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Sugoi Evolution glove

8
£20.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Very good, competitively priced three-season gloves
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.sugoi.com

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Ulnar gel padding is all the rage at the moment and these have all the features you’d expect from a high end glove.Being full-fingered means they're versatile enough for three season of Audax, road and even a bit of mountain biking but with second skin fit and remarkably proficient ventilation there’s nothing jack of all trades about Sugoi’s Evolution.

A hardy, double stitched synthetic Amara palm is pretty much identical to others at this end of the market, delivering superb all conditions feedback on cork and high lustre bar wrap and little gel flecks on the index fingers offer a little extra control when braking-especially in the wet. Triangular V control padded gel strips protect the vulnerable Ulnar and carpel tunnel areas compress slightly better than most with no remote or lumpy sensations common in some designs I've tested. Fit is second-skin close, the flat seams leaving very faint indentations in my hand but aren’t intrusive in the slightest and the medium proved a nigh on tailored fit.

Elsewhere there’s the obligatory terry thumb for tackling sweaty brows and runny noses. Besides the palm, acres of mesh panelling-especially between the fingers balance protection and airflow surprisingly well. Long steady hours in an unseasonably humid June rapidly evaporated any nagging doubts concerning summer comfort. Sure, it’s not quite on a par with a classic open mitt and can get soggy in sharp showers. However, there’s ample defence against foliage and even insects, especially off road. Subtle Scotchlite reflectives and logos give hand signals a little more prominence when struck by car headlamps, especially around dusk.

At £24 I’d say they were competitive for the level of specification rather than outright bargains but will certainly meet most riders’ needs in a three season’s glove.

Verdict

Very good, competitively priced three-seasons gloves.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Sugoi Evolution glove

Size tested: M

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 Evolution is a full fingered, close fitting glove designed to offer three-seasons comfort to cyclists of various disciplines.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Fully synthetic construction with Amara palm, and V control padding to the Ulnar and Median nerves feels supportive without being overly bulky. Ample mesh ensures excellent inner climate in all but chill weather while terry thumb pad takes care of sweaty brows and runny noses.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

About right given the specification.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The gloves perform superbly in most conditions and are what I'd call gloves for all reasons and most seasons, although lack of waterproofing could be a problem in early spring/late autumn. However, this doesn't affect grip or control. The palm and padding are equally impressive but not markedly different from any other at this end of the market.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good fit, low weight, great dexterity and long haul comfort.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Quickly saturates in a shower-no problem in the warm summer months but potentially uncomfortable in early spring/late autumn.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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