Best Motorcycle Gloves For Winter: Our Top 6

When the cold weather rolls in, having a good pair of winter motorcycle gloves is crucial for comfort and safety.

After extensively testing over two dozen different gloves in a variety of winter conditions, we’ve selected the best option to keep your hands warm and protected on the road.

Ranking	Model	Price Range	Prices
#1	RRukka Thermo G+ GTX Gloves	Under $300	Check Best Prices
#2	FXR Fuel Winter Winter Gloves	Under $200	Check Best Prices
#3	Klim Togwotee Gauntlet Gloves	Under $150	Check Best Prices
#4	Merlin Minworth Heated Winter Gloves	Under $300	Check Best Prices
#5	Rukka R-Star 2 In 1 Gore-Tex Gloves	Under $300	Check Best Prices
#6	REV’IT! Liberty H2O Heated Gloves	Under $300	Check Best Prices

#1. RRukka Thermo G+ GTX Gloves

Durable Construction

The Rukka ThermoG+ gloves feature a durable outer shell using abrasion-resistant textile and leather materials.

Critical areas like the palms incorporate extra leather reinforcement for protection during crashes. Rukka focused on constructing gloves that can withstand the elements while riding in cold winter weather.

Weather Protection

A key highlight is the Gore-Tex membrane lining the gloves, which provides guaranteed waterproofing and breathability.

The gloves also utilize 200 gram 3M insulate insulation on the back to retain warmth but maximize feel in the grip areas of palms. Both name brands are trusted for effective cold weather and wet condition gear.

Safety Features

Beyond weather protections, the gloves include useful safety components like exterior TPR knuckle armor, additional finger foam padding, touchscreen-compatible fingertip tech, and high visibility reflective panels on the backs.

Convenience features like an index finger visor wipe surface and adjustable wrist closure strap enhance usability while protecting hands.

Overall, the premium Rukka ThermoG+ gloves appear well-suited for cold-weather riding needs with their robust construction and weatherproofing capabilities.

Brand name materials offer guaranteed protections most competitors can’t match. So riders who prioritize staying warm and dry could benefit from the ThermoG+ gloves despite the above-average pricing.

Pro & Cons

Pros	Cons
Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable membrane	Expensive $190 price point
200g 3M Thinsulate insulation	Non-protected outer finger seams
TPR knuckle armor for protection	Thick palm reinforcements reduce feel
Extra foam padding on fingers	Thick palm reinforcements reduce the feel
Touchscreen-compatible fingertips	Not compatible with all touchscreens
Reflective panels for visibility	Lacks insulation on fingertips
Index finger visor wiping surface	Insulation captures sweat
Durable leather and textile construction
Adjustable wrist closure strap

Read our full RRukka Thermo G+ GTX Gloves Review

#2. FXR Fuel Winter Gloves

I recently tested out the new FXR Fuel winter motorcycle gloves to see if they truly deliver on their claims of weatherproofing and insulation across cold-weather riding scenarios.

Construction and Features

The FXR Fuel gloves start with a polyester shell reinforced by full-grain leather across the palm and thumb to provide abrasion resistance without compromising flexibility.

FXR uses 300g Thinsulate insulation on the back of the hand and 200g in the palm to help preserve dexterity and comfort across frigid miles.

They also have an internal Hipora waterproof yet breathable membrane to prevent moisture saturation while enabling vapor to escape.

Testing Insulation and Weatherproofing

During a 4-hour ride in freezing rain, the Thinsulate and Hipora liner shielded my hands surprisingly well from the harsh cold and precipitation.

However, after extended riding through heavy, wet snow and slush, moisture eventually saturated the gloves, and my hands lost some warmth.

While the FXR Fuels resist light rain and snow, they can’t match fully waterproof winter gloves in extremely wet conditions.

Evaluating Dexterity and Feel

The FXR Fuels deliver excellent flexibility and feel for a winter glove. The leather construction and thin insulation enable easy operation of controls.

The grippy reinforced palms also made grabbing fuel pump handles a breeze. However, wet fleece liners do reduce contact precision in precipitation until moisture can evaporate.

While not as weatherproof as some other winter gloves, the FXR Fuels provide a better feel and grip for the bulk.

Their blend of insulation and flexibility makes them well-suited for cold-weather riding if riders don’t require hardcore waterproofing.

Pro & Con’s

Here is a table summarizing the pros and cons of the FXR Fuel winter motorcycle gloves:

Pros	Cons
Superb dexterity	Lacks complete waterproofing
Impressive warmth for weight
Great value (~$100)

Read our full FXR Fuel Winter Gloves Review

#3. Klim Togwotee Gauntlet Gloves Review

Over the years, I’ve tested my fair share of options, searching for the ideal pair that offers ventilation, flexibility, and, most importantly – protection.

So when Klim released their Togwotee Gauntlet Gloves featuring goatskin leather and D3O armor, I knew I had to give them a shot. After logging plenty of miles on these gloves in various conditions, I’m happy to report they deliver on all fronts.

Here’s an overview of my experience:

The glove chassis uses durable diamond goat leather that has withstood abrasion extremely well from contact with the tarmac and road debris.

The neoprene paneling stretches to allow good flexibility, while the silicone grip palm ensures stable handlebar control.

I especially appreciate the D3O foam padding on the knuckles and fingers for shock absorption in a potential crash or spill. Despite the armor, the gloves never feel bulky or restrictive.

While the gloves provide a fantastic feel and protection for street and commute riding, they do lack insulation and waterproofing.

In cold temps or wet weather, the Klim Togwotee Gauntlet Gloves leave your hands vulnerable. I rely on these as warm/dry condition gloves mainly.

Overall, though, for the very reasonable asking price, I believe the Klim Togwotee Gauntlet Gloves provide tremendous value for riders wanting to upgrade from a basic pair. They now rank among my top choices for high-quality street gloves.

Let me know if you have any other questions about the Axis or how they compare to other popular gloves on the market!

Pro & Con’s

Pros	Cons
Excellent feel and feedback	Limited insulation for cold weather
D3O foam protects from impacts	Not waterproof in heavy rain
Goatskin leather resists abrasion	Touchscreen compatibility fades over time
Neoprene stretches for flexibility	Only one color option available
Secure wrist closure

Read our full Klim Togwotee Gauntlet Gloves Review

#4. Merlin Minworth Heated Gloves

The Merlin Minworth Heritage Heated Gloves are designed to keep riders’ hands warm in cold weather. They are made from soft leather with a waterproof membrane and Thinsulate insulation. The gloves also have armored panels for impact protection.

A key feature is the built-in heating elements powered by a removable 22,000 mAh battery stored in a wrist pouch.

On the highest setting, the gloves emit comfortable, radiant warmth across the fingers and back of the hand. The 3.5-hour battery life on medium heat should suffice for most commuting rides under an hour.

While the Merlin gloves may not fully replace heavy winter gauntlets for extreme cold, their weatherproofing, armor, and heating make them a good compromise for practical winter commuting. Just be sure to charge them after each ride.

Tips for Choosing Heated Riding Gear

When selecting heated gear, match the climate you ride in, don’t skimp on base features like weather protection, consider battery life realistically, and ensure batteries don’t compromise safety or control. Heated gear has compromises but can extend the winter riding season.

Other Heated Winter Riding Gear Options

Beyond gloves, products like heated vests, jacket liners, insole inserts, and grip heaters also provide battery-powered warmth. While pricier, they make riding in bitter colds more feasible. Choose options that match your specific needs.

Conclusion

For frigid winter areas, the Merlin heated gloves provide very welcome extra warmth to keep commuting through the cold.

While not absolutely necessary everywhere, they make single-digit days much more bearable. Riders regularly facing below-freezing would appreciate the comfort.

Pro & Con’s

Pros	Cons
Provide extra warmth for hands in freezing weather	Require periodically recharging batteries
Help maintain dexterity and comfort when temperatures drop	Added electronic components raise cost over $200
Allow riders to extend their winter riding season	The waterproof, insulated base still blocks wind and moisture
Don’t need to wear extremely bulky gloves	May not fully thaw ice-cold hands
Waterproof, insulated base still blocks wind and moisture	Battery packs can negatively impact fit and flexibility

Read our Full Merlin Minworth Heated Gloves Review

#5. Rukka R-Star 2 In 1 Gore-Tex Gloves

I recently tested out Ruka’s R-Star gloves to see if they protect against cold winter weather riding conditions. Ruka has over 30 years of experience making premium motorcycle gear designed for adventure touring and off-road use.

Dual Chamber Design

The R-Star gloves feature an innovative dual-chamber system that lets me customize insulation levels. A removable inner neoprene sleeve can be positioned on top to maximize warmth over the hands and knuckles or underneath the palms for better grip and ventilation.

This flexibility to adapt insulation based on temperatures and bike ergonomics proved to be a game-changing advantage over winter gloves with fixed insulation.

Waterproof Gore-Tex Layer

Lining the entire interior glove shell is guaranteed waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex. In wet conditions ranging from drizzle to heavy rain, my hands stayed dry without getting clammy or chilled from moisture buildup inside. Venting perspiration while keeping exterior moisture out proved remarkably effective.

Premium Protective Features

The R-Star gloves provide ample slide protection from crashes with abrasion-resistant cowhide leather palms.

Rukka also incorporated their Carbon Protectors hard shell armor over the first knuckles, along with EVA foam padding over the other knuckles.

These guards give me confidence they would mitigate injuries during a get-off. I also appreciated design details like the adjustable water-resistant cuff, reinforced leather wraparound palm, short, wide, waterproof visor wiper, and ventilated perforated leather fingertips.

Sizing and Comfort

I tested a size large, which fit my 10″ hands well with a tapered Euro-style fit. The gloves required some break-in time to soften up the cowhide leather shell for maximum flexibility and comfort.

Overall comfort on long rides proved excellent without any pinching or bunching. The pre-curved fingers aided grip ergonomics, too.

Pro & Con’s

Pros	Cons
A versatile dual chamber system allows customizing insulation levels	Expensive/beyond many riders’ budgets
Guaranteed waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex lining
Adjustable and water-resistant cuff
Abrasion-resistant cowhide leather palms provide good slide protection.
Short wide, waterproof visor wiper
Reinforced wraparound leather palm
Short, wide, waterproof visor wiper
Good sizing range and tapered Euro-style fit
Gusseted construction between fingers for flexibility
Reflective piping for visibility
Good sizing range and tapered Euro style fit
Broke in to become very comfortable even on long rides

Read the full Rukka R-Star 2 In 1 Gore-Tex Gloves Review

#6. REV’IT! Liberty H2O Heated Gloves

As an avid motorcyclist, safety is my top concern whenever I go out riding. That’s why I always invest in high-quality protective gear like motorcycle gloves.

But with so many options on the market, how do riders know which gloves actually provide protection in a crash?

I recently tested and reviewed some of the most popular cold-weather motorcycle gloves to evaluate their safety claims. In particular, I focused my review on the REV’IT Liberty H2O heated gloves.

Why Motorcycle Gloves Matter

Riding gloves serve a crucial purpose – they shield a motorcyclist’s hands in an accident. Unlike driving a car, motorcycle riders don’t have airbags or metal frames as protection. Quality gear like gloves acts as the first line of defense on the open road.

Materials like leather and Kevlar prevent painful road rash injuries during spills, while features like knuckle armor, palm sliders, and wrist closures provide impact protection and stability.

Without gloves, riders risk severe lacerations, broken bones, nerve damage, and even amputation of the hands in crashes.

So, while many riders view gloves as optional, I strongly believe they are necessities for injury prevention.

Evaluating the REV’IT Liberty H2O Gloves

The REV’IT Liberty H2O gloves stood out with features like:

• Waterproof and breathable Hydratex layer
• Leather and Poly-Tex fabric exterior materials
• Visco elastic foam for knuckle protection
• Double cuff design with wrist enclosure

After testing them across various conditions, I found these gloves provide excellent cold weather protection, dexterity, and impact resistance for the price.

While no glove can prevent all hand injuries, the right pair greatly reduces the risks associated with motorcycle accidents on the road.

My hands are too important not to protect while riding! After this review, the REV’IT Liberty H2O gloves earned my approval.

Pros & Con’s

Pros	Cons
Waterproof Hydratex liner keeps hands dry	Less ventilation for hot weather riding
Leather and Poly-Tex materials resist abrasion	Only one color option available
Visco elastic foam absorbs impact	Could use more palm slider coverage
Double cuff with wrist enclosure for stability	Only one color option is available
Excellent dexterity for grip and feel
Not the highest-end protection features
CE Level 1 impact and abrasion protection
Reflective details for visibility
Quality construction without premium price

Read our full REV’IT! Liberty H2O Gloves Review

Remember, the best gloves for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, including the level of insulation you need, your budget, and your style preferences.

When looking for winter motorcycle gloves, consider the following key features:

1. Insulation: Gloves should have adequate insulation to keep your hands warm in cold conditions. Look for materials like Thinsulate or Primaloft for effective insulation.
2. Waterproof and Windproof: Gloves should be waterproof and windproof to protect your hands from rain and cold winds. Gore-Tex is a popular choice for waterproof and breathable membranes.
3. Grip and Tactile Support: Good winter gloves should provide excellent grip and tactile support to ensure safe control of the motorcycle.
4. Protection: Look for gloves with armor on the knuckles, extra digit protection, and good palm padding for added safety in case of a fall.
5. Adjustability and Fit: Gloves should fit snugly and have adjustable features like straps or Velcro closures to ensure a secure fit and prevent cold air from entering.
6. Gauntlet Design: Winter motorcycle gloves with a generous gauntlet can help prevent wind from getting into your jacket at the wrists.
7. Compatibility with Heated Grips: If your motorcycle has heated grips, consider gloves that work well with them, such as those with less bulk on the palm to allow more heat to pass through.

Remember that the best gloves for you will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and riding conditions.