RE Alpinestars SMX-1 V2 Air gloves review

A while ago, Royal Enfield partnered with internationally acclaimed Italian riding gear maker Alpinestars, with whom it has been selling a limited range of co-branded products. I’ve been using the SMX-1 V2 Air gloves for my urban commuting needs, and they have offered pretty much exactly what I was after.

My previous daily use gloves were a pair of Alpinestars SMX-2 that had to be brought in from overseas, and therein lies the Royal Enfield partnership’s first advantage – making (certain) Alpinestars products available in India through an official channel, not having to worry about import duties or customs.

As for the gloves themselves, they feature a hybrid construction with leather, mesh and textiles all featuring in different areas. The palm region features a mix of leather and synthetic suede, while the knuckle area and the front of the fingers are all leather, and the back of the fingers have a breathable mesh. That ventilation is what I was after with these gloves, and they have excelled in this area. Even through the peak of summer, they’ve never felt stuffy or sticky, always remaining comfortable. They did require a little more breaking-in than my SMX-2 pair, but once that happened, they’ve been easy to slip on and take off. And once they’re on, they pretty much fade away from recognition, and I can almost forget that I have gloves on.

Of course, the ideal use case is within the city, since the protection levels here are moderate, and not excellent. There’s a carbon-fibre knuckle protector and some foam padding on the fingers, but no real impact protection on the palm. They are also short-cuff, and so all things considered, high-speed highway or track use is definitely not what you’d want to use these for. Nevertheless, as a glove, they are certified to CE Level 1.

Another highlight has been the quality – like every pair of Alpinestars gloves I’ve owned, these SMX-1 V2s have held up exceptionally well even after over a year of consistent use. There is almost no fraying, loose threads or undone stitches to speak of, and the colour has held up perfectly despite being used in the rain (which these gloves aren’t really meant for). The only area that could stand to improve is the velcro closure, which has become a little weaker over time (something that I have noticed with most Alpinestars products that I have used, including their boots).

At Rs 5,200, the SMX-1 V2 are certainly on the pricier side when you consider what they offer. For similar money, you could get a full-gauntlet glove with greater levels of protection from very competent Indian manufacturers. However, if you’re after a high-quality, long-lasting summer glove for urban use, these are definitely a pair that should be on your list.

Where: store.royalenfield.com
Price: Rs 5,200