Held Sambia KTC 2 gloves in black

 

Now often the two models will be virtually identical other than the cuff, but what surprised us when this glove turned up was that the knitted cuff version was different; actually quite a bit different.

 

Some people like knitted cuffs because they wear a little more securely. I have to say that we are not always convinced by waterproof gloves with knitted cuffs, because in wet weather the cuff can absorb the rain, allowing it to then run into the hand.

 

Of course, the original thinking behind a knitted cuff was that it allowed the glove's cuff to be worn inside the sleeve of jacket where the aperture was not particularly generous. So we're talking about leather jackets, or indeed any jacket where the sleeve ends weren't equipped with zips.

 

But there's a particular benefit to a summer glove with a knitted cuff; and it's that a glove with a knitted cuff will fit more securely, and will often feel more reassuring to ride in. And that's a valid consideration because pure summer gloves are sometimes quite short in the cuff, and can cause you to feel that your skin is going to be a little exposed if you do go down.

 

I suppose that concern could be levelled at the standard Sambia, but you certainly could say the same about this KTC version.

 

But what really surprised us when this new version turned up was just how different it is to the existing Sambia.

 

For a start, it's a darned sight more meshy. A darned sight.

 

The original Sambia is pretty breathable and will be nice to wear on a warm day or off road. But the KTC version is a proper high-airflow glove.

 

The whole back of the hand, right up to the start of the cuff itself is made from a mesh fabric. The rubber bumpers on the minor knuckles are perforated. As is the super-soft, but highly abrasion-resistant, Kangaroo skin palm. The sides of the fingers are too.

 

There are probably gloves that feel lighter, and that might even flow more air, but I would suggest that nearly all of those will be bona fide off-road gloves, whereas the Sambia KTCs feel as though they are going to be more at home on the black stuff.

 

For comfort and feel the palm is totally unlined. The fingers have what is known as flat or shaved seams meaning there's no excess material inside the fingers that might cause irritation. You also get concertina banding on the fingers for easier articulation.

 

The hard knuckle protector, which is foam-lined of course, comes in two parts; and that is done because one-piece protectors can sometimes be restricting and quite uncomfortable.

 

In terms of protection, there's extra leather down both sides of the hand. You also get a curved strip of leather that runs around the thumb for extra grip. You get a dirty great SuperFabic slider in the heel of the palm.

 

At the wrist; that is to say in front of the cuff, there's a Velcro strap to secure the glove in place.

 

I've always pilloried the fact that some summer gloves come with visor wipes, but recently I had a customer tell me how useful it was when, on his recent trip to France, the heavens did open.

 

The Sambia KTC has the NUDUD touchscreen system on the right forefinger, although not on the left. NUDUD is the best, most reliable system, by the way.

 

To sum it all up, I would have to say that I think this is one of the nicest, most wearable airflow gloves for road riding. And I specify road riding because for off-road riding you probably wouldn't want the knitted cuff. Off-road you want everything to be about breathability; and in truth that's not the main benefit of a knitted cuff.