Motorcycle Gloves

A decent pair of motorcycle gloves needs to protect your hands without making the bike controls feel as though they belong to somebody else. They should fit securely, remain fastened around the wrist and allow you to operate the throttle, clutch, brake and switches comfortably.

One pair rarely handles every season particularly well. A heavily insulated winter glove can feel like an oven mitt during summer, while a lightweight vented glove is not much use when the temperature drops and the rain starts travelling sideways.

At RaceLeathers, you can browse motorcycle gloves for commuting, touring, adventure riding, sports bikes, track use, scooters and off-road riding. Our range includes leather sports gloves, waterproof touring gloves, insulated winter gloves, vented summer gloves, heated motorcycle gloves and lightweight motocross styles for men, women riders and younger riders.

Browse our men's motorcycle gloves, ladies' motorcycle gloves, off-road motorcycle gloves or continue through the complete range below.

Which Motorcycle Gloves Do You Need?

Start with the riding and weather the gloves need to handle. A daily commuter travelling through winter needs something very different from a sports-bike rider going out on warm, dry weekends.

The main types include:

• Summer motorcycle gloves: Lightweight or vented designs intended to increase airflow in warmer weather.
• Waterproof motorcycle gloves: Gloves containing a waterproof membrane for wet conditions, with or without thermal insulation.
• Winter motorcycle gloves: Insulated gloves designed for colder journeys, often with a waterproof membrane and longer cuff.
• Touring motorcycle gloves: Road gloves balancing comfort, weather protection, control and protection over longer journeys.
• Sports and racing gloves: Close-fitting leather gloves with greater wrist coverage and protection intended for fast road or track riding.
• Adventure motorcycle gloves: Flexible road or mixed-use gloves designed around touring, ventilation and changing conditions.
• Heated motorcycle gloves: Battery-powered or bike-powered gloves with built-in heating elements.
• Off-road motorcycle gloves: Lightweight gloves concentrating on feel, movement and ventilation for motocross, enduro and trail riding.

There is some overlap between those categories. A sports glove may also be waterproof, an adventure glove may be heavily vented and a touring glove may include insulation. Check the individual specification rather than relying entirely on the category name.

Summer Motorcycle Gloves

Summer motorcycle gloves use perforated leather, mesh panels, breathable textiles or combinations of several materials to allow more air around the hand. They are generally lighter and less bulky than waterproof or winter gloves, helping the rider maintain good feel at the controls.

Short-cuff summer gloves are particularly popular for commuting, scooters and everyday road riding. They are quick to put on, work with many jacket sleeves and do not wrap half your forearm in thick material during warm weather.

A lightweight glove should still be designed and tested for motorcycle use. Look at the wrist restraint, palm construction, knuckle protection, reinforcement and certification rather than assuming that any thin glove with a motorbike logo will provide useful protection.

Some summer gloves use a hard knuckle shell, while others place flexible impact material beneath leather or textile. Palm sliders, reinforced outer edges and additional material around the thumb can also be included, although the exact features vary between models.

Highly vented gloves can become cold surprisingly quickly when the temperature drops or the rider joins a faster road. British summer weather does not always read the forecast, so carrying a second pair can be considerably more effective than insisting that your fingers are still perfectly warm.

Waterproof Motorcycle Gloves

A waterproof motorcycle glove normally uses a waterproof and breathable membrane fitted between the outer material and the inner lining. Depending on the manufacturer, this may be Gore-Tex® or one of several brand-specific waterproof systems.

Waterproof and winter do not mean the same thing. Some waterproof gloves contain very little insulation and are intended for mild but wet conditions. Others combine the membrane with a thick thermal lining for colder journeys.

Check how the glove cuff works with your motorcycle jacket. The two garments need to overlap properly so that rain cannot simply run down the sleeve and into the glove. The finest waterproof membrane available is not much help when water is being poured directly through the cuff opening.

Waterproof membranes and thermal linings can add thickness around the palm and fingers, so compare how different gloves feel on the controls. Better-designed gloves manage the layers carefully to reduce bunching, but they will rarely feel exactly like an unlined summer glove.

After riding in heavy rain, allow waterproof gloves to dry naturally. Do not place them directly on a radiator, fire or other strong heat source because excessive heat can damage leather, membranes, adhesives and protective components.

Winter Motorcycle Gloves

Winter motorcycle gloves combine protection with insulation against cold air and wind chill. Most also include a waterproof membrane, although this should always be confirmed in the individual product description.

Insulation may be distributed differently across the glove. Some models use more around the back of the hand and less across the palm, helping retain warmth without completely removing feel from the throttle, brake and clutch.

Useful winter features can include:

• A long weather-protective cuff.
• Waterproof and breathable membrane.
• Thermal insulation.
• Separate wrist and cuff fastenings.
• A visor-wiping strip on the left thumb or finger.
• Reflective detailing.
• Touchscreen-compatible fingertips.

Do not buy winter gloves excessively tight. Compressing the insulation and restricting circulation can make cold hands worse rather than better. They should still fit securely, but there needs to be enough room for your fingers to move naturally.

Equally, oversized winter gloves can bunch across the palm and make the controls feel vague. There is a difference between leaving sensible room for insulation and wearing something that appears to have been borrowed from a much larger person.

Touring and Adventure Motorcycle Gloves

Touring gloves are designed for longer periods on the bike, where comfort, weather protection and secure control all matter. Depending on the intended season, they can range from lightweight three-season gloves to heavily insulated winter designs.

Common touring features include waterproof membranes, long cuffs, secure wrist restraints, flexible knuckle protection, palm sliders, visor wipes and touchscreen-compatible fingertips.

Adventure motorcycle gloves cover a particularly broad range. Some are highly vented and intended for warm-weather road and trail riding. Others use waterproof membranes and longer cuffs for long-distance touring in changeable weather.

Check how much protection is fitted around the knuckles, fingers, palm and wrist, particularly on very lightweight adventure gloves. A glove designed mainly around airflow and flexibility may not use the same construction as a substantial road-touring or racing glove.

For longer journeys, it can make sense to carry two pairs: a lighter glove for dry, warm conditions and a waterproof pair for rain or lower temperatures. It takes up some luggage space, but considerably less space than a full collection of excuses about why you cannot feel your fingers.

Sports and Racing Motorcycle Gloves

Sports and racing motorcycle gloves normally use a close-fitting leather construction, long cuff and separate wrist and cuff fastenings. They are designed to remain secure and provide additional coverage around the hand, wrist and lower forearm.

Depending on the model, features may include:

• Leather or kangaroo-leather palms.
• Hard or flexible knuckle protection.
• Palm and scaphoid sliders.
• Finger and thumb reinforcement.
• External finger seams.
• Bridged fingers intended to reduce unwanted separation.
• Pre-curved construction.
• Replaceable protective components.
• Perforated panels for warm-weather airflow.

Not every leather gauntlet is a racing glove, and not every racing glove includes all those features. Check the certification and construction of the exact model rather than judging it entirely by the number of plastic panels stuck to the outside.

A sports glove should feel close and secure, but it should not crush the fingertips or prevent you from making a comfortable fist. Leather may soften and ease slightly with use, but the fingers will not become longer simply because you remain optimistic.

For track use or competition, check the organiser's clothing requirements before attending. Some events may require full-length leather gloves and particular protective equipment.

Heated Motorcycle Gloves

Heated motorcycle gloves contain electrical heating elements around selected areas of the hand and fingers. They can make a major difference during winter commuting and long cold journeys, particularly when ordinary insulated gloves are no longer enough.

There are two main power arrangements:

• Rechargeable battery-powered gloves: Batteries are normally stored inside the cuffs, allowing the gloves to be used without wiring them to the motorcycle.
• Motorcycle-powered gloves: The gloves connect to the bike's electrical system, providing continuous power without relying on the running time of small cuff batteries.

Some systems can use either arrangement with the correct optional leads or battery packs. Check exactly what is supplied. Batteries, chargers, controllers and bike connection cables are not automatically included with every heated glove.

Compare the number of heat settings, control position, estimated battery duration, waterproof construction and available replacement batteries. Battery running time will vary with the selected heat level, battery condition and outside temperature.

A heated glove still needs proper motorcycle protection and a secure fit. Heating elements are useful, but they do not replace wrist restraint, palm reinforcement, armour or certification.

Browse our heated motorcycle clothing range for heated gloves, jackets and other cold-weather equipment.

Off-Road and Motocross Gloves

Off-road motorcycle gloves are designed around movement, grip and ventilation for motocross, enduro and trail riding. They are normally lighter and more flexible than substantial road or racing gloves.

Common features include stretch fabric, synthetic palms, silicone grip details, lightweight knuckle panels and hook-and-loop wrist closures. The thinner construction helps riders operate the controls while standing, moving around the bike and dealing with physically demanding riding.

That lightweight design can provide less abrasion and weather protection than a road-focused glove. Not every motocross glove is certified to the road-glove standard, so check the individual product if you intend to use it regularly on tarmac.

Off-road gloves are also rarely waterproof. Their priorities are usually flexibility, ventilation, grip and quick drying rather than keeping the hands completely dry through prolonged rain.

Short-Cuff or Long-Cuff Motorcycle Gloves?

Short-cuff gloves finish around the wrist and are popular for summer riding, commuting, scooters and shorter journeys. They are normally lighter, quicker to put on and easier to fit around certain jacket sleeves.

Long-cuff gloves extend further over the wrist and lower forearm. They are common among touring, winter and racing gloves because the additional length can provide greater coverage and a more substantial overlap with the jacket.

Cuff length does not tell you everything about protection. A properly certified short glove can use strong wrist restraint and substantial palm or knuckle protection, while a long glove can still have relatively basic construction.

Whichever type you choose, fasten the wrist restraint properly. A glove that slides off easily after the fastening has been secured is unlikely to stay where it belongs when it is genuinely needed.

How Should Motorcycle Gloves Fit?

Motorcycle gloves should feel close and secure without causing numbness, restricted circulation or painful pressure points. You need enough movement to operate the motorcycle properly, but not so much spare material that the glove twists, bunches or slides around your hand.

When trying motorcycle gloves, check that:

• Your fingertips reach properly into the glove without being crushed against the ends.
• There is not a large amount of empty material beyond the fingertips.
• The palm does not bunch excessively when you grip a handlebar.
• The knuckle protector sits over your knuckles rather than behind or in front of them.
• The thumb moves freely through the full range needed for the controls.
• You can make a fist without the glove pulling painfully across the fingers.
• The wrist restraint closes securely and prevents the glove pulling off easily.
• The cuff works with your normal motorcycle jacket.

Hold your hands in a riding position rather than letting them hang straight down. A glove can appear to fit while your hand is flat but pull tightly across the knuckles once you curl your fingers around the controls.

Glove sizes vary considerably between manufacturers and sometimes between different models from the same brand. The measurement chart is a useful starting point, not a guarantee that every glove carrying that size will fit the same way.

Leather gloves may soften and shape themselves slightly with use. Textile gloves and waterproof membrane constructions generally have less scope to change. Do not buy a painfully tight glove and rely on a heroic breaking-in process to make it wearable.

Motorcycle Glove Protection and BS EN 13594

Where stated, road motorcycle gloves may be certified to BS EN 13594:2015. This standard applies to protective gloves for on-road motorcycle use and includes requirements relating to sizing, ergonomics, restraint, mechanical performance, cuff length, marking and impact protection.

You may see markings such as:

• Level 1: The lower of the two performance levels and the rating most commonly found across everyday road gloves.
• Level 2: Uses more demanding performance requirements, although this can sometimes bring additional weight, stiffness or bulk.
• KP: Indicates that the glove includes knuckle protection assessed as part of the impact testing.

The certification marking should be considered alongside the glove's fit, wrist restraint, palm construction, weather protection and intended use. A certified glove that is several sizes too large and barely fastened is not being given much chance to do its job properly.

No motorcycle glove can prevent every possible injury. Certification provides useful evidence that the glove has been tested against recognised requirements; it does not make the rider's hands indestructible.

Motorcycle gloves are not generally the one compulsory item of clothing for ordinary road riding in Great Britain, but the Highway Code advises that strong boots, gloves and suitable clothing may help protect riders in a collision. Suitable motorcycle gloves are also required clothing when attending compulsory basic training.

Leather, Textile and Mixed-Material Gloves

Motorcycle gloves can be made from cowhide, goatskin, kangaroo leather, synthetic leather, mesh, stretch textile and numerous combinations of materials.

Leather is widely used because it can provide useful abrasion resistance, durability and a close fit. Goatskin is particularly common in glove palms because it can offer a good balance of strength, softness and feel.

Textile materials can reduce weight, improve flexibility and provide greater ventilation. Waterproof and winter gloves frequently combine textile outer panels with leather or synthetic reinforcement around the palm and other higher-wear areas.

Mixed-material construction allows each section of the glove to perform a different job. Stretch textile may be used around moving areas, leather across the palm and outer edge, impact material over the knuckles and a waterproof membrane beneath the outer shell.

There is no simple rule that every leather glove is more protective than every textile glove. Look at the complete construction and certification rather than trying to choose a winner based on one material.

Palm Sliders, Knuckle Protectors and Other Features

Motorcycle glove specifications can contain a bewildering number of features. Some are genuinely useful, while others matter only for particular types of riding.

• Knuckle protector: Can use hard plastic, carbon, metal, leather-covered material or flexible impact foam.
• Palm slider: A low-friction or reinforced section intended to protect a vulnerable area of the palm.
• Finger bridge: Links selected fingers on some sports gloves to help control unwanted separation.
• Pre-curved fingers: Shapes the glove around a riding position and may reduce material bunching.
• Visor wipe: A rubber or suede-like strip used to clear water from the visor.
• Touchscreen fingertip: Conductive material intended to operate compatible screens.
• Reflective detail: Adds reflective material to selected parts of the glove.
• Dual closure: Separate wrist and cuff fastenings commonly found on touring and racing gloves.

Touchscreen compatibility is convenient when you are safely stopped, but results vary between devices, screen protectors and glove designs. It should not be the deciding feature if the glove itself does not fit properly.

Motorcycle Gloves for Men, Women Riders and Younger Riders

Our main motorcycle-glove collection includes products for men, women riders and selected younger riders. Some gloves are sold in a broad unisex size range, while others use different patterns and proportions.

Ladies' motorcycle gloves are not necessarily just men's gloves made smaller. Depending on the manufacturer, they may use different finger lengths, palm widths, wrist shapes and overall proportions.

The correct glove is the one that fits the rider's actual hand. Somebody with long fingers and a narrow palm may suit a completely different brand from a rider with shorter fingers and a broader hand, regardless of the label attached to the range.

Browse the dedicated men's motorcycle gloves and ladies' motorcycle gloves collections to narrow down the selection.

Looking After Motorcycle Gloves

Follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions because leather, textile, waterproof membranes and heated components all require different care.

Remove loose dirt gently and use products intended for the glove's materials. Household detergents, solvents and aggressive cleaners can damage leather finishes, waterproof membranes, adhesives and protective parts.

If the gloves become wet, open the cuffs and allow them to dry naturally in a ventilated place. Avoid radiators, fires, hairdryers and other strong heat sources.

Heated gloves may have removable batteries or electrical connections that need to be taken out or protected before cleaning. Follow the specific instructions supplied with the product rather than dropping the whole arrangement into a washing machine and hoping electricity has suddenly become waterproof.

Inspect gloves regularly for worn palms, split seams, damaged fastenings and cracked protective components. Replace gloves that can no longer be secured properly or whose protective construction has been badly damaged.

Motorcycle Glove Brands at RaceLeathers

RaceLeathers stocks motorcycle gloves from established road, touring, sports, adventure and off-road manufacturers. Depending on current availability, the range includes Five, Alpinestars, Bering, Halvarssons, Merlin, Oxford, Richa, Rukka, Weise and more.

Different manufacturers use different hand shapes, finger lengths, protection systems and waterproof constructions. There is no single best motorcycle-glove brand for everybody.

Start with the riding and season, decide whether waterproofing or insulation is needed and then compare the gloves that fit your actual hands. Brand loyalty is all very well, but your fingers have not necessarily agreed to it.

Expert Motorcycle Glove Fitting in Darwen

Visit RaceLeathers at Britannia Mill in Darwen, Lancashire, to compare motorcycle gloves from different manufacturers properly. We can help check the finger length, palm fit, knuckle position, wrist restraint and compatibility with your motorcycle jacket.

Tell us what bike you ride, how you use it and the weather you are prepared to go out in. A winter commuter, summer weekend rider, European tourer and track-day regular all need something different from a glove.

Browse our motorcycle gloves online with free UK delivery on orders over £30, visit our Darwen shop for fitting advice, or call us on 01254 704000 if you need help before ordering.

Complete your riding kit with our motorcycle jackets, motorcycle boots and complete motorcycle clothing range.

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