Best Motorcycle Gloves For The Summer: Our Top 7

Riding a motorcycle in the summertime brings its own set of needs when it comes to protective gear. Proper motorcycle gloves are essential for grip, protection, and comfort in the heat.

After extensively testing over 30 pairs of summer motorcycle gloves, we’ve compiled a list of the top 7 best summer motorcycle gloves of 2024.

We took factors like ventilation, dexterity, protection, comfort, and value into consideration when evaluating each pair.

Our motorcycle glove testing process involved hundreds of miles on the road in hot, humid conditions to assess breathability and comfort.

Our List of The Top Summer Motorcycle Gloves

Ranking	Model	Best Prices
#1	Merlin Shenstone D3O Motorcycle Gloves	Check Prices
#2	Alpinestars SMX 1 Air V2 Motorcycle Gloves	Check Prices
#3	Dainese Mig 3 Motorcycle Gloves	Check Prices
#4	Held Air N Dry Motorcycle Gloves	Check Prices
#5	Klim Badlands Aero Pro Motorcycle Gloves	Check Prices
#6	Alpinestars Stella SMX 1 Air v2 Gloves	Check Prices
#7	Revit Sand 4 Gloves	Check Prices

1. Alpinestars SMX-1 Air v2 Gloves: These gloves are known for their breathability and CE-rated protection
2. Revit Sand 4 Gloves: These gloves are highly recommended by users for their comfort and protection

#1. Merlin Shenstone D3O Motorcycle Gloves

In this hands-on review, I’ll break down whether these dual-sport summer motorcycle gloves live up to their promise of “two to three-season functionality” for the café racer and vintage bike crowd.

Key Takeaways

• Vintage cafe feel
• Armored knuckles
• Cowhide durability

My Verdict

The Shenstone summer gloves strike a winning balance for riders focused on looking good while enjoying a little insurance against road rash.

For vintage bike and cafe racer loyalists wearing this style of glove, the occasional discomfort might be worth the attitude.

I believe if your rides involve short weekend jaunts rather than continent-crossing marathons, then the Merlin Shenstone motorcycle gloves should serve you handsomely during the fairer seasons.

Key Details

• Perforated cowhide leather and mesh construction
• D3O armor for impact protection
• Relaxed styling for cruiser comfort
• Touchscreen-compatible fingertips

Overall, I was impressed with the protection and style these gloves provide, given their reasonable price point. They will make a solid addition to my seasonal riding gear rotation.

Pro & Con’s

Pros

• Vintage cafe racer style and look
• Low-profile D3O armor for impact protection
• Perforated cowhide leather and mesh for ventilation
• Relaxed fit for cruiser comfort
• Touchscreen-compatible fingertips
• Reasonable price point

Cons

• Stiff, uncomfortable fingers until broken in
• No wrist closure to seal out air/moisture
• Not suitable for cold weather riding
• Palms could use more padding and grip
• It won’t withstand hardcore racing/accidents as well as track gloves

Read our Full Merlin Shenstone D3O Gloves Review

#2 Alpinestars Stella SMX 1 Air v2 Gloves

I decided to try out the Alpinestars Stella SMX-1 Air V2 gloves to see if they live up to their reputation as versatile warm-weather riding gloves.

With so many options on the market, it can be hard to choose the right pair. I wanted gloves that provide protection, comfort, and good value.

Overview

The SMX-1 Air V2 gloves are designed specifically for the contours of female hands. They feature a combination of perforated leather, 3D air mesh, and stretch fabric for maximum breathability and flexibility.

Strategic foam padding offers impact protection without a limiting feel. The premium leather and suede palms supply excellent abrasion resistance and grip.

Performance

I was very impressed with the cooling performance of these gloves. The ventilation keeps my hands from getting too hot, even on summer rides.

The pre-curved shape and stretch fabric allow my hands to move freely without restriction. The padding and reinforced palms give me confidence that my hands are protected in case of a spill.

Verdict

For its budget price, the SMX-1 Air V2 gloves offer fantastic value considering their quality construction, protection levels, optimized female-specific fit, and impressive airflow.

I highly recommend these versatile, feature-packed gloves for warm-weather riding. They provide the ultimate blend of comfort, flexibility, and protection that I was seeking.

Pros and cons list for the Alpinestars Stella SMX-1 Air V2 gloves:

Pros

• Excellent value for the price
• Optimized female-specific fit
• Impressive airflow circulation
• Good abrasion resistance from premium leather and suede palms
• Excellent dexterity and flexibility from stretch fabric inserts
• Carbon composite knuckle protection
• CE Level 1 impact/abrasion certification
• Touchscreen-compatible index finger
• 1-year warranty on manufacturing defects

Cons

• Touchscreen capability only on the index finger, not the thumb
• Knuckle protector lacks some rigidity compared to hard plastic
• Limited color options
• Sizing runs small based on some user feedback

Read our full Alpinestars Stella SMX 1 Air v2 Gloves Review

#3. Dainese Mig 3 Motorcycle Gloves

Slipping on the new Mig-3s, I could immediately feel some differences from the earlier pair I’ve used for years.

Dainese seems to have redesigned the backhand panels to improve ventilation – I appreciate the increased airflow reaching my knuckles and fingers.

However, there also appears to be additional material and armor around the wrist which makes it feel rather bulky.

Examining further, I noticed several other updates like better ulna protection, touchscreen-compatible fingertips, and split pinky construction for flexibility.

The quality of the leather, though, doesn’t seem on par with other Dainese gear I own – it just lacks that premium luxury feel.

Overall, I think Dainese has built a worthy successor to the much-loved Mig lineage with these gloves. It balances protection, comfort, and versatility at a reasonable price point.

While not exceeding the previous gold standard, I believe most riders will be happy with the modernized updates and trusty performance. For daily street use, the Mig-3 gloves should have you covered hand protection-wise!

Pro & Con’s

Pros:

• Good protection features with rigid knuckle armor and extra ulna coverage
• Touchscreen-compatible fingertips for using devices
• Perforated panels and stretch fabric inserts enhance ventilation
• Cowhide leather and Amara palm materials are durable and abrasion-resistant
• Split pinky construction improves flexibility
• Classic Mig styling remains with modernized color updates
• Retains a lightweight feel compared to other hardcore track gloves
• Excellent bang for the buck from a reputable premium brand

Cons:

• The redesigned wrist cuff seems bulky and disproportionate
• Leather quality is not as high-grade as expected from Dainese
• Lacks insulation or waterproofing for cold/wet weather usage
• Upgrades over the previous model appear minor rather than revolutionary
• Sizing runs small, needs going up one full glove size
• Slick palm grip requires a break-in period to maximize hold
• Only available in three color options
• It is not ideal for rigorous racing/track conditions

Read our full REV’IT! Chevak GTX Gloves Review

#4. Held Air N Dry 2 Gloves

In my experience testing motorcycle gear over the years, Held has consistently produced quality equipment that performs impressively in real-world conditions.

Their gloves, jackets, and boots offer protection that lasts through crashes while providing good flexibility and comfort.

The original Held Air and Dry gloves stood out to me for their innovative dual-chamber design – essentially two gloves in one.

The fully waterproof GoreTex top section and highly ventilated kangaroo leather palm chamber gave versatility across changing weather and temperatures. I loved having modular options in one glove.

Over several seasons and many miles of riding, my first-generation Air and Dry gloves held up great, besides some discoloration.

When Held released the updated Air and Dry 2 model, I was keen to see if they could enhance an already category-leading glove.

Trying the latest version, the core dual chamber concept remains intact. Changes like a snugger GoreTex fit, touchscreen compatibility, and “Two in One” branding refine the original design. The all-black color scheme is sleeker to my eye as well.

Testing the Held Air and Dry 2 gloves on rides of varying durations, I found ventilation, protection, and comfort on par with my original broken-in pair.

The revised ergonomics feel more precise without compromising flexibility. Touches like the touchscreen tips demonstrate the thoughtful evolution of the product.

Considering build quality and performance, the $230 MSRP is reasonable to me for gloves I’d expect to last multiple seasons.

While the updates seem subtle, they elevate an already stellar glove. In my opinion, Held wisely retained everything that made the original Air and Dry so impressive while meaningfully enhancing a few key areas.

Here is a markdown list of pros and cons for the Held Air and Dry 2 motorcycle gloves based on the information provided:

Overall, I agree that further improving upon greatness is difficult, but from my first-hand experience, the Held Air and Dry 2 gloves accomplish just that – exceeding their predecessors in small yet important ways. I’m glad to see one of my all-time favorite glove designs continue getting better.

Pro & Cons

Pros

• Retains the innovative dual-chamber design of the original for maximum versatility and comfort.
• GoreTex top chamber is fully waterproof, especially handy in changing weather.
• Perforated kangaroo palm with bare-hand contact maximizes cooling airflow.
• Snugger GoreTex fit and leather finger construction enhance precision and feel.
• Touchscreen compatibility was added, which is useful for interacting with phones/devices.
• Premium materials, including abrasion-resistant kangaroo leather for durability.
• Solid protective features like padded knuckles and reinforced landing zones.
• Extended 5-year Held warranty for peace of mind.
• Slight upgrades make an already exceptional glove even better.

Cons

• At a $230 MSRP, they fall on the more expensive side of motorcycle gloves.
• Besides color change, upgrades over the original model seem minor on paper.
• The black color scheme is not quite as visually striking as the prior grey palm.
• Lack the heavy armor that full racing/track gloves feature.
• Waterproof only in top Gore-Tex chamber – palm sheds moisture but isn’t fully waterproof.

Read our full Held Air N Dry II Gloves Review

#5. Klim Badlands Aero Pro Motorcycle Gloves

I recently had the opportunity to test out and review the Klim Badlands Arrow Pro motorcycle gloves. I won them in a social media contest from a local retailer called Rider’s Choice.

Key Takeaways

• The gloves offer fantastic value with premium materials and design – *
• They are extremely comfortable even on hot summer rides – *
• Protection levels are uncompromising with the latest impact-absorbing materials – *

Detailed Assessments

Design

The perforated leather and mesh provide ample airflow to the hands (4/5). I had a couple of small issues with the