A good pair of riding gloves is like a Secret Service agent; always there protecting you, but never at the forefront of your mind. Should something happen, though, you’ll be grateful when they save your skin. After a full day of riding, it’s hard for me to think of any issues I had with SHIFT’s Pro Strike gloves, which means they did their job well.I found my XL-sized pair to be well ventilated and comfortable. None of the inside seams chafed me, and the Velcro closure strap stayed shut. The cuff length was just long enough to cover my wrist, yet not long enough to make my hands sweaty. My favorite feature of the gloves was the thick rubber strips along the back of the fingers. Although they provide minimal protection, anything there to absorb damage to your knuckles is a welcome addition.Thin silicone strips on the inside end of the fore and middle fingers are a nice touch. The strips provide a slight grip on the brake and clutch levers, without being obtrusive. My major concern with my silver Pro Strikes is that this particular color is not going to hide mud stains well at all, especially considering they have a good bit of white on them. Available in five different colors, and sizes ranging from S to XL, SHIFT’s Pro Strike gloves retail for $24.95.—Brian Purtymunwww.shiftmx.com
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| Gear | Max. | Rated |
| Style | 20 | 17 |
| Comfort | 10 | 10 |
| Function | 50 | 48 |
| Wash/Care | 10 | 7 |
| Price | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 92 |
Back to Brian Purtymun’s Final Writing Samples
