Spidi ladies STS-3 gloves in black

Spidi makes some great gloves; and in particular some great, leather gloves. And the reason they do such great leather gloves is that the company is situated in Vincenzo, right in the heart of one of the world's most prestigious leather producing regions. The area has a 700 year history in leather production, boasting more than a thousand tanneries within a short drive of the company's factory.

 

The Spidi ladies STS-3 is very much a sports glove. The company makes a whole range of super-aggressive, race gloves. This isn't one of those. Rather, whilst this is a glove you could easily wear on the track, it's aimed more at the sporting road rider. This could be someone who rides a full-on sports bike, or it could be someone who rides something more sit-up; someone who appreciates the feel and protection of a racing glove, but can do without all the bling.

 

The STS-3 is a supremely comfortable glove. The fit on ladies is superb. It is not often that a ladies racing style leather glove feels this easy to wear. Now Spidi doesn't do uncomfortable, but even within the Spidi firmament the STS-3 is something quite special.

 

The chassis is made from a 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm goat leather. Now we always like goat hide. It's extremely supple, but for its thickness is stronger than cowhide. On this glove you also get perforations in the wrist for airflow.

 

On the main knuckle, you get what Spidi calls a variable-density polyurethane shield. That's a foam-backed, hard, knuckle protector in plain speak.

 

On the palm, and down the outside of the hand, you get panels of microfibre for added grip and abrasion resistance. There's a cushion pad at the base of the palm. You get further pads on the fingers, and in the glove's cuff.

 

The glove has touchscreen sensitive fingers, but honestly they're not state of the art in that respect. You really do have to use the flat pad of your finger to make it work. That's not ideal. There are better systems out there.

 

As you would expect, you get a longer wrist with this glove. And to wrap it firmly around your sleeve there are two closure mechanisms. A thin, Velcro strap at the wrist itself. And a wider, Velcro flap to tighten the cuff.

 

This really is a beautiful glove. If you are looking for something with the feel of a racing glove to wear on the road then the STS-3 may be what you're looking for. Not that you couldn't wear them on track. In fact, you very much could.