Sullivan Deerskin Shorty: Outseam motorcycle gloves review

REVIEW – Spring is underway here on the East Coast of the US, and that means that Summer is not too far around the corner. I plan to make the most of the riding season before my second knee replacement surgery in the Fall. Whenever I ride any of my motorcycles, I always wear gloves. Sometimes I want something that looks less like typical riding gloves and offers more comfort. I know it is taking a risk, but how will I know unless I try? Enter the Sullivan Deerskin Shorty: Outseam Glove.

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $85
Where to buy: Sullivan Glove website

What is it?

The Sullivan Deerskin Shorty: Outseam Gloves are soft, lightweight, and made from American deerskin.  They have a beautiful grain finish and require very little maintenance.  They are abrasion-resistant and tolerate moisture well.  They are cut and hand-sewn once the order is placed.

What’s included?

• 1 x Pair of Sullivan Deerskin Shorty: Outseam Glove

Design and features

• Suggested Uses
  • Fashion
  • Driving
  • Motorcycle 2.5-3oz American deerskin
• Drum dyed in the United States
• Made in Bend, OR, USA
• Unlined for Spring, Summer, and Fall dress and riding

The Sullivan Deerskin Shorty: Outseam Gloves are made from soft, flexible, and lightweight American deerskin. They feature an out-seam construction, which is not only for the aesthetic but also allows the seams to not irritate your fingers. Sullivan states that each pair is cut and hand-sewn to order. The material is breathable and moisture tolerant. The Shorty design features a cuff approximately one inch shorter than their Classic Deerskin gloves. They are designed for motorcyclists and outdoor Enthusiasts.

Performance

The Sullivan Deerskin Shorty: Outseam Gloves are properly designed and are well crafted. Sullivan states that they are designed for outdoor use, including motorcycle riding. While I can say that they are comfortable and feel durable, I remain skeptical about the protection they can provide during a fall from a motorcycle. Starting with the comfort, the leather feels luxurious and soft, and the Outseam stitching means that nothing is rubbing against my fingers when I wear them. This was the design I wanted because I felt that it would be a better experience, and I was right. The day I evaluated these while riding my motorcycle, the temperature was about 60 degrees and windy. While they protected my fingers from the direct harshness of the wind, I still felt some level of cold that made me believe that as it gets closer to winter, these would not work to keep my hands warm. The fact that they are breathable and moisture-tolerant could be a worthwhile tradeoff. One reason could be the Shorty design I chose, but I do have other Shorty gloves that work well in the cold. My other concern is that there is no knuckle protection, which is also a consideration of mine when I select riding gloves.
Otherwise, they are nice and would nicely complement my brown leather jacket.

Here is a short video that I recorded when I took the gloves on a test ride:

Final thoughts

The Sullivan Deerskin Shorty: Outseam Gloves are good-looking, well-made, and comfortable to wear for extended periods. They certainly go nicely with a nice leather coat, and feel good when riding my motorcycle. However, they do not offer great protection against impact if you fall while riding.

What I like about the Sullivan Deerskin Shorty: Outseam Glove

• They are nicely made
• The leather is soft to the touch, and the gloves are attractive
• I like the Outseam design
• They are very flexible
• They can be worn on casual and dressy occasions

What needs to be improved?

• They are not rough and tough gloves, and I do not think they will last for riding as suggested
• They do not offer much critical protection like “real” riding gloves

Price: $85
Where to buy: Sullivan Glove website
Source: The Sullivan Glove Company provided a free sample for this review. The Sullivan Glove Company did not have a final say on the review and did not preview it before it was published.

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