SCOTT TRACTION CONTESSA SIGNATURE GLOVE

£31.99 SPECIFICATION Weight: 33g • Colours: blue/green • Sizes: XXS–L • Contact: scott-sports.com

On the Scott website you’ll see a Traction full-finger glove listed in both the men’s and women’s sections, but like most women’s products I’ve tested recently, the difference is just an alternative pattern.

The Contessa Signature is built around a highly perforated synthetic leather palm. This is wafer thin, but in a good way – there’s loads of feel. It’s also pretty grippy due to silicone sections on the two index fingers and thumb. However, I’m not a fan of the pull-on design and edged wrist closure; it just doesn’t feel that secure and always felt like it was going to slip off. It never did but I’d like another half inch on the wrist for extra security.

A cool feature I really like is the magnetic attachment on the cuff that lets you keep both gloves together. How many times have you turned your wardrobe upside down looking for a missing glove, or washed one and found the other still in your kit bag? True, you could still lose both of them, but at least they’ll be in the same place.

With its low weight, high breathability and ultra-thin palm, the Contessa Signature is a glove for riders who don’t like wearing gloves. You do pay quite a bit for that privilege, especially since there’s not a lot here. Less is definitely more in terms of price here. So, while the Contessa Signature is another product to add to my ‘not really women’s specific’ list, it is a brilliantly lightweight and tactile summer trail glove.