[Tested] POC Resistance Shorts & Gloves

This Summer we had the opportunity to ride in some of the latest gear from POC, and after plenty of saddle time, we’re here to report back on our thoughts. The POC Resistance line is geared toward ‘Enduro’ riding, meaning it’s well ventilated, but uses strong and robust materials. With POC’s trademark “different, but not too different” aesthetics blending large color blocking, mixed with high functionality, here’s how their latest has worked out in the warmer months.

Specs

• MTB glove for Enduro riding
• Back of hand features moisture wicking fabric
• Ventilated and supple palm
• Silicon print on brake fingers for extra grip and feel
• Touch screen compatible thumb
• Silicon print pull tab for excellent grip and fit
• Terrycloth nose wipe on thumb
• Velcro closure at wrist
• Sold in Red, Green, Orange, or Black

The silicone ‘dots’ were helpful for brake lever contact/grip, and we found they worked on our iPhone screen as well. The perforated palm held up well over time, and the small holes served to help ventilate heat out.

The POC sizing chart notes these gloves run on the Small size, which we found to be accurate as we typically wear a Small, but these fit nicely in a size Medium.

Typically we aren’t all that fond of gloves with a velcro closure, but the Resistance Enduro gloves utilize a minimalist, low profile closure tab that didn’t bother us during the test.

When it comes to gloves, durability and simplicity are what we look for. A smooth non padded palm, and quality stitching made the Resistance Enduro gloves a great option for everyday trail riding with just enough added measures for improving their longevity without feeling bulky.

Specs

• Designed for a specific mountain bike ride fit
• Very durable and tear resistant Vectran® reinforced hip, thigh and knee
• Rider tuned pre-bent knees
• Designed for seamless compatibility with POC knee protection
• Water resistant with a durable water repellent finish
• Two zipped side pockets
• Discreet and practical zipped card pocket at back
• Precise fit with velcro waist adjustment
• Black colorway only

POC designed the Resistance Enduro shorts to work seamlessly with their knee protection, and while we found that the two do pair perfectly, other knee pads we rode in also worked very well. The added material in the front keeps the shorts from rising up the leg and getting caught on the top of your kneepads. Relief behind the knee helps with airflow and prevents bunching while pedaling.

Two very well placed pockets are nearly invisible when closed, and add to the clean aesthetic POC is known for. The shorts also feature a sneaky pocket in the rear waist for a key or another small item.

Though we may be less fond of velcro on our gloves, shorts are another story. Everyone’s body shape varies, and having the ability to fine tune waist size is crucial for us. Often times riders fall between sizes, and without waist adjustments, that leaves us hanging. The Resistance shorts feature a low profile, easy to use system that stays in place for the duration of a ride and doesn’t bunch up.

Vectran is an exceptionally strong and resilient liquid-crystal polymer fiber that POC implements on many of their models. The side panel (as shown above) is made from Vectran and is aimed to prevent tearing. We luckily never had any major crashes in these shorts, so we cannot attest to their durability in that scenario, but it seems as though the special fiber would be stronger than normal.

Long days in the saddle proved to be no issue for the Resistance shorts, as they are light weight, and though fairly form fitting, allow for good pedaling movement. Due to the cut of the fabric, we found we’d sometimes catch the area just below the zipper on our seat. When moving our body position off the back of the bike for steep descents, it was unfortunate to feel stuck on our seat mid way. This happened more often on these shorts than others we have used, but was still a relatively rare occurrence. This could be due to the fact that they fit slightly on the large size – which is worth keeping in mind if you are considering these shorts.

Overall

The POC Resistance line is well thought out and made from high-quality materials. At a fairly high price-point, these products are aimed toward an enduro racer, or someone spending long days in the saddle facing rugged terrain. If you’re either of those types of riders and want an aesthetically clean, and durable setup for lots of riding, the POC Resistance line may just be the ticket. 

More info at: POC