If you're a fan of gloves that offer a bit of knuckle protection, the Endura MT500 D3O glove shouldn't be ignored. The fit, build quality, and grip leaves the glove with a lot to like; however, they're a bit warm for summery days.
The Endura MT500 D3O gloves are built with a four-way stretch, ripstop fabric upper, and synthetic leather with a grippy silicone print on the palm, index, and middle fingertips. Adding a heap of protection is a layer of D30 over the knuckles with an extended section running down the edge of the outermost knuckle.
Finally, the MT500 D30 glove comes sorted with a hook and loop fastener and a microsuede sweat wipe.
These are all great things to see on a glove, especially one with a focus on gravity fuelled riding. What's better still is how well they fit. Each finger is the perfect length, and the cuff runs up the wrist a little, avoiding any dreaded glove/jersey gap.
Something especially nice is the silicone on the palm, which mates nicely with your grips, only enhancing your hold on the bars.
I find a D30 (or similar) knuckle to be somewhat restrictive on many other gloves because it's usually much bulkier. Endura has pulled a pretty smart move and has kitted the gloves with a thin layer of D3O. It may offer less protection; although I can't speak for it, it does make for a much more comfortable glove as it's much more malleable.
However, the gloves can run a little warm, and that's because of the lack of breathability in the upper's fabric. If you're riding through autumn, winter, and early spring, they'll keep you warm, but there are much cooler alternative gloves out there for summer riding.
Value and verdict
A great example is the SixSixOne Evo II glove, a smidge pricier at £44. Still, they are built with a much cooler mesh upper and clarino palm, which makes them much cooler. However, they're not as well made as the MT500 glove.
Then, the Alpinestars Techstar glove splits the MT500 D3O and SixSixOne Evo II down the middle in terms of warmth. Priced at £40, they get sweaty, and the cuff isn't the comfiest.
However, both of those alternatives come with a bulky and rather cumbersome knuckle protector, unlike the slim layer found on the MT500 D3O.
If you want more hand protection and a price that you certainly can't turn your nose up at, the Endura MT500 D3O gloves offer decent performance for the money with a good and strong build. However, they can get a little toasty.
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