Touchscreen Gloves
Best Touchscreen Motorcycle Gloves: Fingertip Types Compared Before You Buy
Compare touchscreen motorcycle glove fingertips (conductive leather, fabric, print, thread) and the fit, thickness and protection checks before you buy.
The best touchscreen motorcycle gloves are protective riding gloves first, with a conductive fingertip that suits how you ride. For most riders that means conductive tips on the index finger and thumb, a glove thin enough at the tip to register a touch, and a snug fit. We have not yet tested gloves with a phone, so this page compares fingertip types and buying criteria, not ranked products.
It sits under our touchscreen motorcycle gloves hub. For the wider buying checklist (protection, cuff, material), see our motorcycle glove buying guide.
Key takeaways- Protection comes first; a touchscreen tip adds convenience, not safety.- Touchscreen gloves work by making the touchpoint conductive.- Glove thickness and material decide whether a touch gets through.- Built-in tips come as conductive leather, conductive fabric or a printed patch.- Our store partner lists no glove with touchscreen fingertips.
Fingertip types compared
The full breakdown of each type sits on our page about what to look for in touchscreen glove fingertips.
| Fingertip type | How it works | What sources say | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductive leather | The fingertip leather itself carries a conductive finish | One maker says it leaves no seams or bumps at the tip | Which fingers are treated |
| Conductive fabric panel | A touch fabric insert on thumb and forefinger | Used by at least one riding-glove maker | Panel sits on the pad, not the side |
| Printed conductive patch | A conductive print on the fingertip, common on liners | One liner maker says it adds no bulk or seams | Whether it works through your outer glove |
| Sewn conductive thread | Thread embroidered into the tip touches your finger | Described as a way to make gloves work on capacitive screens | Stitch dot is on the pad |
| Added later (liquid or sticker) | A treatment or pad you apply yourself | Results on leather vary; film can wear | See our DIY guide |
How we'll test touchscreen gloves
We will not name a "best" pair until we have used them on a phone. Here is the test we plan to run on every glove before it earns a place on this page.
Until then, use the criteria below to judge any glove you are looking at.
Criteria that matter for riders
1. Protection before the phone
A conductive tip does nothing for you in a fall. Check knuckle and palm cover and a wrist closure first; our motorcycle glove safety guide explains each. For the test label to look for, read our EN 13594:2015 explainer.
2. Which fingers are conductive
The makers we read treat the index finger and thumb, which covers tapping and pinch-zoom. Check the product page names the fingers, and pass on gloves that only say "touchscreen" without detail.
3. Thickness at the fingertip
Glove thickness plays a big part in whether a screen picks up a touch. A thin summer glove is easier to make work than a padded winter glove.
4. Fit at the fingertip
Fit, flexibility and well-formed fingertips matter as much as the conductive material. A snug glove also gives a better feel for the grips and levers, in our store partner's words. Our sister site shows how to measure your hands for gloves.
5. Your phone and the weather
Some Android phones, such as Samsung Galaxy models, have a setting that raises touch sensitivity for gloves, but it is not on every Galaxy model. The same maker says a wet screen may not respond properly.
Which type suits which rider
For cold rides, our best merino wool glove liners page shows how to read a liner label.
| Rider | Suggested fingertip type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Commuter checking navigation at stops | Thin glove with conductive leather or fabric tips | Thin gloves let a touch through more easily |
| Cold-weather rider | Liner with a conductive print under a winter glove, taking the outer glove off at stops | Liners with conductive prints exist; thick gloves block touch |
| Rider keeping a favorite leather pair | Sewn thread or a sticker | Adds touch without a new glove |
| Rider with a light-colored glove | Thread or sticker rather than liquid | One liquid's maker warns of discoloration on light colors |
Are touchscreen gloves worth it?
For riders who stop often to check a route, yes, if the glove protects well too. You save taking a glove off at each stop.
Use the phone only once you have pulled over. The Governors Highway Safety Association says reading a text takes a driver's eyes off the road for about five seconds.
Store gloves: what to expect
Our store partner's Leather Collection leather motorcycle gloves are hand-stitched cowhide, 0.8-0.9 mm (0.03-0.04 in) thick. We checked every glove page in the store's motorcycle, men's and women's glove ranges, and none mention touchscreen or conductive fingertips.
So these are riding gloves without phone tips. If you choose one, plan to add a fix from our guide on how to make gloves work on a touchscreen.
FAQ
What are the best touch screen gloves?
We have not ranked any yet. Look for conductive tips on the index finger and thumb, a thin fingertip and a snug fit.
What are the top 5 motorcycle gloves?
We don't publish a top-five list without tests. Our buying guide, linked at the top of this page, shows how to pick a glove for your riding.
Do leather motorcycle gloves work with touch screens?
Not usually, unless they have conductive tips. Our page on whether leather gloves work on touchscreens explains why.
How do I make motorcycle gloves work with a touch screen?
Try your phone's sensitivity setting, then sew conductive thread, use a conductive liquid or add a sticker.
Motorcycle Leather Gloves Editorial Team
Motorcycle Leather Gloves articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.