Used: REV'IT! Tarmac gloves review

THESE Tarmac gloves are the first bits of REV'IT! kit I’ve used and after two years of abuse I can give them the serious leather thumbs up.

All I could think about when I bought these was that I’d bought a size too small. They took at least five outings to begin to fit my hand properly, worrying when you’ve just spent £140 on dried cow’s skin.

However, once these gloves are broken in, they feel great. The pre-curved fingers keep the leather tight to your skin and are thin enough to give great feedback through the fingertips.

There is no denying that the Tarmac is a racing glove, being waterproof is not their forte.

They're a snug fit and so finding your way into them with freezing cold and clumsy fingers isn't the easiest task. While the Velcro wrist strap and double-cuff closing system help make this glove secure, if you're on and off the bike a lot, the routine of putting them on and taking them off takes its toll.

The glove has some really nice features on it which shows that REV'IT! have put a lot of thought into it. Small details like plastic sliders on the pinky are designed to help your finger slide and not grip if you end up going down the road.

They feature external double-stitching, sliders on both the fingers and palms, an aluminium shell that covers the knuckles and multiple straps to give you a snug fit.

Does all this technology work? Well, I’ve gone down twice wearing these gloves, both times at speeds above 45mph and my fingers and hands are intact. 

As are the gloves and the all important stitching has held up to the abuse meaning they live to fight another day. Despite the crashes, they still look good after two years of riding, track days and being soaked through. There's plenty left in them, although I'd rather not crash test them again, if it's all the same to you.

I've had these gloves for two years, I can see them lasting another two, at which point I’ll be off to buy another pair.

Model:

Cost:

Contact:

THESE Tarmac gloves are the first bits of REV'IT! kit I’ve used and after two years of abuse I can give them the serious leather thumbs up.

My first thought when I got these was that I’d bought a size too small. They took at least five outings to begin to fit my hand properly, worrying when you’ve just spent £140 on dried cow’s skin.

However, once these gloves are broken in, they feel great. The pre-curved fingers keep the leather tight to your skin and are thin enough to give great feedback through the fingertips.

There is no denying that the Tarmac is a racing glove, being waterproof is not their forte.

They're a snug fit and so finding your way into them with freezing cold and clumsy fingers isn't the easiest task. While the Velcro wrist strap and double-cuff closing system help make this glove secure, if you're on and off the bike a lot, the routine of putting them on and taking them off takes its toll.

The glove has some really nice features on it which shows that REV'IT! have put a lot of thought into it. Small details like plastic sliders on the pinky are designed to help your finger slide and not grip if you end up going down the road.

They feature external double-stitching, sliders on both the fingers and palms, an aluminium shell that covers the knuckles and multiple straps to give you a snug fit.

Does all this technology work? Well, I’ve gone down twice wearing these gloves, both times at speeds above 45mph and my fingers and hands are intact. 

As are the gloves and the all important stitching has held up to the abuse meaning they live to fight another day. Despite the crashes, they still look good after two years of riding, track days and being soaked through. There's plenty left in them, although I'd rather not crash test them again, if it's all the same to you.

I've had these gloves for two years, I can see them lasting another two, at which point I’ll be off to buy another pair.

Model: Tarmac

Cost: RRP £140 but found online for £89.99

Contact: REV'IT!