Review: Royal Turbulence Gloves
July 19th, 2013
By Factory Jackson in Reviews
When the temperature rises the requirements bestowed on the kit we wear rises too and this is just as prevalent with gloves as it is any other item in our riding wardrobe. The new Turbulence gloves from Royal are a lightweight, ventilated number manufactured to meet the needs of today’s aggressive rider who likes to be as in touch with the bike and trail as they are the rest of the world…
Words: Olly Forster | Photos: Nathan Carvell
Designed with the discerning downhiller and trail rider in mind, the Turbulence gloves are Royal’s premium glove and with that position comes all the bells and whistles you’d expect, plus a few more for good measure. Available in three colour-ways, we opted for the summer friendly white, which I have to say gives them a strangely retro aesthetic quality. Slipping the Turbulence’s on only reinforces their premium billing – easily the best fitting Royal gloves I’ve tested to date!
The single layer 2 way stretch palm helps to prevent bunching and a major down-fall in some gloves and one that can be pretty distracting when riding on the edge. Silicon printed fingers are nothing new, but a welcome addition and the touch screen compatible fore finger (the black bit) is a neat touch and welcome addition for those Instagram moments.
Regardless of all the features Royal have injected into the Turbulence gloves, it is their fit and feel which makes them stand out with each finger and thumb feeling enclosed and to the point where hand and material are one and the same – I’ve tested a few gloves this year with oddly proportioned digits – obviously designed for mutants, but the Turbulence’s fit like a…
On another note, the touchscreen friendly finger also increases sensitivity and you can really feel the cold metal brake lever below – slightly lost on carbon levers, but I actually thought it was pretty cool!
Conclusion
All in all, I really like the Turbulence gloves and it’s no surprise that when ever I see Peaty or Donny, they’re wearing them. Bulkier than some gloves and with a questionable micro swede section on the lower part of the thumb – it’s to increase ventilation, but because its stitched as an opening, can snag on occasion – the Turbulence’s have proved to be a glove for the hotter day, thanks mostly to the ample vented areas.
The addition of the mesh back and finger facets for extra ventilation has really proved essential in the current heat wave that’s blasting this small and for a long time rain drenched island. The current weather pattern means for the first time we can go all Cali and get the brightly coloured kit out without fear of it going brown…
As a glove designed for the rougher spectrum of this fine sport, they’re tough too and wash surprisingly well for all white glove although the palm does look worn after a few trip through the machine, but strangely in a manor that doesn’t detract from the looks if that makes sense? Somethings just look good with a little wear in them and these certainly do, but perhaps that’s something to do with the slightly retro feel they have, which I think is lost somewhat on the blue and black options.
Price wise, the Turbulence’s meet up to their premium billing with a befitting price point of £35 – not cheap in any way shape or form, but for me, its the fit and feel of these gloves which makes them what they are and without feel, what have you got? Great gloves, if a little expensive and one that I certainly recommend slipping on the next time your in a Royal dealer as it could well seal the deal. Royal Racing is distributed in the UK by Decade Europe and for all things Royal and racing, hit the logo below! Happy trails, Olly.