The Best Long-Cuff Motorcycle Gloves
Updated November 8, 2023 by Simon Bertram
Protection For Both The Hand & Wrist
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These are the best long-cuff motorcycle gloves:
Along with your feet and your bottom, your hands are two of the five major contact points that control a bike. Clutch, throttle, front brakes, trip computer, signals, headlights, and so much more are at your literal fingertips—so you should be keeping those fingers and hands protected.
Long-cuff gloves, also known as gauntlets, are some of the best hand protection you can wear. The extra length over the wrists and forearms provides a layer of abrasion and impact protection above and beyond the sleeves of your jacket or one-piece race suit. Many long-cuff gloves also have multiple closures, reinforcing the strength of the gloves and preventing them from coming off your hands (unless you want them to).
We read tons of reviews, did our research, and came up with this list of the 7 best long-cuff or gauntlet gloves you can buy right now. This is, as always, a list based on our own opinions (along with a lot of feedback we’ve seen on forums and Reddit about the real life performance of many of these models).
Looking for a cooler glove? See our list of the best short-cuff motorcycle gloves.
About Our Selections
When it comes to recommending gear, we consider everything from safety certifications to armor types and placement, and everything in between. To make it on this list, a glove has to provide the best protection for its price above all else, with considerations given to ventilation, intended riding style, natural and/or synthetic materials, and the like.
However, there is no "magic formula" that definitively says "This is the only glove to use." These selections are made with educated opinions, sometimes even hands-on (literally) time with a review, but the best way to find which gloves work for you is to is to head down to your local gear shop and try a few on. This should give you a good basis from which to decide which glove you may want to buy from this list
Note: BestBeginnerMotorcycles.com participates in the affiliate programs for Amazon, RevZilla, and others. Some of the links in this list are affiliate links that we will earn a small commission from if you purchase through them. This is how we fund our site without needing to charge for a subscription.
Alpinestars SP-8 V3 & Stella SP-8 V3
A sport riding glove that actually works well with pretty much any riding style
Why We Picked It:
The Alpinestars SP-8 V3 gloves are some of the brand’s best, and they’re priced at the $100 mark for both men and women. You get full grain leather construction with Arshield reinforcements on the palm slider to increase abrasion-resistance in the event of a slide.
Impact protection comes from MotoGP-derived SP dual density knuckle protectors, the extended cuff ensures that your wrists will be protected as well as your hands.
Another neat feature of the glove is that Alpinestars have made the tips of the thumbs and index fingers touchscreen-compatible. As more and more bikes feature smartphone integration or touch screen GPS and computer systems, having that touch screen capability is a forward-thinking move.
Finally, the V3 gloves improve on the previous V2s with a new design that reduces the number of seams in the gloves and improves rider comfort.
Where To Buy:
RevZilla (Men's) | RevZilla (Women's) | SoloMoto
Key Specs:
Price: $104.95
Sizing: XS to 4XL
Fitment: Sport / Race
Safety: CE Level 1
Ideal For:
Riders looking for a pair of gauntlet gloves that are track-viable but are comfortable enough for almost any riding style
Highlights:
Full grain leather with Arshield reinforcements on palm slider
SP dual density knuckle armor
Wrist cuffs are ventilated but also have non-Newtonian armor for a comfortable fit and excellent protection
Touchscreen compatible thumb and index fingers
Rev'It! Xena 3 Women's Gloves
A superior warm weather long-cuff glove just for the ladies
Why We Picked It:
REV’IT! League and Xena 3 gloves are technically the same glove, but they’re named differently for men and women. Featuring a combination of goatskin leather and cowhide leather, the gloves feature protective armor in likely slide zones to keep your hands safe.
The knuckles are protected by a dual set of TPU hard shell impact plastic with EVA foam behind it. The palms, heel, and gauntlet closure all feature impact absorbing EVA foam, while the cuff, base of the outer thumb, and outer edge of the hand feature hard TPU sliders. The cuff and gauntlet also feature a secure double closure with Velcro fastening.
Where To Buy:
RevZilla | SoloMoto
Key Specs:
Price: $209.99
Sizing: XS to XL
Fitment: Street sport
Safety: CE Level 2
Ideal For:
Women riders looking for a top quality gauntlet glove for street sport use in the warmer months
Highlights:
Combination goat hide, cow hide, and synthetic mesh and PU leather construction
Dual TPU knuckle impact shells over non-Newtonian foam underlayer
Perforated leather with a "knuckle exhaust" venting grid
Wrist closure covered with one continuous TPU armor piece for high-quality protection
Double closure systems to keep the glove firmly on while riding or during an accident to keep you protected
Rukka Virium Gore-Tex X-Trafit
Long-distance, three-season touring gloves that are built to last
Why We Picked It:
The Rukka Virium gloves are designed for long-distance touring or day trips. Fully waterproof due to a Gore-Tex liner, the gloves nonetheless breathe well and will not be overly hot or cold.
The finger and thumb incorporate touchscreen-compatible membranes without sacrificing protection. This allows you to adjust the settings on your bike’s touchscreen or use your phone (once safely pulled over) without having to remove your gloves.
Protection comes in the form of impact-resistant foam in the knuckles and fingers, along with a double-strength layer along the edge of the hand. The palms and heel feature padding and slide zones, but they also have extra grippy surfaces to keep your hands on the controls without slipping in the wet.
Lastly—and in a clear nod to long distance riders—there is a visor-wiping blade along the left index finger, in case you ride through rain.
Where To Buy:
RevZilla | Amazon | SoloMoto
Key Specs:
Price: $189.00
Sizing: XS to XL
Fitment: Touring
Safety: CE Level 2
Our Review:
Read our full Rukka Virium review
Ideal For:
Riders looking for a durable, long-distance glove that is waterproof but also don't overheat your hands
Highlights:
Polyester textile construction layered with Gore-Tex membrane
Non-Newtonian foam at knuckles, fingers, and palm slide area for armor
Index finger and thumb are touchscreen compatible
Left glove has a visor wiping blade along index finger
Dainese Steel Pro
If you intend to head out to a track day, Dainese has a set of gloves for you
Why We Picked It:
The Dainese Steel Pro gloves are CE-rated for track and street use. Basically, these are racing gloves that also offer some of the best possible protection for your track days.
The “steel” part of “Steel Pro” comes in the form of shaped composite inserts on the back of the hand that hold preformed stainless steel and thermoplastic resin—i.e., the stuff that helmets are made out of. You can also find these materials protecting the knuckles.
The palms are fully padded with multiple slide points of hard resin, while the entire glove is made of double-reinforced goatskin leather. Fingers are also lined with the stainless steel inserts, preventing your fingers from bending in ways that would break them. The little finger has extra anti-twisting inserts to prevent rotational forces from causing it to break or dislocate. The cuff is double secured with a tightening strap, followed by a full cuff strap.
Where To Buy:
RevZilla | Amazon | SoloMoto
Key Specs:
Price: $359.95
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Fitment: Race
Safety: CE Level 2
Ideal For:
Riders looking for a gauntlet glove for track days and competition
Highlights:
Stainless steel and thermoplastic composites over the back of the hand and the knuckles to prevent twisting or rolling of the hand
Full goatskin leather construction otherwise
Palm slider reinforced with thermoplastic, addition thumb heel padding for impact protection
Double closure system to keep the glove on even in a crash
Little finger has anti-torsional reinforcement to prevent dislocation or fracture
Scorpion Exo Tempest
Maybe the best budget three-season touring glove on the market today
Why We Picked It:
For the budget-conscious rider, the Scorpion Exo Tempest is a great waterproof glove that also gives great protection for under $100. The glove is lined with Hypora, allowing for heat and moisture to escape without letting water in. There’s also a thinsulate liner backing the waterproofing, so your hands will stay warm during even the coldest mornings or evenings.
The glove has a full goat-leather palm that does not have the thinsulate lining, which allows for heat from heated grips to pass through. This also provides an excellent tactile connection to the controls.
Protection is offered in the form of hard armor on the knuckles and soft armor on the fingers, with slide areas on the palms and heels of the gloves. The gloves are secured with double closures to prevent any splashes of water from sneaking down to your wrists, and both gloves have a visor-wiping blade on the inside of the index finger.
Where To Buy:
RevZilla | SoloMoto
Key Specs:
Price: $89.95
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Fitment: Touring
Safety: CE Level 1
Ideal For:
Riders looking for a budget touring glove that is waterproof and three- or four-season capable, depending on where you live
Highlights:
Textile and goat leather (palm area) construction
Hypora waterproof lining with 100g thinsulate backing for cooler weather riding
No thinsulate on palms so heated grips can be used
TPU hard armor on knuckles, non-Newtonian foam on fingers and palm slider area
Elasticated cuff under dual closure system to prevent water running down your jacket and into the glove if it's raining
REAX Ridge WP
Subtle and waterproof, for the rider that wants the less-is-more approach
Why We Picked It:
The REAX Ridge gloves are designed from the get go to be super durable, yet still allow for plenty of rider comfort. Cowhide leather is used along the back of the hand, along with the sides of the hand and fingers. The palm is made of double-thickness goatskin leather. Touchscreen-compatible areas are built into the index finger tips and the thumb pads.
Protection comes in the form of heavy-duty impact-resistant foam wrapped in leather over the knuckles, with a reinforced slide pad that covers from the side of the hand to the heel of the glove. Reflective highlights make the gloves highly visible at night, and due to a special liner, the gloves are fully breathable but also fully waterproof. A wrist strap allows for fine-tuning the fit, while a large velcro closure seals the gauntlet to your forearm or jacket.
Where To Buy:
RevZilla | SoloMoto
Key Specs:
Price: $129.99
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Fitment: Street
Safety: CE Level 1
Our Review:
Read our full REAX Ridge WP review
Ideal For:
Riders looking for a more subdued looking glove that still provides excellent protection
Highlights:
Treated cowhide construction with a goat hide leather palm
Leather wrapped non-Newtonian foam over the knuckles. Non-Newtonian impact foam slide area extends out to the blade of the hand
Thumb and index finger are touchscreen compatible
McFit bonded waterproof liner
Double closure system
Rev’It! Quantum II
A sport touring pair of gauntlets that are also worthy of the track
Why We Picked It:
Rev’It is a Dutch company that focuses on top-tier gear at mid-market prices. While these gloves may be a touch pricey, the protection they offer for a street gauntlet glove is second to none. Made of a combination of cowhide for the chassis and fingers, goatskin for the palm, synthetic PU leather for the closure, and 3D air mesh behind the TPU knuckles, these gloves come from Rev’It’s experience in creating racing gear.
This shows through in that not only does the armor cover the knuckles, but each finger gets one or two TPU armor points that can also act as sliders. The cuff features a double closure, the first tightening the glove to the wrist, the second a large flap that wraps around the wrist with a massive TPU armor pad over your ulnar bump and the bottom of your forearm.
While they may not look like they would handle the heat and stress of sportbike riding, they do provide ventilation through micro-perforations and the venturi effect of the air coming over the knuckles and passing over the main hand exhausts over the middle of the back of your hand. The only thing, truly, separating these gloves from racing gloves is that the ring and little fingers are not stitched together. Otherwise, these are some of the best gloves you can get for spirited sport riding while also keeping your hands and wrists safe.
Where To Buy:
RevZilla | SoloMoto
Key Specs:
Price: $219.99
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Fitment: Street Sport / Track
Safety: CE Level 2
Our Review:
Read our full Rev'It! Quantum II review
Ideal For:
Riders looking for a pair of gauntlet gloves that are at home on the street, but provide enough protection to be track-day worthy
Highlights:
Cowhide leather chassis, goatskin leather palm, synthetic leather closure, and polyester 3D mesh for ventilation behind the knuckles
Split TPU knuckle armor, with fingers getting TPU slide and impact armor
Hard slider on exterior of thumb
Ventilated via perforations and exhaust vent behind TPU knuckles
Double closure with massive TPU armor pad on the wrist closure