Last updated: 25/05/2022
Check out our list of the top 10 best summer and mesh motorcycle gloves, and discover which glove is actually better for summer riding: textile or leather.
The sun is shining and the open road is ready and waiting. There’s just one problem: do you need to wear motorcycle gloves this season? I mean surely it’s too hot to wear puffy textiles this summer, and imagine the sweat?!
There are a lot of things to consider when shopping for motorcycle gloves. From textile fabrics and leather wrappings to hard knuckle protection and palm sliders to kangaroo leather palms and touchscreen fingertips: whoever came up with the saying “Fits like a glove” has clearly never shopped for a motorcycling glove!
But fear not: we’ve compiled a list of 10 of our favourite motorcycle gloves to wear this summer, and help you filter out the duds.
Whether you're planning a tour, riding for sport, commuting back and forth or just cruising on the weekend: there's a glove for you somewhere on this list. We've handpicked a selection of mesh gloves, perforated leather gloves and everything else in between from the biggest brands in the business, and prices that will neither require mortgaging your house nor leave you feeling short-changed.
Here's our list of 10 of our most popular summer motorcycle gloves to combat the summer heat, starting from just £21.99.
You can use the key below to skip to the corresponding section:
- Rukka Forsair 2.0 Mesh Gloves
- Knox Orsa OR3 MK3 Textile Gloves
- REV'IT! Mangrove Gloves
- Halvarssons Hofors Leather Gloves
- Dainese Mig 3 Leather Gloves
- Alpinestars Reef Gloves
- Richa Turbo Gloves
- Spidi X-Force Gloves
- Racer Bubble Fingerless Gloves
- Bering KX2 Mesh Gloves
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BEFORE YOU BUY
Broadly speaking there are two basic types of motorcycle gloves: road and racing. Road gloves tend to be short (though like everything else in motorcycling this is a personal decision), whilst Race gloves need to be longer, gauntlet-style gloves to cover the cuffs and go over your leathers. Race gloves also need to be constructed of leather, whilst textile is a long-popular feature in road gloves.
Textile fabrics can range wildly from very basic nylons to high-tech abrasion materials like Superfabric. This is popular as a very strong abrasion-resistant panel, but be careful if your gloves have this in them - you wouldn't be the first to render a visor useless as you wipe the rain off or scratch your paintwork with what seems like a gentle rub. Neoprene, Lycra and other stretch materials help with fit, comfort and breathability too and so are often found along with the fingers.
Leather gloves feature a variety of materials and sources from tanned animal hides to artificially built leather. Bovine is the most popular choice, however, Goatskin is also featured heavily in a lot of glove designs, partly due to how common it is as a manufacturing resource, as well as its durability and strength. Kangaroo is seen as the most sought-after material due to how thin and lightweight hide is, which provides a great tactile feel, and is 10 times stronger than cowhide and 50% stronger than goatskin. Buffalo leather can also be used, though this is used further in-between. You can also find animal-free leather gloves for any vegan riders out there, though make sure to look out for "synthetic" leather when researching these.
Hard knuckle protection was originally developed for track situations where the knuckles can become trapped between the ‘bike and track in low side mishaps, but this is now seen as an almost compulsory feature by many road riders.
As a general rule of thumb. hard palm sliders are more useful on the road than hard knuckles as they have been developed in an attempt to prevent jolting of the wrists by providing a near friction-free opportunity for your hands to slide away quickly in the event of tarmac contact which can help prevent injuries to the Scaphoid and other bits of the wrist. They have also been shown to help prevent collar bone injuries.
There’s also another consideration if you’re planning to venture further afield because since 2017 it is against the law in France to ride any motorcycle or scooter without CE certified gloves. Passengers also have to wear gloves on a motorcycle. This is a France only rule and is not part of the PPE initiative being forced onto other motorcycle clothing. Confused? You should try working here.
So, what’s out there? We've split the collection between Textile gloves and Leather gloves.
Textile Gloves
Why choose Textile gloves over leather?
Firstly, textile gloves tend to be cheaper to produce and therefore inexpensive to purchase, though this isn't to say that textile gloves are inferior to leather. On the contrary, modern fabrics such as Dupont's Cordura or Aramid are high-tenacity, super-strong materials that are two times stronger than nylon and three times more than polyester, and offer fantastic abrasion resistance and impact protection. On top of this, textile gloves are a lot lighter than leather, whilst not diminishing protection or comfort.
Manufacturers also tend to be more flexible with their layering when it comes to textile gloves, as their structure more easily allows for additional layers to be woven into the glove. While leather is naturally better at retaining heat or keeping out the weather, the addition of an internal Thermolite lining can keep you warm during the cold, and a waterproof membrane can protect you against rainfall; Gore-Tex especially, as this membrane consists of a system of holes too small to allow water to penetrate, but large enough to allow perspiration.
Textile gloves also offer more airflow and breathability than leather, and can easily be machine washed to keep them clean.
If you're shopping for textile gloves specifically for the summer, look out for the term "Mesh" or another variant of it. Similar to webbing or a net, Mesh is made from connected woven strands that allow for air to pass through with ease. Basically, Mesh Gloves are brilliant for intaking cool air and exhausting hot hair, giving you the feeling that the fabric "breathes".
Leather Gloves
Why choose Leather gloves over textile?
In comparison with a textile glove, most riders perceive the leather glove as the superior of the two. Leather gloves offer a more tactile feel on a rider's hands, contorting to your fingers and palm, and offer superior grip and control over the handlebars. This is especially useful when racing or driving over long distances, as leather gloves reduce vibrations from the handlebars over long periods of time, thus reducing hand fatigue (this is why you'll find a lot of textile gloves with leather palms and fingers!)
Leather gloves tend to last longer than textile, though they also require frequent care to prevent the leather from drying out. In the event of a slide, leather gloves tend to slide across the road, while textile is more likely to stick and cause your accident to be worse (a lot of textile gloves will come with palm sliders to prevent this).
Leather gloves are also more durable to abrasion and are naturally resistant to wind and water (though this doesn't make them inherently waterPROOF). As a side effect though, due to their fullness and strength, leather gloves conduct far more heat as they don't tend to breathe, leaving you feeling sweaty or even claustrophobic in warmer weather.
To combat this, we recommend looking out for Perforated Leather when looking for summer gloves. Perforated leather gloves will have holes punctured into the leather, allowing for air to come into contact with the skin and preventing the build-up of heat and sweat. While this offers less airflow than mesh and also allows for water to penetrate the gloves, it's a small price to pay to take advantage of the look and feel of leather!
What works best?
The answer is perhaps a bit of both or somewhere in between...
Whichever glove works best for you - textile or leather mainly comes down to your personal preference. That may feel like a cop-out answer, but there isn't really a "be all, end all" glove for summer riding.
Breathability and protection are hugely important when it comes to deciding on a summer glove, but if you regularly attend track days, you may want more grip and traction for the bike's controls. If you're going touring, you may want a bit more stretch or elastane in your glove, perhaps even touchscreen-sensitive fingertips to adjust your Sat-Nav. Maybe you feel more comfortable riding with as many protective features as possible such as a scaphoid slider or a heavier knuckle shield, or perhaps you prefer riding as light as possible (but you still have a bit of protection).
Whatever option you go for isn't wrong, but knowing what you're getting for your money is always helpful! Which naturally moves us onto...
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1. Rukka Forsair 2.0 Mesh Gloves
£89.99 RRP
➤ Elastic and breathable Cordura mesh gloves with a short cuff.
➤ Hard knuckle guard with TPU finger and scaphoid protection.
➤ Faux-leather palm and fingertips increase grip.
We start off this list with the successor to one of our most popular summer gloves, the Rukka Forsair 2.0.
Whilst Rukka are are usually renown for their Gore-Tex waterproof garments, the Forsair 2 instead flourishes in the ventilation department, thanks to the elastic Cordura mesh outer, which allows A LOT of airflow in through the fingers and back of the hand to cool you down and prevent any sweat from building up, while also being naturally durable and lightweight.
The inside glove is lined with faux leather for increased cut and tear resistance, and digital print on the palm and fingertips increase your grip going into turns.
To protect against impacts, the gloves are armed with hard knuckle protection, formed seamlessly into the mesh structure, as well as TPU inserts on the finger and palm slider to prevent scaphoid injury.
Finished with touchscreen-responsive fingertips and a velcro cuff fastening, the Forsair 2's are the ultimate summer riding glove and a must-have for summer touring.
Buy online today for only £89.99, available with Free UK Delivery.
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2. Knox Orsa OR3 MK3 Textile Gloves
£99.99 RRP
➤ Perforated leather and air mesh outer with a short cuff.
➤ Honeycomb Gel knuckle guard and patented Scaphoid Protection System.
➤ Dial-in Boa closure system for a precise fit.
Replacing the outgoing MK2 is the Knox Orsa OR3 MK3 - a popular off-road and adventure biking glove, great for road use in hot weather thanks to its mixed textile construction.
Unlike its sister product, the Orsa OR3 leather glove, this model is made from a combination of perforated leather, air mesh textile and single-layer Clarino, resulting in an exceptionally lightweight and tactile glove with plenty of ventilation through the fingers and the back of the hand. The Clarino material seamlessly rolls over the fingertips to reduce deterioration over time, and silicone prints on the index and middle fingers improve overall grip.
This Knox glove features their renowned Boa fastening system, which alongside allowing a precision, dial-in fit around your cuff, can now be operated single-handedly and is lower in profile to fit under your jacket’s sleeve.
On the back of the hand, the knuckles are covered by a smart 3-layer protective shield, consisting of TPU, honeycomb gel, and a strong temperfoam encasing. This allows the shield to flex over your knuckles during movement whilst retaining a high level of impact protection. TPU plates on the fingers and wrist further bolster the glove’s protection, but it’s the Knox Scaphoid Protection System that steals the show: this patented, dual-compound insert can be found on the palm to eliminate the effects of drag caused by leather coming into contact with the road during a slide and prevents common scaphoid injuries.
Overall, the Knox Orsa OR3 is a very well-made motorcycle glove, packed with a ton of unconventional and technical features that make for a stand-out summer glove for both off-road and on-road riding.
Buy online today for only £99.99, and is available with Free Next-Day Delivery.
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3. REV'IT! Mangrove Gloves
£59.99 RRP
➤ PWR stretch shell and Tricot comfort lining with a short cuff.
➤ TPR injected knuckle protection and palm slider.
➤ Fully ventilated 3D air mesh panels.
The REV'IT! Mangrove is a lightweight adventure glove with plenty of ventilation and protection for summer riding.
The Mangrove takes hues from REV'IT's best-selling Sand 4 gloves, bringing its most impressive features for a more entry-level price range.
The gloves are made from durable PWR stretch textile, with knitted 3D air mesh panels for excellent ventilation while riding, an interior Tricot comfort lining and stitched with PRW Yarn to eliminate potential pressure on the seams.
For protection, the gloves are armed with a self-contouring Temperfoam at the finger knuckles, TPR injected knuckle protection, a TPR palm slider, and PWR Shield at the palm for increased cut, tear and abrasion resistance.
The glove's grip panels give you extra control in the corners, the Connect fingertips are compatible with smartphone use and the adjustable straps allow for a secure fit. All in all, an excellent textile summer glove.
Buy online today for only £59.99, available with Free UK Delivery.
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4. Halvarssons Hofors Leather Gloves
£69 RRP
➤ Supple goat leather with perforation and a short cuff.
➤ CE certified knuckle protection and Hi-Art reinforced palm.
➤ SkinFit technology keeps the lining in place.
The Halvarrsons Hofors glove is an exquisite cafe-racer glove with CE certified level 1 protection and ventilation at a quality price.
Made from perforated goat leather with a Hi-Art anti-abrasion lining, these urban gloves are naturally abrasion-resistant with plenty of air holes for ventilation. These Halvarssons gloves take advantage of SkinFit technology to keep the lining fixed in place whilst riding and NUDUD Touchscreen sensitive fingertips.
The knuckles are covered by a hard-formed protector for impact protection, while the Hi-ART protects your palm.
The side-zip entry allows for easy wear and removal, while the velcro adjustment strap at the cuff keeps the gloves secured.
Buy online today for only £69, available with Free UK Delivery.
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5. Dainese Mig 3 Leather Gloves
£99.95 RRP
➤ Leather streetfighter glove with perforation and a short cuff.
➤ CE certified knuckle protection and Hi-Art reinforced palm.
➤ SkinFit technology keeps the lining in place.
The Dainese Mig 3 is a track-inspired urban glove, integrating both supple leather AND air mesh for summer riding.
The main chassis is made from premium leather with perforation on the back and 3D mesh panels on the fingers and thumb for optimal air circulation, whilst maintaining a high level of abrasion resistance. The soft Amica suede palm increases the sensitivity of the bike’s controls and improves comfort and durability.
The gloves are reinforced with a hard polymer knuckle guard, embossed with the Dainese logo, as well as a reinforced palm for supreme protection against impacts.
Complete with Dainese’s ‘Smart Touch’ fingertips and a velcro wrist strap, these Dainese gloves are the ideal protective ‘second skin’ while you concentrate on the road. Traversing the concrete jungle will never be boring with the Dainese Mig 3's.
Buy online today for only £99.95, available with Free UK Delivery.
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6. Alpinestars Reef Gloves
£37.99 RRP
➤ Lightweight textile urban glove with a short cuff.
➤ CE certified hard knuckle and rubber grip zone.
➤ Stretch mesh backhand for breathability.
The second glove we’re delving into is the Alpinestars Reef glove: a short-cuff textile glove for hot-weather riding.
Priced at just £34.99, the Reef represents one of the most affordable options on this list, which you could either see as a blessing if you're set on a lower budget glove, or it could be a telling sign of its protective features. Either way, you're buying an original Alpinestars product (and if you know Alpinestars - they don’t make bad products!)
The Reef gloves are made from breathable, comfort-stretch textile, combined with synthetic suede at the palm for abrasion resistance and grip. Whilst the gloves are CE level 1 certified, protection is limited to the hard knuckle padding and a rubberised grip, though this is to be expected given the lower price tag.
The slimmer wrist allows you to seamlessly tuck the gloves into the cuffs of your jacket, with additional stretch mesh on the back for breathability, and a touchscreen-friendly index finger for controlling your GPS or smartphone.
Taking all this into account, you can’t really go wrong with the Alpinestars Reefs. Sure, protection is a little light, but you’re getting a comfortable and tactile urban glove for just over £30 - what’s not to love! Plus they come in a variety of colours if you’re brave enough to step outside of the usual black variant (we’re particularly keen on the camo!) Also available in ladies' sizes.
Buy online today for only £37.99, available with Free Next Day Delivery.
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7. Richa Turbo Gloves
£59.99 RRP
➤ Premium leather and polyester mesh gloves with a short cuff.
➤ CE certified hard knuckle protection.
➤ Ventilation areas on fingers and back of the hand.
The Richa Turbo gloves are a great value summer glove, combining the breathability of textile with the feel and function of leather, perfect for bracing the scorching heat.
Made from premium goatskin, the Richa gloves utilised high density, air mesh panels for optimal ventilation at the upper hand, and four-way stretch mesh for comfort and mobility. The accordion stretch panels improve fitting and neoprene panels for visibility. Airvent System (AVS): Fixed ventilation at key areas, whilst the velcro wrist closure allows a secure and comfortable fit.
The CE certified hard knuckle protector and palm insert provide superior impact protection, and the scaphoid temperfoam slider supports your hands when landing from a fall.
As the follow-up to one of Richa's most popular motorcycle gloves, the Richa Turbo gloves are an absolute knock-out and should be considered if you're in the market for a two-season short glove.
Buy online today for only £59.99, available with Free Next Day Delivery.
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8. Spidi X-Force Gloves
£124.99 RRP
➤ Sports urban gloves with leather and suede outer with a short cuff.
➤ CE certified Warrior knuckle shield and finger inserts.
➤ Punched mesh fingers and back for airflow.
One of the coolest mitts you'll wear this season is the Spidi X-Force gloves; a sports-urban glove with CE-approved protection and a punched mesh outer.
Made from durable goat leather, with tactile suede microfibre on the palm and elastic neoprene on the cuff; the gloves offer comprehensive comfort for riding, and the perforated textile on the fingers and back of the hand allows essential air circulation.
In regards to protection, the gloves are armed with Spidi's Warrior Knuckle Shield, designed to absorb the brunt of abrasion and impacts, and additional protective inserts on the backs of the fingers.
The last feature we wanted to highlight is the X-Force's "Easy Fit" fastening system: an innovative fastening system that consists of an elastic wrist strap with an underlying accordion zip that auto-fastens as you secure the velcro strap, and unfasten as you take it off - take a look for yourself here!
If you're after a top-of-the-range breathable glove without the hefty price tag, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option.
Buy online today, all colours are available for £124.99, available with Free UK Delivery.
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9. Racer Bubble Fingerless Leather Gloves
£21.99 RRP
➤ Fingerless leather gloves with a short cuff.
➤ Knuckle padding
➤ Punched mesh fingers and back for airflow (plus no fingers!)
If you're after a pair of minimal gloves (or you'd rather not be wearing them at all), the Racer Bubble gloves are for you!
Built from aniline leather, these Racer gloves are PERFECT for summer riding, featuring a fingerless design, knuckle padding and punctuated knuckle fingers for maximum comfort and airflow - you’ll forget you’re even wearing them!
The leather exterior of the gloves provides a better grip on your handlebars, while you focus on looking cool, and for under £20, though they won't provide as much protection as a proper full-fingered glove, it's certainly better than no gloves at all!
Buy online today for only £21.99, available with Free UK Delivery.
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10. Bering KX2 Mesh Gloves
£54.99 RRP
➤ Goat leather and textile construction with a short cuff.
➤ CE approved knuckle and palm protection.
➤ Ventilated mesh panels for maximum airflow.
Another lower-priced option for surviving the hottest months of the year is the Bering KX2 Mesh gloves: an entry-level, CE-certified motorcycle glove with breathable mesh panels for just under £50.
Made from a combination of high-quality goat leather and 3D mesh textile, the gloves are durable, tactile and breathable for complete summer comfort. The interior is lined with soft polyester, the velcro closure offers a secure and comfortable fit, and Bering’s Sensor System allows for fingertip compatibility with touchscreens.
Covered by a hard knuckle shield and reinforcements at the palm, the KX2 Mesh gloves offer effective impact protection, and the reflective detailing on the back of the hand increases rider visibility.
For riders looking for a simple, no-nonsense mesh glove that doesn't break the bank - these Bering gloves are a great option! Also available in ladies' sizes.
Buy online today for only £54.99, available with Free UK Delivery.
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This article was written by Jonah Son.