Two-Minute Review
Lizard Skins Monitor HD Gloves
I'm picky when it comes to gloves and I was excited to try out a new pair of Lizard Skins, the Monitor HD. Lizard Skins says this is the glove for you if you want excellent protection and dexterity. Offered in sizes Small to XXL in black, white, blue or red. Retail price is 40 USD.
The Lizard Skins Monitor HD in black
Positives
I like the simple clean styling. All the materials are nice to the touch, particularly the palm and the soft terry thumb (useful for wiping away nose runnings). The wrist closure and fit is great on my hands and the touch screen compatible finger tips worked well, even when the glove was completely dry.
A nice soft suede palm felt tacky on the grips. The finger tips worked well with my Pixel 2 XL touch screen, both wet and dry
Negatives
The stitching on the palm under the fingers is across the highest pressure area of the hand. This became uncomfortable on long descents. The finger protection is a layer of foam, which will help in an impact, but seems a bit thin. More so I'm confused as to why protection is missing entirely from the finger you're most likely to hit, those poor little pinkys. It's a bit like having a bullet proof convertible, or maybe hockey goalie gear without a cup. Durability wasn't great either, with a hole developing in the thumb after 2 rides and 2 washes.
Oh hey there little feller!
In summary the Monitor HD glove from Lizard Skins was a bit of a let down. Poorly designed protection, poorly placed stitching in the palm, and lacking durability. With few redeeming features, I 'd skip the Monitor HD.
For more on Lizard Skins gloves head this way...
Comments
COEXIST
6 years, 2 months ago
They look like they would be perfect for parking lot brawls though.
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jaydubmah
6 years, 2 months ago
Like a condom with the tip cut off.
If you're gonna outsource someone to design your products, at least check if they ride bikes??
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The Big Picture
6 years, 2 months ago
I have many pairs of gloves with holes in them. The saveing grace is that the bare fingers work great on my phone.
I have had best luck with 2 different pair of Troy Lee's
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flowrider
6 years, 2 months ago
I find most bike specific gloves expensive pieces of crap. I use Mechanix gloves from Home Dept and they last much longer and are way cheaper.
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Perry Schebel
6 years, 2 months ago
so true. i've been rocking various homeless despot gloves for a while. well constructed, and typically around $20 or less.
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stinky_dan
6 years, 2 months ago
It's a weird choice for the padding, that's for sure. Palm padding is really the only thing I look for that doesn't compromise the bar feel.
Just make fists when you fly off the bike
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IslandLife
6 years, 2 months ago
I've had amazing luck with the Raceface Stage glove (in black). Bought them on sale last year, tons of miles and many washes later they haven't worn through or busted a seam... rock solid glove. Perfect for me as I like a thin breathable glove with very good bar feel, these are perfect.
And my wife uses the Raceface Kyber (basically the women's version of the stage) with the same results.
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Jimothy.benson
6 years, 2 months ago
Protection from crashing and heat retention aside, I always have to laugh a bit at gloves.
Does anyone really think we can engineer a more stretchable, tactile, fast-drying-but-retaining-grip-when-wet than skin? Not to mention when skin does develop holes, it repairs itself?
Damn near 4 billion years of evolution, not gonna beat that in a lab.
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COEXIST
6 years, 2 months ago
Discarding the heat retention and protection provided by gloves is kind of like saying "aside from rolling what is the point of wheels. We could all run down our trails better. 290MM years of bipedalism can't be wrong".
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Jimothy.benson
6 years, 2 months ago
I had a conversation with a trail runner buddy on that very topic. He was determined to make the point that "running is more pure, man - no excuses, just you and the trail, you can't buy a better you, etc..". I agree that it may be "... more pure...", but let's face it - that's not why we ride. I'm not thinking "...this is sooooo pure..." while zooming through corners, mostly not thinking at all, which I suppose is sorta the point, for some of us anyway.
Not to take away from your point, which is well taken. Just couldn't resist the little rabbit hole ramble is all.
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Morgan Heater
6 years, 2 months ago
My skin is crazy slippery when wet. I can barely hold onto the bars. Gloves are a requirement for me, rain or sweat.
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