Motorcycle gloves with palm sliders play a crucial role in protecting riders during accidents. These gloves provide added safety to the hands, especially the delicate scaphoid bone, which is at risk of injury during falls. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of palm sliders and how they protect the rider’s hands.
Every individual knows that the helmet is one of the most important gears to wear when driving a motorcycle. But many riders opt for motorcycle gloves as the second most important safety gear (How to measure the right size). Why is it important? Because you put your hands down during a fall in an accident, and if you break your scaphoid, you may lose the ability to use your thumb. Fractures can take between six and twelve weeks to heal, but some can take longer. Knox SPS Palm Sliders help prevent hand injuries, including fractures of the scaphoid, during an accident.
Protecting the scaphoid with motorcycle gloves is a very serious matter. The small ligaments and bones in the wrists and hands are vulnerable to tearing and fracturing in a fall. The scaphoid bone is particularly delicate, and a fracture can take months to heal. Using motorcycle gloves significantly reduces the impact on the scaphoid, helping to prevent injury.
Palm Sliders Protect the Scaphoid for Motorcycle Riders
In the past, manufacturers used plastic sliders on the palms of gloves, similar to knee sliders. These sliders helped reduce scaphoid injuries during accidents. A British company called Knox introduced an improved solution: the Scaphoid Protection System (SPS), which involves placing two palm sliders on each side of the lower palm. The system added extra protection, and gloves like the Scorpion SGS MKII are now considered some of the best for preventing road rash.
Even if a glove is made of thick leather, without palm sliders, it offers minimal protection. Leather gloves without palm sliders can easily slide off the thumb, making them less effective. Leather doesn’t slide as easily as plastic, TPU, or carbon fiber, materials commonly used for palm sliders. Motorcycle gloves without palm sliders pose a significant risk during a fall, as riders are more likely to injure their scaphoid bone.
The Knox Scaphoid Protection System (SPS) works by placing two sliders on the palm of the glove. One slider covers the general area of the palm and the scaphoid, while the second slider acts as a bridge, preventing twisting and grabbing effects during a fall.
The SPS system helps protect the hand from hyperextension and compression fractures that can occur when a leather palm grips the road surface. The extended hand slides at the same speed as the body, preventing injuries that result from the hand being caught or twisted.
Palm sliders are one piece of the puzzle. For a complete breakdown of what to wear head-to-toe - helmets, jackets, boots, and how gloves fit into the full picture - check out our complete biker gear guide. If you’re just getting started and building your first riding kit, our beginner’s guide to motorcycles covers the essentials without overwhelming you.
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Sources
- Knox Lab - Gloves & Boot Parts - Knox’s official technical overview of the Scaphoid Protection System (SPS) and how palm sliders work.
- Olympia Gloves - Scaphoid Protection in Motorcycle Gloves - Explanation of scaphoid fracture mechanics and how palm slider technology reduces injury risk.
- RevZilla - Motorcycle Glove Buying Guide - Overview of glove protection features including palm sliders and knuckle armor.
For the rider’s gear primer - everything from jackets to boots to gloves - see our biker gear guide.
