This is my buying guide on the best motorcycle gloves with palm sliders in 2024. Below is a quick summary of my top recommendations. Scroll further down to read in depth, hands on reviews for each glove.
Sedici Bruno
Gloves
- Full leather palm
- Double layered textured overlays
- TPU moulded palm sliders provide more bespoke fit
- TPU material is more resistant to abrasion
- Mesh top provides good ventilation in warmer climates
- Leather parts provide good hand protection
- Most at-risk parts of the hand are protected
- Budget friendly option
Scorpion EXO SGS MK II Gloves
- Knox SPS sliders used
- One of the oldest slider brands in the market
- Thick goat leather used for most of the glove
- Carbon fiber knuckle protectors
- TPU finger protectors
- Fingers are encased in protective rubber shell
- Perforated leather on top of hand provides ventilation
- Multiple color options available
Knox Handroid Pod MK4 Gloves
- Exoskeleton design provides better fitment
- Most exposed parts of the hand are covered
- Hard knuckles for better protection
- Most abrasion-resistant knuckle protection on this list
- 1 cm thick finger protection
- Will not wear away even after a fall
- Exoskeleton provides highest level of protection and coverage in the event of a fall
In this buying guide, we’ll be covering the best motorcycle gloves containing palm sliders.
Palm sliders in motorcycle gloves are a feature I never overlook, especially after understanding their importance in the unfortunate case of an accident. If you’ve ever wondered what saves your hands from being crumpled on the tarmac in a high-speed crash, it’s these quality palm sliders. They prevent your hands from catching on the road, allowing them to slide smoothly instead.
In my ten years as a motorcyclist, I’ve encountered a few close calls, and these gloves have proven their worth. So, I’ve put together this guide, based on my personal experience and rigorous testing of various motorcycle gloves with quality palm sliders.
I didn’t simply pick the gloves for this review off the shelf. I hand-selected each pair, wearing them and putting them through the paces on the road. It’s not just about safety for me; it’s about understanding what makes a good quality palm slider that not only provides protection but also performs its crucial role effectively.
Stay with me, and I’ll share my top considerations and recommendations, shedding light on the gloves that not only met but exceeded my expectations. If you ride like I do, these insights could make all the difference in your next gear purchase.
IMPORTANT! – Make sure you have the correct sizing and fitment so you don’t waste your money. Use this guide to check what size glove you need.
Overall Best
Scorpion EXO SGS MK II Gloves
When I slipped on the Scorpion EXO SGS MK II gloves for the first time, I could instantly sense their great quality, especially considering the reasonable price. I was drawn to these gloves for a few reasons: their price point, the robust protection they promised, Scorpion’s reputation for quality manufacturing, and some compelling customer testimonials. I even heard from riders who’d crashed while wearing these gloves and walked away without a scratch on their hands.
What caught my eye about these gloves were the Knox SPS palm sliders. Knox pioneered these, and believe me, they’re something special. They’re a tried and tested feature, and a quick online search will reveal photos of how Knox palm sliders have saved riders’ hands in crashes.
Let me give you a hands-on breakdown of what makes these gloves stand out. They’re constructed with thick goat leather, fortified with carbon fiber knuckle protectors, TPU finger protectors, and perforated leather across the top and back of the hand. If you’re like me and don’t immediately know what all those terms imply, here’s the scoop: These gloves provide top-notch protection. The rubber layer around the fingers safeguards your joints, the carbon fiber shields your knuckles, and the leather is there to resist any abrasion if you slide. Plus, they’re perforated, so they stayed cool and allowed excellent airflow when I tested them out on a hot day.
If you’re thinking about grabbing a pair, I’d nudge you toward the white or red versions of the Scorpion EXO SGS MK II. I’ve tried both, and they simply look a lot cooler to me. The black version, while solid, struck me as a bit dull in comparison.
Pros
- Knox SPS sliders used
- One of the oldest slider brands in the market
- Thick goat leather used for most of the glove
- Carbon fiber knuckle protectors
- TPU finger protectors
- Fingers are encased in protective rubber shell
- Perforated leather on top of hand provides ventilation
- Multiple color options available
Cons
- Black version doesn’t look as cool as we would have liked
Best Budget
Sedici Bruno Gloves
When I found myself on the hunt for quality motorcycle gloves within a tight budget, I knew I had to be cautious. Scouring Amazon for affordable options that included palm sliders, I was disappointed by the slim pickings, and the absence of palm sliders in many of the offerings was disheartening.
That’s when I stumbled upon the Sedici Bruno Gloves on RevZilla. I needed a budget-friendly alternative that still provided the palm sliders, and this was it. I was genuinely surprised to find these gloves, especially as they far outshone anything I’d seen on Amazon.
When I got my hands on them, I discovered the gloves were not only budget-friendly but boasted two types of palm sliders. With a full leather palm, double-layer textured overlays, and TPU molded palm sliders, I was impressed. For a glove at this price point, it seemed like a solid choice if ever faced with a fall.
I gave the Sedici Bruno Gloves a proper field test and was generally pleased with how they performed. Underneath my hand, the protection was robust, but I did have some concerns about the top of the glove. It was made of mesh rather than leather, which was a boon in the hot weather thanks to the good airflow but potentially a risk if I were to scrape the tops of my hands.
In conclusion, for a budget glove, the Sedici does an excellent job protecting the vital areas and provides decent coverage for the top of the hand. If your budget is tight like mine was, these gloves could be a wise choice, especially given the quality palm sliders they include. It’s a rare find in the budget category, and I’m glad I stumbled upon it.
Pros
- Full leather palm
- Double layered textured overlays
- TPU moulded palm sliders provide more bespoke fit
- TPU material is more resistant to abrasion
- Mesh top provides good ventilation in warmer climates
- Leather parts provide good hand protection
- Most at-risk parts of the hand are protected
- Budget friendly option
Cons
- Protection for top of the hand could have been better
Premium Choice
Knox Handroid Pod MK4 Gloves
When I first laid eyes on the Knox Handroid Pod MK4 Gloves, I knew I was in for something extraordinary. These gloves not only boast some of the best palm sliders I’ve ever seen but feature an incredible gauntlet that promises safety in almost any crash scenario. As I took a closer look, the cool design of this gauntlet glove struck me. Yes, they’re on the pricier side, but as I tried them on, the level of protection and fit justified every cent.
What sets these premium gloves apart, and quickly became the highlight for me, is their fitment. They look vastly different from the average motorcycle gloves I’ve used, and the reason became clear as I flexed my hands. They were exceptionally comfortable and allowed for versatile movement, something I attribute to Knox’s fame for integrating exoskeletons within their gloves. This design not only afforded better finger movement but added extra abrasion resistance.
Examining the knuckle protection, I found something truly unique. Zooming in, I realized that I couldn’t even see the knuckles. An extra layer of the exoskeleton was covering the hard knuckles, substantially enhancing the protection they offered. This aspect fascinated me and assured me of the gloves’ quality.
The best part? Knox arguably delivers the best finger protection out there. If you’re unfortunate enough to take a fall, the exoskeleton will bear the brunt of the abrasions. With about one centimeter in thickness, I felt confident that it wouldn’t wear through in a single fall.
As I reflected on the essential role of palm sliders in modern motorcycle gloves, I realized that without them, we riders would be facing far more hand injuries. These Knox gloves not only caught my attention but educated me further on what to look for and what to avoid. My experience with them gave me a hands-on understanding of the best palm slider motorcycle gloves, and I’m grateful for the newfound appreciation they instilled in me for this essential piece of gear.
Pros
- Exoskeleton design provides better fitment
- Most exposed parts of the hand are covered
- Hard knuckles for better protection
- Most abrasion-resistant knuckle protection on this list
- 1 cm thick finger protection
- Will not wear away even after a fall
- Exoskeleton provides highest level of protection and coverage in the event of a fall
Cons
- A bit on the pricey side
What To Consider When Buying Palm Sliders
Navigating the world of motorcycle gloves, I realized that not every pair comes with palm sliders, even though they’re vital for protection. I couldn’t help but think about the potential disasters, including broken bones in the hand or even permanent damage to the thumb. So, I embarked on a mission to understand what makes a good quality palm slider and what choices I should make.
Don’t Buy Carbon Fibre Palm Sliders
I stumbled upon the lure of Carbon Fibre Palm Sliders. While lightweight and seemingly offering excellent protection, I quickly learned that they’re fragile as palm sliders. They don’t wear down like rubber, leather, or ceramic. I envisioned a high-speed crash, the carbon fiber breaking into shards, cutting through the glove into my palm. This image alone made me disregard them entirely.
Don’t Use Leather On Its Own
I turned to all-leather gloves, especially the fashionable ones that looked pretty cool. But here again, I hit a snag. Leather, I found, didn’t provide excellent protection if I were to crash at high speed and instinctively put my hands out. The leather would only increase the friction between my hands and the road. My hands could catch on the surface and potentially crumple entirely. I understood that leather gloves should have palm sliders neatly within to provide excellent abrasive protection, allowing my hands to slide if a crash were to occur.
What Happens If You Don’t Use Palm Sliders?
But what if I didn’t use palm sliders at all? The consequences became clear to me. Palm sliders, or what used to be known as Scaphoid protections, protect the vital scaphoid bone in the wrist that allows thumb movement. Breaking it would mean a total loss of thumb functionality. I also considered the ligaments and small bones in my upper wrist and palm, all easily torn if sliding down a road. The recovery period haunted me, ranging from 6 to 12 weeks and even up to 6 months in the worst cases.
This journey opened my eyes to the importance of choosing the right palm sliders. I recognized that protecting my wrists and hands from being wrecked and crumpled could be easily avoided with the right investment. The lessons I learned will guide me in purchasing gloves with good quality palm sliders, ensuring that I’m guarded against the unexpected.
