There’s nothing worse than going for a long-haul ride in the fall and having your hands freeze solid by the time you get to your first pit stop. That’s why you need a good pair of gloves on your hands if you’ve got a fall ride coming up. The most seasoned riders know this, and the greenhorns, well, they learn this quickly. 

Of course, keeping your hands warm is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to why you need a good pair of gloves. Whether you’re a seasoned rider cruising on your beloved classic, a hard-core track racer prepping for the next national, or a newbie just starting, there’s a pair of gloves made specifically for you and your needs. 

Here’s a breakdown of motorcycle gloves, why you need them, and how they protect your hands. Plus, here are a couple of things that make a good pair of motorcycle gloves so you can find the right pair. 

Why Motorcycle Gloves Matter

A good pair of gloves can look pretty cool and be a core piece of gear for completing your riding look. But, the need for motorcycle gloves goes beyond aesthetics—it bears heavily on your safety, comfort, and overall biking performance.

Here are a couple of different reasons why motorcycle gloves matter so much.

Protection Against Impact

Safety first, as the saying goes. When it comes to motorcycle riding, protecting your hands is crucial. In the event of a crash or a fall, your instinctive reaction is to brace your fall with your hands. 

Good motorcycle gloves, crafted with tough, durable material and extra padding, can shield your hands from severe wounds and fractures and limit the impact of the accident. Gloves such as Olympia’s 450 Full Throttle gloves can be a good pick for extra protection when you’re riding.

Shield against Natural Elements

Safety isn’t the only reason to put on a pair of gloves. Think about if a small stone flies up from the road, or you’re caught in torrential rain. The gloves can serve as a protective barrier against such elements, ensuring your skin isn’t directly exposed to them. Moreover, they safeguard your hands against the sun’s UV rays and the biting cold during winter rides. Olympia’s Aquatex Gloves can be an excellent pick for protection against natural elements.

Comfort

Comfort plays an equally critical role in biking. Wearing gloves reduces the vibration from the motorcycle’s handlebars, preventing your hands from numbing and fatiguing over long riders or rocky terrains. If you’ve ever experienced that tingling sensation running down your fingers after a long ride, you’ll know what I mean.

What each person considers comfortable will vary quite a bit. However, one way to add comfort to your ride is to pick up a pair of touchscreen gloves, such as the Olympia 4352 All Season Touch Gloves.

Enhancing Your Riding Experience

It’s not just about reducing discomfort or protecting your hands, though. Motorcycle gloves also enhance your riding experience by improving your grip on the handlebars, especially in wet conditions or when your hands get sweaty in the summertime heat.

If you’re like me and enjoy unleashing your speed beast, you know maintaining the throttle’s grip and control is paramount, and gloves can greatly optimize this. They can minimize slippage, enriching your control over the motorcycle, ultimately enhancing your overall performance.

Cushion Against Abrasions

Gloves also cushion against abrasions, which are all too common in motorcycle crashes. Anyone who’s ever tripped and scraped their palms can only imagine just how severe getting road rash at high speeds can be. 

This is where gloves, especially those made from tough, durable materials like leather or Kevlar, come into play. Olympia 330 Men’s Protector Gloves can be a good pick for this situation.

What Makes a Good Motorcycle Glove

Now that you know why motorcycle gloves are important, let’s talk about what to look for. After all, if you’re going to buy a pair of gloves, you need to know what sets apart a decent pair from a great pair. 

Here’s a look at the different features of motorcycle gloves and what makes them worth their salt.

Safety Features

Good gloves will often include strong protection in the form of sturdy armor participants, especially around the knuckles, fingers, and palms. This might be rigid plastic, carbon fiber, or even metal inserts.  For example, the Olympia 476 Apex gloves have hard protection on your knuckles to keep your hands safe as you ride.

Slip Resistance

A critical component for safety is slip resistance. Quality motorcycle gloves will provide excellent grip to help you maintain control in all conditions. This is done by the use of textured or rubberized sections on the palms and fingers. 

Strong Closure Around the Wrist

A robust wrist closure, often Velcro or a buckle, ensures the gloves stay on your hands during a fall. A wrist strap provides for convenient adjusting and securing. 

Comfort

This will often come down to flexibility and breathability. Flexible gloves make operating controls easier and can reduce hand fatigue on long rides. Breathability, especially in warmer climates, is essential to prevent sweaty hands, which can lose grip. 

Durability

Durability can make or break a motorcycle glove’s design. High-quality materials should be prioritized, such as full-grain leather or heavy-duty textiles. Robust stitching is vital, too, as it needs to withstand the rigors of riding. 

Different Types of Motorcycle Gloves

In the world of motorcycling, one size definitely doesn’t fit all! And, this is particularly true when we speak about gloves. There are various types of motorcycle gloves to choose from, each catering to different needs and tastes, yet all designed with one purpose – safeguarding your hands while riding.

In short, when it comes to motorcycle gloves, it’s about picking the right glove for your riding style. From everyday use to racing down tracks to traversing diverse terrains, there’s a glove out there designed to enhance your riding experience and, most importantly, keep you safe. Understanding the differences between different gloves is what will ultimately help you get a great pair.

To help you better understand what I’m talking about, let’s go over some of the different types of motorcycle gloves.

Street Gloves

Street gloves are perfect for everyday riders who often traverse city streets and highways. These are the most common types and what you’ll typically find in most local bike shops. 

Street gloves are made for everyday riding in typical city conditions and are generally made from leather or textile materials. They provide an excellent balance of protection, comfort, and dexterity

Touring Gloves

Are you the sort who likes long rides across changing landscapes? Touring gloves are made for long rides and often come with added features for all-around comfort and durability. The best touring gloves have liners for extreme weather conditions and are usually waterproof for rainy days.

Race Gloves

These are specialized gloves designed for the racetrack, offering the maximum in protection and abrasion resistance. They provide sliders and external armor at several points to protect bones and joints from breakage or abrasion.

One example of race gloves is the Olympia 340 Vented Protector Gloves.

 Designed with top-notch protection against abrasions and impacts for high-speed scenarios, these race gloves are ideal. 

They incorporate advanced features like pre-curved fingers, pinky protection, and knuckle protection. Although these can be quite expensive, investing in a good pair of race gloves is a must if speed is in your DNA.

Cruiser Gloves

These gloves are typically designed in a retro style. These gloves are indeed a style statement with less emphasis on high-speed impact protection. They usually come in leather with a vintage look and less tech. They offer comfort for relaxed rides and are a popular choice for vintage and cruiser riders.

Dirt Gloves

For the off-road adventurers and enduro racers out there – Dirt Gloves are your go-to. These are typically lighter and focus on providing an excellent grip and finger dexterity, which is significant when navigating those unpredictable terrains.

What to Keep in Mind When Looking for a Solid Pair of Motorcycle Gloves

Shopping for gloves can be tricky. Most people are used to finding clothes that fit, but finding gloves that fit is a whole other kettle of popcorn. 

Knowing what to look for, however, can make your job a whole lot easier. Here are a couple of factors to keep in mind as you try out different globes. 

Choose Gloves that Fit Well

Motorcycle gloves should fit well; not too tight, not too loose. Gloves that are too tight can restrict your movement and cause discomfort, while gloves that are too loose may come off during a fall. 

The accurate sizing can be a blend of comfort and grip, depending on your preference and where you’re going to use your gloves. 

Riding Styles and Environmental Conditions

It’s crucial to choose gloves that are suitable for how and where you ride. For instance, as an everyday rider commuting in a city, you may need something versatile and weather-appropriate. Leather gloves, such as Olympia 140 Men’s Deerskin gloves, can offer you enough protection without compromising on comfort or functionality.

Comfort

Comfort is immensely important to many, so the priority can be gloves with flexible material and good ventilation. Ventilated gloves can keep your hands cool and dry, especially during long, hot rides. Perforated leather can allow enough airflow whilst ensuring safety.

Cost

While I don’t toss cost out the window, I believe that high-quality gloves are worthy investments for any rider due to their enhanced safety features and longevity. When you’re a rider who values their hands, you won’t mind investing a bit more for premium gloves. The #340 Protector Gloves, whose robust design assured me excellent crash safety.

The Best Gloves for Motorcycle Riding

As we’ve seen so far, choosing the right motorcycle gloves is a combination of many factors. It isn’t just about finding a pair that looks good, but rather gloves that suit your riding style and provide the necessary comfort and protection.

The biggest factor in deciding the right gloves is how well they fit and serve your specific needs. Always try them on if you can, check if they’re comfortable, provide enough grip and flexibility, and, most importantly, make you feel safe and secure.

With all that said, we’ve got some great motorcycle gloves for you to check out. Whatever style or size you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. And, if you’re not quite ready to make a purchase? Sign up for our newsletter and get access to exclusive sales, insider tips, and fresh-off-the-press info tailored to your glove needs directly to your inbox. Don’t miss out – seize the chance to level up your glove game today!