Fit / Sizing
I really like the fit of these gloves. I’d describe my hands as an average size 10, and I went with the large gloves. They’re very snug, which means that I don’t have problems with wrinkles between my palm and the grip (a problem I’ve had with other pairs).
Despite their snugness, the finger length fit my hands perfectly. They’re not snug in a “these are sized too small” kind of way, they’re snug in a “Euro-performance” kind of way. If you have really meaty hands, the Index DH might be a bit tight, but it does have some stretch, so even larger-than-average hands should fit pretty well.
I also like that the gloves are fairly long around the wrist—they cover much more of my wrist than most other gloves I’ve worn. While this (along with the snugness), makes them a little harder to get on and off, I appreciate the extra bit of protection.
Also, none of the fabric on the fingers is twisted. On some cheaper bike gloves, the material is sewn incorrectly and it will twist around so it ends up on the side of your finger. This isn’t a problem with the Index DH.
Breathability
I’d rate the Index DH as “good” on a breathability scale. It’s not as breathable as lightweight gloves that are designed with airflow as the primary goal, but it’s by no means hot. I used it on rides in 90+ degree weather and never found it to be less comfortable than any other glove I ride in.
Touch Screen Compatibility
One other noteworthy feature of the Index DH is that the material is touch-screen compatible. This is really handy when I need to check my Strava time immediately and can’t be bothered to take my glove off…
But seriously, touch screen compatibility is a really nice feature that should be incorporated into more gloves.
Bottom Line
All in all, I like everything about the Index DH glove except the VPD armoring. I don’t normally wear armored gloves, so armoring is only worth it to me if it’s so seamless I don’t even notice it. While the VPD doesn’t restrict movement, I did find that extended use irritated my knuckles. For me, the protection gained with the VPD is not so significant that I’m willing to put up with that annoyance.
In all other respects, however, the Index DH glove is the best glove I’ve ever worn. Lucky for me, POC makes a few other glove models that are similar to the Index DH, without the VPD armoring. I’ll likely look to those for my next set of gloves.