Dainese Steel Pro In Gloves

The Steel Pro In pairs a Pittards leather shell with stretch fabric panels across the back of the hand, the kind of build Dainese uses when it wants a glove that flexes at the bar without losing structure in a fall. The signature feature is in the name: steel plates sit over the knuckles, backed by a carbon fibre guard across the outer hand, giving a level of impact resistance that goes beyond the moulded plastic armour found on cheaper gloves. A reinforced sliding patch runs across the palm heel to manage friction if a hand hits tarmac, and a velcro wrist and cuff strap locks the short-cuff glove down so it stays put under a jacket sleeve rather than working loose.

On the bike, the steel and carbon hardware sits close enough to the hand that lever feel barely suffers, though riders coming from a soft leather glove will notice the added stiffness across the knuckles in the first few rides. The palm slider does what it is meant to on a slide, letting the hand skim rather than catch, and the wrist strap holds the cuff in place under hard braking so the glove does not creep up the wrist. Airflow is modest at best, since the leather and steel construction is built for protection rather than ventilation, so summer commutes can get warm. The pre-curved fingers keep the grip natural on the clutch and brake, and once the leather has softened in, the fit settles into something closer to a second skin.

The Steel Pro In suits sport and sport-touring riders who want serious knuckle protection without moving to a full gauntlet race glove, and who are willing to size carefully given the snug Dainese fit. The steel and carbon hardware holds up well over repeated wear, showing little flex fatigue even after seasons of daily use, though the leather itself needs that initial break-in before it stops feeling stiff. Riders chasing warm-weather airflow or cold-weather insulation are better served elsewhere, since this glove sits in the middle ground: better protected than a summer mesh glove, warmer gloves exist for winter, and more ventilated gloves exist for hot climates. For anyone prioritising knuckle protection and control feel above all else, it remains a dependable choice.