If you’re searching for high-performance motorcycle gloves without the premium price tag, you may have come to the right place.
The React Superfly Women’s Mesh Gloves offer full leather construction with ample ventilation at around $70. But can these affordable gloves provide comparable quality and protection to more expensive options on the market?
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for street riders?
I recently took a hands-on look at the Superfly gloves to find out if they can compete with the big brands. Read on for my full review.
REAX Women’s Superfly Mesh Gloves
Key Takeaways
- Great value, given the price
- Armor protects without restricting
- Ventilation excels, and hands stay cool
A Budget Pick Packed With Features
Constructed from cowhide leather on the tops and goatskin on the palms, these gloves balance abrasion resistance with flexibility. Strategic perforations aid airflow to keep your hands cool when temperatures rise.
The Superfly gloves also include several protective elements not always found at this price point:
- TPU knuckle armor overlaid with foam to cushion impacts
- TPR finger sliders for added slide time in a crash
- TPU palm slider with foam backing for comfort
- Reinforced palm panels in high-wear areas
Furthermore, the glove tips provide touchscreen conductivity so you can use your devices without removing them.
While sub-$100 gloves tend to skimp on features, the Superfly packs an impressive suit for the price.
Ventilation Takes Priority
As the name suggests, airflow stands out as the Superfly glove’s main strength. The mesh paneling between the fingers and perforations throughout the back keeps air circulating. Although not waterproof, the materials shed light moisture well.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Cowhide leather, goatskin leather |
| Protection | TPU knuckles, TPR fingers, palm slider |
| Comfort | Mesh ventilation, touchscreen tips |
During sweltering summer rides, the ventilation excels at heat dissipation, ensuring cool comfort even on hour-plus trips.
For those familiar with the simplicity of knitted fabrics, the mesh truly enhances breathability more than solid leather can.
Stretch Panels Prevent Restriction
Motorcycle gloves must balance protection, comfort, and flexibility. Heavier armor limits dexterity, yet the Superfly gloves include stretch panels strategically placed to maintain freedom of movement:
- Neoprene wrist entry for easy on/off access
- Elastic wrist panel that won’t constrict your arm
- Microhook wrist closure for a customized fit
The stretch zones allow the gloves to contour your hands without bunching or binding. Cowhide leather does require a break-in period to attain a supple feel, but the Superfly gloves retain impressive tactility for the price.
Snug Fit, True Sizing
In the realm of proper fit, going with your normal glove size should suffice with the Superfly. The microhook wrist strap and neoprene inlet allow you to tweak tightness, although I found little need to adjust once on.
The glove tips reached mid-fingertip on my small hands with no excess material or looseness interfering with grip control. For accurate sizing, remember to measure hand circumference across the knuckles.
REAX Women’s Glove Sizing Chart
| SIZE | HAND CIRCUMFERENCE (IN) |
|---|---|
| XS | 7 |
| SM | 7.5 |
| MD | 8 |
| LG | 8.5 |
| XL | 9 |
| 2XL | 9.5 |
Premium Protection Without the Cost
While premium motorcycle gloves often hit $200-plus, the Superfly retails for around $70. Yet they don’t sacrifice critical impact protection despite the budget-friendly price.
The injected TPU knuckles feel taught to me, not flimsy, and absorb road vibrations well. Coverage extends across the entire fist and along the thumb brace for full protection. The softer TPR finger sliders won’t withstand extreme slides but aid in deflecting abrasion.
The seam reinforcement panel and rigid palm slider provide insurance against wear-prone regions flaring on asphalt. For regular street use, the armor strikes an ideal balance between flexibility and impact damping.
Comparison to Similar Women’s Motorcycle Gloves
| Alpinestars SPX V2 Gloves Review | Full leather construction, injected knuckle protection, reinforced palm |
|---|---|
| Sedici Lucca Women’s Gloves Review | Goatskin leather & stretch fabric, TPR knuckles, hook-and-loop wrist closure |
| BILT Spirit 3 Women’s Gloves Review | Perforated leather, injected plastic knuckles, pre-curved design |
The Alpinestars SPX V2 gloves offer robust protection with leather and rigid knuckles ideal for aggressive riding.
The Sedici Lucca gloves provide a lightweight summer option with ventilation and flexibility.
The BILT Spirit 3 gloves deliver cooling airflow in a pre-curved women’s fit for comfort.
While the React Superfly gloves stand out for unmatched ventilation, the others offer varying balances of protection, comfort, and value.
Riders seeking hardcore protection may prefer the Alpinestars, while those wanting maximum airflow favor the Superfly model.
FAQs
Are the Superfly gloves fully waterproof?
No, the Superfly gloves are mesh and leather, not waterproof. You’ll need separate rain gloves or a waterproofing spray treatment for wet weather usage.
How long does the touchscreen conductivity last on the fingers?
The conductive fingertip material retains functionality for the lifetime of the gloves unless excessively worn down. Light use preserves conductivity for years.
Would the ventilation work for hot summer riding?
Yes, the mesh panels provide superb airflow to keep hands cool even in the sweltering summer heat during rides. Air circulates very well.
Do the gloves restrict movement or feel bulky?
No, the stretch panels ensure great flexibility without binding, while the lightweight feel avoids any bulk. Dexterity remains excellent for grip control.
And Finally…
Solid Value for Street & Touring Riders
The React Superfly gloves deliver a lot for the money. Leather construction, touchscreen compatibility, ventilation, and armoring check all the boxes for sub-$100 gloves. The quality rivals far pricier options overall.
While lacking waterproof membranes or robust ulna guards found on premium track gloves, the Superfly outshines expectations given their budget price. For regular street riding and short tours they perform remarkably well and keep your hands protected.
If you want complete touchscreen connectivity without removing your gloves, the Superfly absolutely delivers. Ventilation and dexterity also impress compared to competing brands’ hot-weather gloves.
For riders seeking protection, airflow, and functionality without a premium outlay, the React Superfly gloves warrant consideration. Their combination of value and performance punches far above their modest $70 price tag.
So tell me – have you tried these React gloves or others in the same range? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)