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review
Gloves - mitts
Prologo CPC MittsPrologo gloves 1

Prologo CPC Mitts

7
by Mat Brett
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jun 4, 2013

6
£69.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Comfortable and very, very grippy gloves, but the price might make you flinch
Weight: 
37g
Contact: 
www.i-ride.co.uk
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The Prologo CPC mitts are a very grippy, low bulk option for summer riding.

The unique selling point here is the CPC (Connect Power Control) material. It's an elastic polymer that's moulded into a mat of hollow cones of various heights and diameters – like hundreds of tiny volcanoes. You get areas of CPC across most of the palm and on each of the fingers.

The CPC is very grippy, there's no doubt about that. I wore the left hand CPC glove and a non-CPC right hand glove and the difference was obvious. It doesn't make a whole lot of difference when your hands are resting on the hoods, but on all types of bar tape the CPC offers noticeably more grip in both wet and dry conditions. It really won't slip. I can't say I ever have much problem with my hands slipping anyway, but these do make grip that little bit easier.

Prologo also reckon that the CPC minimises vibration. Well, it does reduce vibration but the gel padding of my non-CPC glove seemed to do a similar job, although that glove was a little more bulky. Some people might prefer deeper padding; that comes down to personal preference.

Prologo also say that the CPC provides a massaging effect to keep the blood flowing too. I didn't feel any difference on that score. No, I'd say the main benefit of the CPC is the grip it provides.

CPC aside, these gloves are a polyester/elastane mix that stretches enough for a comfy fit. You get reinforced tabs on the cuffs to make getting them on a little easier, and loops between the fingers to help get them off. There's no wrist fastening – you don't need one – but you do get a soft sweat/nose wipe on the back of each thumb.

The only thing to dislike here is the price. £69.99 is clearly a hell of a lot to spend on a pair of mitts when, in my experience, you can get good ones for about £25 or £30. The CPC material is effective but I wouldn't want to pay this much, personally.

Prologo are also offering their saddles in a CPC option.

Verdict

Comfortable and very, very grippy gloves, but the price might make you flinch

road.cc test report

Make and model: Prologo CPC Mitts

Size tested: Large

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?

Prologo say, "Prologo CPC patented technology. We are now revolutionizing cycling gloves. Comfort, handling, control, energy saving, air cooling, vibration reduction, shock absorbing, perfect grip in any weather conditions! All those aspects are inside this project, to reserve energy for the the climbs and power to the finish."

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

Prologo say that, "The elastic CPC Polymer Volcanoes absorb shock by expanding at their bases on impact."

"The CPC Absorbing Nano-Structural shock absorbers protect the muscles against stress and oscillation, reducing the effect of fatigue as well as improving recovery time.

"Grip is improved by surface enlargement of the hollow CPC volcano heads.

"CPC ergonomic lightweight design allows air movement for cooling and moisture wicking without the loss of grip."

"The CPC polymer varying density uses the athlete's kinetic energy to actively manipulate the skin surface to stimulate nerves and improve blood circulation preventing numbness."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

I'd struggle to pay 70 quid on a pair of mitts, personally.

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

They're really comfortable and provide an amazing amount of grip

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The amount of grip, the comfort, the lack of Velcro fastening tabs (which always get caught on other clothing sooner or later).

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The price is hard to stomach.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? I wouldn't pay £70 on mitts.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? If price wasn't particularly important.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 190cm  Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Prologo CPC Mitts
Prologo 2013
Prologo
CPC
Mat Brett

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

6 comments

Avatar
andyp | 11 years ago
0 likes

no hole on the back of the hand for comedy tan value. For that reason, I'm out.

Avatar
Mat Brett replied to andyp | 11 years ago
0 likes
andyp wrote:

no hole on the back of the hand for comedy tan value. For that reason, I'm out.

That did used to be cool. I might have to get some vintage-style crocheted mitts just to give that look another go.

Avatar
Al'76 | 11 years ago
0 likes

C'mon, seriously....they're mitts...£70 13

Avatar
crikey | 11 years ago
0 likes

I can't escape the feeling that this material will surface soon in some kind of sex toy.

I'll get my coat...

Avatar
themartincox | 11 years ago
0 likes

it's expensive, but considering the use that gloves get I can see them being good value if they last

I've a set of rapha gloves which have done thousands of miles in and they are still as good as new (in my eyes) so they have been worth their exhorbitant cost!

Avatar
ashfanman | 11 years ago
0 likes

They look nicely made, and good to see the tabs between the fingers to help get the damn things off, but £70?! One for the sales only, methinks.

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