What Glove Designers Should Look for in Hot Weather Performance Gloves
When temperatures rise, glove performance becomes more important than ever. Whether biking long distances, operating equipment, working outdoors, landscaping, riding motorcycles, or handling tools on a construction site, heat and sweat can quickly reduce comfort, grip, and hand control.
Glove Materials That Combat Summer Conditions
For cycling, tactical, recreational, and outdoor work applications, AX Cinco RPET is one of the best glove materials for hot weather because it combines exceptional breathability, moisture management, flexibility, durability, and grip. With an engineered polyester construction, it allows sweat and heat to escape more efficiently than many traditional synthetic or leather palm materials.
Because the glove palm experiences the highest abrasion load of any part of the glove (absorbing constant friction, vibration, and repeated motion), the wrong material can result in moisture buildup, leading to slipping, discomfort, fatigue, and premature glove failure.
For more than a decade, AX Materials has helped brands solve these challenges with high-performance glove-palm materials that balance breathability, durability, grip, and comfort.
As glove brands continue to prioritize comfort, durability, and user performance, many turn to AX Materials for specialized palm materials engineered for specific application requirements. During the summer season, AX’s synthetic suede materials are some of the best options for staying comfortable in the heat.
The Key Characteristics of a Summer Glove Material
Cinco RPET achieves EN388 Abrasion Level 2 performance while maintaining a lightweight 0.60mm construction, demonstrating its ability to balance dexterity and durability.
Originally launched in 2013, Cinco 0.60mm helped redefine what a high-performance glove palm could be.
Today, it remains one of AX Materials’ most popular glove materials, delivering a combination of benefits rarely found together:
- High dexterity
- Superior breathability
- Moisture-wicking performance
- Four-way stretch
- Lightweight comfort
- Durable abrasion resistance
- Recycled content
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified
Cinco RPET, made with recycled content, is constructed with 60% recycled polyester and contains no polyurethane (PU). With 0% PU, Cinco RPET becomes more breathable than materials like nylon or natural leather. This also creates an athletic fit and second-skin feel, allowing hands to move naturally while maintaining reliable grip and durability.
Engineered Polyester Fiber Makes Glove Materials Tougher
AX Materials builds Cinco RPET using engineered continuous-filament polyester fibers. Unlike traditional materials that can trap heat and moisture, these specialty fibers create a lightweight knit structure that allows heat and sweat to escape.
This delivers several advantages:
- Improved airflow
- Enhanced moisture management
- Dry grip performance
- Reduced hand fatigue
- Increased comfort during extended wear
Compared to natural leather and many conventional synthetic alternatives, Cinco RPET provides significantly greater breathability while maintaining the durability required for demanding applications.
For cyclists, outdoor workers, landscapers, mechanics, and tactical professionals, keeping hands cool and dry using a material like Cinco RPET directly improves comfort and control.
AX Materials blends these continuous polyester filament fibers into a knit polyester base through a custom knitting process, resulting in a softer, more robust material that will not shed surface fibers from excessive rubbing and wear.
This allows for glove materials that are:
- Stronger
- Thinner
- Softer
- More flexible
- More abrasion-resistant
- Less prone to pilling or shedding
Real-World Applications: Where Cinco RPET Excels
Cinco RPET was engineered to maximize comfort and hand control in demanding environments where glove performance directly impacts user experience.
Cinco RPET’s combination of breathability, grip, durability, and flexibility makes it a trusted choice across numerous industries and activities:
Bike Gloves
Long rides generate heat, sweat, and constant contact with the handlebars. Cinco RPET helps mountain bikers and cyclists maintain a dry grip while providing the responsiveness riders need for confident control.
“I look for a handlebar feel that’s comfortable and holds up to some moisture. If it’s rain or sweat, you really don’t want your gloves to become slippery… I think [AX Cinco RPET] has got a great bar feel, is durable, and is useful in a variety of conditions.”
-Thomas Vanderham, Professional Mountain Biker
Dive Deeper: Why Dakine chose AX Cinco RPET for superior palm protection for their Cross-X Bike Glove
Tactical and Shooting Gloves
High dexterity and flexibility allow users to maintain precision while benefiting from reliable abrasion resistance and comfort.
Recreation and Fitness Gloves
For gym training, outdoor recreation, climbing, and fitness activities, Cinco RPET delivers comfort and moisture management during extended wear.
Outdoor Work Gloves
Landscaping, utility work, maintenance, and general outdoor labor require gloves that can withstand repeated motion while remaining breathable during hot weather.
Motocross Gloves
Motocross riders need excellent grip and high dexterity for optimal hand control. Cinco RPET’s thin construction helps maximize responsiveness.
“We’ve spoken with hundreds of riders and concluded that the majority of those who don’t wear gloves often forgo this layer of protection due to the fit, which then affects the lack of connection they feel with their bars and bike.”
-Anthony Campise, President and Founder of Flex® Handwear
Anthony built his FS-1™ Performance Gloves using Cinco RPET for this very reason. The glove’s low-profile fit and high-dexterity palm give riders a “natural feel” with their bikes, providing an unrestrictive fit that won’t hinder control.
Dive Deeper: How Cinco RPET Drove Performance, Comfort, and Style for Flex® Handwear
Cinco RPET vs. Bravo RPET: Which Material Is Right for Your Glove?
Both Cinco RPET and Bravo RPET belong to the AX suede family and utilize engineered polyester constructions, but they serve slightly different performance goals. Cinco RPET, at a thickness of 0.60mm, is often preferred for high-dexterity applications, while Bravo RPET is recognized as a ‘core’ palm suede due to its standard thickness of 0.80mm.
Cinco RPET (0.60mm)
Best For:
- Bike gloves
- Tactical gloves
- Summer recreation gloves
- High-dexterity applications
Features:
- 60% recycled polyester
- 0% PU construction
- High dexterity (0.60mm)
- Superior breathability
- Maximum flexibility
- Four-way stretch
- Moisture wicking
- Lightweight comfort
- EN388 Abrasion Level 2
- EN388 Tear Level 1
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified
Bravo RPET (0.80mm)
Best For:
- Work gloves
- Utility gloves
- Outdoor equipment handling
- Higher-abrasion environments
Features:
- 45% recycled polyester
- 0% PU construction
- Enhanced durability
- Quick-drying performance
- Breathable knit base
- EN388 Abrasion Level 3
- EN388 Tear Level 1
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified
Together, Cinco RPET and Bravo RPET provide glove designers with options that balance breathability, dexterity, durability, sustainability, and application-specific performance requirements.
How InstaChill™ Technology Enhances Summer Comfort
For brands seeking additional add-ons to enhance their gloves’ summer performance, AX’s proprietary cooling technology, InstaChill™, is available for both Cinco RPET and Bravo RPET.
Powered by xylitol, InstaChill™ actively converts moisture into a cooling sensation when activated by perspiration.
Benefits include:
- Rapid moisture transfer
- Cooling sensation during wear
- Up to a 3°F temperature reduction after two minutes of contact*
- Continued effectiveness after repeated washing
*prior to washing
When temperatures climb, this added cooling capability can help improve wearer comfort throughout the day.
Sustainable Glove Materials Without Compromising Performance
Historically, glove brands had to choose between sustainability and performance.
AX Materials set out to change that.
Today, both Cinco RPET and Bravo RPET are Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) certified, a third-party, holistic standard from the Textile Exchange that verifies the precise recycled content of a material.
For brands focused on environmental responsibility, Cinco RPET and Bravo RPET provide a path toward sustainability without sacrificing grip, comfort, durability, or performance.
Don’t Overlook the Importance of Glove Palm Materials
The glove palm is an area that experiences heavy wear, and deterioration affects performance and significantly decreases hand protection.
For example, wear and tear on the glove grip affects safety, especially when handling dangerous equipment or maneuvering gears on a motorcycle. Similarly, when the material wears down, breathability and dexterity are affected, which can lead to discomfort and impact dexterity.
If you want gloves that not only last but also protect hands during all uses, choose a quality palm material that will support high abrasion and use.
Why Leading Glove Brands Choose AX Materials
For more than a decade, AX Materials has developed performance materials specifically engineered for glove applications.
Rather than treating the glove palm as a commodity component, AX focuses on the factors that matter most in real-world use:
- Grip
- Breathability
- Dexterity
- Durability
- Moisture management
- Comfort
- Sustainability
From bike and tactical applications to construction, motocross, outdoor recreation, and industrial safety, AX Materials continues to help brands create gloves for all applications in any condition.
Use our website’s filtering system to sort by industry and specific material needs, and easily find the best material matches for the glove you have in mind.
Want to add Cinco RPET to your next glove project and level them up for summer? Let’s talk.
FAQs About the Best Glove Materials for Summer
What is the best material for summer gloves?
The best summer glove material depends on the application, but highly breathable synthetic suede materials such as AX Cinco RPET are often preferred because they combine airflow, moisture management, grip, flexibility, and durability. Unlike many traditional leather materials, engineered polyester constructions allow heat and perspiration to escape more efficiently, helping users stay comfortable during extended wear.
Are synthetic suede gloves more breathable than leather gloves?
In many applications, synthetic suede glove materials can offer greater breathability than natural leather. Materials such as Cinco RPET utilize engineered polyester fibers and open-knit constructions that promote airflow and moisture transfer while maintaining abrasion resistance and grip performance.
What makes a glove material good for hot weather?
A glove material designed for hot weather should provide breathability, moisture management, flexibility, and durability. Materials that efficiently move perspiration away from the skin and allow heat to escape help reduce hand fatigue, improve grip, and increase wearer comfort.
What is the difference between Cinco RPET and Bravo RPET?
Cinco RPET is a 0.60mm synthetic suede designed for maximum dexterity, flexibility, and breathability, making it ideal for cycling, tactical, and recreational gloves. Bravo RPET is a thicker 0.80mm material that provides enhanced durability for work gloves, utility gloves, and higher-abrasion environments.
Can recycled glove materials perform as well as traditional materials?
Yes. Modern recycled glove materials such as Cinco RPET and Bravo RPET are engineered to deliver professional-grade performance while incorporating recycled content. These materials provide durability, grip, comfort, and moisture management comparable to or exceeding many traditional glove palm materials.
Why does breathability matter for glove performance?
Breathability is often viewed as a comfort feature, but it directly impacts glove performance. Excess heat and moisture inside a glove can reduce grip consistency, increase hand fatigue, and create discomfort that leads users to remove their gloves entirely. By improving airflow and moisture management, breathable glove palm materials help users maintain comfort, control, and confidence throughout the workday or activity.