Icon Pursuit Glove Review
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Originally Posted by RideIcon.com
Fits like a glove... You've heard it a thousand times, so have we. What actually defines how a glove should fit? We think the new standard is Icon's Pursuit glove. Supple sheepskin leather conforms to your hand. Plastic knuckle armor for protection, but hidden for a refined look. All over perforation for all day comfort. Reinforced goatskin palm to combat those nasty encounters with the asphalt. Try it on for yourself and then decide. This is what a glove was meant to be.
• Pittards sheepskin chassis for great fit
• Goatskin leather palm overlay for durability
• Integrated knuckle armor for protection
• Secure wrist closure keeps the glove in place
• Expansion gussets to improve overall flexibility
• Snap to keep gloves together while not in use
• Imported
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Several years ago I purchased a pair of Icon Pursuit Gloves online sight unseen for $40 (MSRP is $55). I selected the black regular (perforated) Pursuit gloves (The Pursuit line is available in both solid and perforated leather) and used their size chart to determine my size, large. I decided on the perforated leather as I was planning on using them for summer riding.
I got them, put them on and couldn’t believe I was wearing gloves; they’re that comfortable. The Icon Pursuit glove features armor on the second and third knuckles, individual studs on the second, and a large strip that covers all 4 on the third. The studs (for lack of a better word) seem to be hard plastic, while the strip is either very flexible plastic or some sort of foam, if I had to guess I’d say plastic. All of the armor is stitched between layers of leather for a killer stealth look and feel.
They have a simple Velcro strap that does the job as well as a snap at the bottom allowing you to snap the gloves together when not in use (useful if you’re like me and are always looking for that second glove).
Now for the downside: although they’re extremely comfortable and armored, they don’t offer much protection
especially if you fall at highway speed. The leather is very soft and subtle which lead me to believe that it may not hold up very well on impact. Fortunately (knock on wood) I have never tested them in this capacity, however a friend of mine dropped a pair of Stealth (non-perforated) Pursuit gloves onto the highway (I don’t remember how) which resulted in them being decently scraped up for falling with no weight behind them. (I will try to get him to post pics)
I also ran across these pics taken of the regular pursuit gloves (the same ones I have) by vdubvr6 on SVRider, who went down at about 65-70 mph while wearing them.
Before:
After:
*** WARNING GRAPHIC ***
The following pics are of his hands after the crash, not for those with a weak stomach. Pic #1 Pic #2
To sum it up, the Icon Pursuit Gloves are very comfortable and are a great alternative to not wearing any gloves at all, however they do not provide adequate protection for highway riding, and
may not provide the desired protection on the street either.
Upside: VERY comfortable like not wearing gloves at all, stealth look with hidden armor
Downside: Do not provide enough protection for highway riding,
may not provide enough for regular street riding either
Conclusion: Better than not wearing gloves, don’t provide adequate protection in average riding conditions