Elkskin vs Deerskin Gloves: Which Hide Suits Your Riding?

Choose deerskin for the best lever feel and almost no break-in; choose elkskin if you want a thicker, tougher glove for long, rough miles. Elk hide is thicker and denser than deer hide and sits between deerskin and cowhide on most counts, according to one glove seller. You give up a little fingertip feel for that extra substance.

This comparison is part of our guide to the best leather for motorcycle gloves.

Key takeaways- Elkskin is thicker: about 1.4-1.5 mm in one maker's gloves, against 1.0-1.2 mm for that maker's deerskin.- Deerskin feels broken in from the first ride; elkskin needs a short break-in, then holds its shape better.- Both dry soft after rain; elk takes longer.- Makers disagree on whether elkskin is tougher than cowhide.

Elkskin vs deerskin at a glance

These ratings come from glove makers and sellers, not lab tests. Each is tagged to its source.

Thickness and toughness

Thickness is the clearest difference. Fox Creek Leather puts its elkskin at roughly 1.4-1.5 mm. Its deerskin cavalry gloves use 1.0-1.2 mm deerskin. For how leather weight and thickness are measured, see this leather thickness chart.

A work-glove seller rates elkskin's abrasion resistance "very good" and deerskin's "good", and says elk resists tearing more once broken in.

Is elkskin tougher than cowhide?

Sources disagree. LogoWork Gloves places elkskin between deerskin and cowhide on almost every property. Hand Armor Gloves says elk fibers are thicker and more tightly woven than cowhide's. Neither shows a test, so we treat the question as open.

Feel, break-in and fit

Deerskin wins on feel. One seller rates its dexterity "outstanding" against elk's "good", and a motorcycle glove maker says elk trades away a little fingertip sensitivity.

Deerskin needs almost no break-in. Elkskin needs a short one, then holds its shape better. Tips for that first week are in how to break in motorcycle gloves on our sister site.

Fit changes with time too. Deerskin stretches, so one maker advises sizing down one size. Elk holds its shape better, so we would start from your usual size rather than sizing down.

Rain and drying

Both hides dry soft after a soaking; elkskin takes longer because it is thicker. Neither is waterproof: deerskin absorbs water readily.

Dry either one flat at room temperature, away from radiators and hair dryers.

Warmth

Neither hide is warm by itself. A deerskin glove maker says common glove leathers insulate about the same at equal thickness and that lining, wind sealing and cuff decide warmth. Hand Armor says elkskin traps air for warmth, but pairs it with sherpa or pile linings for freezing weather and gives no measurement.

More on this in are deerskin gloves warm?.

Which to choose

• Daily commuting and city riding: deerskin, for feel at the levers.
• Touring, ADV or rough use: elkskin, for thickness and wear life.
• You hate breaking gloves in: deerskin.
• Your gloves always end up baggy: elkskin holds its shape better.
• You want something softer still: compare deerskin vs lambskin gloves, or see all types of leather used for gloves.

A cowhide alternative from our store partner

The store we work with sells neither elkskin nor deerskin gloves. If you want a hide that one seller rates highest for abrasion per dollar, its riding range is all hand-stitched cowhide, 0.8-0.9 mm thick.

The store says that thickness is thin enough to feel the levers yet tough enough for daily riding. See Leather Collection cowhide motorcycle gloves.

Quick answers

Is elk leather good for gloves?

Yes, for heavy use. It is thicker and denser than deer hide and resists tearing better once broken in, per one seller.

Are deerskin gloves worth it?

If feel matters most, yes: deerskin needs almost no break-in and dries soft. Expect it to stretch.

What is the best quality leather for gloves?

There is no single best; it depends on use. For riding, cowhide leads on abrasion per dollar, deerskin on feel and elkskin on thickness.

Is deerskin or cowhide better for gloves?

Deerskin is softer and dries soft; cowhide is firmer and stiffens as it dries after soaking, but gives more abrasion resistance for the money.