Best Short-Cuff Motorcycle Gloves: Ride With Style and Comfort
These are the most stylish, high-quality, and comfortable motorcycle gloves.
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Motorcycle gloves are not an indulgence, they’re a necessity. Beyond the safety factor, the proper pair of motorcycle gloves can make your ride a more comfortable one. Each season and each type of riding calls for a different type of glove. Short-cuff motorcycle gloves are less bulky and are more flexible and breathable than gauntlet gloves. Short cuffs pair well with summer riding gear and allow for better wrist movement. They’re also easier to store, since they’re smaller.
This guide will help you find a comfortable pair of the best short-cuff motorcycle gloves.
Scorpion EXO Klaw II Gloves
- TPU molded knuckle protection
- Pre-curved palm
- Material feels thick
- Long narrow fingers
Bilt Sprint Gloves
- Pre-curved sport fit
- Hard knuckle and finger sliders
- Hot
- Lack of grip
Alpinestars SMX-1 Air Street Motorcycle Gloves
- Touchscreen compatible fingertip
- Hard polymer knuckle protection
- Mesh fabric can get damaged easily
- Not good for cold weather
Summary List
- Best Overall: Scorpion EXO Klaw II Gloves
- Best Value: Bilt Sprint Gloves
- Best Knuckle Protection: Alpinestars SMX-1 Air Street Motorcycle Gloves
- Most Stylish: Dainese Blackjack Gloves
- Most Breathable: Alpinestars GP Air Gloves
- Best Racing Style: Dainese MIG C2 Gloves
Types of Motorcycle Gloves
Summer
Summer is one of the most popular times of the year for riding a motorcycle, and your gear should match the weather. Short-cuff gloves are designed for summer riding with lightweight, breathable materials and venting. They typically aren’t waterproof but will dry quickly. They often come in a wide range of colors and designs, so it’ll be easy to find a pair that matches the rest of your gear.
Fingerless
Fingerless gloves protect your palms and the back of your hands. There are openings for each of your fingers. These gloves may be cooler because you have maximum airflow. However, there’s no protection for your fingers, so they're not recommended for motorcycle riding.
Winter
Winter short-cuff motorcycle gloves are designed to withstand colder temperatures. These gloves will have varying levels of insulation to make them suitable for different temperature levels. These gloves tend to lack breathability, so they can make your hands sweat if it’s too warm. The short cuff tends to be the downfall of winter gloves. It can leave a gap between your gloves and jacket, allowing cold air to get in.
Racing
If you attend track days or race your motorcycle, you need gloves with extra protection. Race gloves are made of leather with extra reinforcement pads on the palm to give you a better grip. Your knuckles will also have extra protection. The most protective option is a Kevlar knuckle guard and additional protection plates down each finger.
Best Short-Cuff Motorcycle Gloves: Reviews & Recommendations
This glove is perfect for riding in the spring and summer months. Its durable goatskin leather and neoprene construction make them durable. For additional protection, a TPU molded knuckle guard is on the back of the hands and each of the fingers. You’ll appreciate how comfortable the gloves are with a pre-curved palm and fingers. This reduces the stress on your hands and prevents fatigue. Built into the glove are rib-stretch panels to give you more flexibility. Neoprene wraps around your wrist for a secure and soft fit.
Unfortunately, this glove can feel bulky on your hands. This can reduce the dexterity and tactile feeling you’ll have while operating your bike’s controls and throttle. Also, the airflow could be better.
This affordable glove comes in five color options: black, gray, blue, red, and white. The protective leather construction will feel like a second layer of skin. This helps you keep your dexterity and tactile feeling. To help keep you cool, there are perforations on the fingers and the back of the hand. The glove has an aggressive design with pre-curved fingers and palm. Suede overlays on the index, middle finger, and grip help you have a more secure grip on your handlebars.
The downside of this glove is that it can stain your hands black from the excess dye. The leather is thin on these gloves, which can feel flimsy or not as durable as other glove options.
These gloves are made by the well-known Italian motorcycle accessories brand Alpinestars. They feature excellent ventilation and are very durable. They are made of goat leather with microfiber reinforcements, and the palm is 100 percent leather for maximum grip. The gloves are comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. They fit well and are designed so you can easily use your bike's controls. They have a mesh on top for good airflow. They feature a hard knuckle protector and reinforced palm and upper hand. The fingertips are touchscreen-compatible for use with smartphones and GPS devices.
One problem with these gloves is that the mesh fabric can easily get damaged. The Velcro on the wrist may tear up the mesh on the thumbs when you take them off. Also, the gloves are not suitable for cold weather.
Slip this elegant glove on and enjoy its traditional style with a modern twist. It has a full goatskin-leather construction with additional leather reinforcements on the palm. Securing the glove is a hook-and-loop wrist closure for easy taking on and off. Your hands will appreciate the flexibility of the glove with elastic inserts. Choose from black or brown leather for your gloves. The built-in curve on the fingers helps to reduce hand fatigue and makes them more comfortable to wear.
The downside of this glove is that the sizing is inconsistent. Thankfully, the all-leather construction means you can stretch or shrink the glove as you need for a custom fit. There’s also no armor in the glove on the fingers or knuckles.
Slip this summer glove on and enjoy the breathability it provides. There are three design options available that feature black, gray, white, and red shades. The leather, mesh, and textile construction give the glove durability. Synthetic suede reinforces the palm and gives you more grip. The outer pinky edge is reinforced for abrasion resistance. An ergonomic carbon compound is used for the knuckle guard. The finger sliders are Fused Carbon Deflector TBC. Throughout the glove are EVA foam impact panels to cushion your hands. This glove stands out because it has a finger bridge, silicone palm printing, and accordion neoprene stretch panels for increased safety and comfort.
The downside of this glove is that the seams can dig into your fingers and hands. You’ll want to size up to avoid this from happening. This is also beneficial to account for the small fit of the size guide.
This protective glove looks like it’s ready for the track but is comfortable enough for everyday riding. It’s constructed of abrasion-resistant cowhide with synthetic suede reinforcing the palms. To give your hands extra protection, there are inserts over the knuckles that are CE certified polyurethane. The fingers are pre-curved to increase their comfort level, and there are mesh fabric inserts for increased airflow. The cuff is an adjustable strap to give you a secure fit. You’ll like the aggressive sporty styling of these gloves.
One issue with the glove is that the Velcro closure on the wrist can snag on the glove’s fabric sections. This can cause it to create pulls and degrade the look of the gloves. The glove is limited in color options, with black, white, and red being your choices.
Our Verdict
You can’t go wrong with the Scorpion EXO Klaw II Gloves. Their pre-curved palms reduce fatigue, while the flexible goatskin and TPU molded knuckle guard give your hands plenty of protection. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Bilt Sprint Gloves. They have an aggressive design, sporty fit, and hard knuckle guard.
What to Consider When Buying Short-Cuff Motorcycle Gloves
Types
Summer
Summer is one of the most popular times of the year for riding a motorcycle, and your gear should match the weather. Short-cuff gloves are designed for summer riding with lightweight, breathable materials and venting. They typically aren’t waterproof but will dry quickly. They often come in a wide range of colors and designs, so it’ll be easy to find a pair that matches the rest of your gear.
Fingerless
Fingerless gloves protect your palms and the back of your hands. There are openings for each of your fingers. These gloves may be cooler because you have maximum airflow. However, there’s no protection for your fingers, so they're not recommended for motorcycle riding.
Winter
Winter short-cuff motorcycle gloves are designed to withstand colder temperatures. These gloves will have varying levels of insulation to make them suitable for different temperature levels. These gloves tend to lack breathability, so they can make your hands sweat if it’s too warm. The short cuff tends to be the downfall of winter gloves. It can leave a gap between your gloves and jacket, allowing cold air to get in.
Racing
If you attend track days or race your motorcycle, you need gloves with extra protection. Race gloves are made of leather with extra reinforcement pads on the palm to give you a better grip. Your knuckles will also have extra protection. The most protective option is a Kevlar knuckle guard and additional protection plates down each finger.
Key Features
Fit
Look for gloves that will come in a size that fits your hand. They should be snug but not too tight. They shouldn’t shift or bunch while on your hands. They also shouldn’t be so tight that they restrict your hand movement or blood flow. The glove should also have a cuff that secures around your wrist to ensure the gloves stay on your hands in the event of a fall.
Material
Short cuff gloves come in leather and textile construction. The material you choose will depend on what you find comfortable, the weather you’ll ride in, and your budget. Some gloves also use a combination of materials, such as textile fabric on the back of your hand and sides of your fingers. Then there’s leather on the palm and on the back of the knuckles.
Ventilation
Without ventilation, there’s nowhere for moisture to escape. Whether you buy winter or summer gloves, there should be a certain amount of ventilation to keep your hands dry. This prevents sweat buildup and gives you a better grip. There could be molded vents built into the back of the fingers and hand. The material used to construct the gloves could also be breathable. Leather gloves will have perforations and some textiles have a weave that allows for airflow.
Other Considerations
- Armor. Some brands of short-cuff motorcycle gloves feature armor on the knuckles and the back of the hand. This is important, as it will protect your hands from abrasion and injury during a crash. Carbon fiber is a popular material as a protective shell across the knuckles. Others will use thermoplastic rubber. The most protective gloves will have armor on the back of the hand and down each finger.
- Finger feel. Put your gloves on and pay attention to how they feel on your fingers. Are the fingers the right length with a small amount of fabric extending beyond each fingertip? There should be enough room for your fingers to move without there being too much space. Your gloves need to be big enough to allow your fingers to swell and still be comfortable. There shouldn’t be too much on the inside at the seams.
- Style. Your gloves should reflect your style and the type of riding you do. Some gloves have a retro-inspired design. Others are brightly colored with multiple accent colors. Some gloves look sleek and modern, with decorative branding stitched into the glove material.
Pricing
You don't have to spend a lot of money for decent-quality motorcycle gloves. Products for less than $50 provide moderate protection but likely won't be as durable as pricier gloves. If you want the best short-cuff motorcycle gloves on the market, you'll have to invest a little more money. Gloves for between $50 and $100 are longer lasting and are made of higher-quality materials than their cheaper counterparts. You can spend as much as a couple of hundred dollars for high-end short-cuff motorcycle gloves. These gloves are usually reinforced with armor and designed for people who race or need gear to withstand hard frequent use.
FAQs
Q: What are the advantages of short-cuff motorcycle gloves?
Short-cuff motorcycle gloves are much more convenient to use than mid-cuff and gauntlet gloves. They are easy to put on and take off and ideal for everyday commuting. Plus, you’ll be able to retain dexterity and flexibility through your hand and wrist.
Q: How do I measure my hand for motorcycle gloves?
Use a measuring tape to measure the width of your hand. Lay your hand flat with the fingers together. Wrap the tape around your hand below the knuckles, excluding the thumb. This is the measurement. You can round it off to the nearest half inch.
Q: Can I wash my motorcycle gloves in a washing machine?
It depends on the material. Check the product manual for detailed washing instructions. Leather absorbs liquid, and once it’s dried, it gets stiffer and loses its shape. Therefore, it is inadvisable to wash leather gloves in a washing machine.
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Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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