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When a pair of old gloves fell apart at the seams a few years ago, I popped into Bournemouth’s Crescent Motorcycles and purchased a pair of discounted Alpinestars SP-1 gloves.
It was a short life for the SP-1s though as these also split their seams on the same day (fat fingers?). In a great gesture of goodwill from Crescent, I found myself the owner of a gleaming pair of white and blue Alpinestars GP Pro gloves.
At £125 these are certainly the most expensive gloves I have owned to date but then again, no other pair of gloves I have owned have had input from Nicky Hayden into their design.
Some of the key aspects include a large plastic cuff and several sliders and in the white and blue they certainly stood out when new. I thought that the finger-bridge between the 3rd and 4th fingers (used to prevent “finger roll” and potential seam bursting) would prove restrictive but was not noticeable at all when wearing the gloves.
The perforated ‘finger gussets’ where fantastic at keeping your hands cool and so these are a great option for a sportsbike rider come summer but no so good in colder months.
I have covered loads of miles in them over the past three years in all sorts of weather and they have stood up to everything brilliantly. They were extremely comfy and although tight at first, soon stretched. I have not looked after them as best as I could and I’m sure the odd clean and leather feed could have prolonged their life a little longer. As it is, three years use (on all but the coldest days) is not bad going.
The white shiny leather is now black around the palm and the fabric palm backing has completely worn through. The leather and stitching is coming apart on one of the fingers but I have worn them into the ground.
Overall, they’re expensive but you get great protection and great feel for your money. Just try on before buying as I found they can come up a little small in size.
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