A buying guide to the best waterproof motorcycle gloves tried and tested by MCN

If you have ever ridden your motorbike in the rain then you will know that one of the first areas to get cold is your hands. If your hands get wet then the warmth is stripped straight out, leaving you with cold, stiff hands that make riding unpleasant and tricky. Not to mention the pure torture of having to try to stuff your hands back into gloves that are still wet from yesterday’s ride.

This is where a good pair of waterproof motorcycle gloves come in – an essential piece of kit if you ride in all weathers, or let’s face it, any month in the UK. A good pair of waterproof gloves paired with a good set of waterproof clothing, and you’re set.

What to look for when buying waterproof motorcycle gloves

Firstly you should consider the safety ratings that a pair of gloves has. All motorcycle clothing should have the safety certifications displayed, and gloves are no exception. Gloves are rated to EN 13594:2015 and a bit like armour, are rated as either a basic pass (1) or a superior pass (2) while knuckle armour is also rated – KP indicates it has been tested and passed the test.

In real terms, you may see gloves that are CE-rated 1 or 1 KP but anything that is CE-rated 2 will always be 2 KP – the knuckle protection test is optional for Level-1 gloves and mandatory for anything going for Level-2 certification.

The assessment process tests the gloves in several areas; one is the cuff length, with Level-1 requiring only 15mm and Level-2 needing at least 50mm, so sporty gloves will generally perform better in this area. The second is restraint, where a force is applied to try to pull the glove off a ‘wrist’ with the fastenings done up. Seam strength is also assessed, to ensure that the gloves don’t come apart in an incident while impact abrasion resistance. The results of these tests will generate a rating of either 1 or 2 for the glove overall.

Type

Consider what type of glove it is that you want, for example do you want a glove that is suitable for most weathers or are you looking for something more specific, for instance for very cold wintery days or summer riding? If you are a rider who will only venture out in warmer months then a pair of waterproof summer gloves will probably be best, however if you are an all year round rider perhaps winter gloves would be more suitable for the colder months.

Then of course there is the choice of sporty gloves, retro gloves and so on, which will depend on the bike you ride and your personal preference.

Materials and fabrics

Leather or textile fabrics? Well, leather tends to be less popular than fabrics when manufacturing waterproof gloves, this is largely due to the various engineered water repellent membranes and linings that can be used. Leather can be waterproof with consistent waxing and treating but will absorb the rain if neglected and if this conditioning regime is forgotten, the leather will crack and shrink.

Our top tested waterproof motorcycle gloves

Frequently asked questions

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 your 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.

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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