REV'IT! Vapor H2O Gloves

We find that gloves from REV’IT! are generally very consistent in fit from one model to the next, and we find they run a bit on the snug side as compared to most US based brands. The fit is very similar to Alpinestars which also fit more snugly than other brands of gloves. The tendency to run small is not so noticeable that we’d advise you to buy one size larger, but if you are sometimes in between sizes, your best shot would be to choose larger. Hopefully you’ve had some experience with buying gloves and can choose based upon the fit of a previous pair. If you have no previous experience with glove sizing, go here for help.

At the time of this writing, I am also reviewing the Roadstar GTX glove by REV’IT! If you want a very quick idea of how this glove fits into the REV’IT! line for 2014, then think of this glove as almost the same thing as the Roadstar, except it uses a less expensive brand of waterproof liner as compared to Gore-Tex. I’m reviewing the feature list and also trying the gloves on side by side, and that is about the only significant difference that I can see. I did some raving about comfort and quality in writing about the Roadstar and I can do that with this glove too. The overall fit is nice and the leathers are soft and feel great. The liner is actually bonded to the inside surface of the leather shell of the gloves. In a glove with this technology you don’t really even feel the liner or know that it is there. The idea is to reduce bulk and this allows the cut of the glove to be more “tailored” to your hand, without excess material, and therefore your ability to feel the controls is improved. And this glove IS highly tailored to the shape of your hand and it is pre-curved to grip the controls. So in comparing the fit and feel of a high end waterproof glove like this to lesser priced gloves, you can really see and feel a difference. And there is substantial protection features on this glove. On the back of the hand, there is a substantial knuckle guard and extra bits of padding on the top of each finger. On the sides of the pinkie, there is an extra layer of leather all along the side of the hand. And in the palm of the hand, there is a substantial “slider” which is designed to slide along the pavement if you fall rather than transferring a “grab” or twist to your hand upon impact. This slider is sort of “see through” and you can see that there is a honeycomb material inside that is shock absorbent as well… sort of a “dual stage” bit of protection. In the same area of the hand, there is some integrated memory foam material that will further protect that accident-prone area of the hand and also provide a bit of comfort and vibration isolation. The cuff is adjustable with the usual Velcro-close strap, and the gloves are held securely on your hand with a separate, smaller strap that has a leather cover… much like the construction you would see on a race glove. This glove, as mentioned, is waterproof, but it does not have insulation, so consider this one for cool to warmer weather and of course wet weather. The glove has nighttime reflectives which we’ve shown you in our photo gallery. Really, just decide whether you like Gore-Tex enough to pay more for it. Those that ride a lot in wet weather and especially those that ride in humid/wet conditions will be able to justify Gore-Tex, but others might not often see a situation where there would be a distinguishable difference in the materials. Those folks should save a few bucks and get all the other quality features but for less. :: Paul, 02-28-14