Lizard Skins Monitor Ignite gloves review

The Monitor Ignite are Lizard Skins’ most minimal full-finger gloves. They’re built with a mega slim construction that provides all the bar feel without compromising on grip, comfort, and breathability. Although these gloves are super cool in the summer, they’re more than usable in changing conditions but they’re not without a couple of durability concerns.

Lizard Skins Monitor Ignite - Technical details

The Monitor Ignites are as simple as they are minimal but that doesn’t mean that there’s not a bit of cool tech going on here. These get all of the usual bits and pieces we’ve come to expect of a pair of gloves, such as the silicone print at the fingertips and microfibre wipe but they also get a perforated one-piece palm and a Cool Max back which is a thin mesh that’s included to promote airflow.

Finishing up the gloves is a neoprene slip-on wrist but fret not, we’re not talking wet suit-grade neoprene here, instead, it’s a thin neoprene that makes good sense on these gloves. The fingers are articulated too.

The gloves are available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL and come in three colours: black, red and olive green (tested).

Lizard Skins Monitor Ignite - Performance

On test, we’ve got the glove in its medium size which Lizard Skins should fit hands from 7.25 to 7.5 inches from the bottom of the palm, to the tip of the middle finger. Usually, I’d opt for a large but I was bang in the middle of sizes but the fit is excellent. The gloves fit close to the skin but importantly, each of the fingers is the right length, and nowhere do the gloves feel tight, regardless of the smaller-than-usual size.

There isn’t a point on these gloves that is overengineered, or unnecessarily reinforced for durability’s sake and in this case, that’s a great thing as the bar feel is as close to gloveless as it gets. The single-layer palm is thin, providing great traction to the grips, while keeping the feel as communicative as possible.

They’re a mighty cool pair of gloves too as the back, or upper is as minimal as possible, being quite literally a mesh. This keeps cool air flowing to the skin which is ideal for warm days. However, even when things get a little chillier, there’s some level of insulation, so, during autumn rides, I’ve been very happy wearing the Monitor Ignites.

Grip and comfort have remained plentiful when sopping wet too, even when soaked through. And on top of all of that, comfort is up there with the very best without any compromise to dexterity. At first, the quality of the glove punches well above its weight too but later into my test period, some issues with the build crept through.

In terms of durability, there are a couple of concerns to be raised. I’ve ridden in these gloves throughout summer and for the most part, they’ve survived and in many ways, look better than other gloves but on one side, part of the seam that runs along the pointer finger has given way slightly, though thankfully not to the point of completely splitting. Although this does raise questions about the glove’s lifespan, this small tear in the stitching hasn’t gotten worse since. This is likely due to my hands being at the upper end of Lizard Skin's sizing.

And while very comfortable, the neoprene cuff is getting a little tatty around the edges around the pull at the inner wrist. Again, this doesn’t greatly affect the glove’s performance, definitely not in the short term but it could lead to a loose cuff later in its service life.

Lizard Skins Monitor Ignite - Value and verdict

With its £25 asking price, the Monitor Ignite gloves are excellent value for money, providing a quality and performance that punches respectfully above its weight.

A glove that performs very similarly is Dakine’s Thrillium glove which will at the time of this test set you back £45. These offer a great bar feel with a full leather palm but the uppers tore quickly with brushes against foliage and it took some warming for the leather to become pliable and comfortable.

ION’s Logo Gloves pose more serious competition in that they cost £20 and they’re quite good. They’re more substantially built and more durable (I’ve been riding in them for nearly a year and they’re still great) but sweat shows through the uppers. Though, for a fiver less money, they’re a solid all-weather option.

If you’re looking for a super minimal pair of gloves that don’t hold back comfort, bar feel and breathability, the Lizard Skins Monitor Ignites are a very solid option that's not too harsh on the wallet, despite some durability worries.