Why Do Motorcyclists Wear Gloves?

Motorcyclists wear gloves mainly because their hands are usually the first thing to hit the ground in a fall. Riders put their hands out to break the fall, and in one crash study, riders who wore gloves were significantly less likely to be admitted to hospital. Gloves also need to let you feel the controls and keep your hands warm without making them sweat.

Part of our motorcycle glove safety and standards guide.

Your hands hit the road first

Reaching out to break a fall is instinct, which puts your hands in the firing line. A 1987 study cited by the Motorcycle Council of NSW found that about 30% of motorcyclists' injuries were to the hands and 23% to the wrists.

The council also says the little finger is often the first part to touch the road. It can be permanently damaged or even lost. Some gloves have webbing between the little and ring fingers to lower that risk. The back of the hand is exposed too. Read why gloves have hard knuckles to see what a knuckle guard does.

What crash research shows

The clearest data we found is a 2011 study of 212 riders who had crashed. They were recruited through hospitals and motorcycle repair shops, then interviewed in person. Here is what the published abstract reports:

This was a cross-sectional study, so it shows an association, not proof that gloves alone caused the difference. The authors also found no link between armor and fracture risk.

That failure figure matters. About a quarter of motorcycle-designed gloves failed through material damage in the crash, and the authors called for better quality control. A rider-safety council suggests checking that seams are external and even, with no dropped stitches. Our EN 13594:2015 explained page covers how labs test abrasion and seams.

Control, cold and comfort

Gloves are not only for crashes. A rider-safety council says they should protect your hands without getting in the way, so you can still feel and work every control and switch, and adjust your visor. The same council wants gloves that keep hands warm without making them sweat. It says vents on the back of the hand help with cooling, and pre-curved gloves are more comfortable on long rides.

Riding in winter? See choosing gloves for cold weather on our sister site.

Many glove sellers say padding absorbs handlebar vibration and cuts hand fatigue. The seller pages we read cite no study or measurement for this, so treat it as a rider preference rather than a proven benefit.

Do you have to wear gloves?

It depends where you ride. Check the rules in your own state. Wisconsin's DOT lists full-fingered leather gloves as gear riders are "strongly urged" to wear, while its helmet rule covers only some riders. In Great Britain, the Highway Code makes helmets mandatory but only advises that gloves "may help to protect you" in a collision.

Whatever the rules say, the crash data above is the stronger reason to wear them.

Riding gloves from our store partner

Leather Collection leather motorcycle gloves are hand-stitched cowhide, 0.03-0.04 in (0.8-0.9 mm) thick. The store pages we read state no EN 13594 level, so treat them as unrated. Before you buy any pair, run the 60-second shop check in the safety guide linked at the top, and find your size with this motorcycle glove size chart.

FAQ

What is the point of riding gloves?

They protect the part of you most likely to hit the ground first. In one crash study, riders who wore gloves were less likely to be admitted to hospital. For blades and sharp edges, see are leather gloves cut-resistant?

Do riding gloves serve any purpose beyond safety?

Yes. Good gloves let you feel and work the controls, and they keep your hands warm without making them sweat.