The newest generation of racing handwear from Alpinestars, the GP Pro glove represents the cutting-edge Italian company’s latest protective technology developed by top MotoGP and World Superbike racers such as Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, Ben Spies, Noriyuki Haga, et al. Using full-grain leather for the majority of its outer construction, the GP Pro features injection-molded polyurethane plastic protection in the wrist area (a panel that runs the length of the wrist gauntlet surrounds the bony portions of the wrist), as well as the knuckle and finger protectors. The top lining of the glove is reinforced with Kevlar knit material, as well as abrasion-resistant Pittards Armor-Tan leather in critical areas. More abrasion armor comes in the form of Schoeller Keprotec material used in internal palm and wrist flap reinforcements, and the palm/thumb also features synthetic suede layers in the grip areas to help ward off blisters. Perforated leather panels in the backhand and finger gussets provide ventilation in hotter climes, and the ring and little fingers are tied together by a patented bridge to prevent finger roll-over injuries. As is common with many gloves today, the hook-and-loop-fastened wrist strap has a leather flap to protect it in case of a fall.
As is nearly always the case with Alpinestars products, quality and attention to detail with the GP Pro gloves are top notch, with no loose seams or poorly stitched areas. Overall fit was nice and snug, with the pre-curved tailoring ensuring literally no break-in necessary. Control feel was excellent, both at the fingertips and in the palm area, a crucial aspect that many gloves with less protection than the GP Pros don’t seem to provide.
We actually crash-tested the GP Pros (well, a slow-speed crash) a couple of years ago when we wore some of the first production models to a track day at Road America in Wisconsin. When rain showers began to come down on the back side of the circuit, we were pulling into the pits when the slick pavement in the final turn caught us out and we slid out at 60 mph. The Alpinestars gloves only briefly hit the pavement on the palm area, so we didn’t list them as an “SR Crash Tested” item back then; the fact that there was very little discernable evidence of a crash (and no injuries whatsoever) probably contributed to that decision as well.
The only gripe we have with the GP Pros (and it’s a relatively minor owner-specific one) is the leather bridge that ties the ring and little finger together to prevent injuries that result from the two digits rolling under another in the event of a crash where the hand is pinned against the pavement. While we’re sure that Alpinestars incorporated this safety feature because it was a common injury with professional racers, we found it to be annoying on the left hand because we used separate fingers for clutch actuation. We solved this issue easily by simply cutting the leather bridge that ties the two fingers together.
The GP Pro gloves are available in black/white, grey/white, blue/white, and red/white combinations in sizes S-3XL. Suggested retail price is $229.95.
Alpinestars USA, Inc.
www.alpinestars.com
(310)891-0222