Best Motorcycle Gloves: Get a Grip on Your Ride

Motorcycle gloves are as diverse as the riders who use them, so picking one model as the ruler of the roost isn’t easy, but the Alpinestars SP-8 V3 takes my pick. These gauntlet gloves aren’t the best in any one area but rather hit many marks well and are a fantastic value. The gauntlet style offers more protection than short cuff gloves, and these are CE-certified Level 1 and feature MotoGP-derived dual-density knuckle protectors. In the event of a spill, you’ll be thankful for the palm sliders, although it would be great to have better protection here, a reinforced fabric is the best you can hope for at this price.

These gloves are geared toward sport riding and commuting thanks to their pre-shaped finger construction and touchscreen-compatible index and thumb fingers. There’s enough ventilation for a warm summer ride but provide enough warmth for a cool autumn spin, making these great three-season gloves. There’s a lot of full-grain goat leather used in the construction, which gives the SP-8 V3’s a premium feel and good tactile feedback. Keeping everything snug is a hook and loop cuff and wrist closure that works with an elasticized wrist. The only gripe some people have is that the fingers can be a bit long. Those with shorter fingers should consider the Alpinestars Stella SP-8 V3 gloves for a better fit.

As for the previous iteration of the Alpinestars SP-8 V2, managing editor Jonathon Klein owns them and bought them with his hard-earned money. He chose the V2s because of his history with the brand as well as the full gauntlet fit, the protection afforded, the relatively modest price, and the fact they fit his big hands well. These gloves are warm enough for cool autumn rides but have enough venting for a sweltering August day.

Specs

• Make: Alpinestars
• Model: SP-8 V3
• Glove type: Gauntlet

Pros

• CE level 1
• Fantastic value
• Good tactile feedback
• Touchscreen compatible

Cons

• Fingers are too long for some

If you’re on a tight budget and need to wrap your mitts in a hurry, it’s hard to look past the Joe Rocket Super Moto Gloves. This model works particularly well in warm weather thanks to the mixture of stretch spandex and goatskin used in its construction, resulting in good ventilation. There’s relatively good tactile feedback via the drum-dyed goatskin that covers the palm and some of the top of the glove. The stretch Spandex isn’t just breathable, it also makes these gloves comfortable as they stretch easily. Increasing comfort is the Lycra positioned between the fingers, which makes it easier to reach for the brake and clutch levers.

Keeping you protected in the event of a crash is a hard PVC knuckle protector and TPU palm slider. It’s great to see the inclusion of a palm slider on such an inexpensive glove, but it would be even better to see added protection on the outseam. This model’s biggest downfall is that it doesn’t have CE certification, which is an important feature for anyone who rides at relatively high speeds. This model will suit commuters particularly well thanks to the touch technology, which is located on the flat side of the finger rather than the tip, making it a tad difficult to use at times. Females should consider the Joe Rocket Super Moto Women’s Gloves for a better fit.

Specs

• Make: Joe Rocket
• Model: Super Moto Gloves
• Glove type: Gauntlet

Pros

• Fantastic value
• Breathable and plenty of stretch
• TPU palm slider
• PVC knuckle protector

Cons

• Not suitable for cold weather
• Not CE certified

Comfort, feedback, and protection are the primary features I look for in a sport riding gloves, and the Alpinestars GP Pro R3 has them in spades. These gloves take my honorable mention pick, but they're also what I'd choose as the best sport-riding gloves. This model is constructed from a mix of cow and goat leather, and it uses kangaroo leather on the palm. The kangaroo leather is strategically placed to give you better feedback from the handlebars. The cow and goat leather provide good durability and abrasion resistance in the event of a fall. You can ride with confidence knowing your hands are wrapped in the top level of protection available, since this model is CE-certified Level 2. If you need to brace for impact, you’ll be thankful for the hard palm sliders and reinforced material that runs along the outer seams.

Alpinestars made improvements to this model over the previous iteration in terms of comfort. Ensuring you have good dexterity when pushing your bike on the track are accordion stretch panels on the thumb, fingers, and back of the hand. Riding hard is sweaty work, but these gloves have perforated gussets that open as you clench your fist and cool your hands. There’s no touch technology at the fingertips, but that’s to be expected on gloves that are so track focused. There are other models that offer even more track-focused features, but when you take price into consideration, these are the gloves I’d choose.

Specs

• Make: Alpinestars
• Model: GP Pro R3
• Glove type: Gauntlet

Pros

• CE Level 2
• Palm and side slider
• Mix of cow, goat, and kangaroo leather
• Double closure system

Cons

• One of the pricier gloves on the list

Tackling some twisties on a hot summer’s day is one the best feelings on a motorcycle, but you'll need suitably ventilated gloves to enjoy it, like the Alpinestars SMX-1 Air V2. These short cuff gloves are mainly constructed from air-mesh and leather, allowing plenty of air to pass through and keep your hands cool and dry. A lightweight, breathable construction sometimes comes at the cost of protection, but not in this case. These gloves are CE-certified Level 1, which is even more impressive when you consider how inexpensive they are. There are poly-blend reinforcements with foam padding on the thumb and palm, synthetic suede reinforcements on the outseams, and a layer of hard-polymer that runs along the knuckles.

The mesh construction and stretch materials along the fingers and back of the hand make these gloves extremely comfortable. There’s also an ergonomic stretch insert between the palm and thumb, so you’ll have minimal resistance when operating the brake and clutch levers. All this comfort mixed with the addition of a touchscreen compatible fingertip make these gloves excellent options for anyone who commutes in warm weather.

Specs

• Make: Alpinestars
• Model: SMX-1 V2
• Glove type: Short cuff

Pros

• CE Level 1
• Well-ventilated
• Comfortable with plenty of stretch
• Touchscreen compatible fingertip

Cons

• Protection could be better

If style is important to you, then consider getting the Dainese Blackjack Gloves. These gloves are made from perforated goatskin leather and have a retro style with a modern twist. Warm-weather riders will appreciate the perforation and lightweight construction, which helps to keep your hands relatively well ventilated. These gloves aren’t only about style, as their goatskin construction provides plenty of tactile feedback to the rider. The pre-curved design and elastication on the two control fingers mean you can wear these comfortably all day. It’s worth noting that some riders might need to go up a size when compared to other brands.

Protection comes in the form of double leather reinforcement on the palms, padding across the knuckles, and double reinforced leather at the knuckles and edges of the fingers. Unfortunately, this protection is very limited, and the gloves aren’t CE rated. If safety is your priority, these aren’t the gloves for you. But, if you want to complete your retro riding gear with a modern glove at an affordable price, you can’t go wrong with this model.

Specs

• Make: Dainese
• Model: Blackjack Gloves
• Glove type: Short cuff

Pros

• Retro style
• Lightweight
• Comfortable thanks to pre-curved design

Cons

• Not CE rated
• Don't offer much protection

All-season riders, especially ones who ride in cold weather, need to invest in a pair of suitable gloves like the Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Gloves. These gloves are heated and powered by a lithium battery, which lasts for four hours on low, three hours on medium, and two and a half hours on high heat. The heat settings are easily changeable via a control switch on the cuff, but if you run out of power, the 100 grams of Thinsulate insulation should still keep your mitts toasty.

Cold fingers aren't the only problem you face throughout winter, as there’s always a chance that the heavens will open up. Thankfully, these gloves have an interior waterproof liner that is both windproof and breathable. These features, along with the glove’s pre-curved fingers, help to keep you comfortable on long commutes. Protection comes in the form of armored knuckles and a durable leather construction, but that’s all that’s on offer unfortunately. Since these are one of the higher-priced models on the list it would be great to see CE certification or at least reinforced outer seams. If you need to use your phone for navigation you won’t need to brave the elements, as the 7V Radiant Heated Gloves feature touchscreen compatible fingertips.

Specs

• Make: Highway 21
• Model: 7V Radiant Heated Gloves
• Glove type: Gauntlet

Pros

• Battery heating system
• Hipora liner is waterproof and windproof
• 100 grams of Thinsulate insulation
• Touchscreen compatible fingertips

Cons

• No CE certification
• No palm protection