To Gauntlet or Not to Gauntlet?

For me this is not a question, I choose both. While I am not one to accumulate “stuff” I don’t really need, I do feel there are specific times for my gauntlet style gloves and other times for a light-weight cuff-style gloves. Since I own both styles from the same brand I will discuss and compare the Shift Women’s Stealth Glove and the Shift Women’s Empire Glove.

The Empire is a long gauntlet style leather glove, made to fit a woman’s hand of course. While some women may think gloves are uni-sex, I urge you to find women specific gloves. I rode my first season with a pair of men’s glove not realizing the subtle but important differences between men’s and women’s gloves. A woman’s glove is cut narrower over the knuckles and fingers, which prevents slop when you’re on the gas or using your handle bar controls.

Beyond the ladies cut the Empire glove offers polycarbonate knuckle armor, premium leather sidewalls and is secured by a zipper and leather cuff. It’s a brawny glove that I love to wear on cold rides or highway rides where I know my hands could be getting hit with tiny stones or bugs. The gloves are for serious riding and are definitely not letting anything slip up your jacket sleeve.

On a more casual day I prefer my Stealth gloves. They are light weight and breathable, easy to work the controls with and great to stuff in a jacket or pants pocket when I arrive at my destination. The gloves are a blend of full grain and synthetic leather which offers abrasion resistance and anti-slip control. My favorite feature is the superbly design hook and look wrist closure; I find many lightweight cuff style gloves don’t offer enough Velcro to secure the glove for hard riding.

For your own comfort I would recommend ading two styles of gloves to your gear closet and you’ll be prepared to ride into any situation in appropriate style.