TESTED: Alpinestars Celer Gloves




Your hands are one of the most important things on your body. If you crash, the first instinct is to extend them out to soften the blow to the pavement. Without proper protection, they are the first to hit the ground resulting in a nasty rash or worse.
Alpinestars isn’t a huge name in the V-twin world, but they are a gigantic name in the sportbike and racing world. They protect the skin for most of the fastest riders on two wheels. With all that racing research behind them, their street products have that same world class quality built into them.
You’ll be hard fast to find us wearing a full on road race glove while cruising down the highway, but fortunately Alpinestars make short cuff versions of some of their race mitts. These Celer gloves are just that, a street version of a well researched racing glove.
I prefer to wear my gloves smaller than normal to allow them to break in over time and not bunch up while turning the throttle. When I first put them on, they actually wouldn’t fit on my hands. After a few stretches I was able to slip them on like, well, a glove. Since then, each time I wear them they get more and more broken and are quickly becoming my favorite pair of riding gloves.
The all leather construction give me piece of mind that in a bad fall there would be some cow between the ground and my skin.
The short term impression of these gloves is one of quality and tight fit. That said, I’ll be doing a follow up review in a few weeks as they continue to break in. I think after a few sweaty days in the saddle, they will be the first pair of gloves I grab for a short or long term ride.
Features:
Durable, multi-panel main shell construction incorporating a supple full-grain goat leather for high levels of comfort, abrasion resistance and breathability.
Leather palm construction incorporates leather and EVA foam reinforcements on landing zone for excellent durability and comfort.
Highly durable synthetic leather and suede reinforcements on side of hand, thumb and palm.
Alpinestars race proven hard PU knuckle protection system for superior impact and abrasion resistance.
Knuckle guard incorporates a polymer flex insert for an optimized volume fit that follows the curvature of different hand shapes to improve grip and comfort on the bike’scontrols.
Protector is backed by foam for comfort and additional shock absorption capabilities.
Ergonomic TPR sliders on first two fingers for additional abrasion resistance.
Patented 3rd/4th finger bridge prevents finger roll and separation during impacts.
Perforated leather finger surfaces, finger sidewalls and top hand for cooling performance.
Accordion leather flex panels on fingers and thumb promote excellent riding flexibility.
Pre-curved finger construction to reduce riding fatigue.
Leather wrist cuff with EVA foam padding plus Velcro® and TPR closure for secure and personalized closure. Wrist cuff is extended and reinforced with TPR on the outside to offer protection to wrist bone.
Touch screen compatible index fingertip for use with smartphones and GPS systems.
Price: $99.95
Go to alpinestars.com for more colors and ordering.