Bionic Gloves

Bionic Gloves

CW EVALUATIONS

Science meets leather

NOTHING TERRIBLY HIGH-TECH ABOUT a glove, right? Just a simple, protective covering for the hand. Bionic begs to differ. The company is a division of Kentucky-based Hillerich & Bradsby, better known as makers of Louisville Slugger baseball bats. Batting gloves were a natural fit, which led to a line of sports gloves for golfers, tennis and racquetball players, equestrians and weightlifters. Now comes gardening, driving and, yes, motorcycle gloves.

As with all of Bionic’s products, the motorcycle glove was designed with input from Dr. Jim Kleinert, a renowned orthopedic hand surgeon, now in charge of R&D for the company. It’s a fairweather glove crafted from top-grade sheepskin, supple and almost tacky to the touch, that quickly conforms to the shape of the wearer’s hand. Finger cut is “pre-rotated” for a natural fit when circling a handgrip.

Unique to Bionic are patented “anatomical relief pads,” small crossways strips-two each on the undersides of the fingers-meant to fill in the natural joint furrows. The claim is improved grip without the need to grasp harder, which reduces hand fatigue.

Topside, padding is sewn over the knuckles, as is a stretchable, breathable lycra material for ease of movement.

There’s more lycra at the web of each finger. Small clear silicon patches reinforce the fingertips; a bigger patch does the same in the palm area while enhancing grip. The pinkies and glove backs get swipes of reflective material. Neoprene at the wrists cinches tight via velcro tabs.

All those features add to the Bionic’s price. But this is a well-engineered, quality-constructed product that’s quickly become one of our favorite lightweight streetbike gloves.

Bionic Glove Technology 800 W. Main St. Louisville, KY 40202 877/524-6642 www.bionicglove.com Price.. .$70 DETAILS A Online sizing guide A Zero break-in time A Machine-washable owns v Not exactly cheap Not for cold weather v Not endorsed by Lee Majors