I tend to go through gloves quickly. The last few pairs I've owned from a couple different well-known brands didn't get me through a month. I experience ripped seams, velcro not holding up and even holes worn through the tips of the index fingers from braking. I either have terrible luck or I'm pretty good at picking out shitty gloves, but I would expect a little more life out of gloves in the $25-35 range. I decided to give another brand a shot.
I learned about Novik gloves from an online ad. Novik started out in 2009, making gear for the motocross industry, and are based out of Silverthorne, CO. I knew none of this when I placed an order with them, but was glad to learn later on that I was buying from a local company.
I bought a pair of their T.E.C. (That's Even Cooler) gloves. Their minimal design is different from what I usually go for. But from my experience, little pieces of rubber on the fingers doesn't make it feel any better when your hands come between the bars and a tree. Double layers on the palm haven't increased their lifespan, so maybe less is more?
The first thing I noticed when putting these on were how comfortable they are. Soft! The I-Span flexible material on top of the gloves is a big part of what makes these so comfortable. They form to your hands well, and after a few months of riding, these gloves have shown no loss of elasticity. Lycra on the sides of the fingers also help make these a snug fit.
The palms are a single breathable layer with an extra layer on the thumbs. There's also a pattern of small holes on the palms for ventilation. I've taken a couple falls to the hands and so far they've held up well with no tears in the palms. There's some stitching that came loose on the left thumb at some point early on, but it hasn't gotten any worse since it happened a couple months ago.
Novik was generous with the amount of silicone used on the fingertips for lever grip and they show no signs of wear.
Novik went with an elastic wrist band with pull tabs added below the palms. I wasn't sure how I'd like this as I've always had the velcro closure at the wrist. The elastic isn't tight around your wrist but by no means loose, either. They are snug enough to stay comfortably in place.
It's obvious Novik was going for comfort, breath-ability and simplistic design with their T.E.C. gloves. I can easily say they're the most comfortable gloves I've worn. So far, they're holding up well and have lasted longer than others I've tried in recent years. Beside the stitching that's come loose on the thumb, I've had no issues with these gloves. And at just over $20, the price is right. I probably won't wear these for downhill, as I'd like a little more length at the wrist with a velcro closure for the inevitable first bail off the bike, but for everyday trail riding, these are great. So great, I've got another pair of Noviks on the way! Check out more at
www.novikgloves.com
