Five TFX-2 review | Waterproof road & trail motorcycle gloves

Date reviewed: April 2025 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £109.99 | bikerheadz.co.uk

The Five TFX-2 gloves on review here are a good choice for Spring, Autumn and some summer riding in the rain, and have some thoughtful design features, though they do live in the shadow of their big-brother – the TFX-1. I’ve been wearing them on a BMW R1250GS, Honda Hornet CB750, Zontes ZT350-T and a Honda ADV350 to find out whether they’re a bargain alternative or a pale imitation…

Pros & Cons

Construction, fit and feel

Available in the sand/brown colour reviewed here or black/grey, the TFX-2s are in some ways a paired-down version of the TFX-1. At half the price they have a goat leather palm and an abrasion-resistant nylon panel in the key impact area of the heel of the hand, wrapping around the side for extra reinforcement.

Fit is of course entirely subjective, but as with all Five gloves I’ve had to go from my usual size large to an XL here. The thumbs and fingers are all a good length for me, except the little fingers, which I find a touch too long (though not excessively so).

Protection and certification

The Five TFX-2 gloves are Level 1KP, meaning they’ve passed the standard’s minimum requirements for gloves sold in the UK and Europe, and the knuckle protection has been tested and certified.

This is the usual for most legally-sold gloves, and is good when you consider how lightweight they are, but it’s impossible to overlook the fact that the TFX-1s have achieved the tougher Level 2KP.

Small reflective strips are included just above the accordion panels on the first two fingers.

From April 21 2018, all new motorcycle clothing is deemed to be Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). To meet this legislation, it must be tested to a recognised standard. For more information on the new laws, click here.

Warm and cold weather use

The Five TFX-2 gloves are very lightweight, but they’re not quite cool enough for really hot summer use. I’ll keep this review updated as I’ve not been able to try them in anything beyond 20°C so far, though I would say that I was starting to notice a little extra warmth then. The TFX-1s are noticeably cooler, though still unlikely to be great in the hottest weather.

As temperatures drop, these gloves will be more wearable for a little longer than the pricier model, but they’re certainly not winter gloves by any stretch.

I tend to get quite hot hands, so appreciate gloves that can keep me cool. If you’re riding trails or just out on a sunny day in the rain these could be a good option and are better than almost all other waterproof summer gloves I’ve tested.

Wet weather use

The ‘5_Drytech’ waterproof / breathable membrane laminated to the outer shell is the company’s own, and it stands up well to rain in general though I did unfortunately notice a small leak in the right forefinger. As there’s no external damage, this will be replaced under warranty, and I didn’t have any such issue with the left glove.

Even when soaked, the TFX-2s tend to dry out quite quickly, and in place of a visor wiper blade, a soft section runs up the edge of the left forefinger. Needless to say, always take care when wiping a grubby visor as any grit can easily scratch it.

Fastening

The TFX-2’s wrist strap is a single length of self-gripping material (like Velcro hooks that latch onto themselves), with a flared end that prevents it pulling through the loop buckle when putting them on or taking them off. The strap needs tucking under the flap at the base of the palm to properly secure, but it’s not a chore.

The cuff restraint is elasticated, and helps the gloves easily fit under most jacket cuffs, but if pulling tight I do find the patch of hooks to be a bit small – an extra centimetre or two here would have made for a more secure system.

Depending on the size of your jacket, you might find the cuff opening to be a little small if you want to wear these over the top, but going under sleeves is the best way to stay dry.

Lining

The lining in the Five TFX-2 gloves seems well secured and hasn’t shown any signs of pulling out. While thin and breathable, it’s got a slightly ruffled, warmer feel to it than the TFX-1, which combined with the more budget-friendly waterproof membrane used here does give them a fractionally hotter feel. But having said that, they’re still a lot better than many other waterproof summer gloves I’ve tried.

Touchscreen compatibility

Only the forefingers have conductive pads for smartphone use, but they work well. Additional pads on the thumbs would be nice to have, but would increase the cost of course. Still, if the gloves are damp, all the digits work!

Three alternatives to the Five TFX-2 gloves

Given the price, the TFX-2s are tough to beat, but here are some others to consider…

• Five TFX-1 GTX, £220 | Double the price, but double the quality? That’s hard to say, but honestly, if you can afford it I’d recommend investing in these as they’re the best waterproof summer gloves I’ve ever tested. And they meet the highest Level 2KP protective performance. Read the full review of the Five TFX-1 gloves here.

• Alpinestars Range 1 in One. £189.99 | Also using GoreGrip, these are very good in summer, only really let down by a slightly iffy fit. This could be due to the removable liner that makes them more practical in colder weather too, so try them on for yourself first. Read the full review of the Alpinestars Range 2 In One gloves here.

• Oxford Mondial, £99.99 | Good value, but the Oxfords don’t have a bonded lining, which could pull out. They’re also a lot warmer to wear. Read the full review of the Oxford Mondial gloves here.

These are just three of many alternatives – you can find all the gloves we’ve tested here  and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through Bikesocial membership.

Five TFX-2 gloves review: Verdict

I’ve referenced the more expensive bigger brothers to these Five TFX-2 gloves a lot in this review because they are very, very good. But they’re twice the price. These are a little warmer to wear, but not by much and they’re still better than most of the other waterproof summer gloves I’ve tested for being wearable in warmer weather. Given the price, and ignoring the warranty fault I had (maybe a faulty seam tape?), these are a great pair of gloves that are a lot nicer to wear in summer rain than many others.

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