For days when the weather is warm, it's great to wear lightweight short-fingered gloves (or track mitts, as die-hards still like to call them) - and a pair of Sugoi RSs might be just the thing.
They're very comfortable to wear with no protruding seams that may chafe. Although turning the gloves inside out for a close inspection, some of the seams are a bit untidy, while others have stitching very close to the edge of the fabric, meaning seams might split if you pull on the gloves with too much gusto.
These gloves are made from a range of materials. The palm is protected by faux leather, perforated to help disperse sweat. The back is covered in a thin slightly stretchy perforated fabric, which is breathable and good for protection against sunburn. The cuff is held tight by Velcro tabs.
Between the fingers is extra-thin perorated fabric, this time more stretchy (which helps get the gloves on and off, and is more comfortable when riding), although there's no hem so it looks likely to fray. Meanwhile, the side of the thumb is covered with a softer fabric, which is good for wiping sweat off your forehead or snot off your nose, depending.
The most important part of any cycling glove is the padding, and on each Sugoi RS are three pads: across the base of the fingers, on the base of the palm, and where the thumb joins the hand. All these pads are on the minimal side. For an all day ride, especially on rougher roads, you might want pads that are a bit more beefy. If you're doing just an hour or two on a summer's evening, they'll be fine. These track mitts will also be good for, yes, track-riding, as well as shorter time-trials.
The colour scheme on our test pair is black, grey and white. The gloves are also available swapping white for red or more black.
When it comes to the cost of cycling gloves, the range is wide. You can find basic track mitts for under a tenner, although they're usually very minimal in the padding and breathability departments. At the other end of the scale, for full features and a fancy logo, you can pay £50 or more. Mid-way along the range, these Sugoi RS short fingered gloves retail at around £25 in bike shops, and you can find them for 20 quid or less on-line, which is a fair price.
Verdict
Mid-range mitts at a fair price, ideal for rides in hot weather. Build-quality is not the finest, and for long-distance outings you may want more padding.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Sugoi RS Glove
Size tested: Medium, white
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The Sugoi website highlights several features of the RS gloves, including:
Textured mesh back is breathable and durable
Stretch terry thumb is bonded to keep shape
VControl pad placement protects the ulnar nerve while supporting the median nerve
VControl foam padding across all the palm pressure zones provides maximum vibration dampening
Soft synthetic leather palm is vented to reduce palm sweat
Flexible Velcro tab closure
3M Scotchlite logos add style and visibility
The 'maximum vibration dampening' claim seems a little ambitious. The padding is OK, but there are many other gloves available with much more padding. What you get on these Sugoi RSs is fine for short rides, or if you simply don't need a lot of palm protection.
Also, I'm not to sure about the Scotchlite logos adding visibility. They don't appear to be reflective, and even if they are, they're pretty small and it's not going to make much difference if you're riding at night.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
6/10
Looking closely at the seams, it's clear these aren't the best made gloves in the world. To be honest, it's what you get for 20 quid these days, and if you treat these gloves with care, they should last a summer season or two - but maybe not longer.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Comfort and breathability is good. Padding is minimal. For longer rides, especially on rough roads, some riders may need more padding.
Rate the product for durability:
6/10
The quality of construction indicates that these gloves won't last long if you use them regularly. It's not so much when you're wearing them, but when you pull them on and off that puts a strain in the stitching.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
At around 35g this is a good weight for a pair of mitts if you're looking to shave off every gram.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Comfort is very good for short rides. You may need more padding for longer rides
Rate the product for value:
7/10
a fair price for what you get.
Did you enjoy using the product? yes, on short rides
Would you consider buying the product? personally, I'd go for something with more padding
Would you recommend the product to a friend? maybe, but not if they wanted more padding
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
A good pair of mid-range gloves. They'd be better value and would get a higher score if it wans't for doubts about the build-quality. But if you treat these gloves carefully, especially when taking them on and off, their longevity should be increased.
Age: 50 Height: 5ft 10 / 178cm Weight: 11 stone / 70kg
I usually ride: an old Marin Alp My best bike is: an old Giant Cadex
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: A few times a week I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, mtb,
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