The Right Glove for the Right Ride: A Powersports Gloves Buying Guide
Not sure which riding gloves are right for you? Our expert buying guide breaks down the best powersports gloves for MX, street, commuting, and cold-weather riding — with top brand picks for every rider.
Your hands are your primary connection to your machine. They grip the bars, work the throttle, and take the brunt of a fall if things go sideways. And yet gloves are often the last piece of gear riders think about — grabbed quickly, sized wrong, or chosen purely for looks.
The truth is that the best glove for a motocross race is a completely different animal from the best glove for a cold morning commute. Material, construction, palm padding, knuckle protection, breathability, and insulation all play a role — and what works brilliantly in one situation can be a liability in another.
Here's a breakdown of the best powersports gloves by riding style, so you can get the right fit for how you actually ride.
Best for MX & Offroad Riding — Moose Offroad & Thor
When you're throwing your machine through whoops, roosting in the dirt, or fighting for position on the track, your gloves need to stay out of your way. MX and offroad gloves are built to be lightweight and low-profile, with enough grip to keep you locked in through rough terrain while still allowing the throttle and brake feel serious riders demand.
Moose Offroad has been a go-to in the MX and trail riding world for decades. Their gloves are built for the rigors of offroad riding — reinforced palm areas for grip and abrasion resistance, flexible knuckle construction that doesn't restrict input, and breathable materials that hold up lap after lap. The Agroid™ Pro and SX1™ lines in particular are popular among competitive riders who need a glove that performs without adding bulk.
Thor brings similar offroad pedigree with gloves engineered around the demands of motocross. Their designs prioritize a clean, direct feel on the handlebars while providing the protection riders need when things get physical. Bright colorways and a range of sizing options make them easy to match to your kit as well.
What to look for: Thin, flexible palm materials. Reinforced knuckle protection without excess bulk. Good ventilation. A secure wrist closure that won't loosen mid-ride.
Best for Street Riding — Alpinestars, RST Moto & ScorpionEXO
Street gloves live in a different world. You need certified impact and abrasion protection — because asphalt is unforgiving — combined with enough comfort and flexibility to handle daily riding without fatigue. The best street gloves balance CE-rated protection with a fit you'll actually want to wear for hours at a time.
Alpinestars is one of the most recognized names in motorcycle gear for a reason. Their street gloves span a wide range of styles and protection levels, from lightweight warm-weather options to full gauntlet gloves built for aggressive sport riding. Expect thoughtfully placed palm sliders, impact-absorbing knuckle protection, and construction quality that holds up mile after mile.
RST Moto brings serious race-bred credentials to the street segment. Their Tractech Evo 4 CE gloves are a standout — CE Level 2 certified, with a premium build that punches above its price point for riders who want track-ready protection on the street. RST has a strong following in the UK sport riding scene and is an excellent option for riders who take protection seriously.
ScorpionEXO rounds out the street category with gloves that focus on versatility and value. Their offerings cover a range of riding styles, with a particular focus on everyday street riders who want solid protection without the premium price tag of racing-specific gear.
What to look for: CE certification (Level 1 at minimum, Level 2 for aggressive riders). Palm sliders or reinforced palm zones. Knuckle impact protection. A secure closure at the wrist. Touchscreen-compatible fingertips are a bonus for commuters.
Best for Commuting & All-Day Wear — Icon
Commuter riding demands something that the MX or track rider rarely thinks about: comfort over hours of continuous use. You're stopping and starting, potentially dealing with traffic, and wearing your gloves for the entire duration of a shift or a long day of errands. Fatigue-free fit and versatility matter more than race-spec protection or low weight.
Icon has built a loyal following among street and commuter riders by producing gear that's practical, durable, and rider-focused without being unnecessarily over-engineered. Their gloves — like the Hooligan™ CE line — are thoughtfully constructed for all-day wearability, with CE-rated protection, smart touchscreen compatibility, and a fit that doesn't become uncomfortable over extended wear. Icon also tends to offer a wider range of sizes and color options, making it easy to find a glove that fits your hand and your style.
What to look for: Softness and comfort in the palm for extended grip. Touchscreen compatibility. Ventilation if you're riding in warmer months. Adequate wrist coverage without bulk that makes maneuvering in traffic difficult.
Best for Cold Weather & Heated Riding — Gerbing
Once temperatures drop into the 40s and below, standard gloves simply don't cut it. Cold hands don't just hurt — they slow your reaction time, reduce your grip sensitivity, and make for genuinely dangerous riding conditions. If you ride year-round or push the season into late fall and winter, heated gloves are one of the best investments you can make.
Gerbing Heated Clothing is the benchmark in the heated gear category. Their 12V heated gloves — including the Extreme Hard Knuckle Heated Gloves — connect directly to your bike's 12V power supply for consistent, reliable heat across the full glove surface. Unlike battery-powered options that can fade mid-ride, a direct-connect system gives you warmth that lasts as long as the engine is running. Gerbing's gloves also include solid impact protection so you're not sacrificing safety for warmth.
For riders who don't want to commit to a full heated system, investing in a quality gauntlet-style glove with wind-blocking materials and thermal lining is the next best option for shoulder-season riding.
What to look for: For heated: 12V direct-connect vs. battery-powered (12V wins for long rides). Heat zones — do they heat across the full glove or just the back of the hand? Impact protection built in. For non-heated cold weather: Wind-resistant outer material. Thermal or fleece lining. Longer gauntlet to seal out drafts at the wrist.
Finding Your Fit
Beyond riding style, fit is the variable that riders most often get wrong. A glove that's too tight causes hand fatigue. Too loose, and you lose feel and risk the glove shifting in a crash. Most brands size between S–3XL, and sizing can vary — so when in doubt, check the brand's specific sizing chart and when ordering online, pay attention to palm circumference measurements rather than going purely by S/M/L.
Ready to gear up? Browse our full selection of powersports gloves at Motomentum, featuring Alpinestars, RST Moto, Moose Offroad, Thor, ScorpionEXO, Icon, Gerbing, and more. Your next ride deserves the right pair.
