These are good looking gloves, with a pleasing choice of two attractive but not overly girly colours and some swirly patterns to cheer things up a bit. The overall effect though isn't too in your face, and should keep most women happy. These are fully featured gloves, with complex gel pads to protect the ulnar and median nerves, mesh vented synthetic leather palms, mesh fabric backs to keep ventilation to a max, a soft nose wipe and a tab to pull on to help get the gloves off more easily. The fastening at the wrist is Velcro and there's a reflective logo on each index finger.
When riding, they are very comfortable indeed, with just the right amount of padding and really well located protection for the nerves. They are grippy enough, well ventilated and don't let your hands get too sticky, and would happily suit energetic riding throughout the spring, summer and early autumn. They're definitely better suited to warmer temperatures though. Sizing is pretty much spot on, with the mediums being very, well, medium.
It's hard to find fault with a pair of really comfortable riding mitts at this price. The quality isn't entirely 100%, with some of the stitching at the fingers on the pair I tried threatening to start the unraveling process within a few rides, but they're made from such light meshy fabric that that's not too surprising, and pretty easily fixed.
Comfortable, good value for money, warm weather riding mitt. Available in men's version too.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Pearl Izumi Women's Elite Gel Vent Glove
Size tested: Blue- Medium
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?
Aimed at female riders looking for a lightweight summer mitt with nerve protection.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Back 80% nylon/15% polyurethane/5% spandex
Palm 60% nylon/40% polyurethane
Clarino synthetic leather palm
Comfort Bridge Gel Vent padding to protect ulnar and median nerves
Mesh palm lining for better moisture transport
Anatomic palm pattern for comfort
Glove removal tab
Machine washable at 30
Available in sizes S, M, L
Rate the product for quality of construction:
5/10
Some niggles with stitching but high quality materials and components.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
5/10
There are more durable gloves out there, but these are light, airy and exceptionally breathable and that's a partial trade-off.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
Pretty light and very breathable.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
9/10
Rate the product for value:
9/10
Great value for money for a high performance pair of gloves.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
very well indeed.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Style, padding, comfort, breathability
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Some unravelling of stitching on one finger very quickly.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Definitely.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
Really comfortable and great value for money. Particularly good for hot weather.
Age: 37 Height: 1.65m Weight: 67kg
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,
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