The ViaTerra Shifter riding gloves are a solid choice for urban riders seeking a blend of protection and comfort. They are basically a shorter version of full leather gauntlet gloves, making them less bulky and more comfortable for daily use.
They are one of the few short gloves with full leather coverage, offering excellent abrasion resistance, and ensuring longevity even with regular use unlike many of the gloves with cloth and mesh sections which begin to degrade fairly quickly.
The Good:
- Comfort: The goatskin leather is soft and supple, making these gloves comfortable for everyday wear. The pre-curved fingers and accordion stretch panels help with flexibility and prevent hand fatigue on longer rides.
- Protection: Despite being short cuff gloves, they offer decent protection with CE Level 2 knuckle protectors and KNOX SPS 404 palm sliders. Both of these features should be non-negotiable in our opinion, always aim for a high level of protection even for short “city” rides.
- Ventilation: Perforated leather and air inlets on the fingers provide good airflow, which is a big plus.
- Touchscreen compatibility: The conductive material on the fingertips works well with touchscreens, so you don’t have to take your gloves off to use your phone.
- Build quality: The gloves are well-made and durable, with quality stitching and materials.
The Not-So-Good:
- Fit: Some users have reported issues with the fit, particularly around the fingers and knuckles. It’s crucial to try these on before buying to ensure a good fit. ViaTerra quality control is hit-and-miss too.
- White color durability: If you opt for the white colorway, be prepared for them to get dirty quickly.
Verdict
I find them to be a more roomy, comfortable fit than the ViaTerra Grid gauntlet gloves that I own. They have held up well with regular usage and I have no complaints about the build quality. I would happily recommend them as a safe, comfortable glove for city riding.
