Scorpion Exo Covert Tactical Gloves Review: Best for Summer Street Rides Under $30?
As a hardcore motorcycle enthusiast who lives for the thrill of adventure touring across rough terrain, quality gloves are crucial to protect my hands from abrasion while providing flexibility and grip over long distances.
I decided to test out Scorpion’s budget-friendly Covert Tactical gloves to see if their innovative design and materials provide the impact protection I need without breaking the bank.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for the summer for you?
Join me as I break down my hands-on impressions after logging over 1,000 miles on these covert tactical gloves.
Scorpion Exo Covert Tactical Gloves
Up Close With the Scorpion Covert Tactical
Here’s an overview of the key materials and features that make up Scorpion’s budget-friendly tactical glove option:
Palm Construction
- Synthetic leather palm with silicone grip zones
- Minimal stitching helps reduce bunching
Backhand Protection
- TPR (thermoplastic rubber) knuckle armor
- Foam padding across fingers
- Spandex/neoprene cuff
Comfort & Breathability:
- Mesh paneling across backhand
- Neoprene cuff closure
Other Notable Features:
- Touchscreen-compatible fingertips
- Sizes S-3XL
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
Now, let’s analyze how these materials and design elements translate out on the road.
Comparison To Other Summer Motorcycle Gloves
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Klim Induction Glove | Mid-weight adventure touring glove with waterproof/breathable OutDry membrane and D30 knuckle armor |
| Revit Dirt 3 Gloves | Aggressive motocross glove with goatskin leather chassis, finger and palm sliders, and heavy protectors |
| Alpinestars GP Plus R V2 | Premium leather racing glove made from kangaroo and bovine leather with carbon fiber knuckles |
The Klim Induction strikes a balance between weather protection, flexibility, and impact armor for adventure touring use.
The Revit Dirt 3 focuses more on maximum protection for motocross with rigid shields and heavy padding. The Alpinestars GP Plus R V2 optimizes feel and abrasion resistance for track and racing applications.
So the Klim offers better all-around technology for long-distance rides, while the Revit and Alpinestars cater towards off-road and closed course usage respectively with purpose-built features. Choose the option that best matches your riding style and needs.
Scorpion Covert Tactical Gloves Review
Fit & Sizing
As described in the video, Scorpion’s sizing chart lists me at an XL based on my 9” palm circumference. The XL covert tactical fit is spot-on out of the box with no break-in required.
Fingers are pre-curved and roomy enough for comfort without excess bulk. No tight spots or binding occurred during testing.
For best results:
- Measure your palm circumference
- Reference Scorpion’s sizing chart
- Order your recommended size
Scorpion nails the fit with these gloves. No need to size up or down.
Scorpion Men’s Glove Sizing Chart
| SIZE | HAND CIRCUMFERENCE (IN) |
|---|---|
| XS | 5 |
| SM | 6 |
| MD | 7 |
| LG | 8 |
| XL | 9 |
| 2XL | 10 |
| 3XL | 11 |
Sizing information is provided by the manufacturer and does not guarantee a perfect fit.
Construction & Materials
The Covert Tacticals feature a synthetic leather palm material rather than genuine leather. In my experience, synthetic palms withstand abrasion similarly to the real deal while being vegan-friendly.
The palm incorporates silicone grip pads on the inner fingers and palm heel to help enhance control of the throttle and brake levers. So far, these grip zones show minimal signs of wear after hundreds of miles.
On the flip side, I noticed a slight bunching of the palm material in between the fingers when aggressively gripping the bars. This wasn’t severe enough to hinder feel or function, but it is worth noting.
The neoprene wrist closure stays securely fastened, although the slender tab can be tricky to grasp with a gloved hand to initially tighten or loosen.
Overall, it is a solid construction for the price but lacks the refinement of premium sports gloves.
Protection
In the protection department, the Covert Tacticals include thermoplastic rubber (TPR) knuckle armor across the backhand.
While not as protective as carbon fiber or titanium sliders, the TPR armor does flex to conform to the hand while providing a decent buffer layer in the event of an accident.
Foam padding underneath the TPR further dampens vibration and shock transferred to the knuckles. During testing, I didn’t experience any discomfort or pressure points from the armor or padding.
No extra protection comes included for the fingers, palm heel, or wrist joints. For the budget price tag, the Covert Tacticals deliver adequate protection for street riding and commuting but lack the hardcore impact armor I’d want for aggressive off-road riding.
Comfort & Breathability
Thanks to the perforated mesh paneling across much of the backhand, the Scorpion Covert Tactical gloves flow decent airflow to keep hands cool in warm weather.
The neoprene spandex mix used on the wrist cuff is soft and flexible enough for long-term comfort as well. No break-in period is needed.
The synthetic leather palm does absorb heat quicker than kangaroo or goatskin, though. Riders in extremely hot climates may still find their palms getting sweaty after lengthy rides during summer.
For $30 or less, though, the breathability and comfort prove impressive for short rides and commuting duties.
Who Are The Scorpion Covert Tacticals Best Suited For?
Based on my testing and experience, here is the rider profile that can benefit most from the Scorpion Covert Tacticals:
- Beginning and intermediate riders seeking protective summer gloves
- Urban commuters and short-distance tourers
- Riders wanting tactical glove styling on a budget
- Vegan and environmentally-conscious motorcyclists
I wouldn’t recommend the Covert Tacticals for adventure touring or hardcore off-road duty, as they lack serious impact protection and extreme weather performance compared to premium alternatives.
The Bottom Line
For less than $30, Scorpion’s Covert Tactical gloves achieve impressive quality and performance. The TPR knuckle armor and grippy synthetic leather palm stand up to street abuse, while the mesh backhand breathes well enough for warm-weather riding.
While lacking the premium features and rigorous protection of high-end track and racing gloves, these Covert Tacticals exceed expectations for casual riding and round-town commuting, given their bargain price point.
Riders needing maximum protection or extreme cold/wet weather performance will want to look at spending $70-200+ for durable kangaroo/goatskin gloves combined with viscoelastic armor.
But for those on a tight budget or not needing track-ready equipment, the Scorpion Covert Tacticals prove you don’t need to sacrifice quality to save cash.
FAQs
What is the main difference compared to Scorpion’s Exo Covert gloves?
The Exo Covert glove upgrades to kangaroo leather for the palm material and carbon fiber knuckle protection while retaining a similar tactical styling. However, they are over 3x more expensive.
How do the Scorpion Covert Tacticals compare to Mechanix’s original gloves?
While the Mechanix gloves are highly affordable as well, they lack any substantial palm slider or knuckle protection compared to the TPR armor of the Scorpions.
Would these tactical gloves work for police or military use?
Potentially for light duty, although law enforcement personnel often require maximum protection for weapons training and high-risk situations. I’d recommend checking out Oakley’s tactical gloves with carbon fiber plating for heavy-duty use.
What is the difference between TPR and polycarbonate armor?
TPR (thermoplastic rubber) flexes more naturally with the rider’s hand compared to rigid polycarbonate. However, polycarbonate plastic provides higher impact protection for track and racing applications.
How does synthetic leather compare to kangaroo leather for motorcycle gloves?
Kangaroo leather often proves more abrasion-resistant than synthetic leather alternatives while maintaining excellent comfort and feel.
Racetrack riders and aggressive touring motorcyclists favor ‘roo leather for protection and performance. However, synthetic leather costs significantly less while remaining durable for street use.
And Finally…
For my money, Scorpion’s Covert Tactical gloves stand tall as one of the top-performing sub $30 glove options on the market.
While not suited for hardcore track duty, their impressive quality for such an affordable price tag makes them difficult to beat for budget-conscious street riders and commuters.
If maximal hand protection tops your priority list, then you’ll probably need to spend upwards of $150+ to gain features like kangaroo leather construction, viscoelastic foam armor, and weatherproof membranes.
But riders simply want a stylish and well-made summer glove that flows air, includes basic armor, and doesn’t need to overspend.
The Covert Tacticals fit that bill wonderfully while leaving cash left over for bike upgrades and travel expenses.
Please share your experiences with cool weather riding gloves below! Which models have worked out the best for you? I’m always eager to hear firsthand feedback from fellow riders.
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment
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