Merlin Kaplan Air Mesh Explorer Glove
The Merlin Explorer Collection has been designed to complement the rise in accessible, do-it-all motorcycles, along with the increased desire to get out and travel thanks to nearly 18 months of COVID-19 lockdowns. Also behind the design – the rise of younger motorcyclists, with Instagram’s heritage scene rapidly growing and the build-up of motorcycling in popular culture encouraging more young people to get their licences. Explorer offers rugged styling, durability and protection while incorporating the signature Merlin styling using only the best materials and components, such as Halley Stevensons® waxed cotton, D3O® armour and Cordura®.
All-round airflow is the core principle for the Kaplan gloves. A mesh topside combined with perforations on the palms provide cool airflow when you need it most. With padded knuckles and goat leather reinforcements look after protection while touchscreen-friendly finger tips offer easy use of mobile phones and sat navs without needing to remove the gloves.
To care for your Kaplan gloves, please only use neutral soap and a sponge or lint-free cloth to wipe over the surface. Do not leave the gloves to soak in a bucket as you would with a textile glove.
Materials:- Air Mesh and Textile Topside
- Goat Leather Palm
- Goat Leather Knuckle Panels
- Grip Overlayed Palm Panels
- High Density Padded Knuckle Protection
- CE EN13594 Level 1
- Digital Touch Tip On Both Index Finger And Thumb Tip
- Punched Leather On Palm For Improved Breathability
- Accordion Stretch Panels
- Mid-Length Cuff With Single Velcro Cuff/Wrist Restraint System
- Debossed Branding Details
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Sizing Information
The fit of this model is consistent with the major brands we carry so choose the size you normally wear. If you have no previous experience at all with glove sizing, go here for help
Our Two Cents
The Kaplan Mesh Glove from Merlin is a part of their explorer collection and is designed to help you stay cool in warmer weather while providing protection in a short cuff design. Overall construction is air mesh and textile on the top side, goat leather at the palm and knuckles with an overlay panel at the palms for additional grip. The leather on the palm is also punched for additional breathability and the leather on the hook and loop enclosure on the cuff is embossed with the Merlin logo and looks quite nice. With additional perforation, air holes in the finger knuckle protectors and all of the air mesh these gloves do breathe well and should help you stay cooler in the water riding months.
From a protection standpoint these gloves are CE Level 1 KP rated and get most of their abrasion resistance from the goat leather and also feat a padded knuckle protector that is high density padded. Additional features included touch screen compatibility on both the index finger and the thumb and in testing it performed well with both Android and iPhone devices. The pinky and ring finger also features accordion stretch panels and finger knuckle protectors.
Overall the Kaplan Mesh glove is sized correctly, has a tight or form hugging fit and feels minimal while being warn allowing for full motion and dexterity. However there are a few issues, the first being the internal stitching, though not as bad as Merlin’s Glenn Wax gloves, was not super comfortable to me. Additionally I personally would like thicker/stronger protection at the palm and knuckles. And lastly, for the price point, coming in at just under $70 there are better gloves out there, even some in Merlin’s own lineup. With that said, the Kaplan gloves are not horrible by any means as they do use good materials and offer some protection, but again for me there are better options. :: Damir 6/12/24
