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review
Gloves - full finger
Knog Switch GlovesKnog Switch gloves

Knog Switch Gloves

7
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Apr 22, 2011

1
£34.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Good, sturdy and versatile three-season gloves, wrist cuff could be more snug for smaller wrists… ferocious Velcro
Weight: 
90g
Contact: 
www.todayscyclist.co.uk
How we test

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Designed to pretty much be a 'do it all' glove, the Knog Switch has been put together with the features to cover all styles of riding and with a level of warmth aimed at covering most of the year.

So, is it a Jack of All Trades or Master of None? Actually these are good gloves, and do tick most of the boxes for an all-rounder. Constructed with neoprene sections, mesh sections and a synthetic leather palm, they are largely windproof and about the right warmth level for comfortable riding in all but the coldest winter conditions, but aren't overwarm for spring or autumn. The heat of mid-summer might cause them some trouble though.

The palm features gel pads designed to be in the right place no matter what style of bar you're using, flat, road or otherwise, and the thumb area is reinforced. Fingers are shaped for maximum ride comfort, with the thumb being soft terry toweling for sweat/nose wiping, while an incredibly sturdy piece of Velcro fastens the wrist. Reflective accents abound all over the backs of the fingers and the back of the hand.

In wear the gloves are quite a boxy fit, and don't entirely suit a narrower hand, but even allowing for that the extra room does not cause any discomfort, it's just worth bearing in mind if you favour a snug fitting glove. Fingers are a good length for the size, but the wrist area is quite roomy. Even cinching in the super sticky Velcro as far as it will go leaves them a bit loose for smaller wrists, making them tricky for under cuff use. The Velcro itself is the most ferocious I've ever come across and means these gloves not only stick to each other when fastening or unfastening, but also pose the risk of attacking other fragile technical fabrics you might be wearing. I chose to leave the gloves fastened, as there was enough room to slip them on or off without unfastening.

The gel pads offer good levels of ride comfort, with little pressure, pinching or rubbing, while the fabric breathes and wicks moisture well, leaving hands dry and non-sticky for the most part.

Verdict

Good, sturdy and versatile three-season gloves, could do with a more snug wrist cuf for smaller wrists and less ferocious Velcro.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Knog Switch Gloves

Size tested: Black, orange and grey.

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?

Unisex glove, aimed at all types of rider, for multi-season use.

Achieves that end well, although fit may be a little broad for some female hands.

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

Quoted as being suitable for temperatures between 12 and 22 degrees C

Stretch Spandex/neoprene/mesh/Grotech synthetic leather construction.

Gel padding in palm.

Padding designed to suit all types of bar.

Velcro fastening at neoprene cuff.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Really well made, with good fabrics but velcro fastening at wrist is prone to catching on other glove and other fabrics. Also makes fastening 'off' side wrist quite tricky as fastens very assertively.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Comfortable in a variety of conditions and for a variety of styles of riding.

Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

Apart from pulling and plucks associated with over vigorous velcro at wrist, they should last well.

Some concerns about the lack of washing instructions.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
6/10

Pretty light for their three-season versatility.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Good levels of comfort for all sorts of riding styles, and keep hands a stable and non-sweaty temperature.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Good value for a glove that can be worn for so much of the year.

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

Performed very well and maintained hand comfort.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Versatility, fit (apart from wrist), comfort, reflectivity

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Velcro wrist fastening, shaping of wrist area.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly. Would prefer it with some modifications.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Probably more for a male rider than a female due to the wrist fit.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

A well featured choice for three season wear, but some minor niggles with the wrist area.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

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,

Knog Switch Gloves
Knog
full finger gloves
Lara Dunn

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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1 comments

Avatar
workhard | 12 years ago
0 likes

hope the 'velcro' is longer lasting than the stuff they put on their 8 Ball gloves. Wears out in weeks and then leaves you flapping in the breeze.

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