Alpinestars Morph Sport Gloves Review: Legit Safety Or Just Hype?
We understand the exhilarating freedom that comes from cruising the open road on two wheels. But with so many risks, we must prioritize safety by investing in high-quality motorcycle gloves.
The myriad of options leaves many wondering – which gloves truly provide ample protection for your next ride? Do these $140 Alpinestars motorcycle gloves prove themselves worthy?
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for protection for you? Let’s examine the construction materials, abrasion resistance, comfort, breathability, and protection to find out!
Alpinestars Morph Sport Gloves
Key Takeaways
- Palm sliders prevent road rash
- Knuckle foam needs durability
- Materials offer abrasion protection
My Initial Impressions After Unboxing
As I slid my hands into these slick **Alpinestars motorcycle gloves (1) for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised by the soft feel of the interior lining.
The leather palm offered a supple feel while still seeming durable enough for abrasion resistance in a crash.
The tech weave fabric felt lightweight and flexible as I stretched my fingers, and the perforated paneling suggested decent ventilation for hot summer rides. The hook-and-loop wrist closure allowed easy adjustments for a snug fit.
So far, so good! Now it was time to put these protective moto gloves through some real-life testing.
Examining the Fit, Comfort & Dexterity
Next, I examined the fit and comfort over extended wear. Remember that optimal motorcycle gloves should feel like a second skin, allowing flexibility while still protecting your hands.
I’m typically a size large in gloves, and after donning a size large pair of the Morph Sport gloves, I was swimming in fabric. I had wiggle room in each finger and loose material around my knuckles and wrist.
For my 8.75” hand circumference, I’d personally size down to a medium for a performance fit. If you fall between sizes, choosing the smaller option ensures a tighter grasp of the handlebars.
The leather goatskin palm and inner fingers allowed me to easily grip controls, while the stretch fabric on the knuckles felt flexible during natural hand movements. Touches like perforated leather and spandex panels prevent a restrictive fit while riding.
So, while the size large gloves are technically “fit,” I’d sacrifice some comfort for a slimmer medium to prevent control issues while riding. Just remember, snug is safe when it comes to motorcycle gloves!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible tech weave & spandex panels | Loose wrist allows glove slippage |
| Size runs large; order smaller option | A lightweight feel encourages dexterity |
| The knuckle protector seems flimsy over time | Knuckle protector seems flimsy over time |
How Do These Gloves Perform In Terms of Protection?
Okay, we’ve covered the fit – but what about critical protective elements? Safety should be the number one priority for any pair of bike riding gloves, so let’s examine how the Morph Sports stand up.
Abrasion Resistance
The Alpinestars gloves incorporate durable Materials like Kevlar, leather, and textile panels throughout the exterior shell. The palms feature padded goatskin leather for slide protection, while the backhand utilizes a lightweight tech weave material interlaced with Kevlar fibers.
This combination aims to provide abrasion resistance during spills while maintaining flexibility for grip. Materials feel sturdy out of the box, but only time will tell how they hold up to regular use and abuse.
Impact Protection
Next in protection comes the molded hard-knuckle padded with D3O® foam, an innovative impact-absorbing material. It felt quite flexible as I clenched my fist, and the seamless exterior promises a lower snag risk if you take a tumble.
However, over long-term usage, I do worry about the interior foam deteriorating and thus reducing crash protection. Only time will tell but inspect your gloves regularly for wear.
Palm Sliders
Finally, these Alpinestars gloves incorporate a thermal plastic palm slider built into the heel of each palm. This slick surface helps the gloves literally “slide” across the pavement in a fall, reducing friction burns on the delicate palm skin.
It’s a crucial safety addition, as our instinct is to stretch our hands out to break landing impact. These slides could save you from painful road rash – so having them is certainly better than going without.
How Does the Morph Sport Glove Ventilation Hold Up in Hot Weather?
Here in sunny California, I need breathable motorcycle gloves that won’t steam up on sweltering 90-degree rides. Let’s examine how the Morph Sport Gloves handle ventilation and airflow.
The upper backhand utilizes a lightweight tech weave material interlaced with tiny perforations to encourage airflow. The pinky and ring finger also incorporate built-in exhaust vents to ease air circulation.
For hot-weather riders, having options with perforated leather or mesh paneling can make a world of difference. So, while these gloves provide decent ventilation, they still err on the warmer side for true summer riding.
Perhaps the Morph Sport would serve as better spring/fall gloves, switching to more vented options once the mercury rises – that’s the sacrifice to maintain abrasion resistance with materials like leather. The Anthracite colorway reflects sunlight slightly better than the black option, too.
Comparison To Other Motorcycle Gloves
| Alpinestars SP8 V3 Gloves | Full grain leather construction, injected TPU sliders, ergonomic palm design |
|---|---|
| Alpinestars Supertech Gloves | Kangaroo and bovine leather construction, injected carbon fiber knuckles, race-spec fit |
| Alpinestars Celer V2 Gloves | Full grain leather and suede construction, injected TPU sliders, pre-curved fingers |
The Alpinestars Morph Sport motorcycle gloves (1) differ from the SP8, Supertech, and Celer options through the use of tech weave fabric panels, perforated leather, and seamless foam knuckle protection.
They offer a lightweight feel optimized for sport riding rather than track or racing applications. The Morph Sport glove focuses more on flexibility and ventilation compared to full leather racing gloves.
Key Takeaways After Testing the Alpinestars Morph Sport Gloves:
- Thumbs up for abrasion protection and impact absorption with premium materials like goatskin leather & D30 foam.
- Order 1 size down – the wrist opening runs large, resulting in loose slippage while riding
- Ventilation is moderate due to leather construction; best for 60-80°F spring/fall weather
- The fused foam knuckle protector seems vulnerable to separating from fabric over time
- The grip feels supple yet still sturdy, thanks to the leather goatskin palm material
Key Features of the Alpinestars Morph Sport Gloves
Now let’s see how the Alpinestars Morph Sport Gloves aim to provide ample protection for motorcyclists:
Construction Materials
- Flexible ride knit fabric with reinforcement at the outer palm
- Breathable tech weave surrounds knuckles for flexibility
- Goat leather lines the inside of the palm for abrasion resistance
- Foam padding at palm base and outer pinky seam for extra protection
Fit & Comfort
- Perforated leather and stretch fabric prevent a restrictive feel
- Foam padding on knuckles fused to the top of the glove
- Hook-and-loop wrist tab ensures secure closure
Safety & Protection
- Hard knuckle protector made of D3O® impact foam
- Touchscreen-compatible fingertip on thumb and index finger
- Palm slider helps glove glide during an accident
- Finger bridge offers additional pinky support
FAQ
Are Alpinestars gloves good quality?
Yes, Alpinestars gloves are known for using high-quality materials and construction methods to provide good protection for riders.
Do motorcycle gloves have knuckle protection?
Many motorcycle gloves have added foam or hard shell knuckle protection to help prevent injury in a crash.
Can you use touchscreens with motorcycle gloves?
Some motorcycle gloves have conductive fingertip material on the index finger and/or thumb to allow the use of capacitive touchscreen devices while wearing gloves.
My Final Verdict:
So, after extensive testing, do the Alpinestars Morph Sport Gloves earn their $140 price tag? I believe so – with a few caveats.
The premium leather materials provide abrasion protection you can bet your skin on, while the injected foam knuckles and palm sliders bump up the impact absorption. The stitching and construction feel sturdy out of the box.
Ventilation is moderate due to the leather fabrication, but perforations and exhaust ports prevent an overly steamy feel. Order a size down for a true performance fit – the wrist opening runs large, allowing loose slippage over time.
My main hesitation lies with the fused foam knuckle protector. Despite the flexible feel, I worry it could separate from the outer fabric after continual wear, thus reducing crash protection. Alpinestars should consider stitching it directly to the gloves for integrity.
So, if you ride in hot conditions requiring mesh gloves, these may not cut it. However, in temperate spring/fall weather, they offer a supple feel perfect for aggressive sports riders or casual weekenders alike.
For $140, I’d give them a thumbs up for their combination of dexterity, durability, and protection. Just be sure to inspect wear and tear over their lifespan. When it comes to protecting your paws, you get what you pay for with premium motorcycle gloves.
Ride safe, my friends! Let me know your favorite glove models below.
Previous Article:
Next Article:
Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment
(1)
The post Alpinestars Morph Sport Gloves Review: Legit Safety Or Just Hype? first appeared on Kings Motorcycle Gear.
from Kings Motorcycle Gear https://kingsmotorcyclegear.com/gloves/alpinestars-morph-sport-gloves-review/
via Kings Motorcycle Gear
Comments
Post a Comment