The more I ride with teched-out gear that neither looks good nor meets my expectations, the more I appreciate the utilitarian simplicity of Aerostich's products. Today we're checking out some gloves, but any piece of gear you get from Aerostich is designed, tested, and redesigned by motorcyclists with function in mind.
I’ve been wearing the Aerostich Elkskin Gauntlet Gloves through most of this year’s winter here in California. The thick, unlined leather is perfect for our mild winter and the gauntlet easily extends over the sleeve of whichever jacket I’m wearing to ensure no wind makes its way underneath the cuff.
Elkskin is used in the palm for durability, and a softer, thinner deerskin is used throughout the rest of the glove for comfort. New, the leather was soft and comfortable but took a little bit of use and a couple of washes to really break in and fit like I wanted them to. At the base of the wrist is a Velcro strap and an elastic band to ensure proper fit, and there’s a second Velcro closure at the base of the gauntlet for securing around your sleeve. On the thumb of the left glove is a small squeegee that comes in handy in the rain, hardly noticeable otherwise.
I was unsure about sizing, as I typically wear an XL and didn’t know how that would translate into Aerostich’s numeric system. I went back and forth with a representative through a couple of emails over a day and a half and sent in one hand measurement—she was friendly and helpful and, just as she promised, the gloves fit perfectly when they arrived.
For $85, these gloves are a solid buy and are sure to last many years. Available in three colors and eight sizes.
