon Contra 2 Gloves Review | Sport bike gloves with rigid carbon fiber knuckles |
| Alpinestars GP Pro R3 Gloves Review | High-end track day gloves |
The Knox Orsa MK2 balances protection, flexibility, and comfort, making them well-suited for daily street riding.
They offer more airflow than track-focused options while providing better impact defenses than basic leather motorcycle gloves.
The Boa closure and flexible knuckle armor give the Orsa MK2 motorcycle gloves an edge for aggressive street use.
Flexible Three-Layer Knuckle Protection
The Oulton Mk2 gloves incorporate flexible injection-molded TPU armor over the knuckles, backed by energy-absorbing temper foam.
This combination aims to dissipate and spread impact force rather than transmit it directly to your hands.
In my experience traversing pothole-laden city streets, flexible armor retains a better feel and comfort during normal riding compared to rigid carbon fiber alternatives.
The Oulton Mk2’s softer three-layer knuckle protection seems ideally suited for unpredictable street environments.
I’ve observed firsthand that inflexible armor quickly grows uncomfortable when navigating congested urban areas requiring continual clutch and brake use. The Mk2’s flexible knuckles should prove more comfortable across lengthy rides.
Thermoplastic Wrist Armor
Further protecting your hands, injected TPU armor covers the glove’s outer wrists and incorporates Knox’s Scaphoid Protection System aimed at shielding the fragile scaphoid wrist bones from impacts.
I strongly believe additional wrist protection is a must for combative street riding, especially in heavy traffic where distracted car drivers abound. The rigid armor brings peace of mind that your wrists will remain protected in case of a fall.
Premium Goat Hide Leather
According to my research, gloves constructed from goat hide leather resist abrasion extremely well while retaining a supple feel and ease of break-in compared to stiffer cowhide.
The Oulton Mk2 gloves feature diamond-pattern goat hide leather across the palms and finger fronts, with stretch textile panels along the knuckles and finger backs for flexibility.
In my experience, this combination maintains an excellent road feel while the durable leather withstands mileage extremely well. The textile stretch zones also prevent the gloves from feeling too tight when clenched around the bike’s controls.
Boa Closure System
I’ve been involved in too many situations where velcro glove straps prematurely fail or slip open unexpectedly. So, I strongly applaud Knox for employing single-handed Boa twist dial closures to secure the Oulton Mk2 gloves.
A stainless steel lace and micro-adjustable dial retain your preferred fit indefinitely, according to my research.
This beats wrestling with failing velcro closures when you need to focus on safely operating your motorcycle instead.
The Boa dials cinch the gloves snugly around your wrist via an internal neoprene cuff. An external TPU wrist guard further locks everything securely in place.
Ventilation & Breathability
Effective airflow remains crucial for comfort during warm weather riding. The Oulton Mk2 gloves incorporate perforated leather panels across the fingers and backs of hands to encourage ventilation.
Spandex gussets between the fingers add stretch while allowing sweat evaporation and cooling airflow. Overall, the gloves provide adequate airflow, based on my experience with summer street riding.
For colder environments, the non-perforated leather construction seems to effectively seal out wind chill while blocking water ingress. Just don’t expect true winter insulation or waterproofing without layering with baseliners and waterproof outer.
Fit & Sizing
I typically wear a size large glove, but the Oulton Mk2’s Euro-style fitment runs smaller than usual. So an XL accommodates my hands correctly.
According to my research, Knox gloves incorporate more curved, anatomical patterning compared to many American brands. So be sure to reference the size chart before ordering.
The Boa closures allow you to fine-tune the circumference for a personalized fit. However, the non-adjustable leather fingers run slightly long on my hands. It is not a deal breaker, but it is something to consider.
Knox Men’s Glove Sizing Chart
| SIZE | HAND CIRCUMFERENCE (IN) | HAND LENGTH (IN) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 7.9 | 7 |
| SM | 8.5 | 7.3 |
| MD | 9.1 | 7.6 |
| LG | 9.6 | 7.9 |
| XL | 10.2 | 8.1 |
| 2XL | 10.8 | 8.4 |
| 3XL | 11.4 | 8.7 |
Key Specs:
- Construction: Goat hide leather & textile panels
- Protection: Injection molded TPU knuckle & wrist armor
- Closures: Single-handed Boa twist dials
- Palm: Reinforced Amara textile & printed silicone grip
- Water Resistant: Yes
- Touchscreen-compatible fingertips: No
The Verdict?
Overall, the Knox Oulton Mk2 gloves provide a well-rounded blend of protection, comfort, and long-term durability for daily street riding applications.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flexible three-layer knuckle armor
- Rigid TPU wrist protection
- Tough, abrasion-resistant goat hide leather
- Secure single-handed Boa closures
- Reinforced textile palm with silicone print
- Perforated backhand for ventilation
Cons
- Non-adjustable, slightly long leather fingers
- Minimal padding in the palm area
- No touchscreen-compatible fingertips
So, do the Oulton Mk2 gloves earn a spot in my daily riding kit? Absolutely. Their durable construction and flexible armor can certainly withstand everything short of a high-speed crash.
While I’ll need to layer insulating liners and waterproof outers for true winter and wet weather use, the Oultons check all the boxes for reliable warm/cool weather street riding. Their protections and secure fit bring peace of mind when braving chaotic urban traffic.
For riders seeking daily street gloves with exceptional abrasion resistance, flexibility, and protection for circa $150, the Knox Oultons Mk2 deserves strong consideration. Knox’s reputation for quality gear remains well intact with these gloves.
FAQs
What’s the difference between the textile and leather Oulton Mk2 models?
The textile Oultons uses a mixed material design with leather overlays, while the leather version employs entirely goat hide construction for maximum abrasion resistance. Both share the same armor protections.
How do these compare to racing gloves like the Knox Handroids?
The Oultons focus more on street-oriented flexibility and protection, while the Handroids carry stiffer armor for track riders requiring ultimate protection.
Would you choose these over similar-priced options from other brands?**
I strongly believe the Boa closures and flexible TPU armor give the Oultons an edge over competitors like Rev’It or AlpineStars in this price bracket. The Knox name also carries prestige regarding protection.
Do you need to apply waterproofing treatments to the gloves?
The leather construction resists light moisture but isn’t fully waterproof. For heavy rain riding, apply wax-based water repellants or wear weatherproof outers over the Oultons for insulation and water protection.
Final Verdict:
With flexible armor, durable construction, and secure fit, the Knox Oulton Mk2 gloves earn my wholehearted recommendation as ideal short-cuff street riding gloves. Their quality rivals’ options double the price.
Key Takeaways: Durable, Protective, Flexible
Finally, for riders seeking daily street gloves that can withstand real abuse without breaking the bank, the Knox Oultons Mk2 delivers everything you need. Check back soon when I test their wet weather resistance during a Pacific Northwest winter!
What has your experience been with the Oulton and other Knox gloves? Let everyone know in the comments below!
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)
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