The Knox Orsa Textile OR4 gloves are designed with warm, dry adventures in mind. They’re short-cuffed and lightweight, offering a mix of comfort, airflow and protection that makes them ideal for road or green-lane riding when the sun’s out. I took them on a 6700-mile summer trip through Turkey and into Georgia aboard my Aprilia Tuareg 660, and they’ve since earned their place as my go-to gloves for hot-weather riding. As an owner of previous versions of these gloves the OR4 had a lot to live up to — and they didn’t disappoint.
Fit & comfort
After sizing up from my usual medium to a large, the fit is excellent. The fingers sit just right — no bunching or overhang — and they stay comfortable throughout long riding days in temperatures ranging from 10°C to 32°C.
The snug glove opening can be a bit of a struggle to get over warm or sweaty hands, however once on they feel secure and close-fitting without being restrictive.
Photography: Jose Mas
They give me all-day comfort, with enough support to feel like they’d offer protection in a spill, without any stiffness or pressure points.
Breathability & ventilation
Ventilation is where these gloves excel. Even when tucked behind the bike's handguards, there’s enough airflow through the textile construction to stop things getting sweaty. The fabric helps sweat evaporate and keeps your hands feeling dry even when the mercury rises above 30°C.
The short cuff doesn’t seal under or over a jacket sleeve, though in warm conditions that’s actually a plus. It allows air to flow into the jacket sleeve and helps keep the whole set-up cooler.
Protection
These gloves are rated to the basic CE Level 1, with approved knuckle protection, and feature Knox’s Impact Scaphoid Protection System in the palm. Across the back of the hand, there’s a blend of hard and soft armour that adds reassurance without bulk. They feel like a proper piece of protective kit — something I’d trust to do its job if things went wrong.
Having worn the previous generation of these gloves for seven years, I know Knox takes protection seriously. I’ve never needed to crash-test them (thankfully), yet they’ve always given me full confidence in their ability to hold up.
Dexterity & break-In
The flexibility of these gloves is a real highlight. I prefer gloves that let me feel exactly what’s going on at the bars and controls, and the OR4s tick that box straight away. They offer great feedback and precision, especially when riding more challenging terrain.
They took about 500 to 700 miles to fully break in — they were comfortable during that time, just a little firm. After that, they settled in beautifully and have stayed supple ever since.
Touchscreen functionality works well, too. The thumb, index and middle fingers on both gloves will all control my phone and the bike’s GPS without any hassle.
When I purchased my previous Orsa gloves I wasn’t so keen on the BOA fastening system. It uses a thin piece of cord to fasten, running through a twist dial to tension it around the wrist.
It gave me the impression of being far too flimsy and easy to break, however this closure system has never been a problem on the original gloves. I only stopped using them when a hole developed in one of the thumbs, after seven years and 50,000 miles of riding.
The Boa system has been improved since the earlier version of these gloves — it now tightens or loosens with a twist either way, and pops out for full release of tension. It’s simple, secure, and has never given me any trouble, despite my early doubts when I first tried the older version.
Durability
So far, these gloves have shrugged off everything I’ve thrown at them. After 6700 miles they still look brand new — no scuffed palms, no fraying seams, and no signs of wear on the touchscreen tips or fastening system.
Based on how these new ones are holding up, I expect a similar lifespan as I experienced from the previous model. That kind of durability goes a long way towards justifying the price.
Conclusion
The Knox Orsa Textile OR4 gloves are a top choice for anyone needing a lightweight, breathable glove that doesn’t compromise on protection or feel.
They’re not cheap, however in my experience they’re built to last and perform to a high standard over thousands of miles. If you’re riding in hot, dry conditions and want great control, ventilation and comfort these gloves are absolutely worth considering.
