Best Motorcycle Gloves for the Serious Rider: Complete 2022 Buyer’s Guide

Motorcyclist arm in brown leather glove

While it’s clear that a motorcycle helmet is one of the most important pieces of gear the motorcyclist can wear, using the best motorcycle gloves can also prevent serious injuries that can be very debilitating. In an accident, most motorcyclists will automatically put their hands down to brace for a fall.

This can lead to serious cases of road rashes. With the right gloves, you can protect your hands from injuries and inclement weather, so you can ride safely, in total comfort.

If you’ve never purchased motorcycle gloves, then this buyer’s guide can help point you in the right direction, so you can find a pair of gloves that fit perfectly and provide the level of protection you need, when you’re on the road. I’ve also tried out several of the most popular gloves on the market, narrowing it down to six must-have pairs that every rider will love.

Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that includes each pair of gloves that made it onto my list, their top features, and how each pair rated.

Motorcycle Gloves Comparison Chart

ProductMaterialTypeSizes Rating
Superbike Motorcycle Gloves
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GoatskinTraditional5
INBIKE Motorcycle Gloves
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MicrofiberRacing,
Motocross
4
Harssidanzar Mens Motorcycle Gloves
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GoatskinTouring.
Cruiser
6
Indie Ridge Leather Gloves
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LeatherTouring.
Cruiser
6
AXBXCX Motorcycle Gloves
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Microfiber
Synthetic
Materials
Touring.
Cruiser
4
OZERO Motorcycle Gloves
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Cotton
Polyester
Touring.
Cruiser
4

Superbike Motorcycle Gloves


Our Rating: (5/5)

This pair of goatskin motorcycle gloves by Superbike is designed for the daily rider, the commuter, and even the cross-country rider in need of more protection on the road. The goal of the gloves is to protect the hands from injury in the event of an accident. However, they can also keep the hands nice and warm in colder wear and will protect the delicate skin of the hands from injuries caused by flying debris.

The gloves are equipped with a buckle button that locks the gloves together when not in use, so you can keep your gloves together and hang them from your belt. The leather is soft, yet durable, offering a snug fit that’s comfortable. The foam padding located in the fingers offers additional protection from injury, as does the hard plastic knuckles.

Pros

  • Made out of genuine goatskin
  • Flexible
  • Lightweight
  • Buckle button clips gloves together
  • Hard knuckles and foam padding in fingers
  • Touchscreen capability

Cons

  • Not recommended for hot weather use
  • Riders with bigger hands will need to order a size larger than usual

Conclusion

These goatskin gloves are lightweight, durable and come equipped with touchscreen capabilities on the index finger. So now, you can text, look up info on the internet, or answer a call, without having to remove your gloves.

This soft, durable pair is perfect for a wide range of riding conditions and environments; however, you will find that the gloves can cause the hands to swear excessively in hotter climates.

INBIKE Motorcycle Gloves


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

These motocross racing gloves by Inbike are made out of microfiber material that’s comfortable and breathable. The gloves also feature a protective shell on the back, which will protect the knuckles and prevent serious injuries such as road rash. The glove’s fingers are very flexible and highly elastic.

The hook and loop fastener located at the wrists are adjustable, so you can achieve the perfect fit. The palms of the gloves feature a non-slip design and are very flexible, so you’ll enjoy a full range of motion.

Pros

  • Flexible
  • Breathable
  • Hook and loop closure
  • Protective shell on the back of the gloves
  • Extra padding in the fingers

Cons

  • Not recommended for the casual rider
  • Only four sizes to choose from

Conclusion

The glove’s fabric is durable and breathable, so they’re perfect for a wide range of environmental conditions. The glove’s protective shell on the backs of the gloves will provide the type of full protection you need to prevent a serious injury if you wipe out. These gloves are a must-have for the dirt bike rider, racer, or anyone who enjoys some off-road fun.

Harssidanzar Men’s Motorcycle Gloves


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

These best-selling motorcycle gloves by Harissidanzar feature an anti-skid design on the palms, for better gripability. The buckle button design locks the gloves together, so you won’t have to worry about losing one of them.

This pair is made out of genuine goatskin leather, which is very soft, lightweight, flexible, and breathable. In the index finger, you’ll find touchscreen capabilities so you can text, answer a phone call, or look up important information, without removing your gloves.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Breathable
  • Buckle button lock
  • Touchscreen capability
  • Made out of genuine goatskin
  • Low price

Cons

  • Not recommended for hotter weather
  • Not waterproof

Conclusion

These gloves look great, but they’re also built tough. On the back of the gloves, you’ll notice knuckle protection, make out of carbon fiber and high-quality steel. In the fingers, you’ll have added padding, for improved protection and comfort.

These gloves are designed to keep the hands warm and comfortable in inclement weather and to protect the hands from road rash. In terms of performance and quality, these gloves definitely deliver, and they’re available for a reasonable price.

Indie Ridge Store Premium Leather Motorcycle Gloves


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

These full-length leather gloves feature a full gauntlet design that will protect the wrists, hands, and fingers from injury in the event of an accident. The gloves also feature touchscreen capability, so you won’t have to remove your gloves to use your phone.

The gloves are form fitting and feature palm and knuckle protection. Each glove comes equipped with hardened high-density rubber for reinforced knuckle protection that provides max comfort when you’re on the road.

Pros

  • Flexible
  • Breathable
  • Touchscreen capability
  • Form fitting design
  • Hardened high-density rubber on the knuckles
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Gloves run a size small
  • Not waterproof

Conclusion

If you want gloves that can provide a breathable design and a snug, flexible fit, you’ll love how these gloves look and feel.

These beautiful leather gloves offer both functionality and style. They do an excellent job of protecting the hands from inclement weather, flying debris, bugs, and can shield the hands and wrists from road rash in the event of an accident. These gloves offer enhanced protection and the type of style many motorcyclists are looking for.

AXBXCX Touch Screen Full Finger Gloves for Motorcycles


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

These riding gloves by AXBXCX are designed with comfort and flexibility in mind. They’re made out form fitting mesh material that’s highly breathable and gives the rider more control as they ride.

On the palms, the microfiber material reinforcements increase the glove’s durability and allow riders to wear them in a variety of environments and weather conditions. You’ll also find a web loop made out of nylon that provides convenient storage.

Pros

  • Form-fitting
  • Made out of breathable mesh material
  • Touchscreen capability
  • Low price
  • Comfortable
  • Flexible

Cons

  • Gloves run a size small
  • Touchscreen capability does not work well

Conclusion

These motorcycle gloves are affordable, breathable, and flexible, however, when it comes to touchscreen capability, you’ll find that using your phone with your gloves on can be challenging. Aside from this drawback, the gloves are comfortable and flexible, so you’ll have more control when you ride. Additionally, they’re also available at a reasonable price so you can purchase an extra back up set if needed.

OZERO Waterproof Winter Motorcycle Gloves


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

These faux leather gloves feature an insulated polyester TR cotton lining, complete with a waterproof membrane that covers the entire inside of the gloves. The elastic knit closure will keep your gloves securely in place, without causing discomfort. The material is multi-layered for insulation and protection on the road.

The faux leather material is windproof and designed to keep the hands warm, even in freezing temperatures. The full-hand waterproof membrane will keep your hands warm and comfortable in cold and wet conditions. The palms of the gloves are attached using anti-skid silica gel. The gloves do a great job of improving the wearer’s grip, even in wet conditions.

Pros

  • 100% money back guarantee
  • Waterproof membrane
  • Multi-layered design
  • Made out of faux leather
  • Polyester and TR cotton lining
  • Windproof

Cons

  • Outer shell holds onto water when it gets wet
  • Low quality touchscreen capability

Conclusion

The fingertips of the gloves are highly sensitive and feature touchscreen capability, with goatskin stitched right into the fingertips. While the glove features a full-length waterproof membrane, when the outer shell of the gloves gets wet, the membrane tends to hold onto the water, making it difficult to use the gloves properly. This can be a big drawback for the rider who plans on riding during the rainy season.

Overall, the gloves themselves offer the type of insulation and protection you need when you take your bike out during the fall and winter months. The comfortable fit, and waterproof protection can keep your hands warm and comfortable in most situations, however, if you’re dealing with heavy rainfall, you may want to remove the gloves and store them for later use, to prevent them from getting waterlogged.

Motorcycle Gloves Buyer’s Guide

Motorcycle gloves are designed to do a couple of things: protect your hands from road rash and keep your hands comfortable and warm in inclement weather.

Protecting the hands from the elements will help you retain fine motor control and can improve rider comfort. Gloves can also prevent an accident on your motorcycle, especially in cold or wet conditions when your grip can be compromised.

They also do an excellent job of protecting the hands from impact and injury, in the event of a crash. Gloves will keep you safe when you crash and comfortable when you’re riding in freezing temperatures.

Shopping for a pair of motorcycle gloves may sound simple enough but considering how many pairs there are to choose from and the different styles, finding the perfect pair for your next motorcycle trip can be a challenge.

There’s a lot to consider when you’re shopping. You’ll need to look for a pair that’s designed specifically for motorcycle riding use. These gloves may have hardened knuckles, durable closure systems, double layers of padding in impact areas, weather protection and a special design that will allow you to comfortably grasp a bike’s grips.

Before you start shopping for a new pair, let’s take a look at the basic glove design, and how each part of the design plays an important role in terms of protection and comfort.

Motorcycle Gloves Design

Hand rider on handlebars

Motorcycle gloves are much different than a regular work gloves or leather gloves designed for casual use. In fact, each section of the glove is designed to provide protection and improve comfort. Below, I’ll go over the basic anatomy for this type of glove and how motorcycle glove features can impact comfort and protection when you’re on the road.

Uppers

The upper portion of the glove that protects the top of the hand is called the upper. The upper should be durable and thick enough to not only protect the hands in the event of a crash, but also from flying debris.

The upper is often made out of thick materials such as a high denier textile or a natural hide, such as leather.

Fourchettes

The fourchettes consists of strips of material that will connect the palm to the upper, in between each finger. This material is usually ventilated on this type of glove.

Palms

The material on the palms is usually thinner than the material on the upper. This section is designed with comfort in mind and will help you achieve a better grip on the throttle. It’s usually made out of natural materials such as goatskin.

Lining

The glove’s lining is designed to improve comfort and can vary depending on the purpose of the gloves. Some lining may be made out of moisture wicking material, other lining may be waterproof, or some may be insulating.

Cuff

The cuff of the gloves works as a barrier for the wrists that can protect them from moisture and the cold.

Closure

The closure has to be tough enough to keep the gloves securely closed on long rides and in the event of an accident. Many gloves will come equipped with a hook and loop, D-ring, or button closure.

Armor

Armor is often used to protect the rider from road rash and features padding made out of EVA foam, titanium, steel, carbon fiber, or TPU material.

Types of Motorcycle Gloves

Below are the different types and styles of motorcycle gloves you can choose from, so you can select a pair that will work for your riding style and environment:

  • Racing
  • Gauntlets
  • Summer
  • Cruiser
  • Touring
  • Off-road
  • Fingerless

Racing

These gloves are heavy-duty and usually have serious protection and armor for high-speed crashes. The palms of these gloves are often pretty thin, to promote better air circulation and throttle control.

Gauntlets

Gauntlets are gloves that extend to cover the entire wrists. Many winter style or waterproof gloves feature a gauntlet design to prevent cold or moisture from making its way to the rider’s hands. These gloves provide the most protection from crashes and inclement weather conditions.

Summer

Gloves categorized as summer gloves are shorter and end at the wrist instead of covering the wrists. These gloves are designed for hot weather, while a full gauntlet will be too hot and uncomfortable to wear.

Cruiser

If you’re a cruiser style rider, then you’ll want a pair of gloves that vibe with your existing style. These gloves have a casual look but offer the type of durability and protection you need on the road.

Touring

These gloves are designed to protect the rider in extreme crashes and climates. These gloves are made out of textile materials and feature other types of modern materials. They’re often on the pricey side, but can provide ultimate protection.

Off-Road

These gloves are usually very thin and don’t come equipped with much armor. These gloves are mainly designed to improve the rider’s grip on the handlebars, but don’t offer much in terms of impact protection. They’re more affordable than other styles of riding gloves since they don’t offer much impact protection.

Fingerless

These gloves seem to be more about style than protection, since they leave most of the fingers exposed.

Must-Have Features

Motorcycle gloves

When you buy a motorcycle, you need gear you can wear that will not only keep you comfortable, but accessories that can also help to minimize the severity of your injuries, should you get in an accident. Unfortunately, gloves tend to be the last piece of important gear that motorcyclists buy.

However, wearing gloves when you ride can provide some serious protection to your hands, fingers, and wrists, and should be considered an essential piece of safety gear that you should never ride without.

Gloves that come equipped with motorcycle specific features are designed to make the life a little easier. This can include things such as touchscreen capability, knuckle vents, finger bridges, and palm sliders.

Below, I’ll go over the important factors you should consider before you buy, to ensure you end up with a pair of gloves that can provide the type of protection you need from injuries on the road, hot weather, freezing conditions, and flying debris.

Riding Style

Your motorcycle and your riding style will help determine what type of gloves will work the best for you. A pair of cruiser gloves usually have a traditional, simple look, while racing gloves often feature vivid colors and plenty of armor. Touring gloves usually offer more features and a higher level of protection.

Climate Type

What type of climate or weather will you be dealing with? If you’re riding in harsh weather conditions or riding across the country through changing climates, then you should consider touring gloves that are waterproof and made out of textile material. If you usually drive in dry weather, then you can go with leather.

Stitching

Stitching has to be tough, considering it’s responsible for holding the gloves together. Many of the leading brands use double stitching in critical areas. Additionally, a durable pair of gloves will come equipped with external stitching on the palms and fingers for added comfort.

Material Type

You’ll have the option of textile or leather gloves. If you need gloves for daily use, gloves that are made out of textile materials can be a great choice. If you’re looking for something more heavy-duty for your next motorcycle trip across country, then leather may be a better option.

Leather offers a higher level of abrasion resistance and tends to fit the rider’s hands more comfortably since it molds to the contours of the hands. However, when you’re riding around in hot weather, textile material is more breathable. If you’re a touring rider, then you should expect to deal with a variation in climate and a lot of moisture. If that’s the case, you should steer clear of textile gloves.

Style

Appearance and style can also be a factor. If you’re a touring, adventure, or dirt bike rider, then the majority of your gear is probably made out of textiles, so you’ll want the gloves you wear to match. Sport bike riders and cruiser riders will often opt for leather gloves.

Fit

It’s crucial that the gloves you buy fit properly. The right fit is important because otherwise the gloves can go flying off during a crash. If you end up flying off your motorcycle, if the gloves shift or come loose, they will offer no protection.

Additionally, if the gloves don’t fit correctly, it can negatively impact your feel of the controls. If the gloves are too small, they can interfere with your ability to manipulate the controls. If the gloves are too big, they can constantly slip off.

Gloves that fit right should be snug all over. There should be no excess material in the tips of the fingers or around the fingers. If the gloves are leather, they may feel too tight in the beginning, but they will loosen up over time. Gloves that are made out of textile should fit comfortably right out of the package.

Size

Each manufacturer sizes gloves differently. These differences in sizes can occur between gloves made by the same brand. Usually, European gloves tend to have a narrower, smaller fit compared to gloves produced by American brands. However, it’s always a good idea to purchase a size larger when you’re ordering from a European brand.

When you’re shopping online, make sure you take a look at the manufacturer’s size chart, which is usually found somewhere on the product page. You can also check out motorcycle glove reviews to see what other riders had to say about how a particular pair of gloves fit.

Closure

Gloves will come with a variety of closure types to choose from, including hook and loop, button, knit, or Velcro. There are pros and cons with each type of closure system, although many riders can agree that a hook and loop closure is the most reliable. Knit is the most comfortable, closely followed by Velcro. However, over time, Velcro can lose its sticking power.

Flexibility

How flexible a pair of gloves are can have a huge impact on how well you can handle the bike’s controls, answer a phone call, and can also impact how comfortable the gloves are to wear for a longer period of time. Gloves with a reputation for flexibility are often designed with rider comfort in mind.

Breathability

If you ride in the winter, breathability will not be as important as it is to the rider who rides during the summer or year-round. Some gloves, especially those with a waterproof liner, can cause excessive sweating, which can make a longer ride in hot weather very uncomfortable.

Waterproof/Rain-Proof

These gloves come equipped with water-resistant membranes. Many of the leading models are made out of Gore-Tex, however, there are similar material options available.

Heated

If you ride in colder climates, then a pair of heated gloves should be one of your first investments. These gloves are battery-powered and do an excellent job of keeping you warm and comfortable.

Price

These days, you can find a top-of-the-line pair of gloves at a price that won’t hit your wallet too hard. If you’re on a tight budget, then you can find a great pair under $60 that come equipped with all the features you need. Prices for gloves can range from as little as $20, all the way up to $200 or more.

How to Measure Your Hands for New Motorcycle Gloves

Once you’ve decided on a style that works for you, and you’ve taken into consideration the environment and time of year you usually ride, now you’ll need to ensure you purchase gloves that offer the best fit.

  • To begin, you’ll need to measure your hands using a soft measuring tape. You’ll be measuring hand circumference and width. If you’ve come across a pair of gloves you want to buy, make sure you compare your hand’s measurements to the manufacturer’s size chart.
  • To measure, lay your palm flat on the table and use the soft tape measure to measure the widest part of your hand. Repeat this process with your other hand. Go with the largest of the two measurements when you’re comparing your hand size to a manufacturer’s size chart.
  • If the gloves you’re interested in are sized by hand circumference, take the measuring tape and wrap it around the palm of your hand behind the knuckles. Make sure you keep the measuring tape nice and taut. This will ensure you get an accurate measurement. When measuring, never include the thumb.

Taking the time to carefully measure your hands before you buy a new pair of gloves can save you plenty of hassle. Keep in mind, synthetic gloves will not stretch like leather. If you’ve purchased synthetic gloves and they feel too snug, you may need to exchange them for a bigger size. Leather, on the other hand, stretches, so you’ll enjoy a more custom fit with gloves that are made out of this type of material.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Motorcycle Gloves Should I Buy?

The type of motorcycle gloves you buy should depend on where you ride, the time of year, and the type of riding you do. For example, touring can require gloves that are flexible, and come equipped with impact protection, while racing gloves offer even better protection and often feature an armor heavy design.

What Size Riding Gloves Do I Need?

Any type of gloves you purchase should offer a snug fit. Pay attention to a manufacturer’s sizing chart before you buy and be sure to measure your hands prior to ordering. Compare these measurements to the size chart for each brand and choose a size that will work perfectly for you.

Why Do Motorcycle Gloves Have Hard Knuckles?

Gloves that come equipped with armor on the knuckles are designed to protect the hands during impact. This can help prevent a serious case of road rash, which can leave you out of commission for months.

Final Thoughts

The best motorcycle gloves should work with the type of bike you ride, where you ride, and the time of year you ride. There are many factors that will come into play when you’re shopping for a new pair of riding gloves.

This buyer’s guide and the products I’ve included here are designed to help you choose gloves that won’t let you down and can provide impact protection, flexibility, and the perfect fit. Of course, if you ride year-round, you may find that purchasing more than one pair can be a better option than searching for a versatile pair that works for hot and cold climates and dry and wet weather.