Pando Moto’s Onyx Gloves are lightweight, minimalist neo-retro CE-certified level 1 moto gloves – perfect for warm/hot weather riding. They combine style, comfort and functionality and should appeal to retro, custom and classic riders.
Here’s my take on their performance over 600 miles. Read on or hit one of the links to grab a pair.
Pando Moto Onyx Gloves Review
In this review, I share my experience wearing the Pando Moto Onyx gloves, after 600 miles, or so, of real-world riding. From their style and fit to performance and functionality, touching briefly on durability, this review covers how these warm-weather gloves held up during a summer of riding. I offer insight into a couple of quirks I found but how well they performed for me.
I also offer my thoughts on the overall value for money and where they fit in compared to other mid to premium-range options. So, whether you’re after a new pair of warm-weather gloves or just curious about Pando Moto’s offering, this review should give you a few things to consider.
Road Test Conditions
- Duration: 3 months
- Setting: Urban and inter-urban leisure riding
- Weather Conditions: Dry and Wet
- Mileage: ~600 miles
- Season(s): Summer and Autumn
First Impressions
My Pando Moto Onyx Gloves arrived in low-key, spartan packaging, reflecting the minimalist nature but not the attention to detail of the product inside. I’m not too interested in packaging. The black card and care instructions do enough to convey as sense of quality.
In any case, I’d rather a brand allocate resources to design and protective features than wasteful ornate packaging when it comes to such functional items. So that’s the first tick from me.
As I removed the gloves from their packaging, I was immediately struck by how incredibly lightweight they felt. They seem a lot lighter than some of my other gloves but I suspect that’s due to the 0.8 mm cowhide leather.
Yet, with their knuckle armour, reinforced suede leather and sliders on the palm they exude an air of robustness — they’re road-ready.
Nothing beats the feeling of brand-spanking new gear, especially when it comes to leather. These gloves smell great and the cowhide leather feels super supple. The suede makes them feel a tad plush despite the rugged TU sliders.
Rotating the gloves for a closer expectation, I find they are incredibly well-finished. There isn’t a single loose thread or imperfection. The double-stitched seams are neat and uniform both inside and out. Quality control is clearly high. The Onyx and I were off to a great start.
Pando Moto Onyx Black Style & Looks
Pand Moto Onyx gloves are short-cuff warm-weather motorcycle gloves, confidently styled in a neo-retro aesthetic. And they’re likely to appeal, in just the right amount, to a cadre of riders that favour retro, classic and custom machines.
I tend to wear urban or vintage-inspired protective gear on the bike. Nothing says retro more than brown moto gloves. However, I chose the black variant over Pando’s brown or grey variants.
The combination of styling and the black colour (arguably) means my gloves lean aesthetically towards contemporary rather than vintage. Although less so than the grey variant would.
My black pair nevertheless, blend seamlessly with my black heritage-style Merlin Nomad wax cotton, short bomber jacket and my black four-pocket Belstaff Crosby jacket (again wax cotton).
These gloves would work well for a variety of riding styles from retro right through to sportbike. I paired them with just about every jacket I own: black and dark brown leather riding jackets and an indigo denim riding overshirt. The glove’s design is minimalist which makes them quite versatile.
I really like the way the contrasting black TPU slider and stitched, suede leather palms look against the matte black leather. The perforated material on the knuckles, fingers and the back of the hand is bordered by a row of ribbing — an accordion of material that aids flexibility but enhances the aesthetics in turn.
Branding on motorcycle gear can sometimes be loud and brash. Most classic, retro and new-wave custom riders rarely want that. And I’m among them. Pando Moto gets its branding just right. It knows its target rider. The branding manages to be subtle yet bold. The embossed PANDO in uppercase lettering is not hard to find (near the wrist of each glove) but it’s understated.
These gloves are a cool balance of vintage and contemporary styling that many urban riders appreciate.
They give off a rugged yet refined vibe, perfectly suited for riders of cafe racers, scramblers and everything in between that leans towards the retro or classic style. The combination of lightweight design, visible protection features and overall finish is a well-balanced blend of style and functionality.
600 miles in, the gloves are holding their own and developing just enough of a patina that leads to the well-worn look.
Fit & Comfort
I found the Onyx gloves a little tricky to put on initially. The opening is a bit of a squeeze. However, this eased with time and use, as I racked up the miles. Once they’re on, they fit securely. The way the sleek adjustable, hook and loop velcro straps secure the gloves is reassuring.
Digits-wise, I’ve got relatively long fingers but my thumbs usually come up a little short in other gloves. The Onyx were no different in this regard. However, other reviewers have mentioned something similar so perhaps it’s a quirk of the design and something Pando could look at in future iterations. Nonetheless, it makes no difference to the feel of my Thruxton’s controls.
In terms of fit, the circumference around my palm and hand is ~23.5 cm (9.25 ins) so I opted for an XXL. Typically, I wear XL in other brands so perhaps you might need to size up too. I found the Onyx gloves a tad rougher on the inside than I’m used to. This softened after some use and it wasn’t noticeable after a while — or maybe I just got used to it.
These gloves are comfortable and enjoyable to wear. During my road tests, I didn’t experience any pressure points that I sometimes feel with moto gloves with knuckle armour. And, after a few rides, they moulded nicely to my hands like I’d owned them for years.
Performance & Functionality
The CE Certified Level 1 Onyx gloves are pre-curved, offering out-of-the-box comfort from the first ride. This feature is meant to help with fatigue on long rides. However, being somewhat familiar with it in other gloves, I find it difficult to measure the effect. However, I say for sure my hands felt comfortable throughout, on some of the longer (2 hrs+) rides on which I wore them.
The built-in knuckle protectors feel more rigid than some of my other gloves like the Goldtop Predators, nonetheless, they’re lightweight.
A little bonus is the touchscreen functionality, which is achieved with smartphone-compatible pads on the fingertips of the thumb and index finger. However, I don’t use my phone for navigation or music and can interact with my GPS navigation unit while wearing gloves. Off the bike, I rarely use my phone for snapping images and if do, I’ll usually take off my gloves.
My need for touchscreen-capable gloves is low. However, I appreciate that some riders who need to interact with their phones and navigation devices on the go will appreciate this feature. It’s present on the Onyx and it works consistently well.
Where the Onyx have their greatest impact is grip and throttle control. Their lightweight nature and the construction of the palm mean my hold on my Thruxton R’s throttle feels firm and most importantly familiar. And their thin nature means the tactile feedback is almost au naturel.
I found the ventilation through the perforation was outstanding and particularly effective, while sitting in traffic, on the hottest day of the year (2024). The front and back of the fingers are connected by elasticated material which further enhances the breathability and fit of the gloves.
Aside, I was caught in a couple of British Summer rainstorms and of course, there wasn’t any protection against water or the chills coming through the perforated holes. They are after all summer gloves so this was to be expected.
The small curved rectangular TPU armour found beneath the leather at the knuckles and the base of the fingers, offer an extra layer of impact protection. There were no situations in which a meaningful test of their capabilities arose during my road tests.
However, like the sliders on the palm, they feel sturdy and inspire confidence in their shock-absorption and abrasion-resistance capability. I, fortunately, didn’t get to test these qualities during my road test. However, one unfortunate Onyx wearer did. You can read about that here ⮕.
Ostensibly, much thought has gone into the design but also protection.
Durability
Given the relatively thin leather, a question that could be asked is, ‘Will they last multiple riding seasons?’ It’s a good question that depends on the type and frequency of riding that you do. For me, it’s mostly leisure – and at 600 miles in, they’re looking good, wearing in nicely without discernable degradation.
Value
Within the mid-tier range, these gloves sit comfortably among other summer options. Most reviewers agree that the stylish design and lightweight feel are worth it.
Competition is tough in this segment of the market. Several strong brands like FUEL, RSD, Rev’it, Goldtop and more have similar offerings. Ultimately, it comes down to preference.
However, the Pando Moto Onyx can hold its own against the competition.
At ~£64/$98/€89 the price is what you’d expect to pay for this style and type of motorcycle gloves… now. However, that notion dismisses the incredible value the gloves offer with their high-quality finish.
Verdict
While there are a couple of fit quirks, like the long thumb (for me, plus a few others) and the initial tightness around the cuff, the Onyx are super comfortable on the bike. They’re also a great-looking set of gloves.
They’ve shown resilience over my 600-mile road test. I suspect I’ll be using them for multiple riding seasons.
In terms of value, they hold their own against other premium offerings, delivering on style and protection at a solid price point.
If I’m being picky, I’d prefer a softer lining in the interior. But then, the Onyx would lose its lightweight, well-ventilated nature and appeal as a warm-weather choice.
Though I don’t commute these days, these gloves are perfectly suited to that pursuit. They also work for leisurely weekend bimbles on hot days.
If you’re touring or likely to encounter inclement weather it probably pays to have a backup plan. Riding in the UK means I usually have waterproof (heated RACER) gloves in the bag when all four seasons hit in one day. Anyway, I digress.
If you’re after a stylish protective glove with a retro-esque appearance and have zero-track intent, you should certainly consider the Pando Moto Onyx.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, these could even be your go-to pair year-round.
About Pando Moto
If you’re not familiar with Pando Moto, the European brand has been producing protective motorcycle gear since 2011. The brand specialises in combining minimalist design with advanced safety features.
All its products are CE-approved to EN 17092 standards, ensuring they meet rigorous safety testing. The brand states that its abrasion-resistant gear, including jeans and jackets, can endure up to 92 meters of sliding distance. They incorporate high-performance materials like Dyneema®, Armalith®, and DuPont™ Kevlar®, which are lightweight yet exceptionally strong— (claimed to be) up to 15 times stronger than steel.
Pando Moto describes its gear as offering a blend of everyday wearability with robust protection. Designed for both urban commuting and longer rides, the brand emphasises durability, comfort and safety.
For riders looking for reliable, understated gear, Pando Moto’s offerings are a solid option.
