The Sentinel sits atop Dakine’s women’s glove line, and it’s a noticeable upgrade from the lower-priced Covert model. After about five months of regular wear, the glove’s durability stands out–the seams remain intact and the stretch mesh between each finger free of rips.
The synthetic-suede, one-piece seamless palm construction adds to the glove’s strength without restricting hand movement. A hit of D3O shock-absorption padding on the palm and back of the hand is a nice touch of added protection, as are the bulletproof rubber knuckle deflectors. I appreciated the microfleece thumb panels to wipe away snot or sweat and the Velcro hook and loop closure, which snugged the glove securely to my wrist. I tested a medium, which is designed to fit a hand circumference of 6.5 to 7.5 inches. My hand measures on the wider end of that spectrum, and I still felt like medium was the right fit (Dakine offers a range from XS to XL).Touchscreen compatibility is a must these days and this one works, although not quite as well as a bare finger. The Sentinel packs in a lot of features, and while it isn’t bulky, the inside tends to steam up on warm days. Still, it’s the excellent protection and sturdy construction that will leave a lasting impression.
PRICE 45$
