Lizard Skins is best known in the cycling space as a manufacturer of grips, bike protection, and handlebar accessories. They also make a full line of grips and grip tape for a wide range of sporting activities including hockey, baseball, lacrosse, and even gaming. They also offer a selection of batting gloves and cycling gloves. After checking out the gloves and the rest of the collection at Sea Otter this spring, I took two pairs of the long finger mountain bike gloves home with me and have spent the summer wearing them and hitting the trails.
The models I’m wearing are the Monitor Ignite (green) and Monitor Traverse (titanium gray) long finger gloves. Thanks to the clean aesthetic and well-matched fit, they’ve become my go-tos, as the solid color ways pair well with many of my riding kits.
Features: Monitor Traverse (titanium gray, MSRP $29.99)
- Gel-padding in the palm
- Three panel AX suede palm
- TPR wrist strap and pull tab
- Flexible mesh back
- Silicone for enhanced grip
- Microfiber nose wipe
- Articulated fingers
Features: Monitor Ignite (olive green, MSRP $27.99)
- Neoprene slip-on wrist closure
- Cool Max mesh back
- One-piece palm
- Silicone for enhanced grip
- Microfiber nose wipe
- Articulated fingers
On the trail
I’ve been wearing the Lizard Skins gloves regularly and they’ve held up well over a summer of riding. For me, gloves come in two varieties – trail riding gloves with and without knuckle protection. Sometimes you need a bit of extra protection; the rest of the time, you just want a comfortable pair of gloves that fit well. These gloves fall into the latter category.
The gray models get worn the most, as they go with everything. The main difference between the two models is that Monitor Traverse has a bit of adjustment for fit, whereas the Monitor Ignite simply slip on.
I find they both fit great, so when heading out, I simply choose the one that accents the rest of my riding kit.
They feature a bit of sewn in padding in the palm area for additional comfort and shock absorption. I didn’t really notice the padding, which I found to be a positive. With the breathable mesh, they’re definitely intended as a warm weather option, as they do provide a bit of airflow. If you’re looking for a basic set of riding gloves, they’re a solid option worth picking up.
Check out the gloves at LizardSkins.com or support the site by shopping for Lizard Skins get at retail partner JensonUSA.com.