Let’s face it — finding good motorcycle gloves can be a challenge. There are tons of different types of gloves out there, and if you don’t know what you’re looking at, everything can seem pretty much the same. That’s why narrowing things down by your personal preferences and type of glove can help. 

If you’re a gauntlet glove guy (or gal) and love the way this style looks, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when buying them. Whether you’re revving the throttle of your Aprilia on a sunny day, taking your Harley-Davidson for a spin on a chilly winter night, or just wrapping your fingers more comfortably around your KTM’s handles, the right pair of gauntlet gloves could be precisely what your hands demand. 

To help you choose the perfect gauntlet motorcycle gloves, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide, covering a comparison of them with other gloves, ideal usage scenarios, material considerations, key features, and crucial factors to consider when buying. That way, you’re well-equipped to buy the perfect pair for your ride.

What Are Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves?

Let’s start with the basics — what even are gauntlet motorcycle gloves?

Gauntlet motorcycle gloves, named for the medieval gauntlets worn by knights, are a type of motorcycle glove that extends past your wrist to cover a portion of your forearm. 

They go beyond simple hand and wrist coverage by providing additional protection against an array of elements. For instance, they shield you from adverse weather and road debris and, in unfortunate cases, can make all the difference during an accident. 

An example of a solid pair of gauntlet motorcycle gloves includes the Olympia 4295 Ladies Aventador Gloves (also available in men’s). 

Purpose of Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves

Now that you know what gauntlet motorcycle gloves are, let’s talk about their purpose. These gloves actually serve a couple of different purposes, including 

• Offering protection: In the event of a mishap or an unexpected tumble, hands are often the first point of contact with the ground. A good pair of gauntlet gloves can offer robust protection to your hands and wrists, curbing the severity of potential bone damage or skin abrasions.
• Reducing wind impact: Gauntlet motorcycle gloves significantly reduce the continuous brute impact of the wind against our hands. This helps keep your hands from being rubbed raw due to extended wind exposure
• Shielding you from weather conditions: Rain, hail, and stray pebbles can cause harm to your hands and arms as you ride. As gauntlet gloves extend beyond the wrist, they offer an effective shield against these elements.
• Enhancing your grip: Gloves also enhance our grip on the motorcycle’s handlebars, providing smooth control during rides. The anti-slipping lining in gloves provides extra grip, ensuring you have firm control while riding, even in sweaty conditions or light rain.

In short, gauntlet gloves are hardly just a stylish accessory; they’re a crucial part of riding gear that integrates safety, comfort, and control. So, remember, before you swing a leg over your ride, strap on those gloves – they might just save your day in more ways than imaginable.

Differences between Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves and Other Gloves

Every rider has unique requirements when it comes to motorcycle gloves, and different types of gloves cater to different needs. Understanding the differences between gauntlet motorcycle gloves and other types of gloves can help you make an informed decision that ensures both comfort and protection.

Here’s a quick breakdown of a couple of differences between these types of gloves. 

Coverage

Compared to other types, gauntlet gloves offer extended wrist coverage. This characteristic “gauntlet” cuff reaches over the forearm, as opposed to short cuff gloves or fingerless gloves, which focus more on hand and palm coverage. 

This additional coverage offered by gauntlet gloves is enormously beneficial in protecting against environmental factors like wind, rain, and debris, as well as in providing an additional buffer in case of abrasions during any unpredictable accidents on the road.

Material Variations

Where gauntlet gloves are often made from durable leather or a combination of leather and textile materials, other gloves like motocross gloves or dirt bike gloves might employ more rugged materials, such as synthetic leather or even Kevlar. These specialty gloves are designed with a specific riding condition in mind, hence the variance in material choice.

Features Offered

Gauntlet gloves, for example, may include extras such as armored knuckles or visor wipers, features which might not necessarily be found on a pair of classic leather or summer gloves.

An example of a pair of gloves with these additional features includes the Olympia 410 Men’s Gel Sport gloves, which have double leather reinforcement on the fingers, knuckles, and forefingers.

What About Semi-Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves?

While full gauntlet gloves such as the Olympia 4370 Men’s Cold Throttle Gloves can be great for protection, you may want something a little shorter but still want more coverage than short-cuff gloves can provide. 

That’s where semi-gauntlet gloves come in. This type of gauntlet motorcycle gloves  is designed to offer the best of both worlds. They are crafted in a way that extends coverage beyond the wrist but not as far up the forearm as full gauntlet gloves. While this may seem like a minor distinguishing factor, the implications for your riding experience can be significant.

Compared to short cuff gloves, the semi-gauntlet style offers an extra layer of protection and resistance against weather elements without adding too much bulk. At the same time, when compared to full-gauntlet gloves, semi-gauntlet gloves allow for a bit more range of motion and are less restrictive, catering to riders who do frequent, quick, on-and-off trips.

Just note that semi-gauntlet gloves might not be everyone’s cup of tea. For high-speed riders or those tackling extreme weather conditions, full gauntlet gloves are likely to offer better protection. 

Pros and Cons of Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves

Investing in a solid pair of gauntlet motorcycle gloves can change your riding experience dramatically. Still, like any form of protection, it’s not without its pros and cons.

The below table breaks down a couple of pros and cons of these types of gloves.

In a nutshell, gauntlet motorcycle gloves are not a one-size-fits-all solution but a brilliant choice for riders who value safety, don’t mind a bit of extra bulk, and frequently ride in tricky weather conditions.

Ideal Uses for Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves

Gauntlet motorcycle gloves aren’t just about style or a passing fad in the biking community. They have specific uses that cater to certain types of rides and environments.

Let me break down a couple of types of rides where having these bad boys on your hands can make a real difference.

Long Distance Touring

You’ll appreciate the extended protection gauntlet gloves offer, especially in unpredictable weather conditions. Weather can change from sunny to rainy unexpectedly during a multi-day tour. 

With gauntlet motorcycle gloves, your hands remain dry and comfortable throughout. It’s that extra shield over the wrist that prevents water from making its way onto your hands – a common problem with short cuff gloves.

Winter Rides

The extended cuff provides an overlap with the jacket, keeping cold air out and preserving the warmth within the glove. This is certainly different from non-gauntlet gloves, where the cold air can rush right up your sleeve.

Sport or Track Racing

If you’re into sport or track racing, gauntlet gloves are the ideal choice due to their superior protection. In high-speed scenarios, accidents are unfortunately a risk, and the reinforced materials and protective features of gauntlet gloves help safeguard your hands incredibly well.

Heavy Traffic or Debris-Filled Routes

Riders who navigate through heavy traffic or debris-filled routes frequently will find gauntlet gloves extremely practical. The extra cuff can serve as a shield against pebbles, dirt, and small objects that could fly your way while riding.

Best Material for Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves

When it comes to choosing the best material for gauntlet motorcycle gloves, there are a variety of options available, with each offering its unique benefits. The choice comes down to factors like durability, comfort, and ease of cleaning, among other things. 

Let me break down a couple of common materials for gauntlet motorcycle gloves.

Leather

Leather is perhaps the most popular material for motorcycle gloves, including gauntlet styles. Leather provides exceptional durability and abrasion resistance, rendering it perfect for long rides or in case of an unexpected mishap.

An example of solid leather gauntlet motorcycle gloves is the Olympia 144 Men’s Deerskin Classic Gloves. 

Textile

Leather may not be the best choice if you are looking for breathability. Textile materials, like synthetic fabrics, often provide better airflow than leather, making them a great choice for hotter seasons. 

If you’re looking for a good pair of textile gloves, the Olympia 6000 Men’s Mustang I Gloves can be a great choice.

Mixed Material Gloves

This is where the gloves use a combination of both leather and textile materials. Gloves of this type combine the benefits of both materials — they’re tough and resistant like leather gloves but provide breathability like the textile ones. 

An example of mixed material gloves is the Olympia 4104 Men’s WeatherKing Touch II. 

Features to Look for in Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves

When you venture into the market in search of the perfect pair of gauntlet motorcycle gloves, several key features should capture your attention immediately. These include: 

• Good impact protection
• A wrist strap
• Material and stitching
• Water resistance
• Touch screen compatibility
• Breathability and venitalation

Let’s dive into each of these features, understanding how it contributes to your overall riding experience and why it merits consideration.

Impact Protection

This represents the primary function of any motorcycle glove. Good gauntlet gloves come equipped with hard armor on high-impact areas like the knuckles, palms, and fingers. Armored gloves have strategically placed reinforcements that provide excellent protective coverage without sacrificing flexibility or comfort.

If it’s impact and protection you’re after, the Olympia 410 Men’s Gel Sport Gloves may be the right pick.

Wrist Strap

A necessary feature, a quality wrist strap ensures your gloves stay on during an accident. Additionally, they prevent unwanted debris from entering your gloves.

Material & Stitching

The kind of material and quality of stitching used in construction matters hugely. Generally, leather is considered more durable, but textile or mixed fabric gloves also serve well and could be more breathable.

Weather Resistance

Since gauntlet gloves are often used in challenging weather, look for gloves offering water resistance or thermal lining, perfect for cold-weather riding. An example here could be the Olympia 6003 Men’s Mustang III Gloves.

Touch Screen Compatibility

In our tech-savvy era, touch screen-compatible gloves come as a boon, allowing you to manipulate your GPS or smartphone without removing your gloves. For instance, the Olympia 4352 Men’s All Season II Touch Gloves are a good example of these types of gauntlets. 

Breathability and Ventilation

Ensuring your gloves offer good ventilation is crucial, especially for summer riding or long trips. A good pair of gloves with breathability is the Olympia 340 Men’s Vented Protector Gloves.

What to Have in Mind When Choosing the Best Gauntlet Gloves

Choosing the best gauntlet gloves requires some careful thought. After all, investing in gloves is like investing in safety, comfort, and performance, all rolled into one. So, how do you go about it? Let me break it down for you.

Find the Perfect Fit

This probably goes without saying, but when hunting for the perfect gauntlet gloves, they must fit perfectly. Every hand is unique, and understanding your hand size is crucial. 

Measure your hand from the tip of your longest finger, along the palm, right down to the wrist. Remember, a good-fitting glove doesn’t constrain movement but is secure enough to prevent sliding off during a ride.

Research and Check Reviews

Not all that glitters is gold. A reputable brand is often a safe bet, but it’s worth going a step further and checking reviews. One reputable and well-reviewed brand to check out is Olympia Gloves, which has decades of experience in crafting quality gauntlet gloves under its belt.

Look Beyond the Price Tag

When thinking about budget, remember that cost does not always equate to quality. Moderate-priced gloves from a known brand might be better than a high-priced but untested pair. Assess the gloves on their merits rather than the price tag alone.

Personal Preferences

Different riding styles have varying needs. Also, consider the environments you frequently ride in. Make sure that gauntlet gloves really are going to be the best fit based on your typical riding conditions. 

Grab the Perfect Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves

Selecting the right motorcycle gloves is no trivial decision — it has a significant bearing on your safety, comfort, and overall riding experience. Gauntlet gloves, with their advanced protection and versatile features, can prove to be an excellent choice for avid riders, provided they meet all your specific needs.

Your gauntlet motorcycle gloves should feel like an extension of you when you’re on the road — intuitive and comfortable, providing the exact level of protection and control you need. 

If you’re ready to snag one of these pairs of gloves for yourself, head on over to Olympia Gloves and pick up your next piece of riding gear. Or, if you still want some time to browse, sign up for your newsletter. Not only will you receive the latest insights, tips, and in-depth knowledge on all things gloves, but you’ll also gain exclusive access to our fantastic sales events that you won’t want to miss.