I purchased these unlined elk skin gloves not for riding but as work gloves. After seeing the pictures online (especially the close-up picture of the black pair) I feared that the elk skin might be too coarse a glove, the type that requires some wear before comfortably conforming to the shape of your hand. Wrong. These gloves are supple.
I would describe these gloves as a cross between a heavy work glove and an Italian driving glove. The elk skin from which these gloves are made is soft but thick. One thing (which is to be expected from a work glove) is that the feel in the fingertips is not great. You wouldn't want to have these on while trying to dial a mobile phone.
The biggest surprise is the inside of the glove. Although unlined, the inside of the glove is the suede side of the leather which is unbelievably soft and feels similar to a cashmere lining.
I thought years ago aerostich.com had a chart you could print life-size and then set your hand on the printed chart in order to determine glove size. Now the website just asks you to make one easy measurement to determine glove size. That one measurement is across the width of the hand. I feared that might not take into account correct finger length for somebody with long, narrow hands. My fear was completely unfounded. I ordered the correct size gloves following the instructions on the website (although one size smaller than I need from other manufacturers) and these gloves fit perfectly.
If you've ever owned anything else produced by Aerostich, you have some idea what to expect. If not, the website description, "…a premium work and general use glove…" might be misleading. The fit and finish of these gloves is unbelievably high quality. -Allan Karman
The most comfortable gloves I've ever worn.
Having a pair of the black and the natural, the natural are a bit thicker and more comfortable (not sure if this is a slight manufacturing variable or a by-product of the dying process). On my motorcycle or working around the house, I've ditched all my other gloves, except during the winter when I need more warmth.
Black gloves definitly need to be washed and rinsed to remove excess dye. Plus, the washing process as others have described is useful for form fitting and breaking in both black and natural gloves.
The squeegee is pretty worthless, but it can be removed (carefully) with an exacto blade without damaging the glove. Add on squeegees work much better.
Did I mention how comfortable these gloves are? -Scott Albritton
Bought these gloves last summer and the only problem size wise is the legth of the thumb on each glove. I do have somewhat long-ish fingers. After being a Thurlow fan for over 20 years I have had to search for a decent glove alternative after Thurlow went out of business. These gloves are well made and very soft like Thurlow gloves were but not as expensive a Thurlow was. -Hans Amador
My second year with the black elkskin ropers. They are, next to my helmet, the best piece of equipment. Comfortable, low maintenance, and yes...fashionable. Follow the sizing, although I measured 9.0, I went with the 8.5, they were a bit tight, but easily conformed to be like a second-skin. Concern about colorfasting...not an issue. Before seriously wearing them I did the following: 1. Washed them with water and a very light handsoap, and rinsed them well; 2. wear them wet, and after a ride, let them dry slowly (no heat); 3. treated them (I used the Nikwax product for gloves. They are now seasoned, fitted, and resistant to a minor rain. Once a year I put on some Nikwax and we're off and riding. Thanks Aerostich...Mike. -Miguel Valentin
These gloves are the first product I've purchased from the Rider Wearhouse that I didn't IMMEDIATELY love. My biggest issue with them are the seams, which are sewn internally rather than externally. Although this makes for a more attractive LOOKING glove, it also makes it less comfortable in actual use. When gripping the handlebars, the large bulky seams are pressed into the flesh of your fingers and this gets uncomfortable after awhile.
Happily, the leather does break in, and this doesn't remain a permanent issue (at least not for me) but it would make the glove INFINITELY more comfortable if the seams were sewn externally and left that way.
The leather itself is soft and supple; like very thick deerskin. The temperature today is only in the mid-40s, but the gloves are warm and comfortable. I haven't had the opportunity to wear them in our summer heat yet, but I suspect they'll be just as comfortable since their natural, light coloring won't absorb heat like a black glove would. They also won't stain my hands black when riding in the rain.
I also like the little rubber "squeegee" on the left thumb. Nice touch, and it came in handy this afternoon when I got caught in a brief shower on my way back from lunch. -Jaime Cruz
Going past 10 years on the same pair. They look a tad ratty, and the snaps no longer snap, but they still provide comfort and protection. I am amused by all the high tech wonders I see on various riders, and fer sure they have their merits, but just as the product description says, this is the one do-all glove. In the winter all I do is add some glove liners, and even my fingertips stay warm. They do double duty when the neighbor gets his quarterly delivery of hay and he and I spend 4 hours shoving hay bails into his loft or when the drain field backs up (again) and I spend the weekend operating my Single Operator Analog Earth Displacement Tool. My Ropers have been north of the Artic Circle, been to both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Mexico, and a whole lotta places in between. I've wore them while riding Harleys, a KLR, a gaggle of Ninjas, a fire-breating Valkyrie that tried to kill me, and a Triumph Sprint. They just flat work. -Richard Reed
I hate gloves - never wear them. Can't feel anything with them, they are too tight, cold, wet, and sweaty, BUT, the elkskin ropers are the exception. They are the greatest. If I get on the bike without them, I feel like I have no pants on(!). Buy them now. -tim ferrell
Take the sizing chart in the catalog very seriously! Your 'store' size has nothing to do with sizing these gloves. I generally buy XL gloves from stores in order to ensure that the fingers are long enough. These gloves have good long fingers, so no worries. This info cost me a couple of weeks and additional postage, so heads up! -Michael Tashker
Great gloves. The sizing chart provides an accurate fit. They are comfortable and long-wearing. You could omit the thumb wiper squeegee, it is not much better than a plain thumb, in my humble opinion. About a 600 mile break-in and the gloves were a second skin. They seemed to be a bit short to slightly guantlet, like the ad says. I live 25 minutes from where these are made in Washington. The company will not sell retail. Bummer. Oh well, you guys have to eat too.
Bob O.
Shelton, WA -Bob Okada
My beloved daughter gave me a pair for Christmas (I was smart enough to put 'em on the wish list.) I am VERY satisfied; I gave 'em a trial run on a New Years' Day Polar Bear ride (temps in the single digits)... my fingers were a bit "tingly" but not too bad. I figger they're good for 35-90 degrees, and that's where I do 99% of my riding. I avoided the "bleed" by getting the tan color - black is overrated, and low-visibility. ("Visibility" adds usefulness to gloves - particularly highly-visible middle fingers. Of course, I say that in jest.) Highly recommended. -Steve Hulme
My ropers are 9 or 10 years old and finally starting to show just a bit of wear. Although I'll likely get several more years wear out of these (up north here I wear 'em all winter too, for chores as well as driving) I ordered a new pair, just in case. Best all around glove I've ever worn, and at 38 bucks they're a steal! -Joseph Lessard
This is a great all around glove. The guys complaining about dye issues seem to be over-exaggerating.. yeah your hands will be slightly blackened the first few times but just wash it off. Make sure to look at the sizing chart.. I am always an XL in gloves, but the chart had me at a medium. I ordered the Large as a compromise and they were too big.. had to go back and order a second pair in Medium (kept the large pair for yard work). Great gloves and very comfortable. -Tombo
My go to glove 99% of the time. Hot/cold, long ride, short commute; my ropers are always on top of my tank bag ready to go. My 10 pair of other brands are collecting dust. -David Yurchak
I am whining, I only got 7 years use out of my ropers, shoot the luck! Found a hole in one finger of each glove today while rototilling my garden, should have been riding I guess. Have beat these gloves up logging, gardening, camping, loading rock and even riding (about 65,000 miles). I am ordering a new pair today, I figure $7.00 bucks a year isn't so bad for excelent comfort and wear. Thanks Aerostich. -Ben Chandler
I just received a pair of black ropers in the mail and I have mixed feelings about them. They are well made, and do fit very well, but the amount of residual dye on the gloves is, in my opinion, unacceptable. The gloves that I received do not smell like leather, they smell like amonia, and the smell is so strong, that it actually made my eyes sting after a few minutes. I washed them with soap and water, and after about 30 minutes, the dye finally stopped coming out - at this point, though, my hands were stained black. I spoke to customer service about this, and the woman said: "yeah, I know. If you don't like them, you can send them back". Thanks, that's great, but in the meantime, I have to incur all of the shipping costs - just wished I had all of the information BEFORE I purchased them. -David Walrath
Once you break these gloves in they're like a second skin. You'll wonder why you didn't have them before. When I fill up at the gas station I don't even have to take them off to my credit card out of my wallet. The only downside is the thumb squeegee. It doesn't work much better than just using your glove to wipe your visor, but it's not flexible. It digs in to my thumb - I have a little callous right there now. Other than that they are great. I should probably just cut the rubber off. -David from CO
These are great gloves. They are truly high quality. I put them on right out of the pack and have never gotten my hands blackened from the dye. They are exceptional in keeping the cold wind off and unless it is blistering cold there is no other glove needed. Be careful to follow the sizing chart and not assume your size (my bad). Oh yeah, they come with a neat wiper on the left thumb for your sheild (nice touch). -Braswell -Toby Braswell
I love these gloves. Better fit and comfort than a genuine lambskin condom and re-usable too!
Z -Michael Zumstein
Just as advertised. In my 25 years of motorcycle glove riding, these are the most comfortable. I also own the gauntlet model for milder days. -Craig England
Great gloves, I have two pairs of these gloves because I always carry a spare pair. Once broken in they just keep getting better. To break them in I soaked them in water, squeezed them dry then put mink oil all over them. (about 3 coats) Then I wore them around the house making fists and stretching them so now they feel just right. Other wise it takes for ever to break these guys in. Just my two cents worth of info. -David Myers
I'll admit. I'm a gloveaholic. I love to collect them. Since I have purchased the Elkskin Roper, I have not used any others. I did wash them lighty to get the dye out but they feel great. It's October in NY and I have not used my winter gloves yet. -josh Traverzo
These are the most comfortable and well made gloves I have ever owned. They are tough as nails and fit perfect. I have probably six different pairs of gloves and these are my favotrite hands down. -Ralph Lillich
AWESOME PAIR OF GLOVES, TOUGH ONES. THE BUILT IN SQUEEGEE IS REAL NEAT. -Frank Mansfield-Overland Park,KS.
Incredible gloves. Soaked the black in water to test bleed. Not too bad. Built in squeegee on the thumb is cool too. -Rob S.
