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best gauntlet motorcycle gloves

The Best Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves For 2026

We’d Know: We’ve Hands-On Tested 2500+ Pieces Of Riding Gear Since 2000

Our picks are based on gloves that offer the best blend of safety/performance, function/features, and price.

Last updated December 2025 by Devan Martel

Entry-Level

Priced under $150.

Mid-Range

Priced $150 - $250.

REV’IT! Quantum 2

High-End

Priced $250+.

Rev’It Dominator GTX Gloves

About Our Glove Recommendations

Founded in 2000, our team at wBW has collectively tested more than 2,500 helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, accessories, and more. We do not fluff reviews. A riders safety is heavily dictated by how they ride and what they wear while doing so. Our goal is to help riders make informed decisions about the gear they invest in to protect themselves.

wBW is funded by our audience. Our recommendations and reviews may contain affiliate links that earn us a small comission if you make a purchase after clicking them. This is the primary way we fund our website and pay our review team (and comes at no additional cost to you). We disclose our relationship with brands or manufacturers for transparency. For more information about our extensive review process, see our review policies.

Best Entry Level Motorcycle Gauntlet Gloves

Priced under $150.

Sedici Corsa 2 Gloves

Why?

Whether you're on the track or on the street, the Corsa 2 Gloves are a top contender for an entry-level gauntlet glove.

For under $150, these gloves offer top-of-the-line protective features, such as a full carbon knuckle protector and KNOX SP404 Scaphoid protector. Other notable features include precurved ergonomic construction, touchscreen compatibility, and aramid panel covering the entire back hand.

Key Specs

• Race-bred glove that handles track days as well as street use

• Drum dyed goatskin leather

• Perforated palm and back of hand for warm weather riding

• Precurved ergonomic construction to reduce fatigue

• Silicone printed grip

• AX® Connect VN Plus touch tech at the finger and thumb

• Accordion stretch panels at the fingers and thumb

• Vented base of carbon fiber knuckle protector

• Perforation at the palm and back of hand for warm weather comfort

• Ergonomic tapered wrist with VELCRO® brand closure at the wrist

Protection & Safety

• Full carbon knuckle protector backed with impact absorbing AXIAL AVP material

• KNOX® SP404 scaphoid protector

• Double layer of leather backed with aramid for maximum slide and abrasion protection

• TPU sliders on fingers for added slide protection

• Full double layer of leather with aramid backing on the little finger and outseam

• Aramid panel covering the full back of the hand, fingers/thumb, and gauntlet

Alpinestars SP-8 V3 Gloves

Why?

Perhaps one of the most highly rated gloves on RevZilla is the Alpinestars SP-8 V3 gloves, making them a no-brainer for our list.

This universal riding glove was crafted from highly abrasion-resistant full-grain goat leather, alongside dual-density TPU protectors. The SP-8 delivers unmatched levels of protection at a price point that cannot be beat.

Key Specs

• High-performance, high-value sport / sport-touring glove

• Comfortable, durable, and offers excellent abrasion resistance

• Extensive perforations and mesh paneling on the op hand

• Delivers exceptional levels of airflow and breathability

• Perforated cuff, plus perforated finger sidewalls for superb breathability

• Hook and loop cuff and wrist closure

• Elasticized wrist design for secure, personalized fit

• Pre-shaped, anatomical finger design and half inner/half outer external seams for comfort and exceptional feel

• Touchscreen compatible fingertip on index finger and thumb

• New construction for reduced seams and enhanced rider comfort

Protection & Safety

• Borrows many of the same protective and design elements from the GP Plus R v3 Gloves 

• Ergonomic stretch insert between palm and thumb offers improved range of hand movement and greater sensitivity while operating the bike controls

• Premium, full-grain goat leather and synthetic leather construction

• Dual-density knuckle protector

• Third and fourth finger bridge

• EN:13594 2015, Level 1 KP certification

cortech_apex_rr_gloves_hi_viz_yellow_grey_

Cortech Apex RR

Why?

The Apex RR takes design elements from Cortech's best racing gloves. The goat skin hide at the palm provides great feel, and the microfiber overlay adds durability.

The finger, knuckle, and palm sliders are genuine carbon fiber, and there is a touch-sensitive tip for a phone or navigation system. Plenty of perforations in the leather will keep the air cooling your hands.

This is a race-inspired glove at a fantastic price.

Key Specs

• Goat leather backhand and palm construction

• Fully perforated backhand, fingers and thumb

• Pre-curved fingers for increased comfort

• Reversed seam finger construction

• Leather palm, thumb and fourth finger overlay

• Microfiber palm overlay

• Accordion stretch paneling across fingers and thumb

• Hook and loop wrist strap and cuff closure

• Touchscreen compatible index finger and thumb

Protection & Safety

• TPR ulna protector on gauntlet cuff

• Carbon fiber knuckle, heel slider and finger protectors

• Goatskin leather is soft and comfortable, as well as highly abrasion resistant

Best Mid-Range Motorcycle Gauntlet Gloves

Priced $150 - $250.

Dainese Impeto

Why?

The Dainese Impeto sport gauntlet is one of the best gloves to come out of the Italian manufacturer in years, and it shows with the subtle details. One of the biggest details is that the entire palm area, including up to the blade edge of the hand, is all one single piece of leather, reducing multiple points of failure where panels stitched together may split.

Multiple impact foam zones and hard TPU sliders, as well as the split, hard TPU knuckles, protect the hand against both impact and abrasion. A heavily padded wrist closure holds the ulna and radius bones in line in case of a palm-first hit to the ground, and through it all, the gloves are also highly ventilated to keep your hands cool and dry.

These gloves have also achieved CE Category II Level 1 certification, making them viable for track use if you want a “cheap” glove to attend novice track days with.

Key Specs

•Drum-dyed goatskin leather

• Single leather panel reinforces the side of the hand to the palm

• Polyurethane slider on the palm and joints of the fingers

• Dainese branding on wrist closure

• Impact-absorbing soft inserts

• Elasticated insert on thumb and fingers

• Micro-injection reinforcement on the palm

• Pre-curved fingers

• Gloves certified to CE – Cat. II – EN 13594/2015 Standard Category II Level 1

Protection & Safety

• Hard TPU over finger joints, knuckles

• Double wrist closure to keep the bones of the wrist aligned and stable during impact

• Multiple slide zones and padding zones

• Bottom layer of the palm is one single panel all the way out to the blade edge of the hand, increasing structural stability.

Alpinestars GP Plus R V3

Why?

Near MotoGP levels of protection in a glove that is affordable.

Constructed from full-grain leather, the gloves feature the same Dynamic Friction Shield knuckle guard and finger bridge as found in top-tier race gloves in Alpinestars’ lineup.

These gloves are pre-curved nicely and have excellent stretch panels in all the right spots to minimize finger fatigue. Once broken in, they will give you plenty of happy miles. Good luck deciding which of the 5 color choices you want.

Key Specs

• A goatskin, gauntlet-length track/race glove with aramid reinforcement, generous stretch, and surprising comfort right out of the box

• Full leather palm and top hand

• Aramid stretch fabric cuff

• Redesigned closure system uses sublimated leather hook and loop upper closure, lower retention strap, and is overlapped by palm leather

• Semi-external seams on finger pads for comfort and bar feel

• Strategically positioned perforations

• Pre-curved design

• Hybrid seam construction

• Cuff adjusters for a customized fit

• Suede PU leather pull tab enhances ease of use

• Touchscreen-compatible index finger

Protection & Safety

• CE certified Level 1 knuckle protection

• TPU dual-density knuckle protection, palm slider, finger sliders

• TPR wrist reinforcement

• Soft cuff impact protection

• Impact foam reinforcement on top hand, cuff, palm, and fingers

• Padded palm and thumb patch absorbs impact forces while providing additional comfort

• Extensive foam reinforcement on the top hand, cuff, palm, and fingers provides additional impact absorption and structural support

• Alpinestars DFS (Dynamic Friction Shield) technology enhances comfort and protection by minimizing friction and abrasion in critical areas

• Race-derived finger bridge

REV’IT! Quantum 3

Why?

The newest addition to the beloved Quantum line, the Quantum 3 gloves have all the same, much-adored features of the Quantum 2s but in a refreshed look. Many of the specs are the same, such as the cowhide and goatskin outer shell, while boasting new TPU hard components its predecessor didn't have.

Key Specs

• Outer shell: Cowhide | drum-dyed stay soft goatskin | PU-coated fabric

• E-touch microfiber and connect fingertip leather for device compatibility

• 3D air mesh ventilation

• Wrist and cuff adjustment system

• Textured grip and control panel

Protection & Safety

• TPU hard-shell knuckle, finger knuckles, palm slider and thumb protector

• Temperfoam underneath knuckle protector

• SEESOFT at palm

• Little finger protection bridge

• TPU cuff protector

• CE Level 1 knuckle protection

Best High-End Motorcycle Gauntlet Gloves

Priced over $250.

Alpinestars GP Pro RS4 Gloves

Why?

It can be hard to justify spending close to $300 on gloves when there are so many good options for less, but the GP Pro RS4s are a no-brainer.

These high-performance gloves are the newest edition to an overwhelming favorite pick in the gauntlet glove category. The Pro RS4s have been designed to provide riders with an optimal fit, comfort, and most importantly, protection.

Key Specs

• Blend of bovine and goat leather on the backhand, goat leather on the palm and fingers

• Inner seam palm construction for superior level of comfort

• DFS race cuff for abrasion-resistance

• Dual closure system on the wrist and cuff

• Perforated knuckle panel for enhanced ventilation

• Accordion leather on the fingers, thumb and backhand for improved fit and comfort

• Little finger bridge

Protection & Safety

• Dual density DFS race knuckle protector

• Aramidic lining on the back hand and landing zones

• Side reinforcements on the palm hard slider and finger sliders

• TPU finger protection

• CE certified level K2

Knox Handroid Mk5 Gloves

Knox Handroid MK5

Why?

Easily the most unique-looking gloves on this list, if not on the market as a whole, the Knox Handroid MK5 is the (you guessed it) 5th iteration of the Handroid line that has been out for a little over a decade now. They feature exposed “exo skeleton” finger spines, which cover the tops of the fingers for impact protection, and a very unique boa-style closing method - which we have been told is a hit with some and a miss with others.

These gloves offer riders the chance to stand out while keeping their hands safe & in one piece. We commend Knox for this product because riding, for many, is a way to express themselves & live by their own tune - so why not translate that into your gear?

Key Specs

• Long cuff style

• BOA wrist closure system with lifetime guarantee

• Wrist retaining strap for added security

• Ethically sourced 0.8mm Kangaroo Palm

• Lightweight 0.8mm drum dyed leather, contemporary printed hexagon design

• Touch Screen enabled

• Available in three unique colourways

Protection & Safety

• New single-sided LDPE wrist cuff with added Micro-Lock for impact absorption

• Patented Knox SCaphoid Protection System (SPS) Impact technology with added Micro-Lock to help eliminate the grab effect that occurs when a leather palm makes contact with the road.

• Unique Exoskeleton spines on the fingers for abrasion and impact

• CE Certified EN 13594

Dainese Full Metal 7

Why?

The Full Metal 7 gloves were created to guarantee riders the maximum amount of protection and performance possible in a riding glove. Dainese went all out on the Full Metal 7's with premium features such as titanium inserts on the knuckles, aramid fiber inserts on the palm, fingers, and back of hand, as well as reinforcement on the little finger.

If you want a pair of gloves that'll outperform you, the Dainese Full Metal 7 gloves should be your top pick.

Key Specs

• Track-level full gauntlet glove with titanium reinforcements

• Safety and design elements from MotoGP

• Fully encompassed in aramid

• Drum-dyed goatskin leather

• Super soft, tactile palm panel

• Perforation on the finger backs, fourchettes and wrist

• TPR grip system at the center of the palm

• Adjustable cuff strap

• Pre-curved fingers

Protection & Safety

• Full goat skin construction

• Race length

• Aramid fiber liner paired directly to goat hide that covers the entire hand

• Titanium Pro-Tek sliders

• TPU Pro-Hand sliders

• DCP system on the little finger

• CE Level 2 EN 13594 rater

Frequently Asked Questions About Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves

What makes a gauntlet motorcycle glove different from a racing glove?

While a racing glove is designed to maximize armoring, using the highest quality materials, and being over-engineered in a sense, gauntlet gloves, often called street sport gloves, are simpler beasts. Many feature significant amounts of armor, but the biggest difference is that these gloves do not have the ring and pinky fingers attached together, and are generally more flexible in the wrist area.

Are gauntlet motorcycle gloves safer than short-cuff motorcycle gloves?

The answer to that question is one of the big debates in the motorcycle community. In the purest sense of covering the entirety of the wrist, as well as the ulnar bump and part of your lower forearm, they are “safer” in that sense. The tradeoff is that many gauntlet gloves are not quite as well ventilated as many short-cuff gloves are, and they close off the wrist of your jacket, not allowing air to flow up it on particularly hot days.

Do gauntlet motorcycle gloves work with all types of jackets?

For the most part, yes. Only if you’re getting into full four-season jackets with thick thermal liners for winter use do you start to run into issues with being able to close the wrist area. Otherwise, they work as well with mesh, textile, leather, and ADV jackets.

What are gauntlet motorcycle gloves commonly made from?

By far the most common material is cowhide leather due to its high abrasion resistance, but microfiber is starting to make significant inroads. For palms and grips, goathide or kangaroo hide leather are the most common. Armor on gauntlet gloves is almost always some form of “hard” armor like TPU, with carbon fiber covers or impact foam backing. 

Are gauntlet motorcycle gloves suitable for off-road riding?

In general, a definite maybe. There are ADV specific gauntlet gloves, such as the Klim Handroid 5 recommended above, but gauntlet gloves for the most part are oriented towards sport riders. There is nothing preventing you from using a gauntlet glove off-road, but unless it is ADV specific, you will likely get much better results and comfort out of an ADV short-cuff glove. 

Do gauntlet motorcycle gloves need to be broken in?

If the glove is made from leather for the most part, then there is a definite break in period. Due to being oriented towards sport riders, the leather is often thick and needs to get flexed and stretched in to conform to your hand. Wearing the gloves around the house for a couple of hours will generally get them to the point of being comfortable for riding, but it will take a few rides before they are completely broken in.

What To Look For When Shopping Motorcycle Gauntlet Gloves

Gauntlet gloves are often the best type of protection you can get for your hands and are expected to provide the highest level of protection and abrasion resistance, at the same time as allowing a full range of motion with your hands and wrists.

Things you want to look for in a good pair of gauntlet gloves are materials, armor, the closure type, and ventilation.

  • Material: Full-grain leathers such as cowhide, kangaroo hide, and goatskin are all adequate. Synthetic leathers such as microfiber are also becoming common. Some gauntlet-style gloves are made of textiles, but those are primarily made for ADV riding, and have their own list. You will also want all seams to be at minimum double stitched for extra structural strength. Gauntlet gloves are commonly made out of leather or synthetic leather, and may feel quite stiff during the first few days of riding with them. This is because unlike pre-stressed leather jackets or tumbled-leather cruiser chaps, the leather of the gloves hasn’t been “worked in.” That is specifically because everyone’s hands are different, and allowing the glove to stretch and conform to its owner’s hand shape allows the glove to provide the best protection and fit.

  • Armor: Armoring on a gauntlet glove should always be “hard” armor on the major points such as knuckles, fingers, thumb, and blade edge of the hand. You can get away with non-Newtonian impact foam in the palm, but you will want those gloves, such as the Dainese Full Metal 6’s recommended above, to have an extra layer of material to prevent it from being worn away too quickly.

  • Closure Type: Closure types on gauntlet gloves really do matter. At minimum, you want two closure devices, one around the wrist proper, and one for the wrist cover. 99% of the time, the wrist proper closure is a thin strap that is tightened and then fixed to a velcro pad, while the wrist cover can be closed with a velcro pad, a BOA cable system, or another strap. You do not want gauntlet gloves that only have one closure device, as they can come off during an accident.

  • Ventilation: Due to how much armor many carry, ventilation is not quite as good as short cuff gloves. You will want to look for gloves with intake vents hidden between the bumps of the knuckle armor, have microperforations, and/or have some type of exhaust vent to wick heat away from the back of your hand.

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Here’s how we do things:

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  • We’re objective—Good gear is good gear, regardless of who made it.

  • We’re value-focused—Why pay $500 if something for $250 is just as good? Our review scores and recommendations reflect best value. Brand only goes so far—the gear has to stand on its own.

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