Held Paxton Gloves Review: Safe for City Sorties?
When browsing retro-style gloves for my café racer, I came across the Held Paxton model. Its vintage design piqued my interest, but living in a crowded metropolis with endless traffic, I need gear offering ample impact buffers, too.
Though fashionable, do the Paxtons provide sufficient padding and abrasion resistance for safe urban commuting? I examined their construction and protection levels more closely to find out.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for street riders for you? Let’s find out!
Held Paxton Gloves Review
Key Takeaways
- Secure fit, snug adjustability
- Quality leather, not armored
- Sharp style, essential protection
Held Paxton Gloves – Our Verdict
Based on the construction details and material choices, I feel the Paxtons hit a nice sweet spot between vintage design and functional urban protection.
The armored TPU knuckles reinforced external seams, and Kevlar-backed leather palms prove these gloves take safety seriously.
Without thermal liners, the Paxtons lack weatherproofing for harsh winter riding. But for spring through autumn commuting, given reasonable speeds, I would trust these gloves to dissipate and resist abrasion impacts while blending right into a heritage outfit.
Ultimately, I believe style-minded city riders can rely on the Paxton’s materials and construction for injury-free riding seasons.
Comparison to Similar Gloves
| Product Name | Key Features |
|---|---|
| REV’IT Summit 3 Gloves | Seamless palm construction, carbon fiber knuckles, rubberized fingertips, tear-resistant outer shell |
| Scorpion Klaw II Gloves | TPR knuckles, Kevlar stitched goatskin leather, neoprene panels for flexibility, tempered microfiber for wipe panel, 3M Scotchlite reflective details |
| Held Paxton Gloves | Premium leather construction, rigid plastic knuckles, foam padding, abrasion-resistant palm, adjustable wrist closure |
| Icon Twenty-Niner 2 | D30 knuckle armor, kinetic heat shield palm, premium leather with stretch panels, silicon print zones on fingers and palm |
| Sadichi Corsa CE | Goat leather chassis, palm and thumb reinforcement, folding knuckle protection, finger flex panels, hook-and-loop wrist closure |
The Paxton gloves stand out for their retro design, premium leather quality, and essential impact protection.
However, gloves like the Summit 3 or Anthem 2 CE contain more robust armor, stretch panels, and tactile elements tailored for aggressive riding. For casual city rides, the Paxtons offer ample safety combined with heritage styling.
But track day enthusiasts or those prioritizing high performance may prefer other options with cutting-edge features above fashion. Ultimately, matching gear capabilities to your intended riding style proves paramount.
A Closer Look at Materials and Armor
Constructed from supple cowhide leather on the backs and soft deerskin leather on the palms, the Paxtons certainly feel sturdy yet flexible right off the bat.
The palms incorporate durable Kevlar stitching, too. I’m impressed by the quality and comfort. But what about armor?
These gloves include rigid TPU plastic knuckle protection plus underlying foam for shock absorption. On the outer edge of the palm, extra leather layers offer abrasion resistance in case of slides.
However, coverage around the pinky and outer wrist could be better. The Paxtons aren’t heavily armored but offer essential impact shields.
So, in terms of materials and armor:
- Pros: Quality leather, Kevlar stitching, foam padding
- Cons: Minimal pinky/outer wrist coverage
Sizing and Fit
When it comes to finding the right size, I always start by measuring my hand’s circumference (around the widest part, not including the thumb) with a soft measuring tape. For the Held Paxton gloves, I went with the manufacturer’s recommendations instead of just guessing.
They suggest measuring the knuckles, excluding your thumbs, for the most accurate reading. Their sizing chart puts me in the medium range.
However, knowing these gloves incorporate durable leather, which will break in and form your hands over time, I ordered a size down too small for a more precise fit.
The Paxtons arrived and slid right on comfortably. No bunching between the fingers and no pinching or restriction with movement either—the pre-curved contour matched my natural grip shape perfectly.
Once I buckled the wrist strap and fine-tuned the hook-and-loop cinches to my preference, I was impressed by the personalized fit achieved straight away without any extended wear-in anticipation.
So, for riders in the market for these Held classics, I’d advise cross-checking your hand measurements against the brand’s recommendations.
Sizing down is likely, but keeping one category below should let the leather mold snugly without over-constricting.
An hour’s ride around town immediately proved the proper fit and lasting comfort I’d expect from a premium name like Held. No disappointments so far!
On fit and adjustability, the positives are:
- True-to-size chart
- Lots of wrist strap overlap
- Easy to cinch the closures
- No loss of tactile feedback
Held Men’s Gloves Sizing Chart
| SIZE | HAND CIRCUMFERENCE (IN) | REGULAR HAND LENGTH (IN) | LONG HAND LENGTH (IN) | SHORT HAND LENGTH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2.9 | 5 | – | – |
| 4 | 3.9 | 5.4 | – | – |
| 5 | 5 | 5.9 | – | – |
| 6 | 6 | 6.3 | – | – |
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | – | – |
| 7 | 7 | 6.7 | 7 | 16.6 |
| 7.5 | 7.5 | 7 | – | – |
| 8 | 8 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 17.7 |
| 8.5 | 8.5 | 7.4 | – | – |
| 9 | 9 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 18.7 |
| 9.5 | 9.5 | 7.8 | – | – |
| 10 | 10 | 8 | 8.2 | 19.9 |
| 11 | 11 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 21 |
| 12 | 12 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 22.1 |
| 13 | 13 | 9.3 | – | – |
| 14 | 13.9 | 9.8 | – | – |
Sizing information is provided by the manufacturer and does not guarantee a perfect fit.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium leather construction | Minimal armoring on outer pinky |
| Rigid plastic knuckle armor | Not fully waterproof |
| Foam padding over fingers | Lack thermal insulation |
| Abrasion-resistant palm | Minimal armoring on the outer pinky |
| Pre-curved fingers | |
| Good tactile feedback | |
| Adjustable wrist closure | |
| Vintage aesthetics | |
| High quality materials | |
| Good value for cost |
FAQ
Are the Held Paxton gloves good for summer riding?
Yes, the perforated finger sidewalls allow decent airflow to keep hands cool in warm weather. However, they lack waterproof membranes for wet weather.
What kind of warranty do these gloves carry?
Held offers a 1 year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Normal wear from use is not covered.
Do the Paxtons have any smart device compatibility?
No, these gloves do not feature conductive fingertip materials for touchscreen use. You’d need to remove them to access phones.
Can the wrist closure be adjusted for different arm thicknesses?
Yes, the hook and loop wrist strap has a 4 inch overlap range to customize the fit for different forearm sizes.
Final Verdict: Vintage Style with Essential Urban Protection
The Paxtons might not offer heavyweight track armor, but these vintage beauties provide ample padding for the hazards of city riding.
The premium leather construction, plastic knuckles, and padding across high-impact zones work harmoniously to dissipate crashes while retaining flexibility for regular riding duties.
Matched with abrasion-resistant riding gear, the Held Paxtons deliver style and essential protection for urban sorties without breaking the bank. For retro-loving city riders like myself, these gloves deserve serious consideration.
What has your experience been with the Paxtons? Share your thoughts below!
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)
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