Knox Handroid Pod Mark IV Gloves Assessment

Introduction

The Knox Handroid Pods Mark IV isn’t the primary product I’ve bought from Knox. I personal their Males’s Urbane Professional MK2 Armored Shirt as properly. Having expertise with the standard of that product, I felt comfy buying the pods once I was searching for a brand new pair of short-cuff summer season gloves.

See Additionally: Finest Quick Motorbike Gloves

Knox Handroid Pod Mark IV Gloves Design

The obvious standout within the pods—or, for that matter, any of the Handroid gloves—is the patented exoskeleton system. Many have in contrast the look to the Predator or Alien Films. I too really feel that approach and was reminded of the legs of a tarantula or black widow spider—therefore my foolish photos beneath.

See Additionally: Knox Handroid Gloves Assessment

Packaging

That is how my pods arrived:

I used to be very impressed that KNOX included a pleasant drawstring bag with the pods. It helps my unending bag dependancy. I’ve not severely looked for a 12-step bag program…

Fasteners

I used to be not acquainted with the BOA system, and my first impression was that it appeared a bit hokey, however after researching BOA, I used to be impressed with their checklist of purposes and shoppers. They presently share 300 model companions who make the most of the BOA system of their merchandise. You may learn the story of BOA right here.

The truth that KNOX opted to associate with BOA impressed me just because it’s proof that they sustain with improvements in new motorbike gear. For extra years than I care to share, my gloves have all the time used hook and loop fasteners on the wrist and gauntlets.

Like the rest, there are drawbacks to the previous type, however I’ve acclimated to these issues over time. The commonest failure over time is one aspect changing into much less receptive to attaching than the opposite aspect. I’ll discuss extra in regards to the BOA system within the Match and Consolation part of this assessment.

Excessive Tech vs. Oldschool: A Word on Fashionable Glove Design

In my filth days within the desert and on motocross tracks once I fell (which was usually), my fingers smashed into rocks, filth, and typically cactus (OUCH). These had been the ‘trick gloves’ we wore again within the day:

Again then, these gloves had been thought-about revolutionary. Earlier than these, most of us wore leather-based backyard or work gloves. Guys like Roger DeCoster and Brad Lackey wore these trick gloves. Foam padding on every finger and thumb meant that in a crash, the clutch or brake lever wouldn’t break a finger when it smashed in opposition to your finger. Sadly, it didn’t do a lot with cactus spines, although…

The pods replicate that idea, however KNOX makes use of fashionable supplies and know-how. And identical to my classic MX gloves, no hook and loop fasteners!

Anyway, let’s get into what I like about these gloves—and a few issues I’d wish to see in v5.0.

Building of the Knox Handroid Pod Mark IV Gloves

I’ll begin with essentially the most seen a part of the pods, the exoskeleton system. The Mark IV model has decreased the peak of the exoskeleton spines by 40% over earlier variations. I imagine this was in response to suggestions that the peak of the spines can forestall a clutch or brake lever from attaining full journey. Misshifts—or, extra importantly, the lack to brake successfully—can produce a pucker second or worse.

Hand Motion

I’ve small arms so this was the primary concern of mine after receiving the pods. It was one of many first issues I examined to find out if I’d hold the pods or return them. I’m blissful to report that even with my lever adjusted to the closest to the hand grip the pod’s spines don’t hinder full compression of the brake lever. I journey a Zero DSR electrical bike, so there’s no clutch lever.

On this picture, I’m pulling the brake lever sufficient to cease the bike—even in an emergency. There may be loads of room between the lever and my proper ring finger. Like most, I exploit a two-finger grip on my lever. Typically just one.

On this picture, I’ve pulled the brake lever so far as attainable. At this level, the lever contacts my ring finger. I’ve by no means had to make use of this quantity of drive throughout any journey. And even when I did, ABS would forestall a slide.

The next photos will allow you to assess the exoskeleton clearance primarily based in your finger and lever pulls. Once more, as a result of I’ve small arms, my lever is adjusted nearer to the grip than these with bigger arms.

This picture exhibits how shut my brake lever is to the grip at full pull.

FYI, I by no means pull the brake lever this difficult or near the grip.

Knuckle Space

Inspecting how KNOX constructed the knuckles in these gloves, I started by carefully what resides beneath the plastic knuckle housing.

The knuckle guard has two separate items. One is a shiny plastic portion that mates to an outer plastic shell. I’m not acquainted with what supplies make up these elements and was not in a position to find any details about their composition.

An in depth examination of the realm beneath the knuckle guard revealed two types of foam safety, one hooked up to the higher knuckle and the opposite on the glove portion of the pod.

I needed to extra carefully look at the spines of the exoskeleton, so I simply pulled them out from beneath the knuckle guard. They got here out simply and I used to be in a position to look at them carefully.

Protecting Spines

Every finish of the protecting spines is tapered, which permits for clean motion when gliding beneath the knuckle safety. The holes within the spines that correspond to notches permit some airflow to the fingers.

The underside of every backbone is hole and flat, but bolstered with particular person cross members—which are supposed to help the backbone within the occasion of a crash by disbursing the drive alongside the size of the backbone.

I examine the development of the backbone to an I beam. I beams are very sturdy primarily based on their geometry, thus saving weight whereas sustaining power. Very intelligent.

A really curious foam tube that runs all the size of the higher inside seam of every glove is one thing I’ve not seen earlier than in different gloves. I’ll clarify its advantages within the Consolation and Match part of this assessment.

BOA Retention System

The incorporation of the BOA retention system is properly executed within the pod. When firms use “Army, Plane, or different” supplies, they like to announce these parts of their merchandise. KNOX isn’t totally different. The wire used within the BOA system is listed as plane high quality. How KNOX has constructed the BOA system into the glove closure system could be very properly executed.

The operation of the BOA system could be very simple:

• Carry on the dial to launch the wire closure rigidity. The discharge of the wire’s rigidity is rapid.
• To tighten down the wrist, push the dial down till it clicks.
• Rotate the dial till your stage of consolation is achieved.

Every small rotation produces a satisfying clicking sound as you flip the dial.

Stitching

The stitching of the pod is superb. I had learn that an early person of the pods skilled some failures in his stitching; KNOX was conscious of it on the time and supplied to switch these gloves.

The person by no means despatched his gloves in for change, but it surely exhibits how KNOX stands behind its product. They’ve since resolved the stitching problem. The pods additionally embrace reinforcement in all the normal hand areas; on this instance, between the thumb and forefinger:

The small KNOX brand on every forefinger means that you can function your cellphone display. Please observe this doesn’t assist you to function your gloved finger with the fingerprint reader.

The internal palm space is fabricated from kangaroo leather-based. The texture of kangaroo conceal is way softer and fewer susceptible to abrasion than cowhide.

Match and Consolation of the Knox Handroid Pod Mark IV Gloves

I used the KNOX sizing information once I bought the pods.

Primarily based on the dimensions information and my measurements, I ordered the small pods. After placing them onto my arms for the primary time, I used to be happy with the match.

The one space that was longer than my digits was the thumb. It was about ½ inch longer than my thumb. There was additionally a good quantity of tightness round my fingers. The width of the palm was very comfy—nevertheless, the cosy match round my fingers made me query if I’d return the gloves.

After looking on-line, I discovered that others who bought the gloves mentioned ‘they match like a glove’ with no point out of tightness across the fingers. I don’t have sausage fingers; mine are proportional to the dimensions of my arms. This was complicated.

Break-In Interval

For a full ten days, I wore them each on and off the bike. At one level, my girlfriend mentioned, “It’s time to take these off, Mark” (wink wink), so in fact I did. After that, I went for a journey, and—lo and behold—the pods match like they had been made for me. So for anybody who decides to buy a pair, my recommendation is to put on them to interrupt them in or till your vital different suggests you take away them.

Scaphoid Pads

I’ve beforehand mentioned the potential for the spines stopping full operation of the bike levers, so I gained’t go over that once more. One of many different issues I used to be nervous about was the scaphoid safety pads stopping a snug grip on the bars. I’m blissful to report that whether or not standing or sitting, my arms by no means felt the KNOX-patented scaphoid safety pads intrude with my grip from both consolation or place standpoint.

The thumb reinforcement on each the left and proper pods is positioned exactly the place they should be to stop any blisters attributable to rubbing the inside of your hand in opposition to the grip.

Rubber Tubing

I had talked about beforehand that KNOX features a rubber tube that I’ve not seen earlier than on different gloves I’ve owned.

The froth tube is cleverly positioned able the place the within of my hand can and does rub in opposition to the internal flange of the correct and left aspect grips which might be totally different from the ‘regular’ glove reinforcements. Inserting this strip of froth tubing alongside the internal and decrease seam of every glove protects chaffing on the higher portion of the index fingers.

I do not know why KNOX included this characteristic, however I discover it properly value it. I can say that in my street race days when hanging off the bike, my arms wouldn’t be in ‘regular’ positions as I used to be shifting my weight back and forth to maneuver my butt off of the seat and get my knee down. I do discover that standing alters my hand place, and the froth tube is comfy.

I additionally seen that KNOX constructed the pods with a various sew sample within the fingers. The fingers usually are not box-pattern lower however tapered. And the seams are each inside and outdoors of the fingers (as proven beneath).

As you’ll be able to see from the within seam within the midpoint of the pinky finger to the midpoint of the center finger, the seams are on the outside of the fingers. At no level in any of the fingers do I really feel any seams, aside from the thumbs. The seam on every thumb that faces the index finger might be felt. It doesn’t imply it’s uncomfortable, however in comparison with the fingers, it’s noticeable. As soon as damaged in, the pods are very comfy and match rather more snugly than my different gloves.

I think about the pods a summer season glove. In the summertime, I desire to put on the cuff beneath my jacket sleeve to permit air to circulation up into the sleeve. That is how the pods match beneath or over the cuff of my KLIM Marrakesh jacket:

I may even put on the pod partially over my watch, which is a Samsung Galaxy on a Leatherman Tread band—not a skinny combo.

Right here, I’m sporting the pod over the cuff of my Knox Urbane Professional MKII Jacket and wouldn’t think about sporting them beneath this jacket’s sleeve cuff:

I lined the BOA system within the Building part of this assessment. By way of consolation and match, after utilizing the BOA retention system, I now want all of my gloves used it. I discover it rather more efficient and environment friendly than the tried-and true-hook and loop fasteners.

Knox Handroid Pod Mark IV Gloves Safety

I’ve not used these gloves in a crash, and I choose how efficient any gear could be primarily based by myself expertise crashing at velocity. I’ve talked about in different critiques that I’ve crashed solely on the racetrack and never on the road (aside from a silly tip-over the place no actual abrasion occurred).

Primarily based on evaluating my gloves to the place KNOX locations safety on the pods, I really feel assured that they’re efficient gloves for 2 causes:

1. The standard of building
2. The areas of protection

For distinction, listed here are the Held racing gloves I wore as I low-sided to my proper at 92 MPH:

My proper hand hit the tarmac palm up, after which it rotated to a palm down place till I got here to a cease within the run-off space. Within the pictures beneath, you’ll be able to see the ensuing harm.

These Held gloves are those made earlier than Held moved their manufacturing to Pakistan. They’re my second pair. For the primary pair, I low-sided at Laguna Seca flip 3 and had my proper hand caught beneath my grip. I couldn’t get it out till I slid into the kitty litter. The abrasion fully flattened the carbon fiber knuckle guard right down to the Nomex layer.

The Value of Safety

In my Cons part, I discussed that the pods are costly.

The Friday earlier than my Sunday low aspect in flip three, the store that I trusted as a result of he made our staff’s leathers confirmed me the Helds. When he mentioned in his thick German accent “They’re 450.00” again in 1999, I spit out my espresso. After I balked on the worth, he replied: “Properly Mark, it’s solely your arms.” So I purchased them. The next Tuesday I went again and maxed out my bank card and bought one other pair. These are those you see right here.

A high-side I had six months earlier at Thunderhill Raceway resulted in my magnesium rim having a hairline crack, which resulted in an entire failure of the rim. I had visually inspected the edges however discovered after the truth that magnesium have to be x-rayed to seek out hairline cracks.

I understand that the pictures present my left hand on the pavement. However the preliminary fall was to the correct, and after analyzing my gloves, the Held’s proper knuckles took an influence, after which my proper palm slid on the bottom.

Armor Placement

Under, I’ve overlaid the pods to my Helds to point out the situation of the safety in comparison with the place my Helds suffered harm.

My major objective was to line up in addition to I may the wrists of each gloves. For me, that is essentially the most correct technique to decide whether or not I belief the place KNOX positioned its safety. And I do.

Two-hundred-and-some-odd {dollars} isn’t a small amount of money, however after having survived WITHOUT ROAD RASH OR BROKEN BONES (not counting concussions in fact) two low sides at over 90 MPH and one excessive aspect at 140, I imagine in not being penny clever and pound silly.

Scaphoid Safety

The patented scaphoid safety on the pods is well-placed primarily based by myself crash expertise. As a result of my Held gloves have metallic studs, they served the identical objective because the KNOX SPS materials, permitting my arms to slip upon influence reasonably than seize the pavement.

In neither of my low-side crashes did I ever undergo any scaphoid damage. I really feel assured that the pods will provide me the identical safety.

I additionally recognize an usually uncared for piece of safety on gloves. It’s what I consult with as a lower-hand skirt. This small added piece of safety guards my wrist in opposition to abrasion in an space that wants as a lot flexibility as attainable.

Some gloves have this little skirt, others don’t. I initially thought it was to guard the hook and loop straps that maintain the glove onto the wrist, however after speaking to glove makers, I discovered its precise objective.

Though none of my crashes resulted in a slide of the surface of the pinky finger on both hand, it’s good to see that like most different extremely protecting gloves, the pods embrace that extra reinforcement materials.

As a result of I’ve by no means suffered a scaphoid damage, I felt compelled to be taught extra about it by performing some analysis.

After speaking to some individuals who have had that damage ensuing from a fall (together with some not on a motorbike) I’m very glad to by no means have suffered the damage. I’ve included a hyperlink to an informative article about what the scaphoid entails.

Additional Studying: Scaphoid Fracture

Micro Lock Armor

KNOX developed their armor (named Micro Lock Armor) which is used of their clothes in addition to the pods.

KNOX explains:

“What makes Micro-Lock totally different?

There’s a great deal of armour on the market however at Knox we all know there may be all the time room for enchancment. There’s gentle armour, laborious armour, hybrid armour, plastic armour, moulded armour, flat armour… However out of all of those, not one in all them is tremendous gentle, extremely protecting and MOST importantly, STABLE throughout all climates and environments.”

Here’s a video that demonstrates the safety beneath warmth and chilly situations:

The Micro Lock is used beneath the knuckle laborious armor, and I’m assured it’s going to hold the again of my arms protected in a crash or slide.

Labels & Literature for the Knox Handroid Pod Mark IV Gloves

Remaining Ideas in regards to the Knox Handroid Pod Mark IV Gloves

Gloves are very subjective in relation to motorcyclists’ tastes. For me, safety is primary; I think about safety first earlier than look with all of my gear.

I think about the KNOX Handroid Pods Mark IV Gloves to be protected for the way and the place I journey. The look is totally different, which implies they are going to naturally be controversial. Something new or totally different has the identical response—gloves, tires, helmets; you title it.

A few issues I’d recommend KNOX think about with their subsequent model: first, add a small pull tab onto the heel of the glove. It might make placing the glove on a lot simpler. Second, despite the fact that the pods could also be thought-about a summer season glove, add a small wiper on the left index finger. Even throughout the summer season months, moisture might be within the air, and the flexibility to wipe away water from my defend is useful.

Making use of totally different strategies and supplies to security gear is one thing that I recognize, but it surely should move my strategies of analysis. And on this case, the KNOX Pods move my muster.

Specs

• Value (When Examined): £149.99, $239.99

• Out there Colours: Black Palm, Tan Palm (as examined)

• Sizes: S (as examined), M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL

• Assessment Date: September 2022

Essential Hyperlinks/The place to Purchase: