US Brand Renen is the brain-child of Pete Fox, the man behind Fox Racing. Starting as a Motocross brand he enlisted mountain bike legend and multiple world champion Brian Lopes in R&D to develop Renen for the Mountain Bike market. Brian works closely with sponsored UK rider Marc ‘Slugger’ Beaumont for feedback on the UK market.
With a total focus on performance-driven products, all of its kit is handmade in the USA at Renen’s factory in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The GC-2 Glove is one for the minimalists out there, keeping things simple and sleek. It features a slip-on neoprene cuff, ergonomic design, one-piece Clarino palm and abrasion-resistant Italian knit fabric on the top of the hand for durability. They look very sleek and are well-priced so it will be interesting to see how they fare against the best mountain bike gloves and my current favorites.
Design and specifications
The GC-2 gloves are a minimalist glove for those who are all about bar feel. They feature an ergonomically preshaped design with a two-piece palm constructed from single-layer Clarino fabric. The cuff is a Neoprene slip-on design with a scooped-out shape to the inside of the wrist. The top of the glove is made from Italian WarpKnit fabric, a super stretchy material with high abrasion resistance.
To further enhance fit the palm features a set-in thumb design which also improves mobility and comfort levels. With a few strategically placed holes to aid breathability and reinforced fingertips for extra durability.
Performance
My favorite glove up until now has been the 100% Sling glove, that said I think they have just been knocked off of the top spot by the Renen GC-2 gloves.
Whilst not a super-lightweight glove in the same stable as the 100% Sling or Troy Lee Designs Ace gloves the GC-2 offer the same levels of bar feel but in a much more robust design.
Both the palm and upper offer more durability than the 100% and Troy Lee gloves mentioned, without sacrificing any of the bar feel of minimalist gloves that I love. My size medium fitted perfectly, with no bunching or loose material to the main body or fingers. The cuffs scoop pleasingly at the wrist’s sides to offer a high level of mobility and the medium length adds a bit of protection from the elements. The pre-curved form and stretchy upper material make these a pleasure to wear.
I’ve seen them through a summer of abuse with a few crashes thrown in for good measure and they’ve survived unscathed. In hot weather, they breathe well. In wet weather grip levels are superb.
With a great balance of durability, comfort and build I can see these gloves being my go-to for the rest of the year, or until it’s cold enough to reach for something thicker.
Verdict
If you want durability but don’t want to sacrifice the feeling of lightweight gloves, then the GC-2 gloves could be for you. The simple no-fuss aesthetic should appeal to the masses and with cracking levels of comfort they are certainly tougher than a lot of the current crop at a great price point that will see you through the seasons.
Tech specs: Renen GC-2 glove
- Price: $38 / £30 / €35.95
- Colors: Black / White / Red
- Materials: Italian WarpKnit fabric body, Clarino Palm
- Sizes: S-XXL
- Rival products: 100 Percent Sling, Troy Lee Designs Ace
