Construction
External seams
Seams stitched so the ridge faces outward, away from the palm. Nothing stitched sits between your hand and the rim, which is where pressure points form on long stints. Stated by GCOM (doubled), Moradness, Syncmesh and SRS.
Double seams
Two rows of stitching instead of one, for a seam that holds longer under load. The GCOM SRG1 short is the only glove in our database that states doubled external seams.
Reverse stitching
A different route to the same goal: the seam is turned so the ridge faces away from the palm. Used by F33L.
Pre-curved fingers
Fingers shaped in a slight curve at rest, so the glove holds a grip position instead of pulling straight when you close your hand. Moradness and Syncmesh state it.
Single-layer palm
One layer of material rather than a base plus bonded grip panels. The construction that keeps a glove thin and light. Trak Racer states it; the lightest gloves in the database use it.
Gussets
Fabric panels between the fingers that let the hand open and close without the glove pulling. Alpinestars uses Lycra gussets.
Materials
Alcantara
A suede-like synthetic used on wheel rims rather than gloves. It absorbs moisture and keeps it, which is one reason gloves extend rim life.
AX leather
The palm material of the GCOM SRG1 — a polyester fabric despite the name, not animal leather.
Nanofront®
A fibre used by Alpinestars in both its motorsport and sim gloves, fitted in the palm for grip.
Silicone print
Grip applied as printed dots or patterns directly onto the palm fabric, rather than as stitched-on panels. Printing adds grams rather than tens of grams. GCOM and Syncmesh use it.
Mesh
An open-weave fabric that lets air through. On the back of a glove it is common; on the palm it is rare, because holes compete with grip surface. Moradness perforates the palm itself.
Spandex / elastane / Lycra
Three names for the same elastic fibre, blended into a fabric so it stretches and returns. The SRG1 back is 5 % spandex, the Trak Racer back 20 % elastane.
Moisture-wicking
Fabric that moves liquid water away from the skin. Different from breathable, which moves air. Syncmesh is the only brand in the database to claim it explicitly.
Fit and sizing
Hand circumference
The measurement every size chart is built on: around the widest part of the hand, just below the knuckles, thumb excluded.
Hand length
Wrist crease to the tip of the middle finger. Provided in the GCOM chart alongside circumference; circumference determines the size.
Short cuff
A cuff ending at or just past the wrist. Keeps clear of a formula-style rim and weighs less.
Long cuff
A cuff extending several centimetres up the forearm. Covers the wrist, suits GT rims and cold rooms. The SRG1 long runs about 1.5 sizes larger than the short — see short cuff vs long cuff.
Hook-and-loop
The fastening sold as Velcro. Adjustable, but it adds bulk at the wrist and is usually the first part to wear out. The SRG1 short and the Alpinestars cuff close without one.
Numeric sizing
Sizes given as numbers rather than letters. Sparco sizes the Hypergrip 8 to 12; the numbers do not map to letter sizes from other brands.
Hardware and use
Direct drive
A wheelbase where the motor drives the wheel shaft without belts or gears. It transmits more detail and more force to the hands, which is where the case for gloves is strongest.
Nm (newton metre)
The unit for wheelbase torque. Syncmesh rates its Grip M2X for bases up to 16 Nm — the only published torque figure in the database.
Force feedback (FFB)
The forces a wheelbase sends back through the rim. Higher FFB means more load on the palms over a session.
Formula rim
An open-wheel style rim, usually rectangular, gripped at fixed positions. Short cuffs stay clear of it.
GT rim
A round or part-round rim. More hand movement around the circumference, so a longer cuff is less likely to get in the way.
Data terms used on this site
No data
The manufacturer does not publish the value. Not an estimate, not a zero.
Per pair / per glove
Weights are given per pair unless stated otherwise. VIRAGE publishes per glove; Alpinestars gives a range without saying which — see how we rate.
Source level
Where a value comes from: manufacturer, retailer, third-party test or our own measurement. Stated on every page.
ECB reference rate
The European Central Bank exchange rate used for currency conversions, with the date named on the page.