I’ve been riding motorcycles for over 20 years now, and finding the right gear that balances protection, comfort, and value has always been a quest of mine. So when Sedici recently released their Luca women’s riding glove, I was keen to test it out and see if it lives up to the hype.
After putting these gloves through a few weeks of mixed riding, including commutes, weekend joyrides, and some touring miles, I’ve concluded that they punch above their weight class and are worth a close look for most riders.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for women? Let’s find out!
In this Sedici Lucca Gloves Review, we’ll analyze the features of the Sedici Luca glove and see how they stack up for comfort, protection, and value compared to other options on the market.
Sedici Lucca Women’s Gloves Review
Key Takeaways
- Value exceeds low price
- Appealing style, quality leather
- Good airflow, mediocre protection
Sedici Lucca Women’s Gloves Verdict
To evaluate how well these budget riding gloves perform, I assessed them across a few key criteria:
Comfort and Breathability
Comfort is subjective, but with the generous perforation and light padding, my hands stayed cool even at highway speeds. The snug fit also prevented wind flutter that can fatigue hands on long rides.
After 4-5 hours of riding, I did feel some contact pressure around the knuckles – adding adjustability would help accommodate different hand shapes.
Grip and Control
The silicone grip pads provide excellent wet and dry grip without being too tactile or soft. I could feel the texture and shape of my hand controls clearly.
The glove pads are not touchscreen compatible, so you’ll have to remove them to use phones or GPS units. A handy feature to add in future versions.
Abrasion Protection
The abrasion protection from the double leather palm performed well. After approximately 800 miles of riding, including some off-road and dirt use, they showed minimal signs of wear. Only the very high-use areas around the index finger/thumb bridge were a bit frayed.
I certainly think the Luca glove leather will provide good abrasion protection for the average motorcyclist putting on typical mileage over a season or two. For hardcore mileage and off-road, I’d opt for something more robust, though.
Impact Protection
To test the TPU knuckle protection, I used my standard ‘fist on concrete’ test. The armor cushioned effectively – spreading force without any pressure points on the knuckles. It didn’t quite match hardshell carbon armor, but it was definitely helpful.
Similarly, whacking a concrete wall with the finger armor showed good shock absorption and flexibility. Overall, it has decent impact protection that’s way better than most fashion leather gloves.
A Close Look at the Construction and Key Features
Riding gloves have one key job – keep your hands safe and comfortable during rides. The Sedici Luca uses a combination of cowhide leather, perforation, and stretch fabric to achieve this.
The back of the glove features ample perforation to allow air to flow through. This helps tremendously with comfort on hot summer rides. The palm area has a double layer of abrasion resistant leather to protect against wear and tear.
Generous perforation on the back for ventilation
The glove also has subtle TPU armor reinforcements on the knuckles and fingers for some impact protection. The armor flexes well and doesn’t restrict movement.
Inside the glove is soft padding for comfort, along with a silicon grip printed on the palm and fingertips. This helps provide a good lever feel and control.
How’s the Fit and Sizing?
Getting the right fit is crucial with riding gloves to balance protection and comfort. The Luca glove features a velcro wrist closure, along with curved fingers and a pre-curved palm shape.
I tested a size small, which was true to size with a snug fit. The fingers were slightly short for my hands, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I’d recommend trying your usual glove size first.
Sizing Chart
| SM | 8 |
| MD | 8.5 |
| LG | 9 |
| XL | 9.5 |
| 2XL | 10 |
| 3XL | 10.5 |
| 4XL | 11 |
Alternatives to Consider
The Sedici Luca strikes a great balance between protection, ventilation, and off-bike usability at its $50 budget price point. However, depending on your needs and budget, a few alternatives worth considering are:
- Knox Handroid – Better impact protection from hardshell knuckle armor. Minimal ventilation with waterproof liner. [$85]
- Held Air n Dry – More ventilation and stretch for comfort. Excellent airflow with GORETEX waterproof liner. [$150]
- Racer Mickey – Stylish leather riding gloves with carbon knuckle protection. Visibility panels and touchscreen compatible. [$90]
Pros and Cons of the Sedici Luca Riding Gloves
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good leather abrasion resistance | Fingers slightly short |
| Generous airflow from perforation | Minimal adjustability |
| Flexible TPU impact protection | Not full hardshell protection |
| Good grip and control | Not touchscreen compatible |
| True to size fit | Limited high mileage protection |
| Excellent value for money |
The Verdict: An Excellent Value Women’s Riding Glove
For 50 bucks, this smart-looking Sedici glove packs a ton of value focused on the right areas. I’ve concluded that the Luca glove is perfect for cruising, commuting, touring – pretty much everything street riding within reason.
The premium leather, armor protection, and superb airflow make it a product I’m happy to recommend to fellow lady bikers. Slightly more adjustability and an upgrade to full hardshell knuckles would make them just right.
So if you need a stylish, breezy glove for sensible daily use, this is amongst the top choices out there. Considering budget gloves rarely last beyond a season, what the Luca delivers for $50 makes it a winner in my books!
What about you – have you tried the Luca gloves yet? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions
What sizes are the Luca gloves available in?
The Luca glove comes in extra small and extra large sizes. It features a standard numeric glove sizing scale, so order your typical glove size for the best fit.
How long do these budget gloves last?
Considering the price, they are quite well made. With reasonable care, I expect most riders can get 1-2 years of daily use from these gloves before showing excessive wear and tear. The leather and seams will eventually give way with continuous abrasion.
Should I buy leather or textile gloves?
Leather offers better abrasion protection on key impact zones like the palm. Textile stretches more, offers more airflow, and often better waterproofing. Leather also lasts longer if cared for properly. Choose per your needs.
Is knuckle armor necessary for street riding?
Some protection is better than none. TPU knuckle guards add minimal bulk while cushioning against abrasion and crashes. They may save your hands in a get-off. For off-road and track, hard shell carbon guards offer maximum protection.
And Finally…
The right motorcycle gloves form critical protective gear every rider needs to be tailored to their specific needs.
While it may seem excessive, considering hand and wrist injuries make up over 35% of motorbike injuries, investing in quality gloves pays dividends by keeping you safer while riding. I hope this review gives you the right insights to find your perfect pair!
Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments section. Ride safe!
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)