Best Winter Motorcycle Gloves

What to Look for When Buying Winter Motorbike Gloves

Choosing the right pair of winter motorbike gloves is crucial for comfort, safety, and overall riding pleasure. Here are the key features to consider:

Material Composition

The materials used in winter motorbike gloves greatly impact their performance. Leather gloves are renowned for their durability and abrasion resistance, making them a popular choice. Textile gloves, often made from synthetic materials like nylon or polyester, are lightweight and flexible. For the best of both worlds, consider gloves that combine leather and textile materials.

Advanced materials like Gore-Tex offer excellent waterproofing while maintaining breathability. This is vital for keeping your hands dry from both external moisture and perspiration.

Insulation Type

Insulation is the heart of any winter glove. Thinsulate, a thin yet highly effective material, is commonly used due to its ability to trap heat without adding bulk. Primaloft is another excellent choice, known for its warmth, water resistance, and breathability. The thickness of the insulation is also a key factor – thicker insulation provides more warmth but can reduce dexterity.

Waterproofing

In the UK, where wet conditions are common, waterproofing is a must. Look for gloves that are either waterproof or water-resistant. Technologies like Gore-Tex lining not only prevent water from penetrating but also allow moisture to escape, keeping your hands dry and comfortable.

Touchscreen Compatibility

In today's connected world, touchscreen compatibility is a highly sought-after feature. Gloves with conductive material on the fingertips allow riders to use smartphones or GPS devices without removing their gloves, a convenient feature for navigation or communication.

Safety Features

Safety should never be compromised. Look for gloves with protective features like reinforced knuckle guards, palm sliders, and abrasion-resistant materials. Reflective elements are also essential for increased visibility during the dark winter months.

Size and Fit

Proper fit is crucial for both comfort and control. Gloves should be snug but not constrictive, allowing full movement of your fingers. Be mindful of sizing, as some brands may run small or large. It's always a good idea to try gloves on with your riding jacket to ensure they integrate well with your overall gear.

Comfort and Ergonomics

Finally, consider the overall comfort and ergonomic design. Features like pre-curved fingers can reduce fatigue, while adjustable wrist closures ensure a secure and comfortable fit. Look for gloves with good flexibility and breathability to maintain comfort during long rides.

Save (Gloves under £60)

At only £29.99, the Frank Thomas Tornado A15-16 gloves are one of our bestselling winter gloves. Ultra-warm with added protection at the knuckles, palms and fingers, the Frank Thomas Tornado gloves offer a longer gauntlet styling preventing weather ingress for added warmth. Velcro cuff adjustment and reflective detailing are other handy additions.

Oxford Products Polar 1.0 MS Gloves have a novice take on the winter glove. Heat is retained more efficiently thanks to the "two-finger" design - the four fingers are kept together in pairs akin to a lobster style to retain body heat - this heat is maintained thanks to Primaloft technology. In addition, these are fully waterproof thanks to the Dry2Dry waterproof and breathable membrane. It also features a handy visor wipe, fluorescent yellow detailing for additional visibility and elastication for excellent freedom of movement. It can take some getting used to wearing gloves like this, but they definitely keep the warmth in!

Reduced from £69.95, the Dainese Plaza 3 D-Dry gloves feature a shorter cuff styling - a decidedly more popular length in motorcycle gloves recently looking at sales, most likely down to the fact that shorter cuffs give excellent freedom of movement. CE certified to CE Cat.11 EN 13594/2015, the Plaza 3 D-Dry also offer a waterproof D-Dry membrane (so good they named the glove after it!) with a wind block insert that doesn't add bulk to the glove. It also offers Dainese Smart Touch technology for phones, sat navs etc. The pre-curved construction gives an excellent fit with a tightening strap for the perfect fit. A great glove - although you'd expect nothing less from Dainese!

Spend (£60-150)

A CE-certified leather motorcycle glove that is fully waterproof with Primaloft insulation, and all for less than £70?! It could only be the Oxford Products Hamilton gloves ! The Dry2Dry membrane is both waterproof and breathable to keep you comfortable at all times. While the longer gauntlet styling prevents weather ingress around the cuffs - just tuck them under your jacket. PU foam knuckle protectors and finger and palm protectors offer comprehensive protection throughout.

The Five Stockholm Waterproof gloves are mid-length gloves with a waterproof Hipora breathable membrane and mix nylon windbreaker textile construction with full-grain goatskin for additional protection. The protection doesn't end there - they also offer TPR palm slider shells and PU metacarpal knuckle protectors. Thinsulate 180g thermal insulation keeps your hands warm, as does cuff insulation with stretch-ripped fabric that stays close to your skin to prevent any weather ingress or heat loss.

Now, these were £199.99, but here at J&S Accessories Ltd, you can get them for £149.99, so they qualify for this category! The RST Paragon 6 Heated WP gloves are, not surprisingly, heated gloves. A luxury in cold weather! The heating system is ultra-easy to operate with three heat settings. Not only are these heated, but they are fully waterproof thanks to a SinAqua waterproof membrane. Level 1 CE certified, the Paragon 6 heated gloves also feature TPU knuckle protection with HTC fabric and full-grain leather and silicone grips. A fantastic glove at a fantastic price. Worth the spend.

Splurge (£150 +)

When you splurge on Winter gloves, you head into the territory of heated gloves - it's just a case of which ones! The Keis G701 premium heated glove is CE Certified to EN 13594:2015 and is named a premium heated glove because that is exactly what it is! An independent integral heat controller positioned at the back of the wrist provides easy operation with touchscreen pads on the index fingers and thumb. An integrated battery pocket is built into the cuff for the accommodation of the optional Keis 2600mAh glove battery pack; the G701 also comes with a 'Y', and motorcycle connection leads with easy-to-follow instructions. It features a highly-durable Ballistic Spandex shell that gives freedom of movement for all-day-long riding and a bonded Hipora waterproof and breathable membrane that keeps your hands dry and comfortable. At the same time, a 3M Thinsulate insulation retains the heat in even freezing conditions along with the heating system. Gauntlet styling prevents any weather ingress or heat loss, plus adjustability gives the perfect fit.

With its short cuff styling and relatively subtle facade, the Alpinestars HT-3 Heat Tech Drystar glove doesn't look like your average Winter glove. It features a 100g 3M Thinsulate insulated liner that adds warmth and heat retention, while the Alpinestars Drystar lining is fully breathable and waterproof. Goatskin in vulnerable areas gives added protection in this CE-certified glove to CE Level 1 KP. The piece de resistance of the HT-3 glove is the fact that it is a heated glove. The Alpinestars Heat Tech System distributes perfectly balanced warmth in the coldest conditions. It offers three heat settings for optimum warmth with a personalised fit for each hand. The Heat Tech System uses a 7.4v lithium battery for reliable and long-lasting power with an easy-to-use electronic controller. A Micro USB with a Y cable included connects to both batteries simultaneously. It doesn't end there - the HT-3 glove also offers touchscreen compatibility and exceptional freedom of movement thanks to the short cuff styling.

For just over £330, the Alpinestars HT-7 Heat Tech Drystar gloves offer exceptional warmth thanks to the Alpinestars Heat Tech system - easily controlled via the Alpinestars Heat Tech App using Bluetooth technology. Made from goatskin leather with textiles, it incorporates Alpinestars Drystar performance technology which is 100% waterproof and breathable. 80g Primaloft insulation on the back of the hand gives exceptional heat retention with additional warmth with Micro Ripstop softshell with stretch inserts for excellent freedom of movement. It is CE certified to CE Level 1 KP with impact protection throughout, palm sliders and touchscreen-compatible index fingers and thumbs for additional convenience. They look the part, too, thanks to the well-known and well-loved Alpinestars design team. Each facet is well-thought-out, with perfect positioning for the battery and controls etc, for practical use without compromising on style.

Until next time, stay safe,

Alex