Motorcycling is a thrilling and enjoyable hobby, but it can also be one of the most dangerous when you factor in road conditions, weather, oblivious drivers, and rider error. Smart and safe motorcyclists invest in excellent gear to keep safe, including a great jacket and helmet. Next on the list should be a pair of durable, high quality gloves. Motorcycle gloves that do more than just protect your hands while riding. They also offer improved grip and control, warmth, and even alleviate discomfort from the vibrations of both road and bike.
The most important requirement of motorcycle gloves, of course, is that they protect your hands. Hand and wrist injuries are some of the most common because the automatic reaction to a fall is to catch yourself. Riding without gloves is an exercise in unnecessary risk because your bare hands can also get sweaty, bone cold, and they’re especially vulnerable to minor impacts from road debris.
While you may think just any old pair of gloves will do, you’re gravely mistaken. Winter gloves, work gloves, fashion gloves, etc. are all ill-suited for time in the saddle because they’re not durable enough and they lack the right materials, fit, grip, and ergonomics for safe riding. Like gloves for other sports and activities, motorcycle gloves are very specifically designed and constructed for optimal protection, feel, and comfort. A good pair of riding gloves are an investment that will keep you safe in myriad conditions.
The Best Motorcycle Riding Gloves
Dainese 4-Stroke 2 Gloves
You can have tremendous protection without the bulk with the 4-Stroke, one of the best short gloves in existence. Armor comes in the form of steel back and knuckles, as well as thermoplastic protectors. The drum-dyed leather and sheepskin provide excellent comfort, good levels of tactility, and a great fit that all make for safer time in the saddle. They also have microelastic elasticated inserts, micro-injection palm reinforcements, a tightening strap, and pre-curved fingers, which all aid comfort and fit.
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Indie Ridge The Golden Glove
These full grain leather half gauntlet gloves might look vintage, but they have plenty of modern features that undergird the more traditional motorcycle glove aesthetics. The Golden Glove is a great three-season glove because they’re cool enough for the early summer and warm enough to go all the way into the early part of winter. The Golden Glove gets medium density foam palm sliders, as well as thick, hardened rubber knuckles. The Velcro-cinched half gauntlets fit nicely under cuffs for added protection and security. They’re also comfortable thanks to reduced internal seams and boxing stitching on the fingers. To top things off, they’re touchscreen friendly.
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Rev’It! Sand 4
Summer gloves are tricky because they need to provide adequate protection while ventilating well when the temps climb. REV’IT Sand 4 Gloves are brilliantly engineered because they provide a high level of breathability and, at the same time, great protection via tough goatskin leather, abrasion-resistant stretch mesh fabrics, and an integrated semi-rigid Thermo Plastic Rubber (TPR) knuckle protector. That same knuckle protector has an ingenious open cell structure for ideal airflow. The Sand 4 also has additional perforations, TPR finger protectors, and a TPR palm slider for those undesirable moments out of the saddle. The large cuff pull tab with hook and loop provides additional security, and the Smart connect fingertips mean you can use your smartphone without removing the gloves.
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Aether Moto Glove
These vintage style gloves are minimalist and pure, but they’re also very tough thanks to abrasion-resistant goatskin leather with double-layering a the inside of the thumb and the palm. The knuckles have D30 armor for another level of protection. Quilted stitching over the back of the hand and the palm add style and added grip, while the adjustable Velcro closure and elasticized cuff provide a great fit. To top things off, there’s an Aether logo prominently embossed on the Velcro tab. The beige, grey, and black color choices mean you can select the right hue for your outfit and steed.
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Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Gloves
Not everyone likes to ride when the temps start to drop, but riding in the early spring or late fall can be seriously invigorating as long as you have the right gear which. The Highway 21 Radiant relies on a lithium battery, charger and controller with three heat settings to keep your phalanges toasty, and the added 100g Thinsulate insulation notches that warmth level up. The gloves are also waterproof, windproof, and breathable thanks to a Hipora liner, so they’ll keep you comfy even when the weather turns on you. The 7V Radiant is also well-armored at the knuckles and protective with thick leather all over. Battery life is a nice four hours on the lowest setting and 2.5 hours on full blast.
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Indie Ridge Full Gauntlet
The Full Gauntlet is a three-to-four season glove that’s made with full-grain black charcoal leather with a nice vintage weathered look from tip to forearm. They’re also long enough to go over your cuff for added protection. Inside are medium-density foam palm sliders and hardened rubber knuckles for excellent protection. As tough as they look, they’re also sewn with minimal seams for ideal comfort. Padded piping and contrast stitching adds a nice vintage look that’s all-moto goodness. The tactile fingertips are also device-friendly, an added bonus.
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Dainese Full Metal 6 Gloves
The price you pay for the Metal 6 is warranted because the sheer level of advancement and materials is top notch. Built for both track and street use, it’s made with a single leather panel with palm and cuff reinforcments, and it has both carbon fiber and titanium inserts with aramid panels for near-peerless protection. Mobility, fit, and comfort are excellent thanks to preformed and precurved cuffs, as well as the quadruple elastication between the knuckles and the back of the hand. They also have elasticized cuff inserts and a tightening strap for additional fitment adjustment. The Full Metal 6 Gloves are certified to CE Level II, so you know they’re as tough as they look.
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Torc Del Rey Cream Motorcycle Gloves
The Del Reys are great riding gloves for those who don’t like gloves. While they don’t have any built in armor, they’re made with premium grade aniline goat leather that resists abrasions and tearing. The back of the gloves are also infused with carbon for added protection. They’re light, sweat-wicking, and anti-microbial as well, and the pre-curved fingers and accordion stretch points add comfort and reduce fatigue. The diamond-quilted stitching, debossed log cinch strap, and the cream hue give the Del Reys a decidedly retro look.
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REV’IT! Cayenne 2
If hot weather enduro riding is your thing, these are the gloves to get. The Cayenne 2s provide top-notch ventilation and, at the same time, grade A protection. Perforated goatskin leather and a tricot liner keep your mitts cool, and the TPU knuckle, palm slider, and thumb protector are all hard-shell. The Cayenne 2s also get special patches located on the palm and thumb for added grip over uncertain terrain, and the Velcro cuff lets you secure the perfect fit. They’re specially-made for long hours in the saddle both on and off-road, and they can handle the punishment of endurance riding likely better than you can.
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