MCN's complete guide to heated motorcycle gloves | A deep dive into the holy grail of winter kit

There’s twenty reasons why riding in cold weather is hard. Ten of those reasons are on your hands. Thermal motorcycle gloves are good, but at some point it’s time to enlist gear with technology and switches to solve the problem. Heated motorcycle gloves can be a lifesaver.

Best deals on heated gloves at a glance

• 10% off RST Pro Series Paragon 6 heated gloves – now $243.00
• 5% off Alpinestars HT-5 Heat Tech Drystar heated gloves – now $418.00

Sure, you could store your bike away until spring. But heated gloves are the easiest way to extend your riding season. You could possibly fit 10 layers of long underwear under your leathers, but there’s not much you can do about gloves that don’t keep your hands warm. Best to pony up good money for great heated gloves.

• Related: Our choice of the best heated vests and jackets

Here’s a guide to heated motorcycle gloves, and our favorites on the market right now.

What are heated motorcycle gloves?

Heated motorcycle gloves are like regular winter gloves, but incorporate tiny electronic heating elements that follow your hand and fingers. They’re powered by rechargeable batteries or by connecting to your bike’s battery.

They’re more effective at battling bitter cold than heated grips, since they heat the back of your hands and knuckles, where heated grips can’t reach. Their heat is closer to your hands, and don’t require as much energy to keep you warm. Of course, having both doesn’t hurt.

• Related: Best textile motorcycle jackets for winter

Hand guards or handlebar muffs are a simple (and relatively inexpensive) alternative that addresses the number one cause of cold hands — wind. But they won’t cancel out thin or non-insulated gloves. Again, there’s no harm in redundancy here. Any combination that beats the cold is a winning one.

What to consider before buying heated gloves

Start by choosing whether you need gloves powered by the bike or by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. A few types can do both, but most are powered by one or the other. For extended rides, hard-wiring them to the bike is the way to go. But battery-powered gloves offer convenience for shorter rides like commuting, so factor that in.

Battery-powered heated gloves last for a couple of hours at full blast, or a few more on lower settings. The battery size determines running time. Few, if any, manufacturers offer spare batteries and aftermarket options should be viewed with suspicion. The running time you get from a single charge is basically your ride time until you charge them again.

The heated gloves and batteries need a little maintenance when you store them in summer. Keep them out of direct sunlight, at room temperature. Lithium-ion batteries are notorious for becoming bricks if you leave them uncharged for long periods of time, so charge them to 40-50% or more before storing. Some batteries now offer USB-C charging, which is better than older barrel plug styles.

Heated gloves should be water resistant, if not waterproof. Look for materials like waterproof membrane, or pull-out water mitts. A visor wipe is very useful in wet conditions, and look for touchscreen-compatible fingers if you have a sat nav or touchscreen TFT.

Make sure your heated gloves are safe

Check for a CE certification and armor you’re comfortable with before you buy. Some heated gloves are designed for snowmobiling or hunting and aren’t designed for abrasion and impact protection. If the brand is unknown and they’re half the price, beware.

The best heated motorcycle gloves

Heated motorcycle gloves FAQ

Are heated motorcycle gloves worth it?

If you like riding into October and into November and beyond, absolutely yes. Even if you can tough it out in colder temperatures, why suffer needlessly? If it’s in your budget, treat yourself for being a tough and hardy all-weather rider.

How long do heated gloves last on a single charge?

It varies according to make, heat settings used, the age of the battery and a million other things. But a good rule of thumb? You should get at least 3 hours on high heat, and up to 5 on low heat.

Are heated gloves safe to use in the rain?

Reputable waterproof gloves from established retailers are perfectly safe to use in the rain. The interior wiring and battery connections degrade over time, so a five year old pair might be worth keeping an eye on. But otherwise, you’re good to go.

What are the best budget heated motorcycle gloves?

The RST Paragon 6 heated gloves are very popular with MCN readers at $270 at full price. You might find great deals in the off-season, though. Shop around in summer.

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How MCN tests heated motorcycle gloves

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 motorcycle glove buying advice.

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

We only feature heated motorcycle gloves we’ve extensively tested. Comparison heated motorcycle gloves 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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