ATV Riding Gloves
Best Gloves for ATV Riding: Types Compared by How You Ride
The best ATV gloves have knuckle padding, a tough palm, a wrist strap and a thumb that works the throttle. Compare trail, farm, winter and summer types.
The best gloves for ATV riding have padding or a guard over the knuckles, a tough palm, a wrist strap and a thumb that bends easily on the throttle. An off-road riders' safety course says gloves should be padded over the knuckles, and the CPSC lists gloves as standard ATV gear. Motocross gloves, leather gloves and winter gloves each have a place; which type suits you depends on where and when you ride, so we compare types here rather than ranking models we have not yet tested.
This page is part of our ATV riding gloves guide.
Key takeaways- Trail riders: a motocross-style or armored leather glove with knuckle protection.- Cold rides: an insulated or heated glove; warmth is one of the jobs a glove does.- Farm and utility use: a durable leather glove with a reinforced palm.- Whatever you pick, flex the thumb as if pressing a thumb throttle before you buy.
Quick verdict by rider type
| If you ride... | Start with | Must-have features |
|---|---|---|
| Fast or technical trails | Motocross-style or armored leather glove | Knuckle guard, palm sliders or double palm, wrist strap |
| Farm chores and short utility trips | Durable leather glove | Reinforced palm, easy on and off |
| Cold mornings and late-season rides | Insulated or heated glove | Lining or heat, enough thumb flex for the throttle |
| Hot summer trails | Vented or perforated glove | Knuckle padding kept, airflow over the back of the hand |
| Youth rider (parent buying) | Motocross-style glove in the right size | Knuckle padding, snug fit, simple closure |
ATV glove types compared
Gloves also keep hands warm and cut soreness and fatigue, so comfort is a safety feature on long rides. For hot days, our guide to summer riding gloves covers vented designs.
| Type | What to look for | Trade-off to check in the shop |
|---|---|---|
| Motocross-style | Light shell, knuckle padding, grippy palm | Check palm thickness and stitching at the fingers |
| Armored leather riding glove | Hard knuckle guard, palm sliders, wrist strap | Feel the weight; check that the thumb still bends freely |
| Leather work glove | Thick palm, simple cuff | Check for knuckle padding; trail gloves should have it |
| Insulated winter glove | Lining, windproof shell | Try it on a bar: bulk should not get in the way of the throttle |
| Heated glove | Battery or 12V heat | Wiring or battery runtime; see heated gloves |
Why ATV riders need gloves
In 2022, an estimated 94,700 people were treated in US emergency rooms for injuries linked to off-highway vehicles. The CPSC tells riders to always wear a helmet and other gear, including gloves.
Gloves protect against rocks, branches and debris and protect your hands in a fall. Riders' own reasons run wider: better grip, protection from scrapes, softer branch strikes and less vibration fatigue.
Hands get hurt often in road motorcycle crashes. One study cited by a rider-safety council put 30% of motorcyclists' injuries at the hands and 23% at the wrists, though that is older road data, not ATV data.
What to check before you buy
Knuckle protection
Look for padding at minimum, and a hard guard if you ride fast trails. Our explainer on why gloves have hard knuckles covers how the guard works.
Palm and sliders
Squeeze a bar or broom handle in the shop. The palm should not bunch, and any slider or extra layer should sit flat.
Thumb and throttle feel
On a thumb-throttle ATV, you press the throttle lever with your thumb. A stiff or bulky thumb tires quickly, so press your thumb down 20 times before you decide.
Cuff and closure
A wrist strap matters because a glove that comes off cannot protect you. Motorcycle glove tests check that the glove resists being pulled off, at 25 N for level 1 and 50 N for level 2.
Heat and vibration
Long rides on rough ground add up. If your hands go numb, compare gel-padded anti-vibration gloves.
Do labels and standards help?
Only partly. EN 13594 is the European standard for motorcyclists' gloves, and the SATRA summary of it does not mention ATVs or off-road riding.
A tested glove shows its maker paid for lab checks, but no source we read applies those results to ATV crashes. Our guide to EN 13594:2015 explains the levels.
Get the size right
A snug fit gives you a better feel for the grips and levers. Measure your hand with the motocross glove size chart on our sister site before you order.
A leather option from our store partner
Leather Collection leather motorcycle gloves are hand-stitched cowhide, 0.8-0.9 mm (0.03-0.04 in) thick. The range has no ATV or motocross line.
The closest fit for trail use is the Bandit Leather Outdoor Gloves, listed for outdoor activities. They have carbon knuckles, TPU sliders on the palm, thumb and fingers, an aramid lining and two wrist straps. Treat them as an armored leather glove, not a dedicated off-road glove.
FAQ
What are the best ATV gloves?
The best ATV gloves for you match how you ride: knuckle protection and a tough palm for trails, insulation or heat for cold, a thick leather palm for farm work. Check that the thumb bends easily on the throttle.
Why is it important for ATV riders to wear protective gloves?
Gloves protect against rocks, branches and debris and protect your hands in a fall. The CPSC lists them as gear every ATV rider should wear.
What must you always keep in mind when riding your ATV?
Wear your protective gear every ride, including gloves, and get hands-on training from a qualified instructor. See the CPSC ATV safety tips for the full list.
Motorcycle Leather Gloves Editorial Team
Motorcycle Leather Gloves articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.