Wearing gloves while riding is as important as wearing a good pair of boots. Choosing the wrong glove can mean the difference between a good day of riding and a great day of riding. Wearing no gloves at is just plain silly, I've seen people do it. For me, glove choice is a very personal thing. I can wear a new pair of pants and not have to break them in or get used to them. But every time I wear a set of gloves that are not my standard it takes me several laps to get used to the way they feel. Sometimes it will take an entire day and I'll have new blisters to go with my new gloves.

Because of this I have learned to always wear the same model from the same manufacturer to avoid any issues and I still wind up getting one blister on my left palm. The only thing I like to change with regard to the gloves I wear is the color and I rarely do that.

Recently, we received some gloves from SHIFT Racing, known as the Barrier Glove, that don't require the aforementioned adaptation period. Just slip them on and go. While they are not as vented as the SHIFT Faction glove, from the photo you would think they are cold weather gloves, you can still use them in warm weather conditions without getting hot hands. Adding to the "winter" feeling is the carbon fiber knuckle cover which also makes them look like a dual sport glove or something you would only wear trail riding. Don't be fooled into thinking this. If you have ever been hit in the hand by a wayward rock you know just how good it feels and the knuckle protection is a welcome feature.

I simply can't get used to riding with roost deflectors. Adding to the comfort is a thin layer of nylon covered padding on the palm at the base of the fingers (directly opposite your knuckle). It's only located where you usually develop calluses. At the very tips of the fingers are sewn on, rubber, Rima panels for a responsive union with your levers.

Another nice element on theses gloves is all of the rubber panels are sewn on so they won't pop off the 3rd time you wash them.
Three of our testers got their hands in these. And each one, as they put them on for the first time, said “wow these gloves feel great”. All praised the Barrier for instant comfort.

Get your hands in a set at shiftracing.com  
Retail: $39.95
Colors: Black, Black or Black
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