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 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 binding 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 if 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. 

These gloves 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 riders for good reason. Motorcyclists 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.