How to Choose Motorcycle Riding Gloves

Watch any slow motion crash video and you will notice the same thing: the rider's hands go out first. It is a reflex, and it happens in the first fraction of a second. Gloves are the cheapest piece of riding gear and the one most likely to save you from a long recovery.

They are also the item riders get wrong most often, because a glove that looks good in a box can be too loose, too thin or the wrong type for how you ride. This guide shows you what to look for and how to get the fit right.

Short cuff or gauntlet?

The biggest style choice is the length of the cuff.

• Short cuff gloves end at the wrist. They are light, cooler and easier to put on and off, which makes them popular for city commuting and hot days. See half gauntlet gloves.
• Gauntlet gloves have a longer cuff that covers part of your forearm and fits over or under a jacket sleeve. They protect more of the wrist, block wind and keep rain from running into the glove. See full gauntlet gloves.

If you ride on the highway, tour or ride in rain, a gauntlet is the better choice. For short, hot city rides, a short cuff glove works if it has a secure wrist strap.

Leather, textile or mesh?

Many good gloves mix materials: leather on the palm and fingers where you slide, mesh or textile on the back of the hand for airflow. Browse riding gloves and leather gloves.

The protection features worth paying for

• Reinforced palm. A double layer or a sliding panel on the heel of the palm helps you slide instead of grip and roll.
• Knuckle protection. Hard or soft armour over the knuckles absorbs impact.
• Finger and thumb guards. Extra padding or armour on the outer edges and thumb joints.
• Secure closure. A wrist strap, a second strap over the cuff or a closure that stops the glove from peeling off in a slide.
• Stitching. Seams on the outside or double stitched in the areas that touch the road last longer.

How to measure your hand

1. Wrap a soft tape around your dominant hand, just below the knuckles at the widest point, leaving out your thumb.
2. Note the measurement in centimetres or inches.
3. Measure the length from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your palm if the size chart asks for it.
4. Compare your measurement with the brand's own size chart. Glove sizes vary between brands.

When you are between sizes, try the smaller one first, since leather gloves stretch a little with use. Textile gloves stretch less, so choose carefully.

The fit check

1. Fingertips. Your fingers should reach the ends of the glove without bunching or being squashed.
2. Make a fist. The glove should close comfortably with no tight spot across the knuckles.
3. Hold the grip. Grip a handlebar or a rolled towel. Extra material in the palm that bunches up will cause blisters and numb patches.
4. Close the strap. The wrist strap should hold the glove firmly and not slide.
5. Check the levers. You must be able to reach the clutch and brake easily and feel them.

Match the glove to your riding

Look after your gloves

• Let gloves dry naturally after a wet ride, away from a heater or direct sun.
• Do not wring them out. Shape them with your hand and leave them to dry flat.
• Condition leather gloves a few times a year with a suitable leather care product.
• Wash textile gloves only as the label allows.
• Replace gloves when the palm is worn thin, the stitching is coming undone or the armour is cracked.

Common mistakes

1. Buying a loose pair for comfort. A loose glove can slide off or twist in a fall.
2. Using fashion gloves. Thin fabric gloves look the part but offer little protection.
3. Skipping the wrist strap. An open cuff lets the glove come off when you need it most.
4. One pair for every season. Many riders keep a light pair for summer and a waterproof pair for the rains.
5. Not testing the lever feel. Stiff, thick gloves can make braking harder.

Frequently asked questions