Long Term Trail Test: KETL MTN Vent Touch MTB Gloves Review

Intro

When we set out to design the perfect summer mountain bike glove, our goal was clear: keep hands cool, grippy, and comfortable on long, hot rides. As riders and shop employees in a warm climate, we knew exactly what problems to solve, and we built the Vent Touch glove to address them. Over the past year, I’ve put these gloves through countless weekly rides, enduro races, and long weekend epics in roughly 70°F to 90°F conditions. After this extended trial, here’s how they performed.

The Verdict

KETL’s Vent Touch gloves deliver exactly what we hoped for: they’re super lightweight and highly breathable, yet still protect your hands and provide a secure grip on the bars. In short, they do nearly everything we wanted in a summer MTB glove. After hundreds of miles, we’re impressed by how unnoticeable they feel in use. The thin, stretchy palms and mesh back let your hands breathe, so you don’t feel sweat building up, even on long climbs. At the same time, silicone grip patches on the fingertips securely lock onto brake levers and grips, preventing them from slipping. These gloves aren’t meant for chilly or rainy days, but from spring through fall on trails and enduro laps, they’ve become our go-to. We challenge warm-weather riders to find many flaws for most of our riding, the Vent Touch is about as close to a “perfect” glove as we’ve used

Nitty Gritty

• Intended Use: All-around mountain bike glove for warm, dry conditions. Ideal for trail rides, enduro racing, and all-day pedals where ventilation and bar feel are top priorities.

• Construction: Lightweight stretchy mesh/spandex fabric on the back of the hand; thin synthetic palm (80% polyester/20% polyurethane) with reinforced areas. Perforated palm fabric and a breathable top layer maximize airflow.

• Fit: Pull-on elastic cuff (no velcro) for easy on/off. Cut snug and trim so that the glove hugs your hand without bunching, giving a “second-skin” feel.

• Features: Silicon print on the thumb and index finger for extra grip. Touchscreen-compatible fingertip fabric on index thumb (no need to remove gloves to swipe your phone). Microfiber wipe on the back of the thumb for sweat. Comes in Black and Teal colors. 

• Weight: About 30 g per pair, far lighter than most padded gloves.

• Sizing & Warranty: Available S-XXL. As with all KETL gear, backed by a lifetime repair/replacement guarantee

Design & Features

We designed the Vent Touch glove from the ground up to solve summer-riding annoyances. For ventilation, the glove uses a highly breathable mesh throughout the top of the glove and tiny laser-cut perforations in the palm fabric. On steep, sweaty climbs, my hands never felt swampy or overheated. The palm material itself is thin, but tough; it’s durable enough to handle light trail abuse, yet low-profile enough that there’s no bulk between my skin and the grips. We strategically placed non-slip silicone on the thumb and index finger, which provides grip on brake levers and bars. It feels secure without feeling “sticky.” Importantly, the entire glove is touchscreen-friendly, so the rider could easily use their smartphone or GPS unit without taking the gloves off. In short, every detail was included to improve trail performance and convenience, not to add unnecessary fluff.

Fit & Comfort

From the very first ride, these gloves felt true-to-size and comfortable. The stretchy nylon/elastane fabric molds to your hand, and the elastic cuff slips on easily without digging in. The glove’s construction is essentially one seamless piece in the palm area, which means there are no distracting seams or bunching when gripping the handlebars. You barely notice them until you need them. I experienced no pressure points or hotspots, even after hours in the saddle. The only real sensation is how much better the bars feel: the ultra-thin palm lets you sense what the bike is doing beneath you. It took a day to get used to how “bare” they felt, but once I did, I appreciated the feedback. Overall, the Vent Touch gloves hug the hand comfortably and stay put through any riding position, just as we intended.

Trail Performance (Warm Conditions)

On classic 75-80°F trail days, the Vent Touch gloves really shine. During long uphill grinds, my hands stayed noticeably drier than with heavier gloves; the combined mesh and perforation design let heat escape continuously. Mid-ride sweat evaporated quickly, and I could even wipe my brow with the microfiber thumb, allowing me to not get sweat on my glasses. In mixed terrain, the secure grip is great because I don’t have to consciously readjust my hands. After several back-to-back descents, I had no issues with finger slip on the brake levers; the silicone prints kept the bars locked into my palms. We also tested them in a couple of local enduro races. Over multiple intense runs, the gloves continued to exceed our expectations. Even after big impacts and a minor crash, the palm fabric held up without tearing. My one-word takeaway: reliable. (Note: these gloves are built for warm weather. If you’re riding in cold temps or through mud, you’ll want a heavier glove. The Vent Touch will certainly keep you ventilated, but it won’t insulate or block wet conditions.)

Durability & Care

After a year of riding (and lots of hand-wringing), the Vent Touch gloves are still in great shape. The lightweight palm material has resisted abrasions surprisingly well. I’ve yet to develop any holes or thin spots, even from scrapes on trailside branches. The silicone grip dots haven’t lifted or worn away. We washed them by hand or gentle machine cycle after dusty rides, and so far they’ve retained their fit and stretch. Given their ultra-thin build, we honestly didn’t know how they’d hold up long-term, but they’ve proven tough enough for everyday trail use. Coupled with KETL’s lifetime repair/replace guarantee, we’re confident they’ll last for years under normal riding use.

Final Thoughts

In developing the Vent Touch, we set out to include everything we wanted in a summer bike glove, and testing shows we succeeded. These gloves stay cool, let you feel the bike, and just stay out of your way, ride after ride. Personally, I now reach for them almost every time the thermometer climbs into the 60s and above. We’re proud of how well they perform, and we think they deserve a spot in your summer ride kit. If you’ve been missing that perfect warm-weather glove, the Vent Touch is worth a look on your next gear update.