Motorcycle gloves are not just an accessory; they are a crucial part of any rider’s motorcycle gear.
Beyond adding comfort, they offer protection, enhance grip, and improve safety, all of which are vital for a smooth and safe ride. But not all gloves are created equal.
Depending on your riding environment, the weather, and your riding style, you may need specialized gloves.
Riding in the heat presents unique challenges, and summer motorcycle gloves are designed specifically to tackle those. The best summer gloves prioritize breathability and airflow while maintaining a level of protection suitable for riding.
The main priority of summer motorcycle gloves is ventilation. These gloves are typically constructed with lightweight materials, like mesh, perforated leather, or textile fabrics, that promote airflow to keep your hands cool during long rides.
However, even with the focus on airflow, protection cannot be compromised. Good summer gloves should feature reinforced palm areas, knuckle protection, and durable stitching to safeguard your hands in case of a fall.
Breathable fabrics are a must, but so is comfort. The fit should be snug without being too tight, allowing freedom of movement while minimizing hand fatigue. Another essential feature is moisture-wicking properties, which help keep your hands dry despite sweating, reducing the chances of slippage on the handlebars.
Since summer gloves often feature thinner materials to ensure airflow, they should also have touchscreen compatibility for ease of use while on the road. Riders should be able to operate their smartphone, GPS, or other devices without needing to remove the gloves.
Short cuff gloves are favored for their versatility and comfort, particularly among urban and casual riders. They offer excellent mobility and are great for quick commutes or casual rides, while still providing a good amount of protection.
Short cuff gloves are designed with mobility in mind, allowing for unrestricted wrist movement, which is essential for city riding. The absence of a long gauntlet makes them easy to put on and take off, which is particularly convenient for riders who frequently stop and start.
For protection, a good pair of short cuff gloves should still have reinforced knuckle guards, palm protection, and durable construction. Look for gloves that feature leather or a blend of leather and textiles, as these materials offer a good balance between protection and flexibility.
Flexibility is a standout feature in short cuff gloves. The shorter design offers increased comfort, especially when used with leather or textile jackets that might otherwise bunch around the wrists. These gloves are ideal for hot-weather or moderate conditions where you don’t need the full coverage of gauntlet gloves.
Comfort is a critical consideration with short cuff gloves. An ergonomic fit that conforms to the hand without feeling restrictive is essential. In addition, some gloves offer perforated panels for increased airflow, making them a great option for warmer climates.
Gauntlet gloves are designed for riders who need maximum protection and coverage. These gloves extend beyond the wrist, offering a higher level of protection than short cuff gloves, and are often preferred by sport riders and those who ride in more aggressive environments.
Protection is the primary concern with gauntlet gloves. The extended cuff provides additional wrist coverage, which is critical in preventing injury during high-speed accidents. Typically, gauntlet gloves feature high levels of abrasion-resistant materials like leather or synthetic leather, and they often include hard armor at the knuckles, fingers, and wrists to protect against impact.
Durability is another important aspect. Gauntlet gloves are often constructed from thicker materials and are reinforced with double or triple stitching in high-stress areas. Some may also feature sliders on the palm or the outside of the glove, designed to reduce friction in a slide and protect vulnerable areas like the wrist bones.
Despite their bulkier build, gauntlet gloves must still provide a comfortable fit. Flexibility and dexterity are vital to ensure that the gloves don’t interfere with handling. This is often achieved through pre-curved finger designs and flexible paneling at key points.
A proper closure system is essential for gauntlet gloves. Many come with dual closures (Velcro and zippers) to secure the glove tightly around the wrist, preventing it from coming off in the event of an accident.
If you’re riding in wet conditions, waterproof motorcycle gloves are essential. They keep your hands dry, help maintain grip on the handlebars, and prevent discomfort during rainy rides.
Waterproof gloves rely on a combination of protective outer layers and waterproof membranes, such as GORE-TEX, to ensure your hands stay dry without sacrificing breathability. A good waterproof glove will feature multiple layers: an outer layer for abrasion resistance, a waterproof membrane to block moisture, and often an insulating layer to add warmth.
Breathability is key in waterproof gloves. The best gloves will allow moisture to escape, preventing your hands from getting clammy while ensuring rain stays out. This balance is often achieved through specialized membranes, which act as a barrier against water while letting heat and sweat evaporate.
Grip is another essential feature. Wet conditions can make it challenging to hold onto the handlebars, so waterproof gloves should have enhanced grip features, such as silicone or rubber inserts on the palms and fingers, to provide better traction in rainy conditions.
Comfort and warmth are other considerations. Depending on the season, you may want waterproof gloves with some level of insulation to protect your hands from the cold. The closure system should also create a tight seal to prevent water from entering the glove at the wrist.
For riders who brave the coldest conditions, heated motorcycle gloves provide additional warmth through integrated heating elements. These gloves are ideal for long winter rides or riders in colder climates.
The main feature of heated gloves is, of course, the heating elements. These are typically powered by a battery system that allows the rider to adjust the level of warmth. A good pair of heated gloves will offer evenly distributed heat across the entire hand, including the fingers, where cold can become particularly painful.
Battery life is crucial in heated gloves. Look for gloves that offer long-lasting battery power, with multiple heat settings so you can control the temperature based on the conditions. Some gloves may plug directly into your bike’s electrical system, providing continuous heat without worrying about battery depletion.
Even though the primary function of heated gloves is warmth, they must still offer protection. Look for gloves made from durable, abrasion-resistant materials with additional padding and armor. Just like any good motorcycle glove, heated gloves should include reinforcements at critical points, such as the palms and knuckles, to ensure safety.
Waterproofing is another key factor. Cold often accompanies wet weather, so many heated gloves feature waterproof membranes or coatings to protect both your hands and the internal electronics from moisture.
Winter motorcycle gloves are designed specifically to protect your hands from freezing temperatures while still maintaining the dexterity and protection needed for safe riding.
Insulation is the most critical feature of winter gloves. Thick layers of thermal insulation, such as Thinsulate or Primaloft, trap heat inside the gloves and keep your hands warm. These insulating layers are often paired with a waterproof membrane to ensure that your hands remain dry as well as warm.
Windproofing is another essential feature for winter gloves. Riding in cold winds can quickly make your hands go numb, so a good pair of winter gloves will include windproof outer shells that block the wind while allowing some level of breathability.
Winter gloves should also have a snug fit to prevent cold air from entering. Extended gauntlets are common, providing extra coverage that can be tucked into your jacket sleeves to form a seal against the cold. Many winter gloves also feature adjustable closures to ensure a tight fit around the wrist.
Comfort and flexibility can be a challenge with thick insulation, so good winter gloves should incorporate pre-curved fingers and flexible materials to allow for easy control of your bike’s levers. Touchscreen compatibility is another feature to look for, as removing your gloves to use your phone or GPS in cold weather can be extremely uncomfortable.
Choosing the right pair of motorcycle gloves can significantly enhance your riding experience by providing comfort, protection, and control.
Whether you’re navigating summer heat, braving the cold winter, or gearing up for wet conditions, there’s a glove designed for your needs.
By understanding the key features of each type—summer, short cuff, gauntlet, waterproof, heated, and winter gloves—you can ensure you’re equipped with the best protection for any ride.
Read my latest articles on motorcycle gloves below.
If you’re looking for a great insulated pair of motorcycle gloves, then you should check out the Alpinestars Denali Aerogel Drystar Gloves.
These gloves feature a unique mix of materials including polyester, softshell, and ripstop panels.
The Alpinestars Denali Aerogel Drystar Gloves are a unique option that will work for a wide variety of riders. Let’s take a closer look at these gloves.
Continue reading “Alpinestars Denali Aerogel Drystar Gloves – Everything You Need to Know”There are plenty of great motorcycle gloves out there, but the Biltwell Bridgeport Gloves are a newer offering that you should consider.
These gloves offer a lot of good features, look great, and aren’t too expensive for what you get.
Let’s take a closer look at these gloves and what they offer.
Continue reading “Biltwell Bridgeport Gloves”If you’re looking for a new pair of gloves that offer breathability and protection, then the Knox Urbane Pro Gloves might be for you.
These gloves have a construction that is a mixture of textile material, synthetic materials, and leather. It’s this mixture of materials that makes them special.
If you need a good short cuff pair of gloves this riding season, I highly suggest checking these gloves out.
Continue reading “Knox Urbane Pro Gloves”Recently, I wrote an article about the Klim Induction Jacket, but there’s also offers the Klim Induction Gloves. A fair number of you seemed to really like the Induction Jacket, so I thought it best to do a post on the gloves, too.
These are great for summer, and feature good airflow and protection. if you need some top-quality short-cuff gloves, then I’d suggest you take a closer look at these gloves.
Let’s dive into the details.
Continue reading “Klim Induction Gloves”Having the right gear for adventure riding is important, and having the best adventure motorcycle gloves for your purposes is an absolute must. Everyone uses their adventure bike in different ways, so it’s hard to recommend the best gloves for everyone, but I’ve showcased 10 pairs below and that should cover most bases.
An adventure rider is going to see a lot of different types of terrain and riding conditions, and that means that he or she needs to have a pair of gloves that are as versatile as his or her bike. I’ve talked about other types of adventure motorcycle gear before, like adventure boots, and as important as those types of gear are, having the right pair of gloves really makes a big difference.
With all that in mind, I’ll not waste any more of your time. Here are my top picks for the 10 best adventure motorcycle gloves.
Continue reading “10 Best Adventure Motorcycle Gloves”Looking for a good pair of gloves for the upcoming spring and summer months? The Alpinestars SMX-1 Air V2 Gloves are exactly what you’re looking for.
These gloves offer a lot and if you’re in need of a good pair, I suggest you check out the details and information below.
Continue reading “Alpinestars SMX-1 Air v2 Gloves”Recently I picked up a pair of Plainsman Cabretta Leather Gloves. I’d intended to use these as work gloves and still do. However, I thought it’d be smart to evaluate them as motorcycle gloves, too.
While I’d advocate for something that’s designed specifically for motorcycle riding, I’ll say that I know a lot of guys who like to wear light leather gloves when on the bike, and I have to say some gloves are better than no gloves.
Let’s take a look at what the Plainsman Cabretta Leather Gloves, and what they offer. Then I’ll look at them as motorcycle gloves and give my recommendation as to whether or not you should wear them.
Continue reading “Plainsman Cabretta Leather Gloves Review”I’m a big fan of having several pairs of motorcycle gloves. The Held Air N Dry Gloves are pretty much a two-in-one package.
Most of the time I would say you should have some summer gloves and some winter gloves. But Held has a solution that gives you both in one. The unique two-chamber design allows you to have both.
Let me explain.
Continue reading “Held Air N Dry Gloves”Here are some killer brown leather gloves to check out.
I’m always on the lookout for some good leather gloves. I have yet to find a pair that I really, really like a lot. I think this pair from Indie Ridge looks fantastic.
First, they’re attractive full-gauntlet gloves that appear to provide plenty of protection and then once you take a look at the details of the product, you’ll find that its attributes are top-notch.
Continue reading “Indie Ridge Premium Leather Motorcycle Gloves”These Alpinestars Crazy Eight gloves are great for the summer thanks to their perforated leather design.
I love a good, simple pair of gloves for summer riding, but you’re going to want something at little better than just some basic leather covering your hands during the hot summer days. These Alpinestars Crazy Eight Gloves are exactly what you should look for.
Continue reading “Alpinestars Crazy Eight Gloves”
