Gear Guide: Best Off-Road/Dirt Bike Gloves

Updated March, 2019

Other great options:  Scorpion Talon, Leatt GPX 3.5 Lite, REV’IT! Striker 3

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A pair of good off-road/dirt bike gloves are pretty much just a workhorse piece of gear that will not only tolerate a huge amount of abuse but will almost thrive on it. These gloves start life big and tough but then begin to mellow a bit and form fit to your hand as they begin to show their character.

Off-road conditions and trails mean that anything can be lurking around the next curve or over the next jump. You and your gear need to be able to handle a rough landing, tree branches encroaching on your line, or rocks and debris flying from other riders bikes. Your off-road/dirt bike gloves are going to protect your hands from all of these hazards while still providing you with the grip needed for cat-like reactions to the changes in the terrain. And when things go sideways, including your bike, these gloves will take the beating instead of your hands. Rocks, tree branches, thorns, rain, sweat, and dirt will not compromise the integrity of true off-road/dirt bike gloves.

There is no guarantee that gloves will provide complete protection to your hands but it is certain that your hands will fair far better in the event of an accident if you are wearing a quality pair of purpose-built motorcycle gloves.

Be sure to check back regularly with us here at wBW to read about our latest hands-on reviews of off-road/dirt bike gloves and other great products for riders.

Off-Road/Dirt Glove Buyer’s Guide

Off-road/dirt bike riding packs a punch, and a rider’s gloves need to provide incredible protection above all else. Comfort and fit are also important factors, but a great fitting glove does you no good if it blows out half way through a ride and leaves your hands unprotected and subject to multiple types of abuse.

Finding the most durable glove that also works for the size and shape of your hands and your riding style can be as big a challenge as some of the off-road courses that you will face.

Best Overall

The Klim Dakar Pro offers off-road and dirtbike riders all of the protection that they need as well as the comfort that they want at a very fair price.

Construction & Fit:

• Durable goat leather covers the palm and the back of the hand while stretch woven fabric completed the glove
• Fingers and thumb also offer an added layer of leather for durability and grip
• Perforations are added to the leather in strategic locations to promote airflow and keep the skin as dry as possible even under the harshest conditions

Safety Features:

• Poron XRD palm and knuckle protectors and TPU reinforcements add to the impact protection of these pre-curved gloves
• Short cuff glove works well with an off-road jersey or jacket sleeve for less bulk at the wrist and more range of motion

The added feature of the visor wiper on the index finger and the Mult-E-Touch smart device functionality that allows riders to use touch screen devices such as a smartphone or onboard camera without the need to remove a glove.

The exceptional safety features that off-road and dirt bike riders need, blended seamlessly with the comfort that they want makes the Klim Dakar Pro the selection for Best Overall Off-Road/Dirt Bike Glove for 2019.

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Best Value

The O’Neal Butch Carbon is a short cuff off-road and dirt bike glove that uses state of the art molded polycarbonate ballistic armor to protect your hands form anything that could come flying their way.

Construction & Fit:

• Designed using only long-lasting, durable materials to provide riders with the best experience possible for long-term satisfaction
• Adjustable hook and loop wrist closure create a secure fit and the pre-curved shape helps to reduce premature fatigue and stress on the fingers, hands, and arms

Safety Features:

• Additional impact protection is provided by the TPR and direct injection patches on the top and sides of the fingers and at the wrist
• Seamless silicone rollover tips on the fingers add additional protection and assist with lever control
• Palm of the hand is protected with a double layer of Clarino padding to reduce blistering, absorb impact and also prevent the gloves from becoming stiff as they dry out after use

At just about $50, the O’Neal Butch Carbon off-road/dirt bike gloves are a great option for safety and functionality at an even better price making them the selection for the Best Value Of-Road/Dirt Bike Race Glove 2019.

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Fully Loaded

The Knox Orsa Textile MK2 gloves are setting the bar for protection as well as fit and function.

Construction & Fit:

• Perforated leather and air mesh upper allow for great airflow to keep the skin as dry and comfortable as possible and to reduce abrasion and blistering
• Added finger comfort comes from the seamless construction of the fingers while the added grip is afforded by the silicone finger prints
• Pre-curved shape of the gloves which promotes a more natural grip position for the hand and far less fatigue
• Thumb is covered with terry cloth and can be used for a fast wipe of sweat or to wipe away dirt

Safety Features:

• Armor over the knuckles is a shell which contains honeycomb gel to aid in absorbing impact and also to avoid abrasion injuries
• Patented low profile Knox Scaphoid Protection System (SPS) on the palm of the glove limits the potential for injuries when making contact with the ground
• BOA wrist closure system allows riders to dial in the perfect fit even with a jacket or jersey sleeve

At $100, the Knox Orsa Textile MK2 gloves are at the high end of the price range for off-road/dirt bike gloves but they offer far more than enough features to justify that price, making them the selection for Best Off-Road/Dirt Bike Glove for 2019.

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The Scorpion Talon is a short cuffed off-road/dirt bike glove that is the perfect choice for warm weather.

Construction & Fit:

• Palm and fingertips are constructed of top grain goatskin with Nash synthetic leather reinforcements on the palm for added durability and enhanced grip
• Back of the hand and the area between the fingers is breathable mesh for additional airflow and moisture control
• Pre-curved ergonomic fit helps to reduce fatigue and greatly increases the comfort without the need for a long break-in period
• Hook and loop fastener at the wrists keeps the Talon’s securely in place even in adverse conditions

Safety Features:

• Hard TPU knuckle protector is on a hinged panel for added mobility and comfort while offering solid impact protection
• Fingers are also covered by TPR protectors
• Added padding is located on the palm, as well as in the wrist area for additional protection from both impact and abrasion

The Scorpion Talon off-road/dirt bike gloves offer substantial protection from both impact and abrasion while also offering great ventilation and comfort, making them a great choice for off-road riders.

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The Leatt GPX 3.5 Lite is a super low profile off-road/dirt bike glove that offers riders superior impact protection and grip.

Construction & Fit:

• NanoGrip palm technology provides the ultimate grip regardless of the conditions
• Fibers in the NanoGrip material are 7.5 times thinner than hair making them durable in both wet and dry conditions while still being thin enough to have a great sense of touch
• Pre-curved design offers a snug fit and the seamless palm is also reinforced with synthetic suede for added comfort

Safety Features:

• Microinjected 3D Brush Guard is added to the knuckles and pinky for added durability and protection
• GPX 3.5 Lite have been CE tested and certified at 89/686/EEC
• Knuckle Impact protection EN 13594:2015 (This impact protection rating also extends to the third and fourth finger)

At a cost of under $50. The Leatt GPX 3.5 Lite is a superb low profile off-road/dirt bike glove that offers extreme comfort and grip as well as a certified level of protection. These features make it a reliable choice for riders who want great mobility and comfort in a minimalist glove.

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The REV’IT! Striker 3 is a lightweight short glove that provides a comfortable fit from the pre-curved construction and is durable enough to handle any off-road/dirt bike terrain that you might encounter.

Construction & Fit:

• Outer shell is a combination of drum dried goatskin, 2-way stretch, PU coated fabric, connect fingertip leather, and corduroy microfiber (Materials are strategically located to provide the highest levels of protection while also offering great comfort and mobility)
• Short cuff offers both elastic and an adjustable strap for a secure fit on every ride

Safety Features:

• 3D SEESOFT™ knuckle armor covers the back of the hand and knuckle area
• TPR injected finger knuckle protectors keep your digits protected
• Temperfoam covers the thumb knuckle for protection without restricting movement
• Temperfoam is also placed under the main knuckle armor for added impact protection

The lightweight of the REV’IT! Stricker 3, the great protection and the immediate comfort when you put the gloves on for the first time make these a good choice for off-roading or dirt bike riding.

Download & Save Our Infographic!

Can’t decide on your favorite Off-Road/Dirt Bike Glove? Acquire all the information you need with our handy infographic to decide later or on-the-go. Download and save all our top picks for best Off-Road/Dirt Bike Gloves of 2019.