The Oxford Nexus gloves are a full-length, race-style option for warm, dry conditions. They're designed for riders who value serious protection at a sensible price, because they achieve the highest CE safety rating. Having worn them through spring and summer across 1500 miles of mixed road and track use, they left a strong impression.
Fit & comfort
The Nexus gloves fit me very well overall. While the fingers are slightly short, this doesn't cause any discomfort in use. I’m typically on the border between medium and large in gloves — in this case, I opted for a size large and found it to be a good match.
The fit around the cuffs also works as I’d hoped. Though I can tuck the gloves inside the sleeve of a textile jacket when needed, they’re more naturally worn over the jacket cuff. There’s plenty of space in the upper section to make that a fuss-free process.
In terms of comfort, the external stitching on the fingers is a bonus. With no internal seams to rub or irritate, the gloves remain comfortable even during longer rides.
The main drawback comfort-wise is the single-piece knuckle protector, which doesn’t flex as easily as designs with a cantilever-style split.
Breathability & ventilation
These gloves are clearly designed for summer use as they have no waterproofing or thermal lining, which helps with breathability. Small air vents are built into the knuckle protector, though they don’t provide much airflow. More effective are the perforated sections in the panels between the fingers, which help warm air escape and allow some cooling airflow through when riding at speed.
In use, the Nexus gloves are comfortable in warm temperatures. They run hotter than lightweight short summer gloves, but the added protection justifies the compromise. On hot days, opening out my fingers while riding can pull extra air in through the finger perforations.
Protection
Protection is where the Oxford Nexus gloves stand out. They carry the highest possible CE rating (Level 2) and have comprehensive armour. A hard plastic knuckle protector covers the back of the hand, while the first three fingers of each glove are reinforced with plastic sliders. There’s also a plastic scaphoid insert on the heel of the palm.
Photography: Helen Meeds
The gloves feature twin fastening straps — one around the wrist and another around the cuff. Notably, the wrist strap fastens on the underside of the hand, which is a more secure location for crash protection.
I wore the Nexus gloves on a trackday and felt well protected and confident throughout. The construction feels reassuringly robust, and they’ve clearly been built with safety in mind.
Dexterity & break-in
As you might expect, the Nexus gloves are more restrictive than lighter, short-cuff summer gloves. Still, I could make all the movements required for riding without feeling hindered. For relaxed cruising, I might prefer something more flexible — but for spirited road riding or trackdays, I welcome the extra sense of security.
There was a brief break-in period of a few sessions on track, after which the gloves moulded well to the shape of my hands. Within hours, they had broken in very well.
There’s no touchscreen compatibility, which is a shame for road riders who want to operate a phone or sat-nav without removing their gloves.
Durability
In terms of wear and durability, the gloves have held up well. Some of the Oxford logo on the right wrist strap has peeled away, and there’s minor fluffing on the Velcro fasteners, but these are purely cosmetic issues.
Conclusion
The Oxford Nexus 1.0 gloves are a great option for riders who want the highest level of safety without spending top-dollar. They show it’s possible to wear CE Level 2 gloves without giving up too much in terms of comfort or control. While they don’t offer much in the way of weather protection or tech features, they shine where it matters to many riders — on the safety front.
They’re ideally suited to summer road riding or trackdays, and pair best with a full textile or leather set-up. If protection is a priority and you're riding in warm, dry weather, these gloves offer excellent value for money and serious peace of mind.
