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Kevlar gloves

9.6K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  CharlesW  
#1 ·
Recently I saw a reference to Kevlar gloves.
Not the knuckle area, but a complete Kevlar knit glove.
These are used a lot in various manufacturing, meat cutting, glass handling, and construction applications.

Wouldn't they be good to have in the event of a get-off?
It seems like putting out your hand palm down is a pretty natural reaction.
My motorcycle riding gloves don't have a lot of leather in the palm although they do have those neat little gel pads. What are those supposed to be good for, anyway?
I was considering the purchase of some heavy duty work gloves rather than buying more $35 to $80 motorcycle specific gloves that probably don't really provide all that much protection.
Maybe the Kevlar gloves would be an alternative.
Draggin Jeans of Australia sells them in Europe for motorcycle use.
Draggin Jeans of the U.S.A. doesn't seem to have them on their web site.

Comments?
 
#3 ·
That they do.
Kevlar Racing Gloves - $169
Kevlar Winter Gloves - $199

While they might not work for motorcycling, the industrial gloves I referred to sell for anywhere from $9 to $60.

Thanks for the information, but I'll have to pass on the Motoport stuff. :)

Your link didn't work for me, but this one did. Motoport
 
#4 · (Edited)
Kevlar has tear resistance that's superior to many other fabrics but there's nothing special about it's abrasion resistance and that's what counts in a fall to your outstretched hands if there is going to be a slide. A helmet with face protection that helps protect your hands because you don't need them to keep your face off the ground.
 
#5 ·
You could very well be correct about the Kevlar abrasion resistance, (Or lack thereof), but it is certainly sold and touted as being of value.
Check the Draggin Jeans video and read the many comments from users of Sliders and othe Kevlar lined pants.
Their use of the product and their marketing of Kevlar gloves is what got me thinking about them in the first place.

I am a believer in full face helmets, but I still think that in the case of a fall, the natural reaction would be to extend your hands/arms to ease the impact.
It might not do any good, but I'm pretty sure I would be doing it. :p
 
#8 ·
It's hard to picture kevlar being so cut resistant. fine steel mesh would have been my guess for that application, similar to what butchers might use, but I'll take your word for it. There was a period when I was designing hand protection for abrasion on pavement and I looked in to kevlar and moved on. The only way to make a palm that will slide and resist abrasion well is some hard plastic solution. That doesn't work for motorcycles because it interferes with hands on the grips. Ive seen motorcycle gloves with steel rivit heads on the palms. I use well made work gloves with gauntlets, double palms and a fabric back. I like the oversize fit of those too.
 
#10 ·
My reference to Draggin Jeans of Australia was not to bring their jeans into the mix, but to refer to a company that was selling Kevlar gloves for motorcycling.

Actually, I'm not sure that wearing the proper gear is all that simple.
While armored leather probably provides the best protection, it isn't without some drawbacks as well. I do own a couple of leather jackets, one with CE approved armor in the shoulders, elbows and back, cordura jackets and pants and wear my own DIY knee guards with CE approved armor. Calling it armor is kind of a stretch, since it's really more of a pad and doesn't do much of anything for anything other than the initial impact.

A few things I have always been curious about with leather.
1. How do you clean and preserve leather riding pants?
It costs $30 to have a jacket cleaned and I would think I would want to clean leather pants even more often than my jackets.
2. What happens when you get caught and soaked in the rain?
It takes a long time for my jackets to dry when that happens.
3. The heat factor of leather is not a problem for me, but it is for many people.

As far as impact protection, the Kevlar jeans don't offer much if any.
I don't know about the abrasion protection, but the Draggin Jeans U.S.A. video is pretty impressive.
Draggin Jeans Videos

I kind of got off-topic, but what the heck, it's my thread so I guess I can hi-jack it. :biggrin:
 
#12 ·
Cycleport’s Kevlar suits are the only synthetic apparel approved by the F.I.M., the A.M.A., the W.E.R.A. and many other racing organizations.

http://maps.wera.com/rulebook/?x=1098#ch7

Under #10 c
Yeah, but the riders in those organizations are all professionals and never fall and subject their apparel to any abrasion, right?:p
Obviously, my comment was intended to be sarcasm. :)

It would seem that the Cycleport Kevlar suits must have passed some tests for those organizations to approve them.
Abrasion resistance was probably included.

Also, I think you have been a member for quite some time, is that correct?

Don't you know better than to clutter up a forum discussion with facts and logic? :D
:thumbsup:
 
#17 ·
When you find some let us know. I have bought so many pairs of gloves over the years it makes me upset to think about it. The ones that have a lot of protection are crazy inflexible and allow you no feeling at your finger tips for buttons etc. The thinner ones feel fine but of course offer less protection. I have 4 pairs of gloves that I use depending on the weather. They all are a compromise.