Table of Contents

• Why Do You Need Proper Winter Motorcycle Gloves?
• Key Features to Look For in Winter Motorcycle Gloves
• Best Materials for Winter Gloves
• Maintenance Tips for Winter Motorcycle Gloves Long Life

Motorcycle riding in winter is tough. Cold winds and harsh weather can make you really uncomfortable and compromise safety. Since winter is off-season, you need special gear to enjoy riding in the UK in the winter months. 

Among this specialized gear, protecting your hands should be the top priority. For that, you need high-quality winter gloves that protect your hands from the winter and the possible harm of a crash. 

This blog explains how to select the ideal pair of winter motorcycle gloves for riding in the UK during the winter months. We will discuss key features to look for, best materials for winter gloves, how to choose the right size, and how to maintain your winter gloves.

Why Do You Need Proper Winter Motorcycle Gloves?

Motorcycle riding is dangerous. Your hands are also your first line of defence, as we instinctively throw our hands in danger’s way. 

In the winters, the danger is two-fold; cold weather/chill winds and possible crash/accident. 

Cold hands create a major riding hazard. While riding, you have to react to changes in milliseconds. Numb fingers slow your reaction time, reduce your control and increase accident risk. You lose dexterity for operating controls. Everything combined makes your ride less safe. You also face potential danger of frostbite and windburn. 

Winter motorcycle gloves offer vital protection in road accidents. The impact-absorbing materials are crucial for safety. Investing in high-quality protective winter gloves with good cold and wind insulation provides both comfort and hand protection.

Key Features to Look For in Winter Motorcycle Gloves 

Putting some thought into selecting your next winter motorcycle gloves is rewarding. Since you need a solution for your unique riding needs, the following sections will help you make a good choice. 

You should prioritize protective design and insulating material. Look for a pair of winter motorcycle gloves that offer a good balance of waterproofing (with a waterproof membrane), thermal insulation, and protective armour. This way, your gloves will become a reliable, indispensable cold-weather guardian for your hands. 

Let’s look at the features one by one.

Airproof & Waterproof Material

Water is the second biggest threat for riders in winter after cold wind. In winter, air carries moisture. That moisture at low temperatures makes things worse for motorcyclists. 

Your bike gloves should be made with a material that blocks both wind and water, like treated leather, Gore-Tex, ePTFE, etc. 

Prefer gloves with a DWR (durable water-repellent) finish/coating. Such coatings bead up the water and roll off the gloves immediately.

Thermal Insulation

Insulation's job is to trap your body heat. Normal human body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius, which is comfortable. 

Motorcycle gloves made with high-tech materials like Thinsulate trap your body heat and keep you warm even in chilling weather. 

Prefer gloves that offer maximum warmth with minimal bulk. Too-big gloves reduce dexterity, which is a bad trade-off for extra warmth as you need both comfort and control. 

Protective Armor and Padding

A protective armor and padding reduce injury risk in case of a crash. Solid protective construction for winter motorbike gloves starts with hard knuckles. 

The gloves should also have reinforced palms and sliders. A slider may become the difference between a dislocated joint and an intact one.

Comfort and Flexibility 

The gloves should be a snug fit. They should not be too tight or too loose. Also, stiff gloves quickly cause hand fatigue, so avoid them. 

Also, leather gloves mould to your hands well. They expand a bit and fit your hand better in the long term. On the other hand, textile gloves don’t expand and keep their shape. 

Any top-quality motorcycle glove pair comes with stretch panels that give you freedom of movement.

Touchscreen Compatibility

You may need to operate your mobile phone or GPS device on the go. For that, touchscreen-friendly gloves are important. 

Look for the conductive material on the fingertips. Most motorcycle gloves have touchscreen pads on the index finger & thumb. It allows seamless device operation.

Have a look at our touchscreen-friendly leather motorcycle gloves here.

Best Materials for Winter Gloves 

Material choices strongly affect performance. Both protection and warmth largely depend on the glove materials. 

Materials like Gore-Tex block both wind and water. Good padding traps heat and keeps your hands warm. 

There are mainly two types of glove materials: leather and textile gloves.

Leather

Leather offers great abrasion resistance. It provides natural wind protection. However, leather needs special treatment to become waterproof. Also, leather gloves can feel stiff in the beginning before you break into them. After that, leather gloves mould to your hand shape. 

Textile

Textile gloves are generally much lighter and flexible. Since there are many waterproof materials, textile gloves score better on the waterproofing and windproofing scale. Textiles also often provide better overall breathability.

Hybrid, Mixed Textile and Leather

Some gloves combine both textile and leather materials. Leather is used on the palm for better grip and good abrasion-resistance. Textile is used for waterproofing and flexibility. 

How to Choose the Right Winter Motorcycle Gloves Size?

A perfect fit is extremely important for a comfortable riding experience. Too-tight gloves restrict hand circulation. This restriction causes your hands to chill faster. 

Too loose gloves bunch up awkwardly, which compromises your critical grip. 

The ideal fit is snug, but not too restrictive. Leave a small space at your fingertips. 

Here is a step by step process of finding the right fit for your motorcycle gloves.

Measure your Hand Correctly

You’ll do it in the following three steps. Use soft tape to measure your hand.

• Measure the Circumference: Wrap the tape around your dominant hand, just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb. Keep your hand relaxed. Note the measurement in cm or inches.

• Measure the Length: Measure from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your palm (where the hand meets the wrist).

• Compare both measurements: Most brands size gloves based on hand circumference, but if your hand is long and narrow, choose based on length for a better fit.

Match Your Measurement to Size Chart 

Compare your hand measurements to the gloves’ size chart. Different brands have different size charts. There is little standardization. Motorcycle glove brands like Alpinestars and Dainese fit tight, while Richa or Shua fit generously.

Check the Fit 

Go for the snug fit, not right. It should be flexible without any excess fabric. Secure wrist closure improves protection. The gloves should have good finger reach. Remember, winter gloves often have insulation, so they feel slightly bulkier. The padding compresses over time, so a snug fit at first is ideal.

Consider Liner and Heated Glove Fit 

If you plan to wear inner liners, buy one size up gloves. Also, if you are using heated gloves, make sure to check the manufacturer's guidance. Some heated glove manufacturers recommend a tighter fit to ensure heat transfer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

Avoid these common mistakes when selecting your next winter motorcycle gloves. 

• Buying a size too large “for comfort” leads to reduced control and wind chill.

• Ignoring brand-specific charts.

• Forgetting that insulation compresses after a few rides.

• Not trying both gloves ; your hands may slightly differ in size.

Maintenance Tips for Winter Motorcycle Gloves Long Life 

Motorcycle gloves need some care and maintenance to last long. Leather gloves require more maintenance than textile gloves. 

Here are a few ways to give your winter motorcycle gloves a long life. 

Cleaning Your Winter Motorcycle Gloves 

• Textile Gloves: For textile gloves, use a mild, non-detergent soap or technical gear cleaner (designed for waterproof/breathable materials) and lukewarm water. This is because hard chemicals can strip DWR finishes and damage membranes.

• Leather Gloves: Clean dirt and bugs off your gloves after every ride. Clean with a damp cloth. Use specialized leather cleaners to maintain your leather gloves, but avoid excessive saturation.
  

Drying Winter Motorcycle Gloves 

• Textile Gloves: Never use direct heat sources like a heater, hair dryer, or bike exhaust, etc. Always air dry your textile gloves naturally at home temperature. Hang them up ideally if you want the best results. Also, if you are in a hurry, turn on the fan in the room or place it somewhere with good airflow.

• Leather Gloves: If your leather gloves get wet, dry them just like textile gloves (see details above). However, make sure to apply a leather moisturizer every time so that your leather gloves don’t become stiff.

Storing Winter Motorcycle Gloves 

Store your gloves in a cool, dry place. Keep them away from direct sunlight. Before storing, make sure they are fully dry.

Final Thoughts

Choosing warm and protective motorcycle gloves is the key to safe winter motorcycle riding. Cold winds can numb your fingers and increase your injury risk as you lose control. 

Also, winter riding is more fun with warm hands. 

If it is very cold on your route, consider buying heated motorcycle gloves. 

Always ensure that your gloves offer proper protection, warmth, dexterity, and safety.

FAQs

What are the warmest motorcycle gloves for winters?

Winter motorcycle gloves with high-quality thermal liners and waterproof membranes are generally the warmest gloves. 

If you are going into the snow, heated motorcycle gloves would be more suitable for you.

Are leather motorcycle gloves good for cold weather?

Yes, leather gloves offer good natural wind resistance and excellent abrasion resistance. If you want leather gloves for winter riding, choose a pair with dedicated thermal lining and waterproof treatment. 

Can I wear winter motorcycle gloves in the rain?

Since air carries a lot of moisture during winter, any high-quality winter glove pair will also be waterproof. So yes, you can wear most of the winter motorcycle gloves in the rain. 

Make sure to check the care label for your gloves. This will precisely tell you if your gloves are waterproof.

How should I test the fit and comfort of a new glove?

The most accurate way to test the fit is to wrap your hands around the handlebars of your motorcycle. This simulates your actual riding position, allowing you to feel the brake lever, clutch lever, and grips. Do not test the fit by simply making a tight fist, as you never do that on the track.