Review: GripGrab Gloves

GripGrab is a Danish manufacturer of gloves and accessories. Each of their models are designed to be optimized for specific uses, ranging from long distance XC riding, trail riding, cold weather use or racing.

GripGrab sent over a few pairs of gloves for us to try, and for over a season I’ve been rotating between three models: the Supergel XC, Vertical, and Racing glove. For the most part I’ve worn them trail riding, but now we’re back into summer, they’ve been part of my daily commute as well.

Features

The bulk of my time has been spent with the Racing and Supergel XC. Although each model is optimized for a lightly different experience, I’ll admit that the glove picked for the day has been chosen primarily on whether it matches my kit over the feature set. (sorry)

Both models feature mesh at the top of the glove, making them ideal long rides in warm temperatures. They also feature padding in the palm area dubbed DoctorGel as well as touch screen compatible material in the fingers.

Other features include:

• Sweat Wiper
• Touch screen compatibility
• Silicon finger tips
• AX Suede palm
• Air flow mesh back
• Reflective Logos

Doctor Gel

The palm of the glove features gel padding, not unlike the gel found in gloves by other manufacturers. The SuperGel XC features 4mm of padding; the Racing model 2mm.

Magnets

All the models we’ve been using feature small round magnets pair left to right hands that aid in keeping track of the gloves. It’s easy to not even notice this feature, but its pretty cool, and if you’ve ever found yourself digging in your gear bag to track down a gloves mate, you’ll find it’s much appreciated.

On the Trail

I apparently have much longer and narrow fingers than GripGrab fit models, but while the cut of the gloves was excessive for the diameter of my digits, it didn’t effect fit or comfort. Riders with thicker stubbier digits, this glove’s for you.

That said, these gloves are extremely comfortable. They had a great feel, and although there is padding in the palm, I didn’t really notice it while riding. I also never experienced any hand numbness either, even after long days in the saddle.

How does the gel padding actually work? After a full day of riding at Downieville —wearing the Supergel XC — that included two shuttles, I didn’t experience hand pump. At the time I attributed this to my fork set up being dialed, but seeing as how I almost always get hand pump after a multiple days of gravity fed riding, the gloves definitely deserve some credit.

Many of the gloves I’ve used to date have been a one season affair, developing holes in the fingers or blown out stitching in the thumbs, especially models I’ve owned from a prominent SoCal company.  The GripGrab gloves have been through a significant amount of use and have held up extremely well to date. Whether it’s the choice of the materials used, or quality of construction, GripGrab has fashioned a finely made product, especially considering the issues I’ve had with anything mesh basically blowing out.

I’ve generally preferred velcro fasteners on gloves over slip on models, but the elastic on the racing glove pulls right on and fits well. Which as I’ve mentioned, is doubly impressive when you consider the glove is a bit loose on my digits.

GripGrab Vertical. The Vertical gloves in tan are constructed of a more durable material and fit a bit more snugly. Because they were more fitted and had less stretch, they took a bit more to squeeze on and off. I didn’t find myself wearing the Vertical models as often, as I find myself taking gloves on and off frequently. The fit was improved for my lean fingers though, and of the three models, the Vertical is the best choice for shuttle runs or at the bike park. The more durable materials are a bit warmer, but should hold up under more aggressive use and abuse.

Sizing

When selecting gloves we went by the size guide on the site. While I wear small or medium in men’s mountain bike (from American companies) jerseys, ironically I generally wear medium or large when it comes to men’s gloves. I wear size large for a number of Euro and road brands though, so I wasn’t surprised to find I was a large in GripGrab gloves.

Washing

When its time to wash the gloves, we ran them through the washing machine (set on cold) , line drying them each time. The magnets are super handy for pairing them up and hanging. They’re holding up great, and are in great condition with over a full season of riding.

Overall, we’ve been quite impressed with the line, and the only nags we could come up with are that they’re hard to find in the states, and we wished they were available in a few more colorways.

Check them out at GripGrab.com