Motorcycle gloves are not just a fancy accessory – they are an important part of safety gear for bikers. Imagine if a rider met with a forceful accident whereby their bike flies in the air, and they fall off on the pavement. The first instinct of a rider will be to stretch their arms and land on the ground using their hands. And if the rider is not wearing motorcycle gloves in this situation, they are bound to meet with injuries.
Types of Motorcycle Gloves Explained
Like other motorcycle gear products like helmets, biker jackets and boots, motorcycle glove manufacturers offer customized options based on the rider’s style and preference. Moreover, your entire hand, the fingers, palm and wrist need protection and that is only possible with the help of motorcycle hand gloves. Let’s go through different types of motorcycle gloves in detail.
Street Gloves
As the name suggests, street gloves are ideas for riding on the street. Usually, these gloves are made of textile, leather or a combination of both the materials.
Textile gloves are suitable for different kinds of weather conditions; however, leather gloves fit the hand and protect them better. Leather gloves are also more durable when compared with textile gloves. A hybrid pair of gloves may offer the best of both, but that is only possible if they are designed well.
Regardless of the material, street gloves are made of, they mostly feature short cuffs and padding for impact protection. Some street gloves also have fingertips that are touchscreen-friendly to make it easy for riders to check their phone or navigation system when on the go.
Dirt Gloves
Evident from the name, dirt gloves are best for dirt bikes. When it comes to impact protection, dirt gloves offer little to none. Case in point: dirt bikes are usually on well-groomed tracks so protection is the last of their concerns – what matters to them is tactile feel.
Therefore, dirt gloves are made of delicate textile materials with the slightest armoring.
With the help of thinner gloves, dirt motorcycle riders enjoy more ventilation. The dirt gloves enable riders to get a better grip when off-road motorbiking and to better respond to the changing riding conditions.
The hands of dirt bikers need to be used a lot when riding dirt. They are responsible for throttle and brakes, and they also need to stay in contact with the handles at all times.
When looking for dirt bike gloves, select those that offer ventilation, grip and safety – because all the factors make your hands stay comfortable when riding.
Race Gloves
Race gloves are made for professional motorcycle racers. They are made of pure leather to offer the best level of protection for riders. Race gloves are usually custom-made for various race tracks and sports bikes based on their speed limits.
These types of motorcycle gloves offer advanced rider protection owing to their reinforced knuckle guards and full-gauntlet construction. Case in point: professional racers are exposed to high levels of speed-crashing risks.
Race gloves come standard with an extra layer of reinforcement and protection. You can find an extra layer of leather around the heel of the palm and the outer side of the hand. Then, hard plastic sliders are usually incorporated into the palm areas to help riders alleviate the wrist injuries when their hands are out. Most race gloves make use of plastic or carbon and are backed by a thin layer of foam to keep the knuckles comfortable yet protected.
Because of the thick leather and armoring material used for protection, race gloves tend to get hot and offer limited ventilation. However, feeling a little hot is better than suffering from a hand injury on a race track. That said, some of the race gloves also offer better ventilation. If you cannot bear the heat, you can use them.
Short Cuff Gloves
If you’re riding to the office, short cuff gloves are ideal for those who use motorcycles to commute to work. Obvious from the name, short cuff motorcycle gloves feature a shorter, low-profile cuff that is easy to put on and easy to take off. These gloves are extremely comfortable and are typically worn under motorcycle jackets.
There are different kinds of short cuff gloves and all of them offer optimum level of comfort, performance, and protection for motorcycle riders. Following are the most common types of short cuff gloves available in the market:
Summer gloves: typically summer short cuff gloves are made of a mesh and leather combination. Leather makes up for the required abrasion resistance on the palm and offers a tactile feel whereas the mesh provides airflow on the back of the rider’s hand without sacrificing their protection.
Winter gloves: mainly these gloves are made of textile material in addition to a thermal line, a waterproof membrane, or a combination of the two. That said, you can also find leather winter short cuff gloves, however, winter-oriented leather gloves do not handle the winter inclement weather as well as textile. Textile and synthetic materials used in winter gloves make up for protection and versatility, alike.
Dual-sport gloves: these are ideal for riders riding in the dirt and on the streets. Evident from the name, dual-sports gloves combine street and off-road features, alike. They are generally composed of a combination of leather and textile, making up for more ease, comfort and airflow.
Touring Gloves
Touring gloves are ideal for long-distance riders using touring bikes. These gloves are made of textile material or a combination of leather and textile. Touring gloves have the ability to protect riders from all types of harmful components, owing to their sturdy structure and advanced armoring or protective materials. Majority of touring gloves are waterproof and cushioned with reinforced materials.
If you’re planning to ride on a highway for long distances, a pair of high-quality touring gloves is what you need. Not only will they protect you from accidents, but will also keep your hands ventilated for many kilometres.
Adventure Motorcycle Gloves
ADV gloves, also known as adventure gloves are typically made from textile material or a mix of textile and leather. Adventure gloves are multipurpose and can be utilized on the trail and on the street, alike.
Adventure motorcycle gloves are light and thin making them ideal for off-road biking and at the same time are protective enough for street riding.
That is all about the different types of motorcycle gloves used by riders. Regardless of the type of gloves you select, ride safe and avoid the common causes that lead to motorcycle accidents.
Besides, if you are yet to buy your first ride, explore this list of used motorcycles for sale in the UAE and select the motorbike of your choice. Also, go through these types of motorcycle pants which are another essential gear.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more on motorcycle gear, motorcycle maintenance and riding tips.
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