What Gloves Hold-up the Best?

[Hillclimb#42]

 Hey guys, I know this is a little easier than the usual hybrid bike build or tuning questions, but what are your favorite riding gloves. It seems I have tried them all, but can't get them to last for very many rides. They are not much use, once they have holes where you need the protection. I have one favorite pair. It was a pair of Thor gloves without the velcro or hook n loop strap. "Strapless," I guess. Answer Ion gloves that I just bought are toast after 3 races. Less than an hour of actual ride time!!!! I wash and let air dry. Anyone have any care tips to prolong their life?

[Platypus]

Well for starters I have never washed a pair of gloves.  They do get crusty but once you put them on the sweat softens up the gloves pretty quickly.  My gloves usually last at least 10 hrs. but I will also wear them with big holes in them as long as I'm not getting blisters.  I would think that washing them deteriorates the construction and that could be why your's last one hour.

[MadKaw]

I use Mechanix gloves, they're lite and last pretty good. they're also pretty cheap.

[KXcam22]

I also use the mechanix II gloves.  I am not happy with the current offering of MX gloves, theys seem to be more like golf gloves (supercross I guess) rather that the highly armoured gladiator type I am looking for (maybe they don't exist anymore).  My first mechanix lasted a few seasons, the 2nd lasted only a few rides before I blew out the palm. Not sure what is up with that.  Cam.

[kawigirl]

Try the Troy Lee stuff.  It is a little more expensive but they do the job.  At the dealership I work at we sell Thor, Fox, Shift, Mechanix Wear, Troy Lee, Answer, and moose.  When ever people by the Troy Lee stuff they are usually quite happy with the quality.  Fox, thor and Shift seem to be all about the name......unless you get the Fox Blitz glove.  Stay away from entry level stuff cause you get what you pay for!!!

[Hillclimb#42]

 Thanx, "Ya get what you pay for" could be part of my problem. Like you said entry level stuff is probably not going to be the best. I am intersted in the materials and care of the gloves. I know Troy Lee has a good look, but I really only want to pay extra for reliable and not the name or brand. Is Answer Ion gloves entry level? For instance, they had a leather palm, but quickly deteriorated. Mechanix gloves, I think have a reinforced material like spandex. I'm guessing the spandex type hold up better in the washer, and the leather type hold up as long as you don't wash them(Platypus), but I am not sure whether this is a common denominator or if I got cheap leather or cheap stitching. Seems to be a little more to this than I originally thought.    Thanks!!!

[Platypus]

I have been looking at these Alpinestars street bike gloves that look tough and have very good knuckle protection.  http://www.alpinestars.com/SMX6_Gloves/pd/np/142/p/356764.html they are the SMX 6 gloves.  Once I buy a pair and try them out I will post again on their quality and what not.  I agree with Cam on the current offering of dirt bike gloves, it is really slim pickins and that is why I want to try out these steet bike gloves.