Motorcycle glove size measurement and size chart

In a crash, the first part to touch the asphalt is often the hands; everyone who falls reflexively throws a hand out to the ground. That is why gloves are the most critical gear after the helmet. But gloves in the wrong size cause two separate problems: if they are too big they can be stripped off your hand in a slide and make it hard to feel the handlebar; if they are too small they squeeze the fingertips and cut off circulation, and your hand goes numb after half an hour. In this guide we explain how to take your hand measurements, the size chart and what to look for when trying them on.

What determines glove size?

Most motorcycle glove brands use two measurements:

• Hand circumference: the circumference measured at the widest part of the palm, just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb. This is the main measurement that determines size.
• Hand length: the length from the first crease at the wrist to the tip of the middle finger. A second check measurement for those with long or short fingers.

Some brands give only the hand circumference, others give both together. If the two measurements point to different sizes, taking hand length as the basis usually gives a more accurate result; if the fingertips are not filled, the glove makes the controls feel poor.

How to measure hand circumference, step by step

1. Measure the hand you hold the throttle with; for most people the right hand is slightly larger.
2. Keep your hand flat with the fingers together.
3. Wrap a tailor's tape measure around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, leaving the thumb outside.
4. Read the tape without pulling it tight and note the value in centimetres.
5. For hand length, measure in a straight line from the wrist crease to the tip of the middle finger.

If you enter the measurements in the size tool, it will show your size according to the general chart on our site.

Glove size chart by centimetre

This chart is a general starting point. In glove sizes the difference between brands is bigger than with helmets: one brand's M can correspond to another's L. Some brands use numerical sizes such as 7, 8, 9, 10 instead of letters. Always look at the chart of the brand you will buy.

How should a correctly fitting glove feel?

• Fingertips: when you hold your finger completely straight there should be no more than 3–5 mm of space at the tip. If there is no space at all and your finger presses against the end, it is too small.
• Palm: when you make a fist the leather in the palm should stretch, but the seams between the fingers should not cut into your hand.
• Gripping the handlebar: in the shop, grip a handlebar or a round tube. If the fabric folds and bunches in the palm as you grip, the glove is too big.
• Knuckle protection: the hard knuckle protection should sit exactly over your knuckles. If it slides off the top of the knuckle when you make a fist, the shape does not suit you.
• Wrist: when the wrist closure (hook-and-loop or strap) is fastened, you should not be able to pull the glove off your hand.

The size difference between summer and winter gloves

Winter gloves feel narrower and stiffer in the same size because of the inner thermal insulation layer and waterproof membrane. In winter, a little air space inside the glove is also good for warmth; winter gloves that squeeze the fingers chill the hand sooner because they reduce blood flow. So:

• In summer gloves choose the size that fits snugly; leather and mesh fabric widen a little with use.
• In winter gloves prefer the size that leaves a slight gap at the fingertips. If necessary, try one size up.
• If you will wear a thin inner glove under the winter glove, do the try-on with it.

For prices and recommendations, see the pages on summer gloves and winter gloves. If you ride a lot in winter, heated gear or handlebar mitts are also among the options.

Short cuff or long cuff?

Short-cuff gloves are practical in town and go inside the jacket sleeve. Long-cuff (gauntlet) gloves cover the outside of the jacket sleeve, stop wind and rain getting up the sleeve, and reduce the risk of the wrist being left bare in a slide. When trying on a gauntlet glove, wear your jacket too; the sleeve cuff and the glove cuff should close comfortably together.

Checking the label: EN 13594

In Europe, motorcycle gloves are classified as personal protective equipment and tested to the EN 13594 standard. The label shows this standard and a level number:

• Level 1: basic protection, more flexible and lighter. The abrasion and cut tests are carried out under milder conditions than for level 2.
• Level 2: higher abrasion and cut resistance; knuckle protection is mandatory at this level, and a higher pull-off force test is applied so that the glove does not come off the hand.
• KP mark: shows that the knuckle protection has passed the impact test. This mark may not be present on every glove that has hard knuckle protection.

Unlabelled cycling or work gloves that "look like motorcycle gloves" do not provide the same protection. In Turkey too there is a requirement for protective gloves for rider and passenger; details are on the traffic rules page.

Common mistakes

• Trying only on the left hand: try both hands; the right is usually larger.
• Trying without a handlebar: a glove that looks good with the palm held flat may fold when you grip.
• Buying leather gloves too loose: leather stretches a little, and a leather glove bought loose becomes looser still over time.
• Stretching glove life: replace gloves that have been in a crash or whose palm has been worn through; the palm reinforcement protects only as long as it lasts.

Glove care and when to replace

To keep the fit of a correctly sized glove, care matters too. Do not dry leather gloves quickly on a radiator or in the sun after they have got wet in rain; the leather hardens, cracks and shrinks. Dry them slowly at room temperature with paper stuffed inside, and occasionally feed them with a leather care product. Wash textile gloves by hand as the manufacturer recommends. If the reinforcement layer in the palm has thinned, the seams have begun to open or the knuckle protection moves out of position, replace the glove. A glove that has been in a crash may have lost its protective layer even if it looks sound from the outside.

Carrying a spare pair of thin gloves is also a good habit: it comes in handy on a long trip if your main gloves get wet or the weather is hotter than expected. For women riders, many brands make women's-cut gloves with a narrower palm and slimmer finger shape; trying these models instead of a small size in the men's cut gives a better fit. For women's gear, see the women's gear page, and for child passengers the children's gear page. The final check when choosing gloves is always the same: when you grip the handlebar, can you feel the controls comfortably and move your fingers freely?

Conclusion

For glove size, measure your hand circumference and hand length, find your starting size from the chart, then try them while gripping a handlebar. Choose the size that fits snugly for summer and leaves a slight gap at the fingertips for winter, and look for the EN 13594 mark on the label. For your helmet size, see the helmet measuring guide as well.

Frequently asked questions

Is glove size chosen by hand circumference or hand length?

The main measurement is hand circumference. But if the two measurements point to different sizes, taking hand length as the basis usually gives a better result so that the fingertips are filled.

Do motorcycle gloves stretch over time?

Leather gloves stretch somewhat with use and take the shape of the hand. In textile and mesh gloves this stretching is less.

Should I buy winter gloves one size bigger?

Not always, but there should be a slight gap at the fingertips. Tight winter gloves chill the hand sooner because they reduce blood flow; if they feel tight in the same size, try one size up.

Should I buy EN 13594 level 1 or level 2?

For the city and short rides, level 1 is a sufficient start. For high speed, long distances or sports riding, prefer level 2 gloves with the KP mark.