MCN's guide to choosing the best motorcycle gloves for you whatever the season or how you ride

One of the most vulnerable areas of the body when riding a motorcycle are your hands, which is why a proper pair of motorcycle gloves is a must, whatever kind of bike you ride.

• Are you in America? Find the best gloves in the USA here

Your hands are stuck out in front of you, exposed to the elements – and if the worst happens, they are likely to be the first thing that hits the ground. With that in mind, a decent pair of motorcycle gloves should be considered essential kit in the same way as a motorcycle helmet.

The Best Motorcycle Gloves at a Glance:

• Best sport gloves: RST Tractech Evo 4 Gloves – View on Amazon UK
• Best summer gloves: Goldtop Predator Gloves- View on Amazon UK
• Best winter gloves: DXR Winter Carbon Gloves – View on Sportsbikeshop

How to choose the right pair of motorcycle gloves for you

As with many areas of bike kit, gloves are designed with a specific type of riding in mind. The temperature and conditions, the type of bike you’re on and where you’re riding it should all factor into your buying decision.

Leather is the toughest material you can choose and if you’re serious about safety and looking for a sporty track glove then look for reinforcement in the palm, TPU sliders or similar and proper knuckle protection. You will also want a cuff that covers your wrist entirely. A KP2 CE-rating indicates that higher testing threshold has been met.

But if you’re riding in hot conditions off-road or touring through winter then a pair of track gloves will be uncomfortable at best and dangerously distracting at worst. A ventilated textile pair in the case of the former and a lined or even heated pair for the latter are much better-suited.

We’ve provided a selection of some our the gloves that impressed us from each category, along with some helpful advice on what to look for, plus links to specific MCN buyer’s guides and expert in-depth reviews.

Jump to:

• Sports Gloves
• Retro Gloves
• Summer Gloves
• Winter Gloves
• Heated Gloves
• Ladies Gloves

Our favourite sports gloves

Sports gloves usually offer the best level of protection with armoured knuckles, reinforced palms are long gauntlet style cuffs but should also offer a good feel for the controls too.

Sporty gloves are suitable for road or track riding and there are perforated models that make good summer gloves, too. If you’re new to riding, you’ll be surprised how quickly sporty leather gloves let your hands get seriously cold in lower temperatures (anything from around 10°C and below is painful).

Retro gloves that we loved

Retro gloves are likely to have slightly less protection than a full on race glove, and as with most retro kit, will have a more vintage style with details like studs and quilted leather. These are likely to be spring/summer options (depending on your climate).

But style doesn’t have to come at the expense of function. Check for all the same safety features as with any other glove (knuckle protectors, reinforced areas, double stitching etc.).

The summer gloves that kept us cool

Summer gloves are exactly what you would expect, a lightweight glove that prioritises airflow and cooling for riding in hot weather.

Summer motorcycle gloves range all the way from motocross-style fabric options that offer almost no protection on the road through to perforated versions of race gloves that give maximum crash protection with ventilation holes added to leather panels.

Sportier gloves tend to perform better in the hot than the cold anyway, so many riders opt for track-focused designs in summer, but even these can get uncomfortable when the temperatures really soar.

Cuff length is also a big factor for warm weather gloves. Options without a cuff (that stop at the wrist) are cooler than those with. Many firms that make track or sports gloves also do a version with short or no cuffs for the summer but these are only for the road and won’t get you on a trackday.

Winter gloves that kept the weather out

Winter gloves will have thermal linings such as Thinsulate and tend to have waterproof membranes to keep the weather out.

Some have a leather construction while others are textile and some prioritise warmth while others are more about protection. If you plan on riding in seriously cold conditions regularly then a set of heated gloves might be more appropriate – but you’d be surprised how far a decent set of winter gloves will get you (especially if you have heated grips).

Heated gloves that kept hands toasty

Heated gloves have been a game changer for a lot of commuter riders who are exposed to the extremes of weather. Keeping you warm on the backs of your hands and fingertips where heated grips may not be enough.

Some can be wired into your bike while others rely on batteries and there are options that can be powered either way. Batteries can be bulky on your wrists and obviously weigh more but can be a convenient solution if you only ride for shorter periods in the cold.

If you want to go for a wired version then think about how the cable will run both in the bike and through your kit and get all the extenders and connectors you’ll need at the same time.

Gloves reviewed by the ladies on the team

Ladies gloves tend to be fitted slightly differently to mens as they generally have smaller hands, other than that there aren’t too many differences between them.

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What to look for when buying gloves

From perforated summer gloves and lightweight trail items to track-ready armour, the level of protection you need is up to you and should always be balanced with comfort. The weather is another factor to consider, and waterproof and thermal or even heated winter gloves will keep you able to use your hand controls through January commutes. There is a huge range catering to just about every motorcycling application imaginable.

CE Certification

The CE standard for motorcycle gloves is EN 13594:2015, with Level 1 being awarded for a basic pass and Level 2 for items offering additional protection. There are several elements to the test, briefly described as follows.

Impact abrasion resistance:

The natural reaction during a fall is to brace for impact with outstretched hands, palms down. This test measures for the level of protection provided during such a situation, both in terms of the initial impact and potential ensuing slide.

Knuckle impact protection:

This is an optional test for Level 1 gloves and is rated at either 1 or 2 KP. All Level 2 gloves will have achieved 2KP in order to pass.

Cut resistance:

The main difference between Level 1 and 2 here is that only the palm of Level 1 gloves is tested for cut resistance, whereas all materials present in a Level 2 glove have to pass to achieve certification.

Tear strength:

Three separate pieces of the protective layer are subjected to a tear test, with the lowest score dictating whether a pass has been achieved.

Seam strength:

Each type of seam is tested at three individual points to ensure that the overall structural integrity of the glove reaches the required standard.

Restraint:

A glove can only do its job if correctly fastened, so this test measures the force required to pull it off whilst being worn. 25N dictates a Level 1 pass and 50N for Level 2.

Sizing and cuff length:

The difference between levels here is basically that of short and long gloves. Level 1 requires a cuff length of at least 5mm (measured from the line of the wrist), and Level 2 50mm. Sizing must comply with the European standard of EN420.

Innocuousness:

As gloves are worn in close contact with the skin, tests are carried out to ensure that none of the construction materials contains restricted or harmful substances. This includes measuring pH values and checking for potentially harmful elements, such as azo colourants, chromium VI and pentachlorophenol.

Ergonomic requirements:

Gloves must allow the wearer to maintain a certain amount of dexterity in order to operate switchgear, visor catches and so on, so this ensures that there is no significant restriction in movement.

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FAQ

If i’m between sizes should I size up or down?

If you are buying a leather glove it is worth bearing in mind that leather will give and stretch a little over time. With this in mind it is advised not to size up to prevent to gloves from ending up too loose. Your gloves should feel comfortable and allow good movement and feel without there being long gaps at the end of your fingers.

Are motorcycle gloves worn inside or outside of your sleeve?

This will depend on your preference and which type of glove you go for, a gauntlet style glove will usually be worn outside of the sleeve but a short cuff will sit under the end of you sleeve.

Should I wash my gloves?

The label that comes with the gloves should include care instruction, it is best to read and retain this information to know what is best for your particular gloves.

Are fingerless gloves OK on a motorcycle?

Fingerless gloves are more for the look than protection as they only offer any protection to your palm and the back of your hand. Fingers are still left exposed to the elements, bugs and the tarmac should you have an off. Full gloves are advised but there is no law in UK regarding gloves to be worn on a motorbike.

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How MCN tests gloves

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on. To make it onto this list, these gloves must have been worn for thousands of miles by our team of experienced testers, show no major flaws, and meet modern safety standards as well as offering decent value for money. 

Each of our expert reviewers tests their gloves for a variety of things, both subjective and objective, and these are no exception. Factors assessed include how comfortable they are from the off, what knuckle protection gloves have, are they breathable, and if they include details such as waterproofing or perforations.

However, we also assess how they fit, their perceived build quality and how comfortable the gloves are during daily use.

We’ve worn each of the tested gloves in this page while we’ve been covering miles on test bikes in all the appropriate conditions for the product.

If you can’t see a review against a pair of gloves on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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Our scores explained

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

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