Best Summer Motorcycle Gloves: Stay Cool While Protecting Your Hands

The SMX-1 Air gloves are lightweight, touchscreen-compatible, and feature molded hard knuckle protection for strength and durability. They are made of nylon and heavy-duty goatskin leather with 3D-mesh inserts on the top of the hand to enable airflow. Suede reinforcements are paired with foam cushioning for abrasion resistance.

One great feature about these gloves is that the thumb and palm are reinforced for protection and durability without compromising grip control. The stretch material between the palm and thumb is great for hitting all the controls without bounding up. They are ideal summer riding gloves because the air flows through them. Overall, they're thick, tough, breathable, comfortable, stylish, and true to size.

One problem with these gloves is they may stain your hands if you sweat or it rains. In addition, the Velcro on the wrist may pop off if you move your wrist too quickly. There have also been some complaints that the gloves, particularly the stitching, wear out or tear after a short period of use.

If you want simple yet effective and affordable gloves, consider the Icon Twenty-Niner CE Gloves. These budget-friendly gloves feature a lot of ventilation, so your hands won't drip with sweat. The backs of the gloves are made of Hi-flow mesh, and the palm has an Ax Suede Laredo material. The palm and fingers are pre-curved for comfort, and the cuffs feature a TPR hook and loop wrist closure. The gloves  are comfortable, the middle area is bendable, and the knuckles feature air scoops for breathability. They're also lighter weight than many other brands. One of the best things about them is that they don't fold or bind when you're on the throttle. Users also report that they're long-lasting, and you don't need to break them in. 

However, they don't include any protective armor, and the thumb may be a little short for some users. There's also no padding in the palms.

These gloves are made of a soft, thin, premium leather, making them ideal for summer riding. They are also infused with gel-padded palms for comfort. They provide a nice grip and resist friction, and also have adjustable Velcro closures on the cuffs so you can ensure proper fit.

The Milwaukee leather gloves are some of the most comfortable on the market. The gel palms absorb vibrations, which helps with fatigue, and they provide good protection against road rash should you become involved in an accident. Overall, they are well-constructed, and it's relatively easy to use your bike's hand controls when wearing them.

One downside is that these summer gloves may get slippery when it rains unless you coat the surface with a waterproofing product. Also, the color may run when they’re wet and temporarily stain your hands. In addition, there have been some complaints that the Velcro closure loses its stickiness over a short period of time, and the stitching easily comes apart. 

The Dainese Blackjack Gloves are popular with bikers for good reason. Riders love the Italian design and high-quality goatskin leather construction. Available in black or brown, they are stylish and functional. The gloves are ideal for spring and summer riding when temperatures rise. Features include pre-curved fingers that are perforated for ventilation, leather palm reinforcements, an adjustable cuff, and soft inserts on the knuckles and back. They are comfortable, flexible, easy to put on and take off, and don't slip. They're soft yet protective, and the stitching is high quality. 

One drawback is that the finger length tends to run a bit on the longer side. Also, they are slightly bulky, so you may lose some feel for the throttle when making fine adjustments. They also don't have touchscreen capability.

The Klim Induction Gloves are noteworthy for their airflow and protective features. You may spend a bit more on these gloves compared to some other options, but the features make them a worthy investment. They have a Kwik Access Dual Adjustment entry that makes them easy to put on and off. Made of goat leather, they feature a zipper and Velcro closure and a pull-on tab for convenience. They're perforated for ventilation, include a carbon fiber hard-knuckle protector, and the palm is reinforced with a DuPont Kevlar material. The gloves have touchscreen capability, accordion stretch elements on the back of the hand, and an index finger visor wiper. Many riders wear these from early spring through late fall because they're comfortable and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. 

One downside is the zippers may come undone as you're riding. Also, the touchscreen capability is hit or miss.

The REV'IT! Fly 3 Gloves are made with a perforated goat leather outer shell and a polyester lining. Their construction provides plenty of airflow and excellent tactile feedback. They feature low-profile hard shell knuckle protectors and a Temperfoam and PWR|shield in the palm that is abrasion-resistant and protects your hands during an impact. The gloves also have an adjustable hook and loop closure. The finger articulation is very good because the leather is soft and flexible, and once you break them in, they're very comfortable. 

One drawback is the thumb may be a little short for some people. Many users also complain that they run a little small so you may need to order a size up, but they also stretch a bit after use, so that's something to keep in mind.

The Firstgear Rush Air Gloves are another pair of affordable gloves. If you want basic protection on a hot summer day, these gloves are a good option, as their name indicates. They have perforated synthetic leather palms and Airmesh on the back for maximum airflow. The gloves also have embossed airprene knuckle protection and a hook and loop closure at the cuffs. Other features include touchscreen capable index finger and thumb tips and reflective elements. Riders report that they're great for people with wide hands, and they're very easy to put on and take off. The manufacturer also provides a two-year limited warranty should you experience any issues. 

Unfortunately, their sizing may be slightly off, so you may need to order up. Also, there have been some complaints that the liner feels a little scratchy, and the logo on the fingers may wear off after a short period of use.

The Icon Pursuit Classic Perforated Gloves are known for their excellent fit. Made of battlehide goatskin, they feature a Hi-flow perforated construction with integrated plastic knuckle plates that provide protection in the event of an impact. The gloves come with pre-curved fingers for comfort, a TPR wrist closure, and a metal Icon logo badge. These gloves are so comfortable, they'll likely become your go-to pair for summer riding. They're easy to break in and include touchscreen capability in the fingertips. These perforated gloves almost feel like you're holding onto the handlebars without any gloves on at all. The leather is soft and feels good against your skin. 

One downside is that the stitching may come undone prematurely. Some riders also complain about the company's very prominent-looking metal Icon logo.

The REAX Castor Perforated Gloves provide excellent protection as well as good control. Geared towards sport bikers, the gloves are made of goatskin and cowhide and feature perforated panels for ventilation. The poly tricot lining wicks away moisture, while the protective leather-wrapped knuckles and TPR protective finger inserts protect your hands during an impact. The armor combined with the thick leather inspires confidence in their protective abilities.  The gloves are pre-curved and have perforated finger fourchettes, flexible palm pad inserts, touchscreen capable fingers and thumbs, and an adjustable hook and loop closure. The manufacturer also provides a two-year warranty. 

The gloves can, however, be a little hard to put on if you have wide hands because the cuffs aren't very stretchy. Also, since they include armor they don't provide quite as much airflow as options that don't have this feature.

For maximum airflow, consider the Highway 21 Half Jab Perforated Gloves. Ideal for hot climates, these fingerless gloves are made of goatskin and are perforated for ventilation. The gloves are pre-curved and have padded palms and knuckles as well as Dupont Kevlar knuckle panels. The cuffs have an adjustable closure, and the gloves feature dual-density memory foam for comfort. Overall, they're good quality and provide good dexterity, which lets you use your hands for a variety of tasks. They are also long-lasting. 

One downside is that the padded palms may be too thick if you ride a bike with padded grips. Others report, however, that the padding helps minimize vibrations. The gloves may also run a little small, but they stretch a little after a short period of use. Another issue is it can be tough to take them off.