Stay Warm & Safe: Choosing the Best Winter Motorbike Gloves
Riding a motorcycle in the winter months comes with the added challenge of keeping your hands warm as well as protected. The right pair of winter motorbike gloves can make all the difference in ensuring a comfortable and safe ride. In this guide, we'll explore the key factors to consider when choosing the perfect winter gloves for when the weather starts to get properly chilly.
Why are winter motorbike gloves essential for cold weather riding?
When the weather gets cold and wet from to December to February, your regular three or mid season gloves aren't enough to keep you safe or comfortable. You need a pair that will stop your hands from being stiff and numb so you can use your bike's controls comfortably and without distraction. The solution is to gear up with a pair of thermal waterproof gloves that will keep your hands functional and warm no matter the weather you choose to ride in.
Factors affecting cost and performance of winter motorcycle gloves
Insulation Material
Waterproofing Material
Bulkiness & Dexterity
Protection
Our top choices for thermal motorbike gloves this winter
Basic:
Better:
Best:
Some other winter gloves we love:
Choosing the best Winter Motorbike Gloves for you: Understanding your deciding factors
| Basic | Better | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulation Material | Standard insulation wadding (spongy) | Thinsulate wadding + high loft lining fabric | Primaloft Gold or Thinsulate G (best insulation, least bulk) |
| Waterproofing Material | PU coating or non-breathable membranes (clammy interior) | Hydratex or Drystar membranes (reliable, breathable) | Gore-Tex (most breathable, lifetime waterproof guarantee) |
| Bulkiness & Dexterity | Cheap insulation (bulky, reduced feel) | Effective insulation, added expansion panels (less bulky) | Effective insulation without sacrificing grip and road feel |
| Protection | Soft knuckle armor, doubled panels over palm | Hard knuckle armor, impact-absorbing padding on palm base | Hard knuckle armor, impact-absorbing panels, palm slider, wrist strap |
Length of journey
Only journeys longer than 15 minutes need 'better' winter gloves. If you only plan on making short trips, your usual mid-season gloves will keep your hands warm enough because you won't be out long enough for the cold to get to your hands.
Waterproofing and breathability
The climate membrane in a pair of gloves protects your hands from the elements by both stopping moisture getting in, and allowing it to escape.
Waterproofing
The role of waterproofing is obvious: to keep your hands dry. But there are some specifics to think about. There is general waterproofing, and some brand-created versions, like Drystar from Alpinestars or H2Out from Spidi. There are pricier materials that are more effective and long-lasting, so choose based on how much time you will be spending out in wet weather, as well as your budget.
Breathability
Breathability is just as important in winter as it is in summer. This is because it stops windchill from getting to skin. Breathable materials reduce moisture from the inside of the gloves, meaning the air surrounding your hands is dry. And dry air is one of the best insulators from windchill there is. Without this, windchill still passes through to the skin as moist air carries the cold.
Nothing beats Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is the most breathable waterproofing on the market by quite a lot. Gore-Tex garments are constructed to be 'waterproof for the life of the garment', which is a guarantee that comes with all GTX garments. What this means to you is that your hands will stay warm and dry . The promise of high technical performance does come at a premium price, so whether it's worth it is up to you. If you don't ride more than around five miles at a time or go out in wet weather, Gore-Tex isn't necessary for you. But if you ride a lot then it's definitely worth the investment. Regardless of how often you ride, if you have the cash and want to guarantee dry hands no matter the weather, Gore-Tex is the way to go.
Insulation is the foundation of warmth
Insulation on the backs of your hands is important because that's the part most exposed to rain and windchill when riding. Make sure the gloves you choose have enough padding around the back. Your fingertips need to stay warm to stay functional, but they aren't going to have padded insulation on them, so to protect them you may want to add a pair of thermal glove liners or inner gloves to your kit.
Cutting down bulkiness comes at a price
Making thermal gloves requires adding extra material, which will always make them thicker. Thinner gloves may offer better dexterity with less sponginess but might compromise insulation in extremely cold conditions. On the high end of the spectrum, you will find gloves made of the thinnest but most thermal materials such as like Thinsulate and Primaloft, but splashing out isn't a must when there are plenty of budget-friendly options that balance precision and insulation. Strike a balance that suits your riding environment and budget.
Remember that the less insulating, thinner gloves aren't less worth choosing than the high-end ones - they are just more suited to shorter journeys. One thing you can do to add warmth to a lighter and less insulating glove is to purchase thermal glove liners. On top of this, make sure you consider the benefits of keeping the rest of your body (especially your torso) warmer with the addition of baselayers and mid-layers to your kit.
Dexterity, accessibility, and touch-screen capability
Before commiting to a pair of gloves, make sure you test them out on your handlebars, so you can check that you have enough mobility to ride comfortably. Think about how you need to use your hands while on the road. Maybe you use your mounted phone or SatNav for directions in unfamiliar places, in which case you'll want a pair of gloves with touch-screen capability, or to invest in a pack of Oxford Smartfingers to add that feature. Perhaps you take calls on your commute to work via an intercom system and need to be able to feel buttons on the side of your helmet. Whatever your riding requirements, test out your winter gloves so you'll be just as comfortable in them as your lightweight summer ones.
FAQs when it comes to choosing winter gloves
What protective features should I look for?
Impact protection
Look for gloves with reinforced knuckles and palms for added protection in case of accidents
Reflective Elements
Enhance visibility during low-light or nighttime rides with gloves that have reflective accents
Closure System
Opt for gloves with secure closures, like Velcro or zippers, to keep cold air and water out
Visor wipers
Some gloves have these integrated, but you can buy them separately for wet-weather riding
Short-cuff or gauntlet style warm motorbike gloves?
Short-Cuff Style Gloves
Gauntlet Style Gloves
Textile or leather winter motorcycle gloves?
As a general rule, textile gloves with specifically engineered fabrics are best at maximising insulation and waterproofing when it comes to your warmest winter gloves, as well as being quicker to dry. Leather on its own is not fully waterproof, so if you're committed to the full leather look, it might take some extra waterproofing with something like the Waterproofing Wax for Leather from Nikwax. However, there are some great leather and textile combinations to give you the best of both worlds.
Textile Gloves
Leather Gloves
The importance of a good fit when it comes to your warmest motorcycle gloves
Your winter gloves will be your heaviest pair, and you'll be using them in dark, wet, and icy conditions, so you can see why making sure this pair of gloves fits well is vital. It's also important that they fit appropriately for comfort reasons. You want a nice snug fit around your wrist so that no moisture or wind can sneak inside, and a proper fit in the fingers to maximise dexterity.
Using heated grips on your bike with your winter gloves
Heated grips deliver warmth right to your palms, which is an added comfort. However, the backs of your hands and fingertips are still exposed to cold and windchill, so you don't want to compromise on a good thermal glove just because you have heated grips. A true solution to the issue of cold when using heated grips is to pair them with with Gore-Tex and Primaloft gloves. These materials offer the best breathability, insulation, and waterproofing, therefore they combat windchill, make the most of your heated grips, and ensure there is no ingress of water from the grips.
Browse our selection of winter motorbike gloves here
From the most thermal to the most lightweight, we've got the perfect pair of winter motorbike gloves for you!