The Best Race Motorcycle Gloves for the 2022 Season
We’d Know: We’ve Hands-On Tested 2500+ Pieces of Riding Gear Since 2000
Entry-Level
Priced under $100, these racing gloves are ideal for new riders or value-conscious shoppers.
Mid-Range
Priced $100–$250, these racing gloves are high quality and offer great protection for the price point.
High-End
Priced $250 and up. This category has the best of what is available when it comes to racing gloves.
Race Glove Buyer’s Guide
Motorcycle racing is about pushing yourself, your gear, and your bike to the very edge. And sometimes the only way to determine that edge is to cross the line and take the punishment the pavement hands out.
Wearing quality gear greatly increases your odds of walking away from a slide. Then, it’s just a matter of knowing where the line is and pushing yourself right back to it with confidence in your skills and the reliability of your gear.
When I think of the qualities I look for in a race glove, I can’t help but hear Hold On Loosely by 38 Special. That song sums up all that a race glove needs to allow a rider to do.
First, hold on loosely but don’t let go. And second, if you cling too tightly, you’re gonna lose control.
Good race gloves will provide all the durability, comfort, and protection that you need. Through the use of state of the art materials and innovative design, they’ll enhance your sense of touch instead of dulling it and allow you to hold on to your handlebars just the right amount.
As always, ride safe!
About Our Recommendations
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Founded in 2000, the team at wBW has extensively tested more than 2,500 pieces of gear. Helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, accessories, and more. We extensively and exhaustively test gear. We do not fluff reviews. Read our review policies.
Priced under $100
Best Entry Level Motorcycle Race Gloves
Alpinestars SP-8 V3
Price: $99.95
Where to Buy:
Why?
Getting ready for a track day? The Alpinestars SP-8 V3 glove is constructed from a highly abrasion-resistant mix of full-grain goat leather, synthetic leather, and racing DNA materials.
Enhanced levels of protection are found in features like the extended cuff for greater coverage and MotoGP-derived SP dual-density knuckle protectors. Equally important is control, and the SP-8 V3’s have a pre-shaped finger construction, along with a new anatomically-profiled grip insert on the palm and thumb delivering high levels of movement and comfort.
Specs
- Premium, full-grain goat leather and synthetic leather material construction is comfortable, durable and offers excellent abrasion resistance
- Extended cuff for greater coverage with an integrated closure for security and ease of use
- An innovative microfiber and PU grip insert is strategically positioned on the palm and thumb for excellent levels of grip control and durability
- Ergonomic stretch insert between palm and thumb offers improved range of hand movement and greater sensitivity while operating the bike controls
- Incorporates premium quality synthetic suede palm and landing reinforcement for grip, control and durability
- Perforated cuff plus perforated finger sidewalls for superb breathability
- Hook and loop cuff and wrist closure, plus 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 for use with touchscreen devices
- New construction for reduced seams and enhanced rider comfort
Protection & Safety
- Excellent repeated impact performance is offered by the advanced MotoGP-derived SP dual density knuckle protector
- Arshield reinforcement on palm slider for superior abrasion resistance
- Third and fourth finger bridge prevents seam failure and finger separation in the event of a slide
BILT Max Speed Leather
Price: $49.99
Where to Buy:
Why?
Racing on a budget just makes sense; tires are expensive. The BILT Max Speed Leather gloves keep things affordable while still delivering what’s needed in a racing glove.
BILT gives you a proper extended cuff, a two-piece TPU molded knuckle, and memory foam padding at the fingers. The Max Speeds are a great option for those riders looking to get track-level protection for fewer dollars.
Specs
- Quality supple leather
- Pre-curved sport fit
- Unlined for a closer fit
- Leather stretch panels at fingers
- External seam overlay with memory foam inserts
- Leather finger overlays with memory foam padding
- VELCRO® brand tab at cuff
Protection & Safety
- Full leather palm with overlays
- Molded TPU two-piece ventilated knuckle
Priced $100–$250
Best Mid-Range Motorcycle Race Gloves
Dainese X Ride
Price: $179.95
Where to Buy:
Why?
The Dainese X-Ride is the glove for riders looking to maintain maximum protection but wanting the movement found from a short cuff glove. Made with goatskin leather, the Ergo-Tek knuckles and nylon-carbon plates allow easy finger movement and excellent protection.
Specs
- Drum-dyed goatskin leather super soft palm
- Goatskin Leather
- Reinforcement in goatskin between thumb, index and palm
- Pre-curved finger
- Adjustable cuff strap
- Elastic insert on external thumb
- Microelastic elasticated inserts
- Neoprene cuff
- Smart touch technology
- Soft inserts
Protection & Safety
- DCP system on little finger
- Ergo-Tek knuckles
- Reinforced palm
- Thermoplastic resin inserts on side of little finger
- Gloves certified to CE – Cat. II – EN 13594/2015 Standard cat. II lev. 1
- Inserts in thermoplastic polyurethane on the palm
- One single leather panel to the side of the hand
Alpinestars GP Plus R V2
Price: $199.95
Where to Buy:
Why?
The Alpinestars GP Plus R has been debatably one of the best racing motorcycle glove selections in this pricing category. Now the V2 looks to carry on with that title with fully updated ergonomic shaping and design details. It’s everything you have come to expect, just updated.
Specs
- Constructed from supple and durable full-grain cow and goat leather
- Localized perforations on palm and backhand
- Ventilated fourchettes keep the hands cool
- Ergonomic engineered leather reinforcements on the palm and outer hand landing zones provide maximum abrasion resistance in key impact zones
- Ergonomic stretch insert on palm
- Pre-curved finger construction reduces rider fatigue
- Alpinestars Dynamic Friction Shield (DFS) knuckle protection system features dual density mold construction for superior resistance to repeated impacts
- Molded knuckle protection air intakes and exhaust ports for improved hand ventilation
- Injected TPU palm and finger slider for superior impact and abrasion resistance
- Protective double cuff closure with TPR logo wraps around wrist and raises the entire profile of the glove to protect wrist bone from impact in a crash
- VELCRO® wrist adjustable closure strap
- Stretch leather accordions on fingers and thumb for superior fit and flexibility
- Internal top surface hand and thumb lining made with DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber fabric
- Internal little finger lining made with DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber fabric
- Alpinestars patented third and fourth finger bridge prevents finger roll separation in the event of a slide
- Palm pad panel combined into palm/thumb/little finger reinforcement
- External finger and palm seams for a close fit and superior feel
- Printed logos
Protection & Safety
Safety Features:
- Designed by Alpinestars specifically for the track
- Alpinestars Dynamic Friction Shield is featured on the knuckles for maximum impact resistance
- TPU injected inserts are found all around the palm and fingers for added abrasion resistance
- DuPont™ Kevlar is found throughout the glove for maximum slide resistance
- CE certified to Level 1
Cortech Adrenaline GP
Price: $199.99
Where to Buy:
Why?
The Adrenaline GP gloves are the top of the line racing glove made by Cortech, who are known for producing bang-for-your-buck products.
The main body is made of cowhide, with a goat leather palm for bar feel. What impresses about the glove, however, is that the stitching is kevlar, and there is a CE-approved KNOX SPS Scaphoid Protection System on the palm.
Backing up that SPS system is SuperFabric on the thumb, fingers, palm blade, and gauntlet wrist. Lastly, with ventilated TPR knuckle protectors, that venting flows through to a coolmax lining to dissipate heat, preventing the glove from slipping due to sweat.
Specs
Fit:
- Runs slightly small, order the larger size if you are between sizes
Features:
- Drum-dyed full cowhide construction
- Goat leather palm
- DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber stitching for increased protection and strength
- CE-approved KNOX® SPS (Scaphoid Protection System) on palm
- Pre-curved fingers for increased comfort
- Vented TPR knuckle protector
- Reversed seam finger construction
- Superfabric® on thumb, fingers, side of palm and gauntlet
- Digital leather overlays on palm, middle and index fingers for added grip
- Additional leather overlays on palm and fourth finger
- 360-degree dual gauntlet hook and loop closure
- Coolmax® insulation to reduce heat
Protection & Safety
- Kevlar stitching to prevent layer separation during possible high-abrasion events
- SuperFabric on all primary sliding points
- TPR armor on the knuckles
- KNOX SPS on palm to prevent ulnar and wrist injuries
Priced $250+
Best High-End Motorcycle Race Gloves
Alpinestars GP Pro R3
Price: $269.95
Where to Buy:
Why?
The Alpinestars GP Pro 3 uses a variety of different materials in strategic locations to provide riders with the ultimate in protection, comfort, and tactile feedback.
Specs
- Mix of cow and goat leather with kangaroo leather on the palm
- Outer seam palm construction
- Long cuff
- Hard knuckle
- Knuckle panel perforated gusset for better ventilation
- Print on finger
- Finger bridge
- Double closure system with Cuff DFS protection
- Side reinforcements with palm hard slider
- Accordion panels in leather on fingers thumb and backhand to increase fit and direct comfort
- Thumb and palm reinforcement for a superior grip
- TPU finger protection
- Soft padding protection on finger tips
- Ergonomic stretch insert on palm
- CE certified CAT II Level 2
Protection & Safety
The protection offered by the Bryce Gore-Tex is exactly what riders have come to expect from Alpinestars in safe yet comfortable armor.
- Armored knuckles with a panel of perforations for better ventilation and added grip
- Armor on the gauntlet for added abrasion protection in the event of a slide
- Side reinforcements with a palm slider
Dainese Full Metal 6
Price: $429.95
Where to Buy:
Why?
The Dainese Full Metal 6 gauntlet gloves are a race quality piece of gear that bring comfort and innovation to every rider who wears them, though at a price point over $400, they might not fit into the budgetary constraints of many riders.
The Dainese Full Metal 6 is almost like wearing a full exoskeleton that has been seamlessly integrated into a soft, yet durable, goatskin glove. All of the technology and innovation of the Dainese Full Metal 6 make them one of the best gloves money can buy.
Specs
Protection:
- Carbon fiber inserts at the joints of the fingers and the head of the ulna bone
- Composite inserts in carbon fiber and titanium on the knuckles and back
- DCP system on little finger
- External thermoplastic resin inserts on side of little finger
- Gloves certified to CE – Cat. II – PrEN 13594 Standard lev. 1
- One single leather panel to fit the size of the hand
- Polyurethane insert on the palm
- Quadruple elastication between knuckles and back of the hand
- Reinforced leather palm
- Reinforced preformed cuff construction
Ergonomics and Comfort:
- Aramid fiber stitching
- Drum-dyed goatskin leather for super soft palm
- Internal reinforcements with aramid fiber jersey
- Adjustable cuff strap
- Elasticated inserts
- Micro-injection reinforcement on the palm
- Microelastic elasticated inserts
- Palm Super Touch in goatskin
- Pre-curved fingers
- Precurved wrist
- Tightening strap
Other Features:
- Cover on the tightening strap
- Elasticated cuff inserts
- Soft inserts
Protection & Safety
The protection offered by the Dainese Full Metal 6 gloves sounds like something from a futuristic movie but here it is…
- Carbon fiber inserts at the finger joints and at the head of the ulna bone, (that’s basically the outside bone in your lower arm where it meets your wrist) work as a suit of armor
- Knuckles and back of the hand are covered by carbon fiber and titanium inserts, and there is a polyurethane insert to protect the palm
- Little finger is protected by the DCP system and an external thermoplastic resin insert
- Gauntlet cuff is reinforced and pre-curved for added safety
- Overall, these gloves are certified to CE – Cat. II – PrEN 13594 Standard Level 1
