In this article, we discuss the best dirt bike gloves.
Do you even need gloves for dirt biking?
YES!
Gloves are an important piece of riding equipment when it comes to dirt biking. Your hands are the main thing that keeps your body attached to your dirt bike.
While just like in golf you want to make sure you have a light grip so you can avoid the dreaded arm pump there are lots of reasons to wear dirt bike gloves.
Table of Contents
What do dirt bike gloves help with?
- Grip
- Protection
- Blisters
- Sunburn
You want to wear gloves while dirt biking to protect your hands from sticks, rocks, trees, and the sun. You also will get less wear and tear on your hands helping you avoid blisters.
Wicking sweat is also important when it comes to maintaining a good grip on your handlebars.
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Why do you use dirt bike-specific riding gloves versus work gloves?
You are probably wondering why you need to get some dirt bike-specific gloves when you probably have a good pair of leather work gloves laying around?
You can use leather work gloves or any glove for that matter but there are a few reasons why using dirt bike specific gloves are a better choice.
Dirt Bike gloves are designed with seams, grip, and fit specifically around dirt biking. When you have a glove that is too loose it can cause your grip to not be correct. This could result in issues like accidental whiskey throttle.
A dirt bike glove should have a more formed or fitted fit around your hand. When you close your hands into a fist you don’t have a bunch of glove material bunching up. This bunching up can give you whiskey throttle and arm pump. It also at times is uncomfortable when riding for hours at a time.
Which dirt bike gloves work the best?
Finding the right dirt bike glove is really not that hard. You want to make sure that the glove fits well and also there isn’t lots of material build-up inside your palm area when you close a fist.
So having a fitted but not too tight glove is important.
You should try on a few different gloves to see what fits your hands the best.
Dirt Bike Glove Brands for 2023
There are lots of solid options for dirt bike gloves but it’s important to choose a glove that will fit your hands and also will not wear out prematurely.
Glove Brands:
1. Fox Racing Gloves is a brand known for its high-quality, durable mountain bike gloves. They offer many different styles of gloves to fit a variety of riding needs and budgets.
Nothing compares to the confidence a pair of Fox mountain bike gloves brings when it comes to maintaining supreme control while ripping down the trails. You’ll immediately discover a pair of mtb gloves that will enhance your ride, whether it’s the breathable mobility of our Flexair gloves, the Defend glove’s durability, or the Ranger glove’s “ready for anything” qualities. Fox cycling gloves offer a great handle and help you take control of any shred session, thanks to variable fits, differing levels of padding, and situation-specific technologies. Without excellent bicycle gloves, no ride is complete.
2. 100% Gloves is at the top of their game, bringing a luxury bike and street work riding gloves in one sweeping variety. All glove models are handmade using only the best leathers available: premium cowhide on our vented dirt/streetfighter gloves, amazing alligator skin on speed flex glove s-altogether breathable materials to keep you cool while still keeping your hands feeling comfortable during extended duration rides. Available in six qualities across twenty sizes between women ’s styles, men’s sizes, and kids this is one versatile brand that won’t let you down.
3. FastHouse Gloves are designed specifically to protect your hands while you ride. With a variety of materials and fits, these gloves will enhance your riding experience no matter what type of bike you are on. At their core, Fasthouse gloves are genuine All-Mode Gloves. Meaning they’re built for biking and mountain biking to tackle those tough terrain with an aggressive always alert feel without compromising your hands well being or comfort level. They have a variety of models to meet every ride.
4. Fly Racing Gloves are stylish, functional, and built to perform on your bike. They feature working under the handlebar padding which offers superior comfort while off-the-bike as well a super breathable/waterproof liner with all of Fly Racing’s signature fit and performance knuckle protection technology. These are top-performing gloves for riders who opt for premium style & function.
5. Klim Gloves are designed to deliver power, comfort, and protection while riding. They are made from two layers of Lycra fabric, with the first layer providing protection while the second layer is breathable to keep your hands cool in warmer weather. On their website, Klim offers four different collections of gloves. They are available in sizes ranging from XS to 4XL with a variety of colors such as black/yellow or grey is available for all glove models.
6. FXR Racing Gloves are perfect for off-road riders who want the protection and flexibility of a full-fledged motorcycle glove but don’t want to compromise on their style. They are made from two layers of breathable fabric with hard knuckle protection built-in. FXR Racing Gloves also come in several sizes to fit all hand types, and they’re machine washable for easy care.
7. Leatt Racing Gloves are another great option for off-road riders. They offer a full range of features, including hard knuckle protection, breathable fabric and construction, and stylish designs. Leatt Racing Gloves are also available in several sizes to fit all hand types and are machine washable for easy care. On their website, you can choose over 20 pairs of gloves, of any size and color.
8. MSR Racing Gloves are perfect for motorcycle riders who want the best of both worlds–style and protection. They offer a full range of features, including hard knuckle protection, breathable fabric construction, multiple sizes to fit all hand types, and machine washability for easy care. MSR Racing Gloves are also available in several colors to match any bike or jersey. You can purchase their products on rockymountainatvmc.com for a very low price.
9. Moose Racing Gloves are another great alternative to full-fledged motorcycle gloves. They offer a full range of features, including hard knuckle protection and mesh fabric construction, as well as high riding comfort thanks to soft synthetic leather palms for an optimal fit around the hand. Moose Racing Gloves are available in several sizes so that all riders can choose from a variety of choices or have them custom-made according to their preferences on size. Also, they’re machine washable for easy care.
10. O’Neal Racing Gloves– These hand protectors are the perfect solution for ride enthusiasts who love a sporty look and desire a better grip than sliders provide. They come in sizes to fit all hands, with armor that is hard-shell on top of softer protective padding. The O’Neal develop a sense of things after more than fifty years of nonstop product development. Sweat absorption is enhanced dramatically, and irritation is reduced drastically, thanks to the Palm’s material made with Nanofront technology.
11. Shift Racing Gloves are designed for the motorcycle rider who wants a full range of features, including hard knuckle protection, breathable fabric construction, and stylish designs. Shift Racing Gloves are also available in several sizes to fit all hand types and are machine washable for easy care. On their website, you can choose over 20 pairs of gloves of any size and color.
12. Seven Gloves is a brand of motorcycle gloves that offers riders full protection in a stylish and comfortable design. Their hand protectors are made of durable hardshell material with soft lining for maximum comfort, while their multiple sizes ensure they fit all hand types. Seven Gloves also provide machine-washable construction for easy care, and their designs are available in many colors to match any bike or jersey. You can purchase from their website for an affordable price.
13. Thor Gloves are one of the most versatile brands on the market with many sizing options and protective hard shell knuckle protection. However, their gloves are also designed for beginner riders or any rider who is unsure if he/she needs to wear hand protectors at all times during a race weekend. You can choose between AGILE GLOVES, REBOUND GLOVES, DRAFT GLOVES, SPECTRUM GLOVES, SPECTRUM COLD WEATHER GLOVES, SECTOR GLOVES, and TERRAIN GLOVES.
14. Troy Lee Gloves designs’ are main focus is on freedom of motion and performance. The glove has a neoprene back for extra padding but retains good flexibility for providing you with the best feel in your hands. These features are combined with plenty of protection from both direct impacts as well as high-speed sliding, meaning the gloves have been built to provide maximum impact protection while being lightweight and durable at the same time (specifically these gloves). As with most of the Troy Lee Designs products, these gloves are made with a Waterproof breathable material – this means that you can use them after your ride right in to stay dry. Check the variety of gloves on their website.
All of the above-mentioned dirt bike gloves have spent lots and lots of time and money developing gloves for dirt biking and motocross.
Some of the dirt bike glove manufacturers will even design their gloves with specific dirt biking In mind. For example, you have had a hard enduro glove, motocross glove, and even a cold-weather glove.
Also some of the dirt bike gloves will come with a velcro strap and some without the strap.
Dirt Bike Glove wear and tear
Most dirt bike gloves tend to have the same wear and tear contact points. This means generally we already kinda know where a glove will start to fail and fall apart.
Typically the main parts are at the end of the fingers. Other spots are between the index finger and thumb.
DIRT BIKE SAM’S glove recommendation
I have worn just about every dirt bike brand on the market and I am typically hard on gloves. I admit that sometimes I am using the glove for purposes other than dirt biking but hey….sometimes when the glove fits….you use it.
Straps or No Straps?
My personal preference is having a glove with NO velcro strap. I feel like most straps tend to come loose, catch on things, and generally are annoying.
Thickness?
I generally like a glove that isn’t thick and that is fitted and breathes well. A glove that is almost like not having a glove. I DO NOT prefer thicker gloves.
This means generally speaking I have had a hard time finding a glove that stands up to the wear and tear. I wear out the index and middle fingertips on the gloves which allows my fingers to push through the ends of the gloves which I hate.
So far the dirt biking glove I mention fits all my criteria and has held up to abuse better than all the other thin gloves
Fox Racing Airline Gloves
In conclusion, make sure you try on different dirt bike gloves to see how they fit. Don’t be afraid to have a few different pairs and try them out when you are riding. This is a great way to find the right dirt bike glove for you and your style of riding.
See you out on the trails!