New Bluegrass Prizma 3D MTB gloves boost impact protection with…spiky rubber bits?

The Bluegrass Prizma 3D impact protection gloves with unusual spiky rubber prisms on the forehand are one of four new mountain biking gloves from the protection brand. Each new glove serves a slightly different purpose. In addition to the spike-decorated gloves, we see the Bluegrass Vapor Lite gloves for eMTB, the Bluegrass React for solid handling, and the Bluegrass Union, an all-rounder suited to trail riding and BMX. 

All four pairs of Bluegrass Gloves get silicone wrist grippers, a four-way stretch mesh upper, soft touch covered thumbs for wiping goggles clean, a breathable perforated palm, and seam that permits use of touchscreens. Let’s look closer to see what sets them apart.

Bluegrass Prizma 3D Gloves

These are wacky looking! The spiky, gnarly, rugged look isn’t solely for aesthetic purposes, however. The design of the Bluegrass Prizma 3D Gloves focuses on impact protection. The 3D TPR prisms are said to defend the knuckles and the top of the hand. 

It’s an unusual take on impact protection gloves, with both Specialized and Fox opting to sew small D30 pads into the knuckles of their impact protection gloves.

A silicone print on the fingertips ensures a precise grip on the brakes and the shifter. A cuff has an adjustable strap closure with a silicone gripper at the wrist, a fairly unusual feature for mountain biking gloves. The wrist gripper is said to make it “easier to wear” the gloves when it’s wet… perhaps it helps prevent the cuff area expanding and becoming too baggy.

Bluegrass say the Prizma 3D Gloves can make hard lines easier; a very bold claim for a pair of MTB gloves. That said, your gloves make up two of only four connection points between the rider and the bike, so making that a good connection is fairly vital. The ergonomic shape and internal seam construction are meant to give good feedback through the grips.

Bluegrass Vapor Lite

The Bluegrass Vapor Lite MTB Gloves, and the rest of the new range for that matter, have a far more understated aesthetic than the Prizma 3D. These are the super minimalist option. They are designed for trail, XC and eMTB, with a focus on lightness and breathability.

The Vapor Lite is Bluegrass’s pure performance glove. Made for the hottest day in the saddle, it’s the lightest and most breathable MTB glove in the range. To maximize durability and avoid blisters the thumb’s hollow features an extra layer of fabric. The thumb is also padded with a soft cover to clean dirt and sweat from your face and eyewear.

Silicone grips on the braking fingers should deliver a firm contact with the brake levers.

Bluegrass React

The Bluegrass React MTB Gloves are intended for Downhill, Trail and XC riding, with a design optimized for solid handling. The thin palm features soft-padded regions said to help reduce hand pain on rougher terrain. 

A flexible zone on the braking finger is said to allow the rider to react more quickly when they need to slow down. The thumbnail region is reinforced to improve durability at what is often a weak point of many gloves. As with the rest of the new Bluegrass MTB Glove range, the React gloves get a silicone gripper on the adjustable cuff.

Bluegrass Union

The Bluegrass Union Gloves are their most versatile offering, intended for trail and BMX riding. They are the cheapest option in the new range, priced at $40. Bluegrass say they are gloves you can wear easily, on any ride and in any condition. They “stand out for their ergonomic fit and the quality of the seams that blend the technical fabrics which they’re made up of”.

The mesh on the upper construction is stretchable in four directions. Capacitive seams keep you connected with your touchscreen devices, silicone print on the fingertips aids braking, a soft-touch layer on the thumb cleans muck off your goggles, and the neoprene cuff has a slim fit said to guarantee a perfect comfort feeling.

Pricing & Availability

All four new Bluegrass MTB Gloves are available in sizes XS-XL. Pricing is as follows:

• Bluegrass Prizma 3D: 45€ | £40 | US$60 | CAD$75 | AUS$80

• Bluegrass Vapor Lite: 35€ | £32 | US$50 | CAD$60 | AUS$60

• Bluegrass React: 40€ | £36 | US$55 | CAD$70 | AUS$70

• Bluegrass Union: 29€ | £26 | US$40 | CAD$50 | AUS$50

All are available now.

Bluegrass.com