Alpinestars GP Plus R2 motorcycle gloves (pictured) have become only the second pair of gloves to be awarded a full five stars for safety by MotoCAP.
The internationally awarded safety and thermal comfort ratings system for motorcycle clothing has added 15 more gloves to its list of tested gear.
The Australian safety intitiative, launched in September 2018, is the first of its type in the world.
It has now rated 201 items of clothing, including 50 pairs of pants, 90 jackets and 61 pairs of gloves.
Of those gloves, only the Alpinestars costing $225 and Ducati Corse C3 ($442) – both racing-style gloves – have scored a full five stars.
Ducati Corse C3 glovesOnly three others scored four stars, five got three stars, 20 received two stars, 23 got one star and the rest were awarded just half a star.
No comfort ratings
While MotoCAP also supplies thermal comfort and waterproofing on jackets and pants, it does not provide a comfort rating for gloves.
That is despite some of the gloves tested having perforations for airflow.
However, they do test for waterproofing.
Comfort is a big factor among baby boomers when selecting gloves, according to a Canstar Blue customer satisfaction survey that also found Millennial riders buy for style.
Transport for NSW says that to measure for comfort a large square of fabric must be obtained.
“There is not enough material in a glove to obtain a sample for the thermal comfort measure,” they say.
All gear rated so far has been obtained through a secretive buying system to guarantee integrity.
Click here to find out how products are selected for rating in secret.