Dainese X-Ride Gloves

A carbon fibre knuckle guard anchors the X-Ride, set into a shell of full-grain leather and technical textile panelling alongside a polymer slider at the palm heel. At 180 g per glove in size medium it carries more structure than a summer mesh glove, and that shows in a protection score of 49 on our bench, a solid mid-pack result for a street-oriented design. The pre-curved finger pattern is aimed squarely at keeping the hand in a natural position through repeated clutch and brake use, while the velcro wrist strap gives a simple, dependable way of locking the cuff down before a ride rather than relying on elastic alone. A touchscreen-compatible fingertip and simple stitching at the high-stress zones round out a glove built for repeat daily use rather than occasional weekend rides.

In use the leather asks for a short break-in period before it stops feeling stiff at the knuckles, after which the carbon guard and slider settle into the background rather than getting in the way of lever feel. Airflow sits at a respectable 57, enough to take the edge off warm-weather riding without dedicated mesh panelling, and the touchscreen fingertip works often enough to be handy though not reliably on every device. Weather performance is the weak point at 38: light drizzle is manageable, but sustained rain finds its way through the seams and stitching before long. Comfort scores 48 on our bench, a fair figure that reflects a glove prioritising structure and protection over plush padding, though the fit stays workable across a full day of riding.

This is a glove for commuters and street riders who want more structure than a summer mesh glove but don't need a full winter gauntlet. Comfort lands at 48 and value at 62, numbers that reflect a glove built for durability and protection rather than plush, out-of-the-box comfort. Riders with wider hands may want to size up given the snug fit typical of this range. Against lighter perforated gloves it trades some airflow for genuine impact hardware, making it a sensible middle-ground pick for anyone riding year-round in a temperate climate rather than committing to seasonal gloves. Riders who mostly stay dry and want dependable everyday armour will get the most out of this glove, while anyone facing regular rain should plan around it rather than rely on it.