How to choose your motorcycle gloves: a complete guide to riding safely

Summary

• Why wear suitable gloves?
• Mandatory approval
• Choosing gloves according to the season
• Materials: leather or textile?
• Protection and safety
• Comfort and ergonomics
• Size and fitting
• Specific use
• Maintenance and lifespan
• Common mistakes
• Conclusion
• Summary table
• FAQ — Frequently asked questions

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Why wear suitable gloves?

Motorcycle gloves have been mandatory in France since 2016 for both the rider and passenger. In the event of a fall, the hands are among the first areas to be impacted. Choosing your gloves carefully means protecting your joints, limiting abrasion burns, avoiding fractures… all while maintaining a good feel for the controls. Here's a complete guide to help you choose the right motorcycle gloves according to your needs, riding style, and the season.

Gloves aren't just for protecting you from the cold. They provide:

• Protection against abrasions in case of a slide
• Shock absorption for knuckles, wrists, and palms
• Thermal insulation against wind, rain, and cold
• Optimal grip on handlebars and levers, even when wet

Injured hands can prevent you from controlling your machine; a good glove is therefore a mastery asset, not just passive safety.

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Mandatory approval

In Europe, all gloves must be certified EN 13594 (level 1 or 2). Since 2016, wearing them is legally required, failure to do so results in a fine and loss of points.

• Level 1: light protection, maximum flexibility, ideal for city/summer
• Level 2: reinforced protection, stiffer gloves, suitable for touring or sport

Check for the CE + motorcyclist pictogram: without it, your glove is not recognized as PPE.

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Choosing gloves according to the season

Summer Gloves

• Thin and breathable materials (mesh, perforated leather)
• Maximum flexibility and ventilation
• Short cuff for mobility

Mid-Season Gloves

• Light lining, windproof or waterproof membrane
• Versatility for spring/autumn

Winter Gloves

• Thermal lining (Thinsulate, Primaloft…)
• Waterproof membrane (Gore-Tex, Hipora)
• Long cuff to cover the jacket
• Heated option (battery or 12 V plug)

Tip: own at least one summer pair + one winter pair to ride all year round.

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Materials: leather or textile?

• Leather: maximum abrasion resistance, support, racing look
• Textile: light, breathable, affordable price, great for urban/summer
• Leather/textile mix: compromise between safety/comfort

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Protection and safety

• Rigid shells on knuckles (carbon, TPU…)
• Palm/ulnar reinforcements to absorb impacts
• Doubled or hidden seams
• Secure wrist closure

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Comfort and ergonomics

• Flexibility for operating controls
• Tactile sensitivity for precise braking/clutch control
• Screen wipe thumb for rain
• Smartphone-compatible index finger

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Size and fitting

• Not too tight: free blood circulation
• Not too loose: no slipping in a crash
• No space at the fingertips

Test them with your jacket, simulate braking, grip handlebars: the glove must follow your movements.

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Specific use

• Urban: short, textile gloves, easy to put on
• Racing: leather, long cuff, maximum protection
• Touring: comfort, waterproofing, reflective inserts
• Off-road: reinforced grip, great ventilation

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Maintenance and lifespan

• Natural drying (never on a radiator)
• Special leather cream or gentle textile cleaning
• Replace them every 3 to 5 years or after a fall

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Common mistakes

• Non-approved gloves "for style"
• Summer gloves in the middle of winter (risk of hypothermia)
• Poorly tightened wrist straps
• Too small gloves compressing nerves

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Conclusion

Choosing your motorcycle gloves means investing in your safety as much as your comfort. Approval, season, use, and fit are the four pillars of a successful purchase. Well-chosen and well-maintained, your gloves will protect your hands… without sacrificing riding pleasure.

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Summary table

Criterion	Key points
Approval	EN 13594 certification, level 1 (city/summer) or level 2 (touring/sport); CE + motorcyclist pictogram
Summer	Thin and breathable materials (mesh, perforated leather), maximum ventilation, short cuff
Mid-season	Light lining, windproof or waterproof membrane, spring/autumn versatility
Winter	Thermal lining, waterproof membrane, long cuff, heated option
Materials	Leather (maximum abrasion), textile (light, affordable), leather/textile mix (compromise)
Protection	Rigid shells on knuckles, palm/ulnar reinforcements, doubled seams, wrist closure
Size	Neither too tight nor too loose, no space at the fingertips
Lifespan	Natural drying, appropriate maintenance, replacement every 3 to 5 years or after a fall

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FAQ — Frequently asked questions

Are motorcycle gloves mandatory?
Yes. Motorcycle gloves have been mandatory in France since 2016 for both the rider and passenger, failure to do so results in a fine and loss of points.

What standard must my gloves comply with?
In Europe, all gloves must be certified EN 13594 (level 1 or 2). Level 1 offers light protection and maximum flexibility (ideal for city/summer), while level 2 provides reinforced protection suitable for touring or sport. Check for the CE + motorcyclist pictogram.

Leather or textile: which to choose?
Leather offers maximum abrasion resistance, support, and a racing look. Textile is light, breathable, and more affordable, ideal for urban/summer use. The leather/textile mix is a compromise between safety and comfort.

How do I know if the size is right?
The glove should be neither too tight (to allow free blood circulation) nor too loose (no slipping in case of impact), with no space at the fingertips. Test them with your jacket, simulate braking, and grip handlebars: the glove must follow your movements.

When should I replace my gloves?
Replace them every 3 to 5 years or after a fall. Also, remember to dry them naturally (never on a radiator) and maintain them appropriately for leather or textile.