Elkskin Roper Gloves, Natural

I bought a pair of the elkskin ropers 12 years ago because I was looking for something better than the leather work gloves that I bought in 3-packs from Costco. I was blown away. Without any breaking in, they were more comfortable than any other glove I had ever worn. They wore like iron and finally got a hole after 12 years of nearly daily riding. I ordered a replacement pair and waited patiently for the backorder to be filled. These aren't the same gloves that they used to be. They'll break in eventually, but they're pretty stiff, uncomfortable, and unwieldy. The cuffs are longer and now snap over my wristwatch, which is uncomfortable. They're stiff and bulky, not supple like the old ones. Overall, I think they'll break in and be serviceable motorcycle gloves, but it's disappointing to rebuy and favorite product only to find that it isn't as good anymore.

I have already left a review of these gloves when I first received them so this is a follow up review

I’ve worn these gloves for a while now. At first I thought they were absolutely lovely but they needed ‘breaking in’ a bit

No worries as they are now breaking in after many rides. I thought my previous leather/fabric gloves were pretty good but I much prefer these Roper gloves now. They allow great feel of the motorbike controls which was very important to me

You just need to give them a few rides to get used to them and for them to mould to your hands, which they do pretty quickly

I now only use these Roper gloves and, although there is no great protection or reinforcements, I feel totally safe and confident wearing them

I am a fair weather rider but I have worn these gloves in UK winter conditions and felt no chill at all using them even though they are not lined

I think these will probably last me a lifetime so for the price they are a total bargain!

Very highly recommended, honestly you can’t go wrong!

These gloves are (maybe) just too good! Been bragging about your Elkskin Ropers for so long that I just had another NEW pair disappear/vanish . Can't blame the "thief"(son) ~these gloves are irresistible! I've already ordered another pair~ please, never stop offering these Elkskin Ropers/Natural Gloves~ simply the best !

Yet another pair of elkskin gloves. Don't know how many I've had over the years. A pair for riding, and a pair for yard work. When the yard work gloves wear out, the riding gloves become the work gloves. And I get a new pair of riding gloves. And when the righthand glove wears out, the lefthand glove is used for shucking oysters.

I've been riding for years and obviously have owned many different pairs of gloves. I have also been making leather accessories and apparel for 20 years and can say that these are atleast made very well and the choice of hide makes them a contender once worn in to be a favorite. What doesn't get my full positive review is the sizing guidelines. I ordered a 10.5 for my hand per the site recommendation and even after wetting and riding then actually machine washing and machine drying them they look puffy and are still loose fitting (nature of Elf to a degree). They do fit better than when I received them but the excess leather in the palm creates a crease that quickly becomes annoying when grabbing the handlebars. In hindsight I wish I would've ordered a pair in 10 or 9.5....The pair I got will be good for work projects but not riding.

Too bad you can’t see a photo of my well worn, much loved elk shin ropers. Bought in 2015 best I can remember. They have a minimum of 100,000 miles on them and have been all over including above the Arctic Circle by MC 3 times. This week I noticed a small hole on a left finger. The only time I ride without them is when I have on my elk skin gauntlet gloves.

Noticable difference from what I was wearing before from the first time I put these on a few days ago.

Only blogged a few miles so far, but I'm impressed.

Fit, feel, quality, fast shipping, and made in the USA....these gloves are amazing.

Looking forward to breaking them in per Aerostitch's recommendation of wetting them and taking a long ride for a truly custom fit.

I'll be doing that on a 1500 mile trek to you for my fitting appointment of a new R3 suit.

I'm happy to support the fine folks at Aerostitch and their American made wonderfulness alive.

Take care, see ya soon.

Cheers,
Benny

I live in UK so made sure I measured my hand carefully using the instructions on the Aerostich website, I measured exactly 8 (I’m a girly so smallish hands!)

I ordered on 9th July and received them today, 21st July which was quicker than I expected

Wow! was my first thought when I unpacked them. They are just amazingly soft. They fit literally ‘like a glove’. The size 8 fitted perfectly so they are true to size

I’ve tried leather gloves before and always found them far too hard, not flexible enough and with no feel of the bikes controls whatsoever so always used fabric gloves, but the Ropers are completely different... so soft and so flexible the very first time you put them on

I reckon they will be even better once I’ve worn them a bit on the bike

I might try the suggestion by Aerostich about wetting them and going for a ride so they fit even better, if that’s possible! Mind you I’m just a bit concerned about wetting them ; )

As it can get cold in UK winters I will also order a pair of the insulated Ropers, I love them that much, and I’ve not even ridden with them yet

Thank you Aerostich for such a great pair of gloves

Very highly recommended

The is the best work glove I've put my hand into. I have pretty large hands, and the sizing is perfect.
Good work. These gloves will most likely outlive me!

I’ve used R-3 suit and elkskin gloves on a regular basis since 2015, making several long trips other than the length of NZ. Most recently an England - Scotland - Ireland - Wales ride I’d been wanting to make for decades.

The suit is quite fantastic and the more l use it, the more I’m growing to like it. Easy to put on, 100% rainproof, clever storage, good ventilation, and agreeable even when worn for ten hours.

But the gloves are even better: snug and comfortable, warm and stylish, they just keep getting better with age. Simply the best gloves l have ever used. Repeat. Ever.

Thanks again sir, for making such superb motorcycling kit. I hope your business is holding up through these crazy times, and you and yours are managing to stay safe and well.

Best wishes and kind regards.