Alpinestars Archer X-Trafit Gloves

The fit of Alpinestars gloves are very consistent from one model to the next. And overall, they fit a bit small as compared to other brands we carry such as FirstGear, Tour Master, etc. It’s not enough to recommend that you buy a larger size (especially if a snug fit is preferred) but it is noticeable enough to say that if you are sometimes between sizes, then you should probably choose the larger of the two. Hopefully you’ve had some experience with buying gloves and can choose based upon the fit of a previous pair. If you have no previous experience with glove sizing, go here for help.

I’m reviewing three new gloves from Alpinestars that employ Gore-Tex’s X-Trafit technology. The technology offers the waterproofing and breathability of Gore-Tex along with a manufacturing process that “bonds” the membrane to the glove so it reduces bulk. In trying them on, it is really hard to tell that the glove is even a waterproof model. I found a link to a good explanation of this process on Gore-Tex’s website. I first saw something like this in a Held glove a couple seasons back. I’m not sure if it is the same exact process, now it has a nifty marketing name, but the idea was the same. Now it seems to be the new best accepted way to build a Gore-Tex glove. The Archer glove is the one of the three gloves for this model year that is most like a race glove, so it will appeal to those that do sport riding. I doubt you will want to do any track work and need a Gore-Tex glove (at least I hope not), but those who do sport street riding in wet weather will like this one. You can take the “View Larger Images” link above and see some of the sport/race features of this glove. The knuckles get a hard plastic protector and there is a hard plastic slider in the palm. The purpose of that slider is to promote sliding of the hand along the asphalt in case of a fall as opposed to a “grabbing” effect that might occur with just leather/asphalt contact. Like almost all other current Alpinestars gloves, the third and fourth fingers are joined which helps protect the more fragile pinkie from damage. Also, the glove is secured to your hand with a positive close Velcro strap at the wrist. So with that list of features, you’ve pretty much got a glove that lands between a street and a race glove but also one that has a Gore-Tex liner. Definitely a premium mix of features, and of course not a cheap one… but no glove with Gore-Tex is inexpensive. People swear by this stuff! :: Paul, 09-16-13