Best heated motorcycle gear tested by MCN! Cold is no match for these heated gloves and grips

Any rider who lives “Up Nort’” dreads the end of the riding season. And if you live down south, even mild weather gets chilly when traveling through it at 70mph. Riding is basically an exercise in how the wind-chill effect works. But there’s easy and even affordable ways to extend the season, or simply ride through the winter months. You just need the right gear. 

Heated motorcycle gear uses tiny integrated electronic heating elements, providing warmth that’s thinner and more effective than thermal layers. Of course, they require power and come at a price. But if you’ve ever toughed it out on an ill-advised cold weather ride, you might be happy to put a price on warmth, comfort and safety. 

Check out our guide to heated gear and our favorites on the market right now.

Jump to:

• What to consider before buying
• Heated gloves
• Heated vests
• Heated grips
• Heated seats
• How MCN tests kit

What to consider before buying

Battery vs. Cable Power

Heated gear is either battery-powered or connected via cable to your bike’s battery. Some can do both. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Battery-powered gear can be more convenient to ride with, with no cables to attach and reattach. But cable operated gear never needs to be charged and won’t run out of power halfway through your ride.

Heat Levels

Most heated gear comes with multiple heat settings available, but there’s no universal standard of “warm”,  “hot” or anything in between. Specs are helpful, but ultimately it’s best to read expert reviews to get a general idea how they perform before buying.

Power Draw

You should consider the electrical draw of the heated gear. If other electrical accessories are also connected, your bike’s battery could get overloaded. If powered by separate batteries, make sure battery life can be monitored and matches your riding needs.

Materials and Construction

As with all gear, make sure it’s made with quality materials to stand up the test of time. If worn as an outer layer, it should be CE certified. Pay close attention to the seams, as CE certified garments should be double-stitched.

Heated gloves

The wind-chill effect means the first part of your body to suffer is usually your fingers. The first heated gear riders buy is often heated gloves. They’re the easiest way to go from unbearably cold to downright pleasant. 

Here are the best heated gloves we’ve tested recently:

What about heated grips? Heated grips are convenient, integrated into your bike and work great in less extreme cold. Since they only heat the inside of your hand, they might not be enough in very cold weather. But they can sometimes take the place of bulky gloves that limit dexterity and control. 

Heated grips

You’ll never forget to bring your heated grips and they’ll never run out of power unless your bike does. They’re less effective in colder weather than heated gloves, but you’re free to wear any gloves you like with them, making them ideal for rides with temperature fluctuations. 

Here are the best heated grips we’ve tested:

Heated seats

Arguably, your posterior is part of your core. So it stands to reason that a heated seat will also help keep your extremities warm. Plus, it can help stave off lower back soreness and keep legs from cramping in the cold.

Here are the best heated seats we’ve tested:

How we tested heated gear

The MCN team of expert journalists have decades of experience over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t torture test anything. We use it just like you do in the real world and in all conditions to deliver impartial heated gear buying advice.

MCN covers countless miles each week and tries lots of options in a short space of time. We quickly discover which heated gear works great, which ones don’t and why.

We only feature heated gear we’ve extensively tested. Comparison gear will be included if deemed important and relevant. Testing is ongoing and we will continually add gear and products to our site.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

Scoring explained

Products are given a score from 1 to 5 stars. Beyond the ratings tab, you’ll find in-depth info on product and gear performance and attributes. 

• 1 Star – Avoid at all costs.
• 2 Stars – Barely acceptable.
• 3 Stars – Average or adequate.
• 4 Stars – Above average. 
• 5 Stars – Excellent performance.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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