The founders of Talon Athletics were working at a local day camp when the idea of protecting players’ hands for the game of GaGa stung them like a bee. Young players were getting hand injuries — the thin baseball batting and other fingerless gloves being worn in the GaGa pit were not protective enough. A new, sport-specific glove was needed. Sports Gloves: From Idea to Innovation Throughout history, people have had new product deas … but how many actually act on them? When founders Scott Blumberg and Willilam Perez approached us in the fall of 2012 to develop a better glove for the dodgeball-like sport, they had an idea...

Let’s start with a true story: One June, my brother and I wanted to get our dad fresh bagels, for a special Father’s Day breakfast. Without asking, we took the keys to his new red Firebird, and drove to the bagel store.  Unfortunately, we totaled it on the way home. We hope our gift guide helps you celebrate the dads in your life in an equally memorable (but less dramatic) way! Choosing the Perfect Gift for Dad It may only take a little bit of thought to get that perfect gift.Think back to the times you’ve spent with your father,...

A recent conversation with a glove buyer reminded us that sometimes, the easiest question can be the hardest to answer. At the start of a new glove project, she asked for the overall measurements for 3 different types of gloves, to begin her initial design work. Easy, right? Even if the requirements of a glove change due to style, the basic dimension of a small, medium or large person’s hand doesn’t vary … does it? Don’t all glove makers use the same basic size and hand measurements? Well … yes and no. The Holy Grail: “Ideal” Glove Fit Consistent, excellent...

There’s nothing quite like a brand spanking new pair of leather motorcycle gloves. While leather gloves should be comfortable from day one, they may still need some breaking in. And while everyone seems to have their own favorite method to do this, there is no one “tried and true” method. Many people will break a glove in the old fashioned way just by using them and roughing them up a bit.  Looking for a shortcut?  Here’s a crowdsourced list of ways to give new leather motorcycle gloves more flexibility: How Most Riders Break in Leather Gloves:  Just Use ‘Em! You can’t beat the...

For lots of riders, summer weekends mean long rides on the bike. For some riders, that’s a nice weekend cruise  … for others, it’s a road trip with a specific destination and length in mind. Whether you belong to a long distance club with its own challenge like the Hoka Hey Challenge, prefer twisting the throttle on your own, or set your sights on achieving one of the milestone Iron Butt Association challenges, careful planning will improve your ride. Here are some resources that long distance riders may find helpful. moreThe Iron Butt Association If the thought of finding new long distance challenges...

The only thing worse than cold hands, is cold and wet hands. In a recent post, we covered warmth and insulation solutions. But client specs usually call for designing gloves that keep hands both warm AND dry. Today, we’ll talk about windproof and waterproof barriers, and other materials we can use to protect hands from the elements. As you’ll see, the solution we recommend varies by budget.more Glove Manufacturer Toolkit for Rain and Wind To keep hands dry, we add a fully sealed waterproof/ breathable (WPB) insert. The insert is a very thin film, usually polyurethane (PU) of a variation of...

It’s a common summer riding concern, and we hear it a lot: riders hate to wear lot of gear when it’s hot, humid, and sticky … Riders need cooler options, that still protect. Unlike Beckham pictured above, look for gear with strategically placed abrasion resistant materials for the protection you need and the hot weather comfort you want. Here’s the lowdown on warm weather gear to keep you safe and comfortable on the road as temps climb — and summer riding tips to help you beat the heat.more Hot Weather Motorcycle Gear: Lightweight and Breathable Apparel, helmets, gloves, and other accessories can...

When it comes to summer riding, we’re constantly exposed to nature’s elements. Riding can be a challenge in blistering heat, under the hot melting sun. Why wear gloves for warm weather riding?  For hand protection, which is essential year-round. And to keep cool and cmfortable, choose the right gloves for the season.  Here’s a simple guide explaining the best options. Summer Motorcycle Gloves: Cool and Comfortable The main reason to wear gloves is to keep hands protected and comfortable — from abrasion, sun, bugs, road debris, and heat.  If you are looking for good lightweight summer gloves, the main thing...

Long gone are the days when ‘old school’ bikers would ride with their palms wrapped in red bandannas during a long ride. In Part I of our series on choosing fingerless gloves,  we highlighted some key features to look for when it comes to fingerless motorcycle gloves. But the most popular fingerless gloves for many riders are black leather fingerless gloves — a timeless classic.  Like any motorcycle glove, there are important differences that you may not notice, as well as different qualities of leather. Here’s what to look for when choosing a black leather fingerless glove: more Choosing Black Fingerless Leather Gloves...

What steps are you taking to anticipate and mitigate supply chain risks?  Is your glove line made in a single country or factory?  What about your raw materials … Events like floods and natural disasters, political overseas — even the occasional port slow down — are inevitable.  How would disruption to your manufacturing supply chain impact your business? Can we avoid these risks through better planning? Here are questions you can ask your suppliers, to enlist their help in identifying hidden risks, and be better prepared. Hidden Supply Chain Risks China still accounts for the lion’s share of global exports,...

Lots of riders find fingerless motorcycle gloves a comfortable summer alternative, instead of heavily-gloved fingers in summer’s heat. FIngerless gloves are great for:  Comfort, shock absorption, better grip, padding and sweat control. They’re a lot cooler in the summer. In this 2-part series, we explain what to look for when choosing fingerless gloves.  – Mesh styles are light and cool, and good for wiping the sweat off your face on a hard ride/hot day …   – Black fingerless all leather styles are a classic …     – and, there are many comfort and safety features to choose from.  Choosing Fingerless Motorcycle Gloves Here’s what to look...

Last week, as the conversation on Facebook page turned to waterproof gloves, we were excited to see a familiar name —  accomplished long distance rider Voni Glaves. Voni is one of a handful of motorcyclists who has ridden a documented million miles without an accident, and is working on her second million. A million miles is like circling the circumference of the earth 40 times. Voni agreed to chat with us and share some of her experiences in the saddle.  We were really curious about her experiences both as a long distance motorcycle rider, and a something of a trailblazer...