What makes a good adventure glove? MCN's top tried and tested options and things to consider

Adventure bikes are probably the most versatile class of motorcycle, so this means there is a wide variety of kit that you might want if you ride one. From road focused touring gloves to more off-road gloves that offer more feel and are lighter weight.

Whether you use your adventure bike for green lanes, touring or just a comfortable ride to your local cafe or bike meet, getting the right kit for your riding is important. That includes everything from motorcycle jackets, to your boots and gloves.

Jump to:

• What to consider
• Summer gloves
• Winter gloves
• Heated gloves
• Off-road gloves
• FAQ
• How we test kit

What to consider when buying adventure gloves

The type of riding you do will play into which gloves you choose to ride in. Considerations like the weather conditions you are likely to face, waterproofing, thermal lining and ventilation will change depending on the time of year you are wearing them.

How much protection do you want to have? Will you be riding primarily on road or will you be venturing off road? If you will be on road then consider what protection the gloves offer, is the knuckle protection KP1 or KP2 certified? What CE standard do they meet? Level 1 as a basic safety pass or Level 2 offering more protection. If you ride off road perhaps control feel is your priority and as you will be riding at lower average speeds and on potentially softer surfaces, perhaps abrasion resistance is less of a priority.

The way that your kit fits is another important thing to keep in mind, after all you may be covering a lot of miles and spending a lot of time in the saddle, so if you aren’t comfortable, you will likely tire more quickly, which in turn can impact your riding. Look for fit that is loose enough to allow you good movement without restriction, but not so loose that you end up with a lot of excess fabric that can bunch up or flap while riding.

Summer Gloves

If you are lucky enough to be riding in warm, dry weather, then you are going to want a pair of summer gloves to keep your hands cool and sweat free. This type of glove will be thinner and better ventilated than other categories of gloves, this way your hands won’t end up roasting in the heat.

Multi season gloves

Again, fairly self explanatory, multi season gloves are designed to keep your hands warm and dry in most climates. It’s best to look for windproof and waterproof gloves as this is just as important as insulation when keeping warm. It’s crucial to keep your hands warm when riding, as cold hands become sore and stiff, affecting your ability to control the bike properly.

Heated gloves

Heated gloves are a step up on winter gloves, they allow the glove to be a little less bulky with insulation, without sacrificing warmth. They should be waterproof and windproof to reduce heat loss. You have the option of battery powered heated gloves or to have them wired to the motorcycle’s battery. The clever heated elements within the gloves provide extra warmth, like miniature electric blankets for your hands.

Off-road gloves

Off-road gloves offer less protection than road focused riding gloves, the idea being that you won’t be coming off a motorcycle at speed and hitting the tarmac. Therefore, the abrasion resistance and multiple sections of armour are less important if you’re planning to ride on dirt rather than road. They are more lightweight and breathable than many road alternatives.

How MCN tests gloves

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on. To make it onto this list, these gloves must have been worn for thousands of miles by our team of experienced testers, show no major flaws, and meet modern safety standards as well as offering decent value for money. 

Each of our expert reviewers tests their gloves for a variety of things, both subjective and objective, and these are no exception. Factors assessed include how comfortable they are from the off, what knuckle protection gloves have, are they breathable, and if they include details such as waterproofing or perforations.

However, we also assess how they fit, their perceived build quality and how comfortable the gloves are during daily use.

We’ve worn each of the tested gloves in this page while we’ve been covering miles on test bikes in all the appropriate conditions for the product.

If you can’t see a review against a pair of gloves on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

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

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Our scores explained

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

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