Best Motorcycle Gloves
Comments CommentWhether cruising backroads or racking highway miles, picking the best motorcycle gloves can make or break your ride. Comfort and control are the name of the game, and finding the right pair can help shield your hands from debris, improve your grip, and enhance your overall riding experience.
It might feel overwhelming for some riders to have so many available styles and fits. Cold-weather protection and touchscreen compatibility are common priorities, but the best gloves are built to perform across riding styles, seasons, and road conditions. Let’s break down what to look for in a quality pair of motorcycle gloves and how to find a pair that complements the rest of your motorcycle gear and fits your ride and lifestyle.
Everything You Need to Know in 60 Seconds
- The best motorcycle gloves combine protection, grip, and comfort—whether you’re riding in heat, cold, or rain.
- Choose gloves based on your riding style: touring, adventure, sport, commuting, or cruising.
- Textile and mesh gloves are ideal for summer rides, offering airflow and lightweight flexibility.
- Fingerless gloves bring comfort and cool styling for warm weather and casual cruising.
- For cold or extreme conditions, gauntlet gloves provide full coverage and weather resistance—some even feature heated tech.
Why Are Motorcycle Riding Gloves Important for Riding?
The best motorcycle gloves help protect your hands during a ride. Whether your bike sports a tallboy or tracker bar, your hands expend effort and are exposed to the elements wherever you ride. The right pair of motorcycle riding gloves can help guard your hands from hazards on the highway like rocks and debris, inclement weather, and more.
Thanks to breakthrough technology advances in glove materials and design, you won’t just get much-needed protection from things like dirt, debris, and abrasions. Motorcycle glove features like pre-curved fingers and power-stretch knuckles lend you a hand in fighting grip fatigue. Plus, breathable fabrics and efficient ventilation can resist gusty winds while keeping you comfortably cool. Whether you’re looking to take a long tour or take your bike off-road, with the right combination of features and design, you’ll find motorcycle gloves that can support your hands over the long haul.
How Should the Best Motorcycle Gloves Fit?
Beyond choosing the right style and features, your next pair of riding gloves should offer a proper fit.
Like a protective motorcycle helmet, motorcycle gloves should fit snugly but without restricting your movement and without cutting off any circulation. Your fingers should not quite touch the ends of the gloves, but the glove’s fingers shouldn’t be too long either. They should also fit smoothly over the hand without any bunching material. That’s how you know they’re the right fit.
Gloves should function well, too. You need to be able to comfortably operate your throttle and controls over long periods, and your gloves should support you doing so comfortably. Before you leave for a ride, test the gloves’ feel on a bike before making a final decision.
The Best Motorcycle Gloves for Different Riding Styles
Not all gloves are created equal. Riders need gear that matches their style, terrain, and performance demands. When hitting the highway or weaving through city traffic, the best motorcycle gloves offer features tailored to your unique rides. Here’s what to look for based on riding style:
- Touring Riders: Prioritize all-day comfort, insulation, and weather protection. Look for padded palms and touchscreen compatibility.
- Cruiser Riders: Classic leather motorcycle gloves with minimal bulk and timeless styling offer both function and flair.
- Adventure/Touring Riders: Need rugged construction, reinforced protection, and water resistance for changing conditions.
- Sport Riders: Opt for gloves with pre-curved fingers, knuckle protection, and enhanced grip for high-performance control.
- Urban/Commuters: Lightweight, breathable options like mesh gloves balance ventilation with protection for daily rides.
Choosing the right motorcycle gloves can make a noticeable difference in your comfort and confidence.
Best Leather Motorcycle Gloves
Our Leather motorcycle gloves encompass a wide variety of styles and glove types, all with one thing in common: They’re all made with durable leather and high-quality construction—meeting the same standards as our motorcycles. Browse our top leather motorcycle gloves to find your perfect fit.
Best Touchscreen Gloves
Get to your phone easier and get back on the road sooner with the help of our best touchscreen gloves. Whether they’re all-leather or made from mixed materials, all of our men’s and women’s touchscreen gloves work with your devices. Keep your fingers warm and protected as you get in touch without exposing your fingers to the cold.
Best Textile Gloves
When warm weather hits, breathability becomes even more important. Textile and mesh motorcycle gloves are ideal for riders who want lightweight comfort without compromise. You can stay cool, comfortable, and protected with adventure-ready textile and mesh gloves for women and men.
Built with moisture-wicking materials and flexible mesh panels, these gloves keep your hands cool and responsive, even during long summer rides. Many designs feature reinforced palms and touchscreen compatibility to give you functionality without additional bulk.
Best Fingerless Gloves
As temperatures rise, fingerless motorcycle gloves offer the right balance of grip, airflow, and classic Harley style. These gloves give riders the freedom to feel the throttle while still providing key palm padding for urban cruising or short summer rides.
Popular among cruiser and chopper riders, fingerless gloves pair perfectly with sleeveless tees, vests, and other laid-back warm-weather gear. Choose from leather designs with iconic Americana styling to breathable mesh hybrids built for hot conditions.
Riders who want ventilation and freedom without sacrificing feel or control reach for fingerless gloves that look cool and are built to ride.
Best Gauntlet Gloves
For riders who want maximum protection and weather resistance, gauntlet gloves deliver full wrist and forearm coverage to help take on the harshest conditions. Designed to block wind, rain, and road debris, these gloves are a favorite among touring and cold-weather riders.
Modern gauntlet gloves live up to their name, loaded with innovations like waterproofing, thermal insulation, and built-in heating elements to keep your hands warm and dry no matter what. With styles available for both men and women, they’re built to go the distance.
Choose from styles built to handle any extremes, including women’s and men’s gauntlet gloves: the best motorcycle riding gloves for serious, all-season riders.
Choosing the Best Motorcycle Riding Gloves
Finding the best motorcycle gloves comes down to understanding your riding style, climate, and comfort needs. Touring protection, breathable mesh for city rides, or bold cruiser style — there’s a perfect pair for you.
Explore Harley-Davidson’s full range of gloves to find the ideal fit and complete your setup with premium motorcycle gear built for the road ahead.
Ready to upgrade your ride? Shop now and gear up with gloves that are as tough, versatile, and legendary as your bike.
Choose from styles built to handle any extremes, including women’s and men’s gauntlet gloves: the best motorcycle riding gloves for serious, all-season riders.
FAQs
What's the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 motorcycle gloves?
The difference lies in protection. Level 1 gloves offer basic impact resistance and more flexibility, ideal for casual or short-distance rides. Level 2 gloves are built for higher-speed riding and provide greater abrasion resistance and impact protection, making them better for sport or touring riders who want additional padding.
Should motorcycle gloves be tight or loose?
Motorcycle gloves should fit snugly without cutting off circulation. Fingers should lightly touch the tips of the glove, and the material should lay flat without bunching. Gloves that are too loose mean you risk losing control. Too tight? You compromise comfort and dexterity.
