REV’IT! Mangrove Gloves Review: Cool Without Sacrificing Protection?
The REV’IT! Mangrove gloves caught my eye with their ventilated armor protection claims despite the budget pricing.
But do the REV’IT! Mangrove Motorcycle Gloves provides genuine impact buffers and abrasion shields comparable to premium alternatives that cost far more.
In this detailed REV’IT! Mangrove Gloves review, I’ll cover whether these affordable gloves match up to my personal standards for safety, comfort, and value.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best summer motorcycle gloves for you? Let’s find out!
REV’IT! Mangrove Gloves
Key Takeaways
- CE-approved protection
- Lightweight, well-ventilated
- Touchscreen compatible fingertips
REV’IT! Mangrove Gloves Final Verdict
After testing the REV’IT! Mangrove motorcycle gloves (1) this summer, I’m thoroughly impressed by their ventilation and protection capabilities, considering the very palatable budget price.
The CE certification, in particular, reassures me that REV’IT! Built legitimate safety into these gloves, not just stylish looks.
In my experience, the combination of injection molded thermoplastic armor and perforated mesh fabric provides impact resistance and airflow on par with my $150 Alpinestars gloves.
Dexterity and responsiveness also match my more expensive alternatives, thanks to stretch panels between the fingers.
I typically prefer leather for abrasion protection, but the proprietary PWR shell fabric proves itself abrasion-tough as advertised.
Now, it’s worth noting pricing and availability do fluctuate at times. Revzilla.com currently shows some sizing variations at closeout sale pricing, so I’d recommend checking there for potential deals before buying elsewhere.
Comparison To Other Summer Motorcycle Gloves
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Reax Superfly Mesh Gloves | Mesh construction for breathability and airflow. Reinforced palm for durability. Adjustable wrist closure. |
| REV’IT! Dirt 3 Gloves | Highly ventilated design for hot weather riding. Knuckle protection. Stretch panels for flexibility. |
| Alpinestars SMX-1 Air V2 Gloves | Mesh and leather construction for airflow and abrasion resistance. Hard knuckle protection. Touchscreen compatible fingertips. |
| BILT Spirit 3 Gloves | Full-grain leather construction. Perforated panels for ventilation. Carbon knuckle protection. Adjustable wrist closure. |
| Alpinestars SPX V2 Gloves | Full-grain leather construction. Reinforced palm. Hard knuckle protection. Stretch accordion inserts for flexibility. |
A Primer on Motorcycle Glove Materials and Technology
Before assessing the Mangroves specifically, it helps to level-set some background glove terminology and components.
Motorcycle gloves span a wide range in terms of materials, features, and pricing, but their core protective purpose remains consistent.
The outer shell needs abrasion resistance to guard against road rash. Leather excels here, with cowhide and kangaroo hide being popular options. Synthetics like polyurethane also resist sliding pavement shreds.
Palm sliders act as extra armor over high friction zones. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) works well since it handles abrasion and dissipates heat effectively.
For impact protection, viscoelastic foams like D3O absorb sudden trauma from crashes or collisions. Injected thermoplastics like TPU also dent rather than break.
Venting comes from perforations and breathable mesh between armor components. This releases interior heat buildup that saps comfort and feel.
With the fundamentals covered, let’s see how the REV’IT! Mangroves spec out.
Mangrove Glove Materials and Construction
Right from the product photos, I noticed the Mangroves don’t sport leather construction like many warmer-weather gloves.
Instead, the outer shell uses polyamide and polyurethane. Mesh inserts provide ventilation across the fingers and main glove body.
REV’IT! claims abrasion protection comes from their proprietary PWR shield fabric. I’m skeptical of branding hype, but Google searching showed positive owner reviews of PWR’s durability. Underneath lies a moisture-wicking tricot liner to keep hands dry.
For armor, injection molded thermoplastic (TPU) covers the main knuckles, while softer temper foam pads the palms and outer fingers. This combination aims to dissipate impacts without compromising flexibility.
The gloves also tout touchscreen-compatible index fingertips. While not critical, I appreciate not removing my gloves to navigate my smartphone or bike interface.
Overall, the materials mix seems well conceived, but I am still worried about whether non-leather gloves sacrificed safety. Time to dig into the protection credentials.
Certified Protection Without the Price Tag
My biggest hesitation around choosing sub-$100 gloves is often the lack of safety certifications. Yes, armor pieces may be included, but are they proven to handle real-world crashes?
Fortunately, REV’IT! Submitted the Mangroves for CE rating. For those unfamiliar, CE acts as the European certification standard across multiple gear categories.
Gloves specifically must exceed minimum requirements for impact absorption, abrasion resistance, seam strength, and other metrics before attaining CE approval.
The CE tag, therefore, demonstrates REV’IT! Didn’t cut corners constructing the Mangroves despite the budget angle.
This glove line should provide genuine protection, not just empty marketing claims. I felt my initial concerns about non-leather abrasion resistance melt away, considering the certification.
Beyond the CE rating, the mix of injection molded and foam armor shows an intentional impact protection design.
REV’IT! Baked multi-zone shielding into a lightweight, flexible package. Impressive for an “entry-level” tag!
With safety checkpoints met, I moved on to sizing and comfort factors.
Dialing in the Fit
Getting the right fit proves critical with gloves to balance protection and feel. I see countless riders wearing bulky gloves far too large, likely for comfort’s sake.
But ill-fitting gloves hinder control inputs, reduce safety, and still don’t breathe well!
After measuring my hand circumference, I ordered a size medium per REV’IT!’s sizing chart. I tend to sit between brands’ size small and medium offerings.
When I received the gloves, the mediums fit perfectly through the fingers and palms with no loose fabric bunching.
However, multiple owners advised sizing up as REV’IT! Gloves apparently run smaller than competitors. Out of curiosity, I requested a size large to compare.
The extra room in the large pair allowed easier glove donning, especially when my hands swelled on hot days. But during actual riding, I noticed subtle control issues from the loose fingertips. Also no ventilation improvement despite more excess fabric.
For my hand dimensions, sizing up made little sense, although I agree that REV’IT!’s listed measurements seem smaller than reality.
My advice is to print their sizing chart and get hand measurements before ordering. Purchase your measured size—not what you “typically wear”—and you’ll dodge any fit issues.
Beyond sizing, the Mangroves deliver on flexibility and feel. The stretch finger gussets prevent binding while tightly gripping my bike’s controls.
Ventilated mesh along the fingers and knuckles really lets air penetrate my skin, too. These don’t oven-roast hands like some leather summer gloves I’ve owned!
REV’IT! Men’s Glove Sizing Chart
| SIZE | HAND CIRCUMFERENCE (IN) | HAND LENGTH (IN) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 7.2-7.6 | 7.4-7.6 |
| SM | 7.6-8.1 | 7.6-7.8 |
| MD | 8.1-8.7 | 7.8-8 |
| LG | 8.7-9.1 | 8-8.2 |
| XL | 9.1-9.6 | 8.2-8.4 |
| 2XL | 9.6-10.2 | 8.4-8.6 |
| 3XL | 10.2-10.7 | 8.6-8.8 |
| 4XL | 10.7-11.2 | 8.8-9 |
Sizing information is provided by the manufacturer and does not guarantee a perfect fit.
ARMOR EVERYWHERE?
Pros of the REV’IT! Mangrove Gloves
Transitioning to pros and cons, I’ll start with the Mangrove highlights based on my testing.
First off, the CE certification proves this glove can protect, not just look the part. Considering the budget price, safety testing provides peace of mind amidst the compromises.
Airflow stands out as a major plus, too. The mesh and perforated chassis breathe exceptionally well for warm riding while still blocking debris. My hands stayed cool and dry on hour-plus summer trips.
The gloves also deliver a surprising feel and flexibility despite the armor. Control inputs register accurately with zero lag or interference. That dexterity crosses over to times I used my phone screen, too, thanks to the conductive fingertip.
Easy cleaning also deserves a mention. I lightly soiled the Mangroves from normal wear and some chain lube drips. A gentle wash restored them to near-new condition without harming the materials. Try that with leather!
Finally, the sub-$60 price makes these very wallet-friendly. Few competing summer gloves with certified protection cost less. Overall, it is an outstanding value purchase.
DO THE THIN PALM SLIDERS SUFFICE?
However, the gloves aren’t without some drawbacks.
The main compromise from the budget pricing is shown in the palm sliders. They check the box for inclusion but seem quite thin compared to premium gloves. While the TPU material should resist abrasion, I worry about its long-term durability.
The REV’IT! size chart also runs smaller than advertised. I’d personally recommend sizing up one full glove size to what you measure. Going up partially fixed the fit issues for my borderline hand width.
While the perforated digits breathe well, the solid glove backs trap some heat. My knuckle region occasionally got toasty on 95°F+ days. Adding some mesh there would really maximize airflow.
Finally, for nitpicking, I expected brighter color options from a summer glove. Beyond the tried and true black, a hi-vis yellow or even bold red would help visibility. Instead, the camo and sand variants blend into the scenery.
Final Verdict? Punching Above Their Weight Class
Summing up my lengthy experience with the REV’IT! Mangrove gloves, I give them strong marks overall considering price class expectations.
They nail high airflow and dexterity exceptionally well. Protection also impresses thanks to rugged construction and CE certification.
The gloves aren’t perfect due to thinner palm sliders and some heat buildup across the back. Certain compromises keep costs low.
But those are acceptable trade-offs when factoring in the wallet-friendly budget price. REV’IT! Packs a lot of usable features into these gloves.
So if hot summer weather has your old winter riding gloves suffocating your hands, take a look at the Mangroves.
They offer ample airflow, assurance for long miles, and sensible value pricing. You might finally find lightweight riding glove nirvana!
I’d be interested in what gloves fellow riders are using as temperatures heat up. What models and brands have you found that balance protection, ventilation, and cost? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
FAQs
How do the Mark II gloves improve over the previous version?
The Mark II gloves feature better ulna protection with rigid TPU armor and Knox Microlock foam compared to the Mark I’s minimal ulna slider. The knuckle armor also contains upgraded shock-dampening foam.
Would these gloves work for adventure touring?
Yes. The goatskin leather withstands abrasion from pavement as well as brush, while the armor protects against impact. The gloves provide an excellent feel for operating the motorcycle, too.
What is the difference between the Alton Mark II and Knox Handroid gloves?
The Handroid gloves carry heavier armor for rigorous track riding, whereas the Mk2’s focus is on maximizing street protection. However, the Altons retain more flexibility and better ventilation for comfortable street use.
Do the gloves have waterproofing?
No. For wet weather riding, applying a water-repellant spray or wearing rain gloves over the Knox Oultons is recommended. The glove materials shed light moisture but aren’t fully waterproof.
How long does the touchscreen compatibility last?
The conductive fingertips retain functionality for the lifetime of the gloves unless excessively worn down from abrasion. Light use preserves conductivity for years before needing replacement.
And Finally
I’ve covered numerous technical details, and trusted owner experiences about the REV’IT! Mangrove gloves. Hopefully, the extensive info helps you determine if they warrant buying your new summer riding gear.
To recap, the lightweight, non-leather build strikes an optimal balance between protection, airflow, and flexibility—all for a small budget! Compromises exist from cost cutting, but nothing that overly concerned me after hundreds of test miles.
So whether you seek CE-rated relief from sweltering days riding leather gloves or want a budget backup pair for layering, take a close look at the Mangroves. I reckon you’ll be impressed by these gloves punching well above typical entry-level expectations!
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