How to Choose Motorcycle Gloves: Summer, Touring and Rain

In short: Good motorcycle gloves are certified to EN 13594, have knuckle protection and fit snugly without pinching. Choose by conditions: airy summer gloves for hot days, waterproof gloves with a membrane for rain and cool weather. Most riders get through the season best with two pairs.

Your hands are the first thing to hit the ground in a fall, and they're your only contact with the controls the rest of the time. A good pair of motorcycle gloves protects, keeps your hands comfortable in heat, cold and rain, and still lets you feel the brake lever. Here is how to choose the right gloves for the way you ride.

Why motorcycle gloves matter

In a fall, the reflex is to put your hands out. Palms and knuckles take the first impact and the first slide. Regular work or fashion gloves aren't built for that. Motorcycle gloves are tested for abrasion, impact protection at the knuckles and how well they stay on your hand.

The standard: EN 13594

Motorcycle gloves in Europe are certified to EN 13594. The standard tests things like abrasion resistance, seam strength, cut resistance and whether the glove stays on in a crash. Gloves with knuckle protection are tested for impact as well. When you compare gloves, look for EN 13594 on the label. All North of Berlin gloves are certified to EN 13594:2015.

Choose by riding conditions

Dryzone Gloves: lightweight summer gloves with leather palm and stretch textile for airflow. Unisex sizing from XS.

Moto 65 Gloves: the all-rounder for touring and everyday riding, matching the Moto 65 suit.

Stormrider Gloves: full leather with a waterproof, breathable membrane for long rides in the rain. Unisex sizing from XS.

How motorcycle gloves should fit

• Snug, not tight. Your fingertips should just touch the end of the glove with your hand flat.
• Test on the grip. Close your hand around a handlebar or similar: the glove shouldn't pull across the back of the hand or bunch up in the palm.
• Knuckle protector on the knuckles, not behind them.
• Wrist closure done up. A glove that comes off in a fall doesn't protect.
• Leather stretches a little with wear. If you're between sizes, try both.

One pair or two?

If you ride from spring to fall in Canada, one pair rarely covers everything. Many riders use a light summer glove and a waterproof glove for cooler, wetter days, and carry the second pair on longer trips.

Caring for your gloves

Hang wet gloves somewhere well ventilated to dry, never on a heater or radiator. Once dry, treat the leather with a suitable leather care product so it stays soft and water-repellent.

Frequently asked questions

Are waterproof motorcycle gloves really waterproof?

Gloves with a waterproof membrane keep rain out. In long, heavy rain, water can still get in at the cuff, so wear the cuff under or over the jacket sleeve so water runs off.

Can I use summer gloves all year?

Light summer gloves get cold and wet quickly on cool or rainy days. A second, waterproof pair makes riding in spring and fall far more comfortable.

Do I need gloves for short rides?

Yes. Most crashes happen on short, everyday trips, and your hands are almost always involved.

The bottom line

Choose gloves for the conditions you ride in most, make sure they're certified to EN 13594 and fit snugly with the knuckle protection in the right place. Then add a second pair for the weather your first pair can't handle.

Explore all motorcycle gloves.