The Best Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves For 2024
We’d Know: We’ve Hands-On Tested 2500+ Pieces Of Riding Gear Since 2000
Our picks are based on gloves that offer the best blend of safety/performance, function/features, and price.
Last updated October 2023 by Zach Poole.
About Our Glove Recommendations
Founded in 2000, our team at wBW has collectively tested more than 2,500 helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, accessories, and more. We do not fluff reviews. A riders safety is heavily dictated by how they ride and what they wear while doing so. Our goal is to help riders make informed decisions about the gear they invest in to protect themselves.
wBW is funded by our audience. Our recommendations and reviews may contain affiliate links that earn us a small comission if you make a purchase after clicking them. This is the primary way we fund our website and pay our review team (and comes at no additional cost to you). We disclose our relationship with brands or manufacturers for transparency. For more information about our extensive review process, see our review policies.
Best Entry Level Motorcycle Gauntlet Gloves
Priced under $150.
REV’IT! RSR 4
Price: $150
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
The REV’IT RSR 4 is a mostly leather glove that offers great protection, with a price tag that just (barely) makes it under the entry-level list. It’s a great option for a gauntlet glove that provides far more protective features than most gloves in this price range.
REV’IT describes them as being “For the summer rider looking for a race fit and ventilation without having to compromise safety”. It’s a basic sentiment that could suit a hundred pairs of gloves, but we really can't complain - those are all great things when it comes to keeping comfy while still keeping your hands safe & sound.
Key Specs
• Outer Shell: Cowhide, goatskin, PU coated fabric
• Tri-fleece liner
• Fit: race fit
• Adjustability: Adjustment strap and Adjustment tab
Protection & Safety
• Carbon hard knuckle protector
• Hard-shell palm slider
• TPU wrist protector on the double closure long cuff.
• Excellent abrasion resistance thanks to the hearty leather construction.
Dainese Impeto
Why?
The Dainese Impeto sport gauntlet is one of the best gloves to come out of the Italian manufacturer in years, and it shows with the subtle details. One of the biggest details is that the entire palm area, including up to the blade edge of the hand, is all one single piece of leather, reducing multiple points of failure where panels stitched together may split.
Multiple impact foam zones and hard TPU sliders, as well as the split, hard TPU knuckles, protects the hand against both impact and abrasion. A heavily padded wrist closure holds the ulna and radius bones in line in case of a palm first hit to the ground, and through it all, the gloves are also highly ventilated to keep your hands cool and dry.
These gloves have also achieved CE Category II Level 1 certification, making them viable for track use if you want a “cheap” glove to attend novice track days with.
Key Specs
• Drum-dyed goatskin leather
• Single leather panel reinforces side of the hand to palm
• Polyurethane slider on the palm and joints of the fingers
• Dainese branding on wrist closure
• Impact-absorbing soft inserts
• Elasticated insert on thumb and fingers
• Micro-injection reinforcement on the palm
• Pre-curved fingers
• Gloves certified to CE – Cat. II – EN 13594/2015 Standard Category II Level 1
Protection & Safety
• Hard TPU over finger joints, knuckles
• Double wrist closure to keep the bones of the wrist aligned and stable during impact
• Multiple slide zones and padding zones
• Bottom layer of the palm is one single panel all the way out to the blade edge of the hand, increasing structural stability.
Cortech Apex RR
Price: $110
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
The Apex RR takes design elements from Cortech's best racing gloves. The goat skin hide at the palm provides great feel, and the microfiber overlay adds durability.
The finger, knuckle and palm sliders are genuine carbon fiber, and there is a touch sensitive tip for a phone or Nav system. Plenty of perforation in the leather will keep the air cooling your hands.
This is a race inspired glove at a fantastic price.
Key Specs
• Goat leather backhand and palm construction
• Fully perforated backhand, fingers and thumb
• Pre-curved fingers for increased comfort
• Reversed seam finger construction
• Leather palm, thumb and fourth finger overlay
• Microfiber palm overlay
• Accordion stretch paneling across fingers and thumb
• Hook and loop wrist strap and cuff closure
• Touchscreen compatible index finger and thumb
Protection & Safety
• TPR ulna protector on gauntlet cuff
• Carbon fiber knuckle, heel slider and finger protectors
• Goatskin leather is soft and comfortable, as well as highly abrasion resistant
Best Mid-Range Motorcycle Gauntlet Gloves
Priced $150 - $250.
Dainese Carbon 4
Why?
One of the “big two” in high-quality motorcycle gear, any list wouldn't be complete without a few entries from Dainese. The Carbon 4 gloves sit firmly within our mid-range category, which honestly, isn't particularly common for this Italian manufacturer.
The Carbon 4 model, which, as Dainese puts it, balances everyday street comfort with features and design from the racetrack, are an excellent choice for street & track riders alike. The fact that they come in just a shade over $200 is also a huge bonus, as the amount of safety (& style) you get for the price is quite literally insane.
Key Specs
• Drum-dyed goatskin leather super soft palm
• Micro sheep leather
• Available in two unique colourways
• Perforation at fourchettes
Protection & Safety
• Reinforcement in goatskin between thumb, index and palm
• Carbon fiber knuckles guards
• DCP system at fourth finger
• Polyurethane slider on the palm and joints of the fingers
• Thermoplastic resin slider on fourth finger
• Gloves certified to CE - Cat. II - EN 13594/2015 Standard Category II Level 1
Alpinestars GP Plus R V2
Why?
Near MotoGP levels of protection in a glove that is affordable.
Constructed from full-grain leather, the gloves feature the same Dynamic Friction Shield knuckle guard and finger bridge as found in top tier race gloves in Alpinestars’ lineup.
These gloves are precurved nicely and have excellent stretch panels in all the right spots to minimize finger fatigue. Once broken in, they will give you plenty of happy miles. Good luck deciding which of the 5 color choices you want.
Key Specs
• Supple and durable full-grain bovine leather main construction
• Localized perforations on palm and backhand
• Ventilated fourchettes
• Ergonomic engineered leather reinforcements on the palm and outer hand landing zones provide maximum abrasion resistance in key impact zones
• Ergonomic stretch insert on palm
• Pre-curved finger construction reduces rider fatigue
• Molded knuckle protection air intakes and exhaust ports for improved hand ventilation
Protection & Safety
• Alpinestars Dynamic Friction Shield (DFS) knuckle protection system features dual density mold construction for superior resistance to repeated impacts
• Internal top surface hand and thumb lining made with DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber fabric
• Alpinestars patented third and fourth finger bridge prevents finger roll separation in the event of a slide
• Alpinestars Dynamic Friction Shield (DFS) knuckle protection system features dual density mold construction for superior resistance to repeated impacts
REV’IT! Quantum 2
Price: $220
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
When we looked back over 2021 to see what gauntlets we were recommending for 2022, we honestly did not receive that many to test. This is mostly because the gauntlet style is either for the track, or for snowmobile riding in the winter. Yet, when we reviewed the Quantum 2 gauntlets from Rev’It, we were blown away by just how feature-packed and comfortable these gloves were!
Here you have a track-style gauntlet glove, that would be happy on any track, yet designed for the street rider. You have carbon fiber-backed TPU everywhere that there is a slide zone, and the TPU hard armor is also very comfortable on the fingers and knuckles. Cowhide for the main chassis provides the best abrasion resistance, why a goatskin and synthetic leather palm gives great bar feel and is soft and flexible enough to comfortably reach all thumb controls.
We could wax on here about these gloves, yet we simply recommend that you read the review, and see why we have voted these gauntlets as one of the best value-for-the-price gauntlets we’ve seen in years.
Read our in-depth review: REV’IT Quantum 2 Gloves
Key Specs
Protection Features:
• Outer shell: cowhide | goatskin | synthetic PU leather | 3D air mesh
• Lining: tri-fleece liner
• Composition: 72% leather, 15% polyester, 13% polyurethane
• Protection: TPU hard-shell knuckle | TPU hard-shell little finger protector | TPU hard-shell palm slider | TPU hard-shell thumb protector | TPU Cuff protector | Temperfoam ® finger knuckles | safety stitching
• Visibility: Reflection at little finger
Ergonomic Features:
• Fit: sport fit
• Adjustability: wrist and cuff adjustment system
• Ventilation: zones of perforation
• Features: outside stitching | long cuff | textured grip and control panel | stretch fourchettes
Protection & Safety
• TPU hard-shell knuckle | TPU hard-shell little finger protector | TPU hard-shell palm slider | TPU hard-shell thumb protector | TPU Cuff protector | Temperfoam ® finger knuckles | safety stitching
• Outer shell: cowhide | goatskin | synthetic PU leather | 3D air mesh
Best High-End Motorcycle Gauntlet Gloves
Priced over $250.
Alpinestars GP Pro R3
Price: $270-$280
Where to Buy: RevZilla | Amazon | J&P Cycles
Why?
The Alpinestars GP Pro 3 uses a variety of different materials in strategic locations to provide riders with the ultimate in protection, comfort, and tactile feedback.
Key Specs
• Mix of cow and goat leather with kangaroo leather on the palm
• Outer seam palm construction
• Long cuff
• Hard knuckle
• Knuckle panel perforated gusset for better ventilation
• Print on finger
• Finger bridge
• Double closure system with Cuff DFS protection
• Side reinforcements with palm hard slider
• Accordion panels in leather on fingers thumb and backhand to increase fit and direct comfort
• Thumb and palm reinforcement for a superior grip
• TPU finger protection
• Soft padding protection on fingertips
• Ergonomic stretch insert on palm
• CE certified CAT II Level 2
Protection & Safety
The protection offered by the Bryce Gore-Tex is exactly what riders have come to expect from Alpinestars in safe yet comfortable armor.
• Armored knuckles with a panel of perforations for better ventilation for added grip
• Armor on the gantlet for added abrasion protection in the event of a slide
• Side reinforcements with a palm slider
Knox Handroid MK5
Price: Up to $330
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Easily the most unique-looking gloves on this list, if not on the market as a whole, The Knox Handroid MK5 is the (you guessed it) 5th iteration of the Handroid line that has been out for a little over a decade now. They feature exposed “exo skeleton” finger spines, which cover the tops of the fingers for impact protection, and a very unique boa-style closing method - which we have been told is a hit with some and a miss with others.
These gloves offer riders the chance to stand out while keeping their hands safe & in one piece. We commend Knox for this product because riding, for many, is a way to express themselves & live by their own tune - so why not translate that into your gear?
Key Specs
• Long cuff style
• BOA wrist closure system with lifetime guarantee
• Wrist retaining strap for added security
• Ethically sourced 0.8mm Kangaroo Palm
• Lightweight 0.8mm drum dyed leather, contemporary printed hexagon design
• Touch Screen enabled
• Available in three unique colourways
Protection & Safety
• New single-sided LDPE wrist cuff with added Micro-Lock for impact absorption
• Patented Knox SCaphoid Protection System (SPS) Impact technology with added Micro-Lock to help eliminate the grab effect that occurs when a leather palm makes contact with the road.
• Unique Exoskeleton spines on the fingers for abrasion and impact
• CE Certified EN 13594
Dainese Full Metal 6
Why?
The Dainese Full Metal 6 gauntlet gloves are a race quality piece of gear that brings comfort and innovation to every rider who wears them, though a price point over $400, they might not fit into the budgetary constraints of many riders.
The Dainese Full Metal 6 is almost like wearing a full exoskeleton that has been seamlessly integrated into a soft, yet durable, goatskin glove. All of the technology and innovation of the Dainese Full Metal 6 make them one of the best gloves money can buy.
Key Specs
Protection:
• Carbon fiber inserts at the joints of the fingers and the head of the ulna bone
• Composite inserts in carbon fiber and titanium on the knuckles and back
• DCP system on little finger
• External thermoplastic resin inserts on side of little finger
• Gloves certified to CE – Cat. II – PrEN 13594 Standard lev. 1
• One single leather panel to the size of the hand
• Polyurethane insert on the palm
• Quadruple elastication between knuckles and back of the hand
• Reinforced leather palm
• Reinforced preformed cuff construction
Ergonomics and Comfort:
• Aramid fiber stitching
• Drum-dyed goatskin leather super soft palm
• Goatskin Leather
• Internal reinforcements with aramid fiber jersey
•Adjustable cuff strap
• Elasticated inserts
• Micro-injection reinforcement on the palm
• Microelastic elasticated inserts
• Palm Super Touch in goatskin
• Pre-curved fingers
• Precurved wrist
• Tightening strap
Other Features:
• Cover on the tightening strap
• Elasticated cuff inserts
• Soft inserts
Protection & Safety
The protection in Dainese Full Metal 6 sounds like something from a futuristic movie but here it is…
• Carbon fiber inserts at the finger joints and at the head of the ulna bone, (that’s basically the outside bone in your lower arm where it meets your wrist) work as a suit of armor
• Knuckles and back of the hand are covered by carbon fiber and titanium inserts and there is a polyurethane insert to protect the palm
• Little finger is protected by the DCP system and an external thermoplastic resin insert
• Gauntlet cuff is reinforced and pre-curved for added safety
• Overall, these gloves are certified to CE – Cat. II – PrEN 13594 Standard Level 1
Frequently Asked Questions About Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves
What makes a gauntlet motorcycle glove different from a racing glove?
While a racing glove is designed to maximize armoring, using the highest quality materials, and being over-engineered in a sense, gauntlet gloves, often called street sport gloves, are simpler beasts. Many feature significant amounts of armor, but the biggest difference is that these gloves do not have the ring and pinky fingers attached together, and are generally more flexible in the wrist area.
Are gauntlet motorcycle gloves safer than short-cuff motorcycle gloves?
The answer to that question is one of the big debates in the motorcycle community. In the purest sense of covering the entirety of the wrist, as well as the ulnar bump and part of your lower forearm, they are “safer” in that sense. The tradeoff is that many gauntlet gloves are not quite as well ventilated as many short-cuff gloves are, and they close off the wrist of your jacket, not allowing air to flow up it on particularly hot days.
Do gauntlet motorcycle gloves work with all types of jackets?
For the most part, yes. Only if you’re getting into full four-season jackets with thick thermal liners for winter use do you start to run into issues with being able to close the wrist area. Otherwise, they work as well with mesh, textile, leather, and ADV jackets.
What are gauntlet motorcycle gloves commonly made from?
By far the most common material is cowhide leather due to its high abrasion resistance, but microfiber is starting to make significant inroads. For palms and grips, goathide or kangaroo hide leather are the most common. Armor on gauntlet gloves is almost always some form of “hard” armor like TPU, with carbon fiber covers or impact foam backing.
Are gauntlet motorcycle gloves suitable for off-road riding?
In general, a definite maybe. There are ADV specific gauntlet gloves, such as the Klim Handroid 5 recommended above, but gauntlet gloves for the most part are oriented towards sport riders. There is nothing preventing you from using a gauntlet glove off-road, but unless it is ADV specific, you will likely get much better results and comfort out of an ADV short-cuff glove.
Do gauntlet motorcycle gloves need to be broken in?
If the glove is made from leather for the most part, then there is a definite break in period. Due to being oriented towards sport riders, the leather is often thick and needs to get flexed and stretched in to conform to your hand. Wearing the gloves around the house for a couple of hours will generally get them to the point of being comfortable for riding, but it will take a few rides before they are completely broken in.
What To Look For When Shopping Motorcycle Gauntlet Gloves
Gauntlet gloves are often the best type of protection you can get for your hands and are expected to provide the highest level of protection and abrasion resistance, at the same time as allowing a full range of motion with your hands and wrists.
Things you want to look for in a good pair of gauntlet gloves are materials, armor, the closure type, and ventilation.
Material: Full-grain leathers such as cowhide, kangaroo hide, and goatskin are all adequate. Synthetic leathers such as microfiber are also becoming common. Some gauntlet-style gloves are made of textiles, but those are primarily made for ADV riding, and have their own list. You will also want all seams to be at minimum double stitched for extra structural strength. Gauntlet gloves are commonly made out of leather or synthetic leather, and may feel quite stiff during the first few days of riding with them. This is because unlike pre-stressed leather jackets or tumbled-leather cruiser chaps, the leather of the gloves hasn’t been “worked in.” That is specifically because everyone’s hands are different, and allowing the glove to stretch and conform to its owner’s hand shape allows the glove to provide the best protection and fit.
Armor: Armoring on a gauntlet glove should always be “hard” armor on the major points such as knuckles, fingers, thumb, and blade edge of the hand. You can get away with non-Newtonian impact foam in the palm, but you will want those gloves, such as the Dainese Full Metal 6’s recommended above, to have an extra layer of material to prevent it from being worn away too quickly.
Closure Type: Closure types on gauntlet gloves really do matter. At minimum, you want two closure devices, one around the wrist proper, and one for the wrist cover. 99% of the time, the wrist proper closure is a thin strap that is tightened and then fixed to a velcro pad, while the wrist cover can be closed with a velcro pad, a BOA cable system, or another strap. You do not want gauntlet gloves that only have one closure device, as they can come off during an accident.
Ventilation: Due to how much armor many carry, ventilation is not quite as good as short cuff gloves. You will want to look for gloves with intake vents hidden between the bumps of the knuckle armor, have microperforations, and/or have some type of exhaust vent to wick heat away from the back of your hand.
At WBW, “Best” Actually Means Something
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We obsessively hands-on test—We wear and ride with gear before reviewing it, and we update reviews down the line if our opinions change. We look at real-world situations because that’s the world we live in.
We’re objective—Good gear is good gear, regardless of who made it.
We’re value-focused—Why pay $500 if something for $250 is just as good? Our review scores and recommendations reflect best value. Brand only goes so far—the gear has to stand on its own.
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