Motorcycles have long been synonymous with freedom in the United States. There’s nothing quite like the feel of the wind on your jacket and the road beneath your wheels, after all. The practice of motorcycle riding, however, is about more than just what brand of bike you’re able to get your hands on. It’s also about your gear.
There’s more than one way to ride a motorcycle and, in turn, a litany of types of gear available to interested riders. Motorcycle gloves, in particular, come in all manner of styles and makes meant to help keep a rider safe while on the road. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the elements that make a strong motorcycle glove. From there, you can explore our motorcycle glove recommendations and see which of them might interest you. Afterwards, you can assess your own list of wants and determine for yourself what kind of gloves you want to bring home before you hit the road.
- What to Consider When Buying Motorcycle Gloves
- Top 10 Best Motorcycle Gloves 2024
- 1. Best Overall Motorcycle Gloves: ISSYAUTO Winter Motorcycle Gloves
- 2. Best Budget Motorcycle Gloves: Seibertron Dirtpaw Motocross Gloves
- 3. Best Premium Motorcycle Gloves: Alpinestars Motorcycle Riding Gloves
- 4. Best Racing Motorcycle Gloves: ILM Motorcycle Racing Gloves
- 5. Best Motorcycle Gloves for Beginners: COFIT Motorcycle Gloves
- 6. Best Cruising Gloves: Jackets 4 Bikes Goatskin Leather Motorcycle Gloves
- 7. Best Versatile Motorcycle Gloves: AXBXCX Motorcycle and Cycling Gloves
- 8. Best Casual Motorcycle Gloves: OZERO Winter Motorcycle Gloves
- 9. Most Versatile Motorcycle Gloves: Joe Rocket Eclipse Gloves
- 10. Best Motorcycle Gloves for Wrist Protection: Jackets 4 Bikes Motorcycle Cruiser Gel Gloves
- Browsing Different Types of Gloves
- Shopping Glove Styles
- The Benefit of Good Gloves
- Hitting the Road
What to Consider When Buying Motorcycle Gloves
There’s more than one kind of motorcycle glove on the market. Your preferred style of glove will depend on several factors, which we’ll discuss here. Keep these key considerations in mind to help narrow down your selection while reviewing our list.
What Kind of Motorcycle Do You Ride?
While you don’t have to match your motorcycle gloves to your motorcycle’s brand, the type of bike you ride may still impact the kind of gloves that will suit you best. If, for example, you prefer to go off-road with your bike, you’ll need a set of gloves that can hold up to poor weather and rough treatment. Alternatively, if you prefer to go cruising, you can bring home a pair of gloves that help you stay comfortable and cool over during a long ride.
How Long Do You Ride For?
Long-term riders require far different tools than short-term riders. If you’re spending several hours on the road at a time, you’re going to need a set of gloves that can hold up to that kind of extensive usage. Ideally, you’ll want to invest in gloves that keep your hands cool, as well.
Comparatively, if you use your motorcycle to commute to and from work on a daily basis, you may not need to invest in those sorts of expensive, wear-resistant materials, like breathable microfiber. While materials like these may still serve you well, you can also experiment with glove makes that are more fashion-oriented.
What Weather Do You Ride In?
If you have a motorcycle, you’re going to get caught in a rainstorm at some point or another. There’s a difference, though, between getting caught in a shower on your way to work and actively seeking out muddy weather to go off-roading in.
If you do prefer to go off-roading, you’re going to want to make sure that your gloves can hold up to extensive exposure to rain and other types of moisture. You’ll need to maintain your grip while you’re on off-road courses or while charting your own path.
Comparatively, if you’re primarily a road driver, you’ll still want to invest in gloves with a strong grip, but they may not need to be gauntlets or as extensively designed as an off-roader’s pair of gloves.
Similarly, you’ll want to make sure that the gloves you bring home are made for the time of year you prefer to ride during. While summer and spring gloves are relatively easy to come by, you may have to do a little more digging to find a set of gloves that will keep you comfortable and safe during the winter. No one, after all, wants to contend with stiff fingers or bleeding knuckles while they’re on the road.
What’s Your Riding Style?
The way you ride is also going to impact the style of gloves that suit you best. If you tend to lean into your turns or take risks while you’re on the road, then armored gloves can help you protect your hands from wear or even accidents. Alternatively, cruisers may be able to get away with a softer set of gloves.
When it comes to assessing your riding style, remember: the gloves you bring home are meant to help keep you safe and comfortable while you’re on the road. There’s no shame in getting revved up while you’re on a motorcycle, but if you’re the type who enjoys the adrenaline that comes with a riskier ride, you’re going to need gear that keeps your safety in mind.
What’s Your Budget?
At the end of the day, your budget is going to play a role in determining what kind of motorcycle gloves you can bring home. While most motorcycle gloves are relatively affordable, some pairs are markedly more expensive than others. These pairs may be made out of impressive materials, but there may be more cost-friendly alternatives available to you that provide you with the same support and protection.
With that in mind, don’t be afraid to shop around while looking for a pair of motorcycle gloves to buy. With a little bit of work, you’ll be able to bring home a pair that will keep your hands safe when you hit the road.
Top 10 Best Motorcycle Gloves 2024
1. Best Overall Motorcycle Gloves: ISSYAUTO Winter Motorcycle Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Non-Slip Microfiber with Shell Armor
- Specialty: Winter Riding
- Closure Type: Elastic Cuff
- Cost: $$$
Normally, you’d expect a stand-out pair of gloves to cost a little more than their competition. As it stands, though, ISSYAUTO’s Winter Motorcycle Gloves stand out from the crowd without doing significant damage to your wallet.
These winter motorcycle gloves are waterproof, non-slip, and wear-resistant, making them some of the best-protected gloves on this list. You’ll be able to maintain your grip on your handlebars in the snow and rain without having to worry about the gloves shrinking or otherwise impeding your ride.
The lining inside of these gloves is also designed to keep your hands as warm as possible during the colder months of the year. While this does mean that you’ll need to explore alternative summer gloves, you’ll still be able to enjoy full mobility in your fingers when you go out for a winter’s ride. Not only that, but the hard-shell protection these gloves have in place should protect you from the worst of road rash, if not a fall or accident. However, the downside of their flexibility is that they lack much wrist support.
All in all, these gloves will keep you safe on a winter’s ride without asking you to shell out the big bucks. What’s not to like about that?
Pros
- Waterproof
- Non-slip and wear-resistant
- Touchscreen compatible in three fingers
- Hard shell protection
- Ship to size
Cons
- Lacks wrist support
2. Best Budget Motorcycle Gloves: Seibertron Dirtpaw Motocross Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Spandex and Silicone
- Specialty: Off-Roading
- Closure Type: Hook and Loop
- Cost: $$
Motocross gloves aren’t just for dirtbike riders–they can also be used when riding a regular motorcycle. Seibertron’s Dirtpaw Motocross Gloves have made a point of emphasizing their versatility and seem able to stand up to the damage that motorcyclists can inflict upon their gear.
Being a summer set of gloves, the Dirtpaws are light in make and material. A combination of spandex and silicone, these gloves fit their riders well without causing any discomfort. The material thins out towards the fingers to allow for touchscreen recognition, though riders have tested it to middling effect.
That said, the protection these gloves have in place respects a rider’s needs. The Dirtpaws boast rubber injections around the knuckles and palms to prevent skidding and injury in case of a flip. While the gloves lack a gauntlet’s protection, the hook and loop closure ensures that dirt and other types of debris are unlikely to make their way into the body of the glove.
In general, these gloves seem perfectly suited for a rider looking to make a name for herself in off-road riding. The breathable fabric means that the gloves are more suitable for the warmer months of the year, unlike with other gloves on this list. However, they are not as breathable as other summer gloves, but the closure and the general protection seems designed with a rider’s best interests in mind.
Pros
- Ship to size
- Comfortable to wear
- Protective of the knuckle and palm
- Affordable summer gloves
Cons
- Inconsistent effectiveness on touchscreens
- Not as breathable as competitors’ gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Leather and Breathable Mesh
- Specialty: Off-Roading
- Closure Type: Hook and Loop
- Cost: $$$$
Motorcyclists looking for a more durable set of gloves should expect to pony up a little more money for high-quality gear. Here, you can find Alpinestars’ Motorcycle Riding Gloves. These gloves take advantage of a combination of leather and mesh to provide motorcyclists with the comfort and protection they need when they take to the road. However, the lighter material means these gloves are not suitable for winter wear.
These motorcycle gloves are both armored for your protection and designed to ensure airflow and ease of wear when you ride. The hard polymer of the knuckles flexes without compromising its structural integrity, while the suede zones and padding in the gloves themselves allows you to grip your handlebars without any pain or hand-stress. While these gloves are better for short rides, that attention to detail makes them acceptable cruising gloves should you want to take a longer trip.
Alpinestars Motorcycle Riding Gloves come in a gauntlet style and a non-gauntlet style. While the gauntlet can provide you with additional protection if you race or ride for sport, the non-gauntlet affords you many of the same protections without the inflexible wrist fabric. That said, both sets of gloves fit well with most motorcycle jackets, provided that the jackets themselves are not too tight on the rider.
While not ideal for budget riders, then, these gloves do stand out in the crowd. Keep in mind that these gloves do not ship to size, so buyers should order one size up.
Pros
- Breathable materials
- Stretches without compromising the structural integrity
- Armored without compromising comfort
Cons
- Does not ship to size
- Not ideal for winter wear
4. Best Racing Motorcycle Gloves: ILM Motorcycle Racing Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Leather
- Specialty: Racing
- Closure Type: Hook and Loop
- Cost: $$$
While no one plans on getting into a motorcycle accident, it’s still a good idea to purchase your protective gear as though you’re anticipating one. Of the gloves available, ILM’s Motorcycle Racing Gloves have a reputation for protecting their riders.
These gloves come with built-in alloy steel protectors around the fingers and knuckles. Not only do these additions add an edgy look to the gloves, but they also actively protect your sensitive joints from unexpected crashes.
The palms, too, benefit from additional padding. Finally, the wrist closure is a little higher than average for a summer glove, meaning that you’re less likely to have to contend with a bloodied wrist should you get into an accident.
Beyond their protective means, the gloves still have merit. The fingers are touchscreen compatible in the forefinger without compromising the glove’s overall safety. The leather that the bulk of the glove is made out of holds up to skids and is slip-resistant, if not waterproof. That leather, too, ensures that the gloves are relatively comfortable to wear during the summer months, even if it isn’t especially breathable. However, ILM also offers a winter set of gloves.
In short, if you’re looking for a pair of protective gloves to wear while racing or casually riding to and from work, ILM Motorcycle Racing Gloves will work as hard as you do to keep you safe.
Pros
- Durable, courtesy of a leather and metal build
- Touchscreen compatible
- High-quality armor
- Slip-resistant
Cons
- Not as breathable as some competitors’ makes
- Not seasonally versatile
5. Best Motorcycle Gloves for Beginners: COFIT Motorcycle Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Breathable Spandex, Metal Fiber Fingertips, Silicon Decals
- Specialty: Summer Riding
- Closure Type: Hook and Loop
- Cost: $$$
COFIT motorcycle gloves deliver comfort and protection for your hands at a reasonable price.
Not only do these gloves fit your hand well courtesy of their spandex make, but they were made with functionality in mind. The metal fiber fingertips, similar to those in the COFIT Motorcycle Gloves, are designed to help you use your phone or another touchscreen without removing your protective gear. As a result, you’ll be able to consult your GPS—after pulling over, of course—without doffing your entire kit.
It’s not just technology that the COFIT motorcycle gloves are compatible with, though. These gloves come equipped with knuckle and pad protection, ensuring that if you take a tumble off of your bike, you’re unlikely to come away injured. Unfortunately, the material is thin enough that you may end up ripping it after a fall, but your hands should remain unscathed.
While these gloves aren’t waterproofed, like some of their industry competitors, they can still hold up when it comes to grip. The palms of the gloves are lined with silicone gel studs. As such, it will be easier for you to hold onto your handlebars, even in the rain.
Pros
- Ideal summer motorcycle gloves
- Made of breathable materials
- Tough enough to prevent injury
- Ship to size
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Not as durable as comparable products
6. Best Cruising Gloves: Jackets 4 Bikes Goatskin Leather Motorcycle Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Goatskin Leather
- Specialty: Cruising
- Closure Type: Leather Cuff
- Cost: $$$
Any rider who makes a point of casually riding from one place to another probably won’t want the extensive protection that off-road riders or sports riders may enjoy. That’s where gloves like the Superbike Leather Motorcycle Gloves come into play.
These gloves – another set of summer gloves like the Seibertron Dirtpaw set – are ideal for the casual rider. The genuine goatskin leather is designed for a long-life while the plastic in the knuckles protects riders from scrapes and falls.
These gloves come equipped with perforated palms, meaning that while they’re not waterproof, they can still help riders maintain their grips on a bike’s handlebars in light rain. Similarly, the gloves are lined and made out of goatskin leather, making them comfortable to wear.
Unfortunately, the gloves are not as breathable as they could be, considering their make, but they pull their weight when it comes to keeping a rider safe from both injury and uncomfortable breezes.
Pros
- Affordable for their make
- Protective plastic knuckles and finger padding
Cons
- Does not ship to size; order one size up.
- Fits men’s hands better than women’s, no matter the size.
7. Best Versatile Motorcycle Gloves: AXBXCX Motorcycle and Cycling Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Microfiber, Artificial Leather
- Specialty: Cycling and Biking
- Closure Type: Hook and Loop
- Cost: $$
Riders looking for lightweight but protective gloves can benefit from motorcycle gloves made for other fields or made out of alternative materials. AXBXCX’s Motorcycle and Cycling Gloves use mesh as their base, making them exceptionally breathable and setting them apart from other gloves in the field. Though the material is unconventional when compared against leather, for example, the manufacturer pairs it well with protective armor in the knuckles and wrist.
The closure for the AXBXCX gloves is a hook and loop. This closure keeps all manner of dirt and other debris away from your hands when you take to the road, allowing you to ride comfortably and to avoid any scratches on your fingers or palms.
Above all else, however, these gloves are comfortable to wear. Whether you’re riding your motorcycle to work or heading out on a tour, you can trust these gloves to stand between you and a fall without causing you discomfort.
Pros
- Affordable for the protection they offer
- Limits the debris that can irritate a rider’s hands
- Great at protecting a rider’s knuckles and wrist
- Touchscreen compatible
Cons
- Lacking in grip
- Not especially cold-resistant
- Do not ship to size; order one size up
8. Best Casual Motorcycle Gloves: OZERO Winter Motorcycle Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Suede leather, insulated cotton
- Specialty: Skiing and winter sports
- Closure Type: Elastic knit cuffs
- Cost: $$$
Riding your motorcycle in the winter requires specialized gear. Luckily, several manufacturers, including OZERO, aim to provide motorcyclists with the winter gloves they need to both avoid accidents and remain comfortable on the road.
OZERO Winter Motorcycle Gloves come equipped with both a waterproof membrane and a windproofed leather shell. This means that come the colder days of winter, you’re not likely to feel the chill of the breeze, especially if you tuck the elastic cuffs into your riding jacket.
That waterproofing and leather shell also contribute to the gloves’ overall slip-resistance. If you ride in the snow or rain, you’re not likely to contend with slippery handlebars thanks to the silicone webbing that the gloves have in place.
Unfortunately, the gloves are relatively lacking in armor. While they can protect you from roadway skids, there are other gloves that may be better suited to more aggressive driving styles. Even so, if you’re a casual rider looking for an addition to your winter gear, then these gloves may suit your kit well.
Pros
- Windproof and waterproof
- Anti-skid
- Touchscreen compatible
- Warm winter riding gloves
Cons
- Lacking in armored protection
- Does not ship to size; order one size up
9. Most Versatile Motorcycle Gloves: Joe Rocket Eclipse Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Leather
- Specialty: Cruising
- Closure Type: Hook and Loop
- Cost: $$
When you purchase a pair of motorcycle gloves, you want to know that they’re going to last through an accident, especially if you’re a beginning rider. Joe Rocket’s Eclipse Gloves can serve a learning rider well.
Their road life, as it stands, is nothing to sniff at, either. Once you feel more comfortable on the road, it’s easy to take these gloves on long trips without worrying about their overall durability. While their dye may leave you wanting, as it’s been known to run off as it rains, the protective TPR on the knuckles will protect you from both skidding and more severe injuries should you get into an accident.
The leather of the gloves curves into the palm, making it easier for riders to grip the handlebars of their bikes. The internal padding, too, makes these gloves comfortable to wear for the better part of the year. However, Eclipse Gloves are not winter gloves. You will want to invest in an alternative pair if you want to go riding in the snow.
Pros
- Decent spring, summer, and fall wear
- Ships to size
- Protective during accidents where armored
Cons
- Not always touchscreen compatible
- Not waterproofed; dye will bleed
10. Best Motorcycle Gloves for Wrist Protection: Jackets 4 Bikes Motorcycle Cruiser Gel Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Material: Goatskin
- Specialty: Casual Wear
- Closure Type: Hook and Loop
- Cost: $$$
If you’re looking for a glove that’s primarily for casual wear, then you’re going to want gear that marries appearances with protection. Jackets 4 Bikes’ Motorcycle Cruiser Gel Gloves manage that marriage with grace, though the gloves do make some sacrifices for overall appearance’s sake.
To start, the gloves are made from goat leather and made to stretch, making them easy to wear for extended periods. If you’re looking to go cruising, you can rest easy knowing that these gloves won’t cause any blisters to build up across your palms. The hook and loop wrist strap also prevents debris from irritating your hands while you ride.
However, the gloves are lacking in terms of protection. While the interior liner provides an extra barrier between your knuckles, the top of the glove, and the rest of the world, there is no additional protection in place there. The palm of the glove, however, is reinforced to preventing skidding injuries should you get in an accident. The gloves, however, do boast gel padding over the glove’s wrist, ensuring that you won’t endure bruising or other injuries while casually riding.
In summary, Jackets 4 Bikes’ Motorcycle Cruiser Gel Gloves are decent gloves for cruising. You should not, however, use these gloves to race or take risks on the road, like specialized racing gloves. Instead, take them out on a summer’s ride and see how well they treat you.
Pros
- Vibration protection in the wrist
- Stretch panels that allow for individualized wear
- Protection in the palm
- Comfortable liner and overall make
Cons
- Lack of knuckle protection
- Do not ship to size; order a size down
Browsing Different Types of Gloves
Hopefully our selection of top picks has given you a few ideas for motorcycle gloves that will fit your unique riding needs. In the this section, we’ll discuss the merits and drawbacks of the different glove types available on the market, give you a few comparative shopping tips, and discuss the benefits of having a good pair of riding gloves.
While our picks for the best motorcycle gloves on the market can help you determine where to start your shopping, you can also browse alternative gloves styles, including:
Motocross Gloves
Motocross gloves Seibertron Dirtpaw Motocross Gloves like these were not made specifically for motorcyclists, but that doesn’t mean that the gloves can’t serve a rider well. These gloves, instead, are meant for off-roading on a much smaller kind of motorbike. As such, the gloves have armor on the palm, fingers, and knuckles that can help keep you safe from any skid marks, should you happen to flip your bike.
That said, motocross gloves are far from ideal when it comes to protecting other parts of your body. The lack of a gauntlet means that you may find yourself contending with a broken wrist should you get into an accident. The lack also means that it will be more difficult for you to stay warm in the cooler months of the year as you won’t be able to seamlessly blend your riding jacket and your gloves.
If you do find motocross gloves to your liking, it’s in your best interest to wear them during the spring and summer. Make sure, of course, that you invest in a pair that h been waterproofed, as you may find yourself in need of that support if it rains while you’re on a ride.
Gauntlet Gloves
Gauntlet gloves, as the name and appearance of some variations of the Alpinestars Motorcycle Riding Gloves, look reminiscent of the gauntlets knights wore to protect themselves in battle. While far lighter than their historical counterparts, gauntlet gloves work to protect motorcyclists in much the same way they once worked to protect knights.
A well-crafted pair of gauntlet gloves will come to a close in the middle of your forearm, forming the “gauntlet” that the name talks about. These gloves are perfect for dealing with cool riding breezes, no matter what time of year you prefer to ride during. These gloves also come equipped with protective armor, usually integrated beneath a layer of mesh or leather. If you typically find yourself riding aggressively, racing, or off-roading, then a set of gauntlet gloves can help you avoid serious injuries should you get into an accident.
Off-Road Gloves
While gauntlet gloves can keep you safe when you go off-roading, they’re not always tailor-made for the kind of mudding that some motorcyclists like to do. Real off-roading gloves are designed to help motorcyclists maintain their grip on their motorcycles even when the handlebars are covered in mud, water, or snow.
A good pair of off-roading motorcycle gloves should breathe while also providing you with the protection you need to bounce back from a fall into the mud. They should have a tight close around your wrist or upper arm to keep loose dirt from settling in around your fingers, as well.
Street Gloves
If you tend to use your motorcycle to get to and from work and for little else, then you may not need to invest in specialty gloves. Instead, you might feel more comfortable bringing home a pair of street gloves like the Motorcycle Cruiser Gel Gloves.
Street gloves are not like gloves you wear when the weather starts to turn. These gloves often have a few protective measures in place meant to protect you, should you happen to get into an accident. That said, street gloves are often made of goat or cow leather and are more fashion-oriented than many of the gloves already mentioned here.
Summer Gloves
Summer gloves as a category have already made an appearance here. Like Motocross gloves, summer gloves are meant for the warmer months of the year. These gloves ensure that while you’re protected from any unforgiving breezes while you ride, air continues to circulate around your hands and fingers. As such, you won’t have to worry about sweaty fingers or palms compromising your grip on your bike as you ride.
Winter Gloves
On the other hand, summer gloves aren’t going to serve you as well as you’d like in the winter. Even if these gloves have the grip that you prefer, you’re going to need an extra layer of protection to keep the cold from stiffening up your fingers.
Enter winter gloves like the Kemimito Winter Motorcycle Gloves or the OZERO Winter Motorcycle Gloves. Winter motorcycle gloves often come with a thick inner layer designed to keep your fingers, hands, and wrists warm. These gloves also often have gauntlets, making them easier to tuck beneath a motorcycle jacket. If you do prefer to ride your motorcycle during the coldest months of the year, you’re going to need that extra temperature control, not to mention protection, to keep you safe from the worst of winter’s winds.
Racing Gloves
What’s more exhilarating than a motorcycle race? The speed and twists of a track keep your senses sharp and your adrenaline high. You’re going to need a strong set of gloves, though, before you take to the track, or else you may be courting trouble.
Motorcycle race crashes can be terrifying things. You’re already moving at a high rate of speed; coming around a curve or running into an unexpected obstacle can do a number on any part of your body that isn’t adequately protected. With that in mind, racing gloves are often gauntlet-style gloves designed to have little impact on your bike’s wind resistance but also meant to put a reasonable amount of material between you and the pavement, should you happen to get into a crash.
Under most circumstances, you can count on these gloves to be breathable but also well-armored. No matter what, though, do not skimp on racing gloves if you intend to take to the track. You’re going to want all of the protection you can get so you can have fun without putting yourself in harm’s way.
Touring Gloves
Also known as “cruising gloves,” touring gloves are meant to hold up over long hours spent on a motorcycle. If you’re looking for an inexpensive set of motorcycle gloves, you may want to look elsewhere. Touring gloves are often made out of heavy-duty materials and are designed with comfort and protection in mind. You’ll need a set of gloves like these if you plan on spending five or more hours on your motorcycle per day.
Fingerless Gloves
All the rage in the 90s, fingerless gloves fell out of style. Nowadays, though, they’re slowly making their way back into modern fashion. Some motorcyclists even prefer to wear them when they take to the road. However, we left them off our list since they don’t offer adequate finger protection.
On one hand, fingerless gloves help you work with your phone and any other electronics you may need as you take a ride. However, motorcycle gloves primarily work to protect your hands from harm should you happen to get into an accident. Leaving your fingers unprotected means that you may end up with several broken fingers should you flip your ride, even if the rest of your hand is safe from harm. While, then, you can still choose to wear this style of glove when you hit the road, it’s often in your best interest to invest in a full finger glove option.
Shopping Glove Styles
As you’re shopping for a new set of motorcycle gloves, you’ll want to consider more than just the style that interests you most. Take into account a few other elements if you want your gloves to both fit and suit your riding style:
Glove Size
One of the most important elements to consider when purchasing a new pair of motorcycle gloves is just how well they fit. Gloves that are too loose can make it difficult to keep hold of your motorcycle when you take to the road. Comparatively, gloves that are too tight may slip off of your hands or cause you discomfort while you ride.
Gloves that fit your hands well do more than just make your motorcycle ride more comfortable. Your gloves work in tandem with the rest of your riding outfit to keep you warm and safe. If your gloves are too large or too small, you’ll have to contend with air getting into your jacket or debris readily making itself at home in places you’d rather it not be.
As you’re shopping online, then, make sure that you consult the website’s shopping guide before confirming a purchase. Don’t hesitate to look over reviews to determine whether or not the shop tends to ship to size or if you should buy a pair larger or smaller than you normally do.
Glove Closure
An often-overlooked feature of motorcycle gloves, a glove’s closure has more say over your safety than you might imagine. Closures help keep debris from getting inside of your gloves while you ride. They can also keep you warmer in the winter than you would be otherwise.
As you explore the types of motorcycle gloves that interest you the most, consider both how you ride and how you want to be protected. If you’re frequently in the mud and snow, consider a hook closure, as one can tightly fit any manner of glove to your wrist or forearm. You’ll also want to make sure that the closure you bring home isn’t too chunky, as one that’s too large make not fit under your motorcycle jacket.
Casual riders, of course, can forgo a safety-oriented closure entirely in favor of an elastic or open glove. However, doing so means that those riders are more likely to find dirt, stones, and other types of debris in their gloves as they ride. Similarly, if these riders don’t make a point of tucking their gloves into their jackets, they may find themselves colder than they want to be courtesy of a riding breeze.
Degrees of Protection
If you tend to go off-road, or if you like to take risks while you’re riding, then you’re going to need to invest in a little bit of extra protection like what’s available with the Kemimito Winter Motorcycle Gloves. Different gloves offer different kinds of armor to help keep you safe. With that in mind, take into account both how much protective gear a set of gloves has in place and the length of the gloves, themselves. Gauntlet gloves, though slightly less comfortable than cruising gloves, will help protect your wrists in case of a fall. Similarly, heavily-armored gloves will limit your chance of a broken hand should you take a tumble.
That said, do keep the overall purpose of your motorcycle in mind when examining a set of gloves for armor. If you make your way back and forth from work every day, you’re not going to need as much protection in place as a rider who frequents off-road courses.
Make and Material
Certain makes, like goat and cow leather, are buttery soft to the touch. Others, like the synthetic leathers or spandex of the Seibertron Dirtpaw Motocross Gloves, fit well to your hands, ensuring that you can maintain a good grip on your bike.
While, to a point, material choice is about your comfort on the road, it is also about your safety. Materials that have been waterproofed and shaped to close your hand off from the rest of the world are designed to help prevent injuries while you’re on the road. You’ll want to make sure, then, that the material of your gloves will suit your preferred riding setting and limit the kind of danger you may run into on the road.
The Benefit of Good Gloves
Going to the effort of finding your ideal pair of riding gloves isn’t an act of vanity. Instead, when you put this kind of work into the shopping process, you’re doing your future self a world of favors. Good motorcycle riding gloves can help you:
Stay Comfortable on the Road
Your comfort while you’re on the road is far more important to your overall safety than you might imagine. If you start driving from Point A to Point B and end up distracted by a piece of armor that’s digging into the back of your hand, for example, you’re far more likely to get into an accident than you would be if your gloves fit you appropriately.
Comfort, however, is about more than just how your hands feel in your motorcycle gloves. You’ll want to make sure that the gloves you bring home fit well with the rest of the protective gear you wear when you take to the road. When you invest in equipment that keeps out the cold, rain, and that wicks away sweat, you ensure that your daily riding remains enjoyable and distraction-free.
Control Your Motorcycle
Motorcycle gloves also directly impact how much control you have over your motorcycle. For example, if it starts to rain, you need to be able to trust the grip of your gloves as you try to get to your destination. If you bring home a pair of gloves that can’t grip in rainy weather, then you actively put yourself in danger when you take to the road. Look, then, for a set of gloves that pride themselves on their waterproofing and that have accessories that make it easier for you to maintain your grip on your bike, no matter what the weather looks like.
Hitting the Road
The best sets of motorcycle gloves do more than make your riding outfit look cool. They also actively work to keep you safe when you take to the road. With our guide in hand, head out and see what kind of gloves can improve your motorcycle riding experience.
