Racing gloves tend to fall into two camps: heavily padded options that dull road feel in exchange for comfort, or stripped-down mitts that leave your palms paying the price on longer efforts. The Assos RS Targa Gloves take the minimalist path but execute it with enough intention that the lack of padding feels like a feature rather than a compromise. These sit at the performance end of the Assos glove lineup, designed for riders who want direct bar contact and precise brake lever feel without material getting in the way.

The palm construction uses ergoGum, a thin synthetic material that grips bar tape and brake hoods without requiring you to death-grip on descents. It's the kind of tacky-but-not-sticky surface that works whether you're riding dry or managing sweat on a hot climb. The back of the hand gets a different treatment entirely—a lightweight mesh that prioritizes ventilation over protection. Assos calls this their rubi mesh, and it moves air across your knuckles effectively enough that glove-induced sweat isn't pooling where you grip.

Fit matters more with minimal gloves because there's less material to compensate for sizing issues. The RS Targa uses what Assos calls their twinDeck construction, which essentially means the palm and back panels are cut and joined to follow hand anatomy rather than using a simpler flat pattern. The result is a glove that contours around your palm and fingers without excess material bunching at flex points. A hook-and-loop closure at the wrist lets you dial tension, though the fit runs snug enough that most riders won't need much adjustment once sized correctly.... Read More