How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Gloves for Riding in Winter?

Planning for a winter motorcycle trip? The key to enjoying your winter rides is to be comfortable and safe at all times. And, when it comes to safety, there are a few basic things you will need. The first is obviously a good quality branded motorcycle helmet. In addition to that, you will also need a riding jacket and a pair of riding gloves which can make a huge difference in your comfort and safety levels. Here is what you need to know about motorcycle riding gloves before purchasing them.

Tactile support

The most important aspect that you need to look in a motorcycle riding glove is its tactile support. Modern motorcycle gloves come with anti-slip silicone pads on the palm surface which makes it easy for you to get a good grip on the handlebars as well as the brake and clutch levers. A properly designed glove should not bunch up at the knuckles or stretch unnaturally on your hand when you are reaching for the brake or clutch levers. you should be able to feel the surface of the motorcycle handlebar and levers well which will ensure that you can have fine-tuned control over things.

Insulation & Weather-protection

The secret to staying warm in winter is to keep the cold out! As such, you need to check whether the pair of gloves that you are investing in has proper weather protection and insulation against the elements. for specifically riding in the winter, you don't need any additional ventilation system on the gloves. even if you are investing in a textile material glove, check for its weather resistance and insulation both of which are quite crucial for staying warm because there's nothing worse than frozen fingers while riding a motorcycle!

Finger and knuckle protection

safety riding gloves come with finger & knuckle protection, which are specially placed armoured pads on the top and bottom surface of the gloves, that are necessary to protect the hand from injury. there must be an individual pad on top of every knuckle as well as on the palm and the side of the hand. Check for all of these aspects before purchasing the product.

Size

Like with all motorcycle riding safety gears, size is very crucial when it comes to keeping your body parts protected. If the gloves do not fit you well, there is a high chance that it will come off on impact leaving your hands exposed to the dangers of the road. Measuring your hand to get the right size for gloves is quite simple. First, measure the circumference of your hand at its widest part. Second, measure from the tip of the longest finger to the base of your palm. Keep both of these measurements handy while purchasing a pair of motorcycle riding gloves.  

Outer membrane and inner lining materials

Fabric and leather are two of the most common materials that are used to manufacture the outer membrane of gloves. Arguably, leather is more comfortable, but it also has the downside of needing too much care and protection against water and moisture. A better option than leather, which is more durable and definitely more comfortable and flexible are fabric mesh materials. Not only are these more affordable, but they also last long without you having to take a lot of care. While purchasing a motorcycle riding glove, check the inner lining material of the product as well. This is very crucial in trapping the warmth of your hand inside and preventing it from escaping outside.  

Wrist strapping mechanism

Your hands will be protected by the gloves as long as the gloves sit snugly on your wrist. Therefore, it goes without saying that the strapping mechanism on the gloves is very important. Go for adjustable Velcro straps which will securely keep the gloves in place. If there is a gap between the glove and your skin at the wrist section, then cold air will get inside and chill your hand. With an adjustable strapping mechanism, you can tighten or loosen the glove according to your needs.  

Full gauntlet Vs. Semi gauntlet

Riding gloves are designed into most distinct patterns, the first is known as full gauntlet which extends a little beyond the wrist, and the second type is known as semi gauntlet which ends a little before the wrist. If you want complete comfort and winter protection, the best choice is a full gauntlet pair, but if you intend to use the gloves in summer as well, you might want to go for a semi gauntlet design.