Slide gloves might seem like a minor detail in your longboarding setup, but a quality pair can significantly enhance your riding experience. Recently, Loaded sent me their Leather Race gloves for review, and after extensive use, I’m ready to share my thoughts. Loaded, a veteran in the longboarding industry, has consistently refined their gear, and these slide gloves are no exception. Let’s dive into my experience and see if these gloves are the right fit for you.
Initial Impressions and Fit
My first impression upon receiving the Loaded Leather Race gloves was their noticeable stiffness. As they’re made of leather, I knew a break-in period would be necessary for them to become more flexible. However, initially, they were uncomfortably rigid. I struggled to even flex my fingers enough to prevent them from dragging on the ground, even with the included finger pucks.
To address this, I improvised by using an old puck with velcro as a riser, which elevated my fingers and resolved the issue. While these gloves do include finger pucks, which alleviate this issue, I typically prefer riding without them. I was also initially concerned about breathability, considering my location in Nairobi, Kenya, where temperatures can get quite high. Thankfully, I was impressed with their performance in warm weather, around 29°C (84°F), where my hands stayed relatively cool and dry. This was unexpected, given the all-leather construction of the gloves.
Loaded Race gloves review
If you’re interested in purchasing these gloves, they are available on the Loaded website.
Slide Pucks Performance and Durability
The slide pucks, while decent in performance, lack in durability. They performed well, gliding smoothly on both rough and smooth surfaces without catching, and provided a consistent, buttery slide. However, they wore down quickly. Although they are advertised as being made of Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) plastic, I suspect they may be made of a different type of plastic like Delrin. True UHMW is known for its longevity, and these pucks simply didn’t hold up as well as I expected.
loaded slide pucks
If I were to engage in intense downhill skating, I estimate I would need to replace the pucks every few weeks. I didn’t test the finger pucks extensively, but I believe they would perform well in conjunction with the palm pucks, providing additional points of contact for smoother slides.
Flexibility Over Time
As previously mentioned, these gloves are quite stiff when new. This is normal for leather products and the stiffness will decrease over time as they break in. While initially awkward and frustrating, after a few skating sessions, the flexibility noticeably improved, and they started to feel more natural. However, even with this improvement, I’m not confident they will ever become flexible enough to use without a puck riser to prevent my fingers from touching the ground during slides. This might be due to my own hand strength, or simply a characteristic of this particular glove design. The inclusion of finger pucks might indicate that Loaded was aware of the stiffness issue and designed them as a solution.
Breathability and Ventilation
I used to own Kevlar and canvas gloves without any ventilation, which felt comfortable during the winter months but became unbearably hot and sweaty when the weather warmed up. Given that leather is known for its poor breathability, I was initially concerned about how the Loaded Leather Race gloves would perform.
Loaded Race gloves ventilation
Fortunately, these gloves feature numerous perforation holes, which significantly improved their breathability. I was pleasantly surprised that they effectively wicked away heat, allowing me to skate comfortably in warm conditions without my hands feeling excessively sweaty or uncomfortable. This breathability is a crucial factor for me, as I skate frequently and need gear that won’t cause me any discomfort.
Protective Features
The Loaded Leather Race gloves offer impressive protection for your knuckles and hands. The leather material is highly durable and abrasion-resistant. In the event of a fall, these gloves will likely remain intact until you come to a stop, providing a crucial layer of protection. The armored knuckles further enhance safety, specifically safeguarding your finger joints, which are often susceptible to abrasions during falls. Loaded’s focus on these vulnerable areas is a testament to their design philosophy.
Aesthetics and Design
Initially, the design of these gloves did not appeal to me based on the online pictures. However, after seeing myself wearing them in person, I was pleasantly surprised.
Loaded Race gloves
They have a sleek, cool, and somewhat badass aesthetic. The black colorway is versatile and easily matches with most riding gear. The overall aesthetic is now one of the things I appreciate the most about the gloves.
Build Quality and Durability
Given their leather construction, I believe that these gloves will be a long-lasting piece of gear. Leather is a highly durable material, and I do not anticipate them tearing easily. I also have confidence that they will withstand normal wear and tear well. The high-quality stitching further reinforces their durability. There are no exposed threads that could easily snag, and the seams are well-hidden. Overall, I expect these gloves to last a year or two with proper care.
Who Should Consider These Gloves?
These gloves are an excellent option for any longboarder who is looking to do slides, from beginners to advanced riders, tech sliders and freeriders alike. The added finger pucks make them particularly good for beginners and younger riders with bigger hands. You can purchase them directly from the Loaded website. Keep in mind you will likely need a puck riser to prevent your fingers from touching the ground, unless you are using the included finger pucks.
Final Verdict
If these gloves don’t seem right for you, check out my guide on slide gloves and pucks for alternative options. Overall, the Loaded Leather Race Gloves are a high-quality piece of equipment, built to last. They are on the pricier side, but their longevity will make them a worthwhile investment. If you’re on a tighter budget, the Bern Slide Gloves, available on Amazon.com are a suitable choice for beginner longboarders, though not as good as the Loaded Gloves.
Personally, I give the Loaded Leather Race Gloves a big yes, and I will certainly be considering purchasing another pair if Loaded still has them in stock when it’s time for a replacement.
