Knox Handroid Review
10/08/2010
After destroying 3 sets of Alpinestars gloves in about 5 weekends (Alpinestars replaced them every time free of charge) I had a race coming up so I headed over to my good friends at STG to slip into a new set before the first Beave Run event of the NC season. My teammate who runs the Held Phantoms was sold on those so I started my search there. Being a bit stiff and not wanting to break them in during a race weekend, I kept looking. We came to the Handroids and at first impressions they felt great on the hand. Very soft, almost to the point where I questioned their ability to survive sliding on the palm for any distance. But I was assured that they are primo and went with them.
The first outing was great, they felt soft and offered great feel and feedback. The white plate the goes on the top side of the glove did become an issue however and popped off often when putting the gloves on. This continued to happen until finally during the third weekend one of them flew off on the front straight at Grattan raceway. I then removed the plate from the other glove for the rest of the season as I didn’t want that to pop someone in the shield (I doubt it would hurt anything, but it surely would surprise the rider behind me).
The time spent in the gloves include 5 race weekends (30 sprints, 4 solo 20's and several practices) and two track days.
Handroids:
The fit as I said before was perfect, until a few outings in the gloves. After some wear and moisture the gloves stretched a bit, to the point that they were still usable, but about 1/2 size to big. If I had to do it over, I'd grab a pair a size just a bit too snug and let them break in to a good fit.
Other issues came in the form of turning my hands blood red, mostly in the thumbs. This would wash off after a few days and was not a huge deal for me, but it could be for some. Another issue was wear. I have not crashed in the gloves but right glove did wear a hole in the palm on the right glove near the plastic protection. This can be seen in the pictures.
BOA strap system. This seemed to work very well, super easy to get a nice snug fit with out too much issues. Easy to take off as well, just pop it up and thats it. Seems to be pretty bomb proof as well, its been on snowboard boots for ever and those can take a beating. I never questioned it once all season.
Right Palm:
All in all I think these are a great glove, other than the hole wore in the palm that I'm watching to see what happens with those over the next few rides as its not that bad right now, but an are of concern. Grips used: Renthal Soft's.
- Fit: 7 of 10 (stretched a bit, and would be better to get a size snug)
- Looks: 9 of 10 (they look great with the white top plate, look a bit odd
once it fell off) - Feel: 8 of 10 (gave great feedback until the stretched, still damn good)
- Value: 9 of 10 (on par with other high end gloves)
- Durability 7 of 10 (I would have liked to not see holes in the palm)
Overall I feel they are a good glove, a couple issues need to be resolved with the top plate and the staining of the hand's due to the dye but a solid glove that comes in for me at a 8 out of 10. I have not crashed tested them yet, and hopefully wont, so others can chime in on that.
Left Palm:
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